N249M Scam: Ex-Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (UDUTH) Accountant Arraigned, Remanded In Prison

A Sokoto State High Court, sitting in Sokoto, today remanded Lukuman Sani Waziri, a former Accountant with the Finance Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto in prison custody, pending the determination of his bail application.

This followed his arraignment by the Sokoto Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one count charge of obtaining money by false pretense to the tune of N249,984,847.62 (Two Hundred and Forty Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Seven Naira, Sixty Two Kobo).

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, S. Sa’ad asked for a trial date and that the defendant to be remanded in prison custody. But the defense counsel, J. Ochidi (SAN), informed the court of a pending bail application for his client, urging the court to grant his prayers.

However, the prosecution objected, arguing that it needed time to respond.

Justice Dogodaji adjourned the matter till March 25 for hearing of the bail application, and April 7, 2021 for trial. The defendant was remanded in prison custody.

Both applications were argued, and Justice Yusuf subsequently adjourned the matter till March 25, 2021 for ruling on the bail applications and commencement of trial. The defendants were also ordered to be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre.

Counsel representing the second defendant, L. B. Zakari formally moved a motion for the bail for his client while counsel to the first defendant, Nasir A. Uba as well as his counterpart for the 3rd defendant, U. K. Ogidi applied orally for the bail of their clients.

n view of their plea, prosecution counsel Douglas I. Gift applied to the Court for a trial date and requested that the defendants be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre.

.....you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.'' The defendants pleaded ''not guilty'' to the charges.