The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has brought charges against Abubakar Bawa Makuku, the former Sole Administrator of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State, and his Director of Finance and Supply, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, over alleged involvement in a N54 million contract fraud.
The two were arraigned before Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court in Birnin-Kebbi on Thursday, facing charges of abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.
According to the three-count charge, Fakai is accused of unlawfully withdrawing N54 million from the Sakaba Local Government account in six separate withdrawals of N9 million each, allegedly to bypass financial reporting protocols.
Meanwhile, Makuku is charged with corruptly enriching himself with N10 million, reportedly diverted from funds meant for official government purposes. He is also accused of awarding contracts without following due process.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Director of Finance & Supply, withdrew a total of N54 million from the Sakaba Local Government bank account at First Bank Nigeria Plc in six tranches of N9,000,000.00 each, with the intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge against Makuku states:
“That you, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, in May 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Sole Administrator, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) in cash from the Finance and Supply office of Sakaba Local Government. The funds were designated for official government activities but were not utilized for their intended purpose. You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. During the arraignment, the prosecution, represented by Hamza Sani, expressed readiness to proceed with the trial and requested a clear date for its commencement. The defense counsel, J.D. Adeyemi, moved for bail on behalf of the defendants, and the prosecution did not object to the application.
