Yakubu Adamu: EFCC witness tells court that N4.6 billion was fraudulently diverted from Bauchi government coffers

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, John Ibrahim, on Thursday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, how over N4.6 billion was allegedly diverted from the Bauchi State government coffers.

Ibrahim, an EFCC investigator, is the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.

The witness who was given evidence by the Corruption Eradication Committee attorney, MO Adebayo, (SAN), admitted that he knew Adamu and his company, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Limited.

The EFCC charged the commissioner and his company with money laundering.

He said: “My Lords, in approximately May 2024, the commission received intelligence reports regarding fraudulent activities by the first defendant and his company.

“From intelligence, the first defendant used an account called IS Makayya Investment Resources Ltd with account number: 4091670187 belonging to the same IS Makayya Investment Resources Ltd.

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“The account is domiciled at Polaris Bank where the first defendant is the Branch Manager in Bauchi.

That account was used to receive funds belonging to the state government and then distributed to individuals and companies, including a company called Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, the 2nd defendant.

The witness said the commission received the intelligence report and started investigations in earnest by writing to the bank and asking for the bank statement of IS Makayya Limited.

“We receive feedback and analyze it.

“On analyzing Tuanku’s statement, we noticed an inflow of N4 billion and N650 million into the account of one Emmanuel Asomugha Public Company with account number; 4091707386 domiciled at Polaris Bank, Bauchi.

“When we analyzed the accounts of Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises, we discovered that part of the funds transferred to IS Makayya Investment Resources Limited was a loan given to Emmanuel Asomugha to supply 15,000 motorbikes to civil servants in Bauchi State,” he added.