Sani Lawal BK, Saadi Maiwada
By Our Reporter
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the Deputy Accountant-General of Katsina State, Sani Lawal BK, before the state High Court on a five-count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the Commission arraigned him alongside Saadi Maiwada, the state’s former Sub-Treasurer in the Office of the Accountant-General.
It was alleged that the defendants allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289 million from the state’s coffers.
According to the statement, an investigation revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company where the first defendant (Maiwada) is a director.
The sum of N49 million was also allegedly transferred from the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited to the personal account of the second defendant (Lawal BK).
One of the counts read, “That you, Saadu Miawada and Sani Lawal BK sometime in 2017 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Katsina State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N120,790,942.86 which was transferred from the Katsina State Government Sub -Treasury Expenditure Account number 1012424374 domiciled in United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC to Integrated Gas Services Company Limited’s Fidelity Bank account no 4010693761 (CO1717299). You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State 2021.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
The court admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million, among other terms, and adjourned till July 24 for trial.
