The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has arraigned three clerics before Justice M. S. Shu’aibu of the Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and obtaining N10 million by false pretence.

Those on trial are two leaders of the Taraba State chapter of the Muslim Council, Alhaji Inuwa Usman and Alhaji Chindo Bose and a Special Adviser to the State Government on Religious Matters, Rev. John Simon Jatutu.

The Muslim clerics were alleged to have conspired with Rev. Jatutu to divert part of the funds approved towards the celebration of the country’s Golden Jubilee.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The Taraba State government had in September 2010 approved N42 million for the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Muslim Council for purposes of the 50th Independence celebration.

“Both faiths shared the money equally with each getting N21million but the three accused persons cornered N10m from the Muslim Council share of the grant and declared only N11million to the council.

“However, members of the council later got wind of the actual amount approved for them, which prompted a petition to the EFCC.

“When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty to all charges.

“Their no guilty plea prompted the prosecution counsel, Al Qasim Jaafar to request the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Jafaar opposed the bail application by defence counsel, Ukaegbu Onyi, on the grounds that the accused had jumped administrative bail granted them by the Commission.

“However ruling on the bail application, Justice Shuaibu took cognizance of the forthcoming judicial recess and granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1.5 million each and a surety in like sum.

The EFCC also yesterday said it has arraigned a couple, Dan Fulani and his wife, Gambo Tanimu (a.k.a. Happiness) before Justice Musa Sale Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Yola, and Adamawa State on a six-count charge of conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretences.

The anti-graft agency said the offence is contrary to Sections 1(a), 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

A statement by the EFCC said “the couple who are chairman and Treasurer respectively of a Cooperative Society in Jalingo, Taraba State allegedly defrauded one Alhaji Idris Tukur, a businessman, of N11.3million under the guise of selling imported rice to him.

“When the charge was read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty. Their counsel, P.S. Agabus, immediately urged the court to admit his clients to bail. He told the court that the accused persons are well known in the community and would not jump bail. “But prosecution counsel, Al Qasim Ja’afar opposed the bail application.

“However, Justice Shu’aibu granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1million each and a surety in like sum.

“The matter has been adjourned to October 24 for commencement of trial.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/54046-efcc-begins-trial-of-muslim-christian-clerics-for-diversion-of-n10m.html

Christians and Muslims United - In Crime!