The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a staff member of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NIRS), Aliyu Umar, and a bank employee, Ambrose Idama, over an alleged ₦336.4 million fraud.
The defendants were arraigned before the Federal High Court on a nine-count charge bordering on fraudulent conversion of funds and financial cybercrime.
At the proceedings, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Uwaisu Yusuf, told the court that between March and September 2021, Umar allegedly obtained various sums totalling ₦336.4 million from a retired permanent secretary in the Nasarawa State Civil Service, Mallam Ishaku Danladi-Abari.
According to the prosecution, the money was obtained under the pretext of facilitating a contract allegedly secured by Umar’s company, Bamo Value Integrated Services Limited, to supply five million 50kg bags of rice over two years.
The EFCC further alleged that the supposed contract, valued at over ₦200 billion, was claimed to have been awarded by an organisation known as UN Rescue Services, which investigations later revealed to be non-existent.
The commission also accused Umar of conspiring with Idama to authorise the transfer of ₦100 million to an account belonging to another allegedly non-existent firm, Prowess Energy Limited.
After hearing submissions, the trial judge, Justice Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon, granted Umar bail in the sum of ₦150 million with two sureties owning landed properties in Abuja or Nasarawa State. Idama was also granted bail in the sum of ₦100 million with similar conditions.
The court ordered that all sureties must present evidence of three years’ tax payments, submit two recent passport photographs, and deposit original property documents with the court. Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants are to remain in custody.
The case was adjourned to March 2, 2026, for hearing.
Byline:
From Umar Muhammed, Lafia
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