Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Shamsudeen Lawal and Abubakar Abdulkadir before Justice A.Y. Shafa of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Nyanya, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence. The defendants were arraigned on Monday, June 22, 2026.
Count one of the charge reads: "That you Shamsudeen Lawal, Abubakar Abdulkadir and another (at large) sometime in 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did agree amongst yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust while being entrusted the sum of $180,000 USD (One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars) being payment by Data Group for purchase of equipment to service MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd which money you sent to one Ahmed Sarki Mohammed based in Uganda for a different purpose which is in clear violation of the mode in which the trust was to be discharged and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Law, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 97 of the same Law."
Count two reads: "That you Shamsudeen Lawal, Abubakar Abdulkadir another (still at large) sometime in 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court while being entrusted the sum of $180,000 USD (One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars) being payment by Data group for purchase of equipment to service MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd which money you sent to one Ahmed Sarki Mohammed based in Uganda for a different purpose which is in clear violation of the mode in which the trust was to be discharged and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of penal code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 312 of the same Law".
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. Following their plea, prosecution counsel, Mariya U. Shariff, prayed the court for a date to commence trial. Counsel to the defendants, J.U. Bolori, applied for bail on behalf of his clients. The application was not opposed by the prosecution, and Justice Shafa subsequently admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) with two sureties, one of which must be a business man with a means of livelihood and must swear to an affidavit on the bail bond. Justice Shafa thereafter adjourned the matter till September 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case highlights the EFCC's continued efforts to prosecute individuals involved in financial crimes, including those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain. The anti-graft agency has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those who defraud the government and private entities are held accountable. As the legal proceedings continue, the defendants remain on bail pending the commencement of their trial.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments