EFCC arraigns man over alleged N19m land fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man, Sadi Babale, before the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri over the alleged misappropriation of ₦19 million obtained under the guise of a land transaction.
Babale was arraigned on Monday before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court by the EFCC’s Maiduguri Zonal Directorate on a one-count charge of criminal misappropriation.
*Sadi Babale Bako
Nkereuwem Effiong
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man, Sadi Babale, before the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri over the alleged misappropriation of ₦19 million obtained under the guise of a land transaction.
Babale was arraigned on Monday before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court by the EFCC’s Maiduguri Zonal Directorate on a one-count charge of criminal misappropriation.
According to the charge, the defendant allegedly dishonestly misappropriated ₦19 million belonging to one Alhaji Tijjani Mohammed in September 2024 in Maiduguri, an offence punishable under Sections 296 and 297 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State.
The charge reads: “That you, Sadi Babale, sometime in September 2024, at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated the sum of ₦19,000,000 belonging to one Alhaji Tijjani Mohammed, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 296 and punishable under Section 297 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.
Prosecuting counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, J. Yakubu, informed the court of his intention to move an application for the defendant’s bail.
Justice Kumaliya adjourned the case until July 28, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility.
The EFCC alleged that the complainant paid Babale ₦19 million for the purchase of four plots of land, which later turned out to be non-existent. The anti-graft agency further alleged that the defendant converted the money to his personal use instead of completing the transaction.
The prosecution is expected to open its case after the court determines the defendant’s bail application.
The statement was issued by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC.
