EFCC Arraigns Kebbi Accountant-General Over N1.6b Fraud

The Kebbi State Accountant-General, Mohammed Arzika Dakingari, was arraigned on Friday, November 7, 2014, before Justice Sabiu Bala of Kebbi State High Court, Birnin-Kebbi on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and abuse of office.

Dakingari was taken to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside the Managing Director of Beal Construction Nigeria Limited, Musa Yusuf, over an alleged N1.6 billion fraud.

The EFCC accused Dakingari of using his office to carry out a fraudulent act, contrary to the law.

Two of the counts read, “That you Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari being the Accountant-General of Kebbi State , on or about 2nd May, 2013 in Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kebbi State, did use your office to confer upon yourself, a corrupt advantage for the award of a contract by Kebbi State Government to Beal Construction Nigeria Limited, (a company on whose board your children are directors and of which you are a signatory to its bank accounts) for the provision of additional structures to the newly established secondary school at Moh’d Mera College, Argungu worth N241,866,556.50 (two hundred and forty one million, eight hundred and sixty-six thousand, five hundred and fifty six naira, fifty kobo) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2010.

“That you Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari being the Accountant-General of Kebbi State and Musa Yusuf being the Managing Director, Beal Construction Nigeria Limited sometime in October, 2012 in Birnin-Kebbi within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kebbi State, with intent to defraud, did aid Ibrahim Abdullahi Usman, Chairman/Managing Director, Cigale Finance S.A Lome-Togo (now at large) to obtain 25 Units of Iveco Trucks, property of Karimat Global Trade Links Limited valued at N175,000,000.00 (one hundred and seventy five million naira) only by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) 0f the same Act.”

However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to them and pleaded for bail pending the commencement of trial.

But Justice Bala adjourned the matter to November 11, for hearing on the bail application and ordered the accused persons to be remanded in EFCC custody.