Ex-FCTA Director Arraigned By EFCC Over Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 arraigned Aminu Ibrahim Gaya, a former Director with the Federal Capital Territory Administration before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja on a 15 count charge which borders on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and forgery.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the 15-count charge when it was read to him.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Aminu Ibrahim Gaya sometimes 2006, in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N5 Million (Five Million) only from Uche Christian Okoli, by false pretences that the money was the purchase price for plots number 171 (formerly plot c15-c16) in Cadastral Zone B17 Sector Center C Abuja with file number MISC 56371 in the name of Blue Toppaze which you know was not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.

Based on the plea of the accused person, counsel to the EFCC, Peter Aso Larrys asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the accused in prison custody.

However, counsel to the accused, M. S. Waziri, told the court that he has filed an application for bail and that he has served the prosecution. He also told the court that the accused has been under the EFCC administrative bail.

EFCC counsel opposed the application on the grounds that the accused has been relieved of his job in Kano State government and that there were indications that he would leave the country. Counsel to the accused disagreed saying that the allegation were spurious. He pleaded with the court to grant his client bail

After listening to the argument of both counsel, Justice Goodluck admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of N5m (five million naira) with two sureties who must not be less than level 14 officer working in the Federal Civil Service. The sureties are also to show to the court evidence of their employment and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned to March 25-26, 2014 for hearing.