The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Mr. Abubakar Garba Dandare, a former registrar with the upper Sharia Court one, over the alleged embezzlement of three million, eight hundred and thirty-seven thousand naira.
The money in question is part of the retention fee payable to the family of the late Ladan Mada, a renowned businessman. The Zamfara State Ministry of Finance reportedly paid the money into the deceased’s bank account as a Retention Fee in December 2012.
According to the anti-graft agency, Mr. Dandare also forged the signature of the next of kin of the deceased, Aminu Ladan Mada, to gain access to the funds. The suspect is said to have committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust, contrary to sections 311 of the Penal Code CAP 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, and punishable under section 312 of the same law.
Bello Umar, counsel to the accused, argued that the law under which the commission is arraigning has been repealed by the Zamfara state government. However, Peter Attah, counsel to the EFCC, insisted that the accused be tried by the court.
The presiding Judge, Bello Mohammed Shinkafi, granted the accused person bail with two sureties in the sum of N5M. They must have landed properties within Gusau and present their passport photograph to the court.
The case has been adjourned to the Sixth of June, 2024 for further hearing.