The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Senator, who represented Kebbi North in the 6th Senate, Umaru Argungu, on charges of criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N419 million.
Argungu was arraigned before the Sokoto State High Court on Monday.
EFCC is accusing the former Senator of diverting a total of N419, 744, 612.30 which was invested in his textile company by the Sokoto State Government to create jobs and boost the economy of the state.
The charge says, “That you Senator Umar Tafida while being the Chairman of Hijrah Textiles Company Limited and Hijrah Investment Nigeria Limited sometime between 2016 and 2017 at Sokoto within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice Sokoto State, being entrusted with the total sum of N419, 744, 612. 30 (Four Hundred and Nineteen Million, Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twelve Naira, Thirty Kobo) paid by the Sokoto State government, representing 40% investment of shareholding in your company to boost the economy of the state, dishonestly misappropriated the money in violation of the mode in which such trust was to be discharged and thereby committed Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Law CAP 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law”.
He however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the one-count charge.
Argungu was granted bail by the Judge, Justice Mohammed, in the sum of N50 million and two sureties in like sum.
Justice Mohammed also ruled that the defendant’s international passport be deposited with the court.
The case was however adjourned to March 18, 2021, for the commencement of trial.
