By EMMANUEL ANTSWEN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned the Managing Director, Benue State Agricultural Development Company (BS-ADC), Mr Donald Akule, before a Federal High Court over alleged diversion of N59.8 million fraud.

The Makurdi zonal directorate of the commission told the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi in Benue that Akule was arraigned for eight counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, stealing and diversion of public funds.

The prosecution counsel A.S. Idris said the accused was arrested by the commission upon the receipt of a petition against him for alleged criminal breach of trust and stealing.

Idris said the petitioner alleged that the funds belonged to the BS-ADC for the supply of grains to the state government.

“Investigation revealed that the MD/CEO was not able to pay for the grains supplied by some contractors because he diverted a substantial part of the funds meant for the purchase for his personal use.

“The money diverted was part of the N486 million sent to the company by the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) for the purpose of fish cultivation, grain purchase and warehouse renovation.

“Further investigation revealed that the monies received by BS-ADC from BIPC for the purchase of grains, part of which he diverted directly to his private account,” they said.

He said the accused sometimes in 2024 used Udeco Engineering Company, a company owned by his friend, Henry Ude and award contracts for the construction of perimeter fencing, gate house, warehouse renovation, supplies and installation of CCTV for N195.8 million without due process.

The prosecution said the accused used part of the purported contract sum of N31.9 million for his benefit and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same act.

He said on 20th December, 2025, the accused knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of N14 million from BIPC, which was represented to be payment for the stocking of fish and building of a fish pond.

Idris told the court that the action was not only false but committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.

The prosecution counsel further prayed for a short date for an accelerated trial.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty for all the eight counts charges and applied for bail application, which the prosecution objected.

The presiding judge, Justice Raphael Egbe, in his ruling, remanded the defendant at the Correction Centre Makurdi and adjourned the case to 29th January for a hearing of the bail application. (NAN)

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