The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Muhammed Ishaq, a former Zonal Land Manager, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), before Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, sitting in Kubwa, Abuja, on an 11-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office to the tune of N5m.

Ishaq, who is the principal suspect in the alleged fraud had, in 2015, approached one Ifeanyi Eke, claiming that he owns some plots of land – MF 45, E 296, E 293, E 295, E294 – situated at Apo Extension 111, for which he was paid N5m by Eke.

One of the charges reads: ‘‘That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document titled “Offer of the Terms of Grant/ Conveyance of Approval’’ dated 16th August, 2006 in respect of plot No E 296 with reference number OG 44398 situate at Apo Extension 111 purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council in the name of Abiola Adekunle, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 363 Penal Code Law Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under section 364 of the same law.”

Another count reads: “That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document titled “Offer of the Terms of Grant/Conveyance of Approval” dated 16th August, 2006 in respect of plot No MF 45 with reference number MISC 97162 situate at Apo Extension 111 purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council in the name of Timba Oil & Gas, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Law Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under section 364 of the same law.”

The accused person, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Yetunde Alabi, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

However, the defence counsel, Shaibu Yahaya, prayed the court to grant the accused person bail.

The prosecution counsel did not object to the motion for bail moved by the defence counsel on the grounds that the accused person had not jumped the administrative bail granted him by the commission.

Consequently, Justice Kawu granted the accused person bail in the sum of N10m with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil servant not below the level of a deputy director; he must also have a landed property within Abuja and must produce two recent passport photographs.

The case was adjourned to February 17, 2016 for commencement of trial.

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