Former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, alongside the Bursar of the institution, Ibrahim Shehu Usman, over alleged N1 billion fraud.
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned them before Justice R.M Aikawa.
According to the charges, the defendants were accused of diverting monies from various accounts belonging to ABU, which were meant for the renovation of the Kongo Conference Hotel in Zaria.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
During the court proceeding, the prosecuting counsel, Jamil Musa, requested the court to remand the defendants at the Kaduna Correctional Centre and set a date for the trial to begin.
However, the defense counsel, M.S Aatu (SAN) and Bello I. Jahun, respectively for the first and second defendants, pleaded with the court to grant bail to their clients.
Justice Aikawa granted bail to the defendants for N5 million naira each, with one surety each in like sum.
The sureties must not be below Grade Level 15 in the civil service and must also deposit their international passports with the registry of the court.
Additionally, the defendants are to report to the EFCC on the first Monday of every month until the court directs otherwise.
The case has been adjourned till June 20-21, 2023, for a hearing.
