EFCC Docks 2 Over False Whistle Blowing
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The duo of Buhari Fannami and Ba-Kura Abdullahi on Tuesday became the first victims of Whistle Blowing policy of the Federal Government as they were dragged before a Federal High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State on one count charge each.
This followed their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice M. T Salihu for allegedly giving false information to the anti-graft agency under the whistle blowing policy.
A statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said Fannami misled EFCC with information about illegally acquired monies purportedly buried at the residence of one Ba’a Lawan that turned out to be false after the execution of a search warrant.
The charge reads, “That you, Buhari Fannami on or about the 8th day of May, 2017 at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did make statement to Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under the Whistle Blowing policy to the effect that large sums of money being the proceeds of crime were buried in the residence Ba’a Lawan at Pompomari Layout, along Pompomari Bypass, Maiduguri, which information/statement you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 39 (2) (a) and 39 (2) (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 respectively”.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution Counsel, Alkassim Ja’afar asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused person in the prison custody pending trial.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Salihu adjourned the matter to June 7 and 8, 2017 for hearing and ordered that accused be remanded in the prison custody.
Similarly, the EFCC said Ba-Kura Abdullahi also gave false information to the effect that large sums of money in Naira and foreign currencies were buried in the residence of Ba’a Lawan.
In the same vein, Justice Salihu adjourned his case to June 7 and 8, 2017 for commencement of trial and ordered the accused to be remanded in the prison custody.