By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senator Umaru Tafida Argungu, who represented Kebbi North Senatorial District in the sixth Senate, was arraigned by the Sokoto zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court.
Senator Umaru Tafida Argungu was docked Monday on one count charge of criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N419, 744, 612. 30.
The Anti-graft agency alleged that the former Senator diverted the aforementioned sum which was paid by the Sokoto State government as 40percent equity stake in Hijrah Investment Nigeria Limited, owners of Hijrah Textile Ltd.
The Sokoto state government had entered into an agreement with the former Senator to buy a 40percent stake in his company Hijrah Investment Nigeria Limited in order to create jobs and boost the economy of the state.
However, investigations revealed several withdrawals and transfers from the said account to individuals not remotely connected to the objectives of turning around the company.
A visit to the company premises by investigators, showed a company in severe state of abandonment and dilapidation.
The one count charge reads: “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 40percent 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”.
After hearing the charge against him, he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge.
Based on his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.H. Sa’ad asked the Court for a date to commence trial while defence counsel, Ibrahim Abdullahi moved a verbal motion for the bail of his client.
Justice Mohammed granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must reside and have property within the jurisdiction of the Court.
The judge further ruled that the defendant’s international passport be deposited with the Court.
The case has been adjourned till March 18, 2021 for commencement of trial.