The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday arraigned Mohammed Nuraini Adamu, son of former governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu alongside one Felix Onyeabo Ojiako before Justice J. K. Daggard of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano on a 5-count charge of money laundering.
Adamu’s trouble followed a petition by one Atta Esin, Executive Director, Biolocks Technologies Limited who alleged that the defendants used his company’s name (Biolocks) to execute contract without his knowledge.
He further alleged that the contract resulted in the accumulation of withholding tax to the tune of N1,311,519.99.
According to the petitioner, the contract worth was N26,230,399.60, but investigation into the alleged fraud revealed that the actual contract sum was N92,036,490.
Adamu and his co-accused allegedly perpetrated the fraud by forging the board resolution of the company in order to open a new account in the company’s name where the proceeds of the contract were subsequently deposited.
The defendants pleaded not guilty when it was read to them, in view of which the prosecuting counsel, B. M. Buhari asked the court for a date to commence trial.
Adamu’s counsel, Mamman Lawal raised no objection but prayed the court to admit his clients to bail.
Buhari opposed the bail application with a 7-paragraph counter affidavit. He, however, left the discretion to or not to grant the application to the court.
Justice Daggard, thereafter, adjourned to February 7 for ruling on the bail application and ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC custody.