By Muhammad Mamman
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a senior official of the Nasarawa State Government and a bank employee before a High Court sitting in Lafia over an alleged ₦336 million fraud linked to a fictitious rice supply contract.
The defendants, an official of the Nasarawa State Government’s NRS programme and a staff member of a commercial bank, were charged with conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering, contrary to relevant provisions of the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
According to the EFCC, the suspects allegedly conspired to defraud the Nasarawa State Government by processing and facilitating payments for a rice supply contract that was never executed. Investigators said the contract existed only on paper, yet funds amounting to ₦336 million were allegedly released through the banking system.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the bank employee played a key role in enabling the movement and withdrawal of the funds, while the government official allegedly initiated and authorised the fraudulent transaction.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Prosecuting counsel urged the court to remand the suspects in custody and fix an early trial date, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the need to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings. Defence lawyers, however, applied for bail, arguing that their clients would not interfere with the trial.
The trial judge adjourned the case to a later date for the hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded pending the court’s decision.
The EFCC said the arraignment underscores its resolve to pursue cases of public-sector fraud and financial misconduct, particularly those involving the diversion of funds meant for public welfare programmes.
