The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken significant action against corruption in Kebbi State by arraigning former Sole Administrator of Sakaba Local Government Area, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, and his Director of Finance and Supply, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, for their alleged involvement in a N54 million contract fraud.
The two were presented before Justice E. Gakko at the Federal High Court in Birnin-Kebbi on Thursday, facing multiple charges including abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.
According to a three-count charge, Fakai unlawfully withdrew N54 million in cash from the local government’s bank account in six transactions of N9 million each, allegedly to evade financial reporting obligations. Meanwhile, Makuku is accused of enriching himself with N10 million intended for official local government activities, which he reportedly diverted for personal use. The charges highlight serious breaches of financial protocols and misuse of public funds.
One of the charges against Fakai states: “That you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Director of Finance & Supply, withdrew a total of N54,000,000.00 (Fifty-Four Million Naira) from the Sakaba Local Government bank account at First Bank Nigeria Plc in six tranches of N9,000,000.00 each, with the intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum.”
Similarly, a charge against Makuku reads: “That you, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, in May 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Sole Administrator, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) in cash from the Finance and Supply office of Sakaba Local Government.”
At the arraignment, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecuting counsel Hamza Sani expressed the ICPC’s readiness to commence the trial and requested the court to set a date for proceedings. The defense counsel, J.D. Adeyemi, sought bail for the defendants, which the prosecution did not contest.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of the ICPC to combat corruption and ensure accountability in public office. As the trial progresses, the ICPC remains committed to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding public funds.
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