Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja/Katsina — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Professor Armayau Hamisu Bichi, a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State, on corruption charges involving alleged bribery and kickbacks amounting to ₦19,700,000. The arraignment took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026 before Honourable Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar of the Katsina State High Court.
According to verified reports, the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate accused Bichi of receiving illicit payments through middlemen in exchange for awarding university contracts while he served in office. Bichi was docked on five counts bordering on bribery and abuse of office, alleged to have occurred during his tenure as vice chancellor.
The anti-graft agency alleged that in July 2023, Bichi accepted a ₦5 million bribe from Theophilus Ilechukwu of Goezek International Agency Nigeria Limited as a reward for the award of contracts for the supply of medical equipment and the furnishing of a laboratory at the Federal University Dutsinma. The prosecution said that the money was channeled into the bank account of a third defendant, Aliyu Lawal Jari, instead of being paid directly to Bichi, constituting a bribery offence under Section 79(a), (b) & (i) of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.
The EFCC further alleged that Bichi and his co-defendants — Lawal Tukur Mani and Aliyu Lawal Jari — received a total of ₦19.7 million in kickbacks from contractors who benefited from university projects. These payments were said to be connected to various contracts awarded by the institution during Bichi’s tenure.
When the charges were read in court, all three defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Prosecution counsel Salihu Sani asked the judge to fix a trial date to allow the EFCC to assemble its witnesses and present its case, while defence lawyers A. L. Yusuf and Raphael Henry separately moved bail applications on behalf of their clients.
Justice Abubakar granted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety of like amount and adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment reflects the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to prosecute public officials and university administrators accused of corrupt practices tied to the abuse of office and financial misconduct. Observers say the case will test the robustness of evidence required in high-profile corruption prosecutions involving senior academic figures and institutional contracts.
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