Ghost workers: EFCC arraigns man for N11m fraud

TRACKING____The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Ibrahim Mohammed Ali before Justice S.I. Mark of the Federal High Court, Kano on a six count charge of money laundering.

The defendant was arraigned today, November 19.

Mr. Ibrahim who works at the complainant’s company allegedly created ghost workers whom he paid monthly salaries in different bank accounts operated by him, to the tune of N11,187,619 (Eleven Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Nineteen Naira Only).

It was further alleged that, when the company’s management discovered the fraud, the defendant tendered his resignation and fled with documents belonging to the company.

Count one of the charge read ”That you Ibrahim Mohammed Ali sometimes in 2019 at Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court retained the sum of N1,032,000.00 (One Million Thirty Two Thousand Naira only) property of Abshat Engineering Resources Limited in an account you maintain in the name of Ibrahim Ali Mohammed at Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc which fund you reasonably ought have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to section (15) (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded ” not guilty ” to the charge against him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel Buhari Mohammed Balarabe asked the court for a date for the commencement of trial.

The defence counsel A.S Bawa prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, pending trial. Justice Mark adjourned the case to November 20, 2020, for the hearing of the bail application.

The defendant has been remanded in EFCC custody.