Ex-NBA chair, court registrar, arraigns before EFCC for N60m fraud

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday arraigned Shehu Mustapha, Registrar Litigation, Adamawa State High Court, and Binanu Esthon, a former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Yola Chapter, before Justice B.B Aliyu of Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State.They were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N60million.Messrs. Mustapha and Esthon were docked following a complaint alleging criminal conspiracy between the accused persons.

A group of staff numbering 501 were disengaged from Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited, but had their entitlements withheld by the Company.

The disengaged staff, through the former NBA boss, Mr. Esthon, instituted an action against their employer (Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited) at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, and had the judgment entered in their favour.

According to them, Mr. Esthon, in connivance with Mr. Mustapha, the registrar of the court, diverted part of the funds meant for the settlement of their entitlements for personal use.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

In view of their plea, counsel to the EFCC, A.Y. Muntaqa, asked the court for a date to commence trial.

However, L. D Nzadon, counsel to the accused persons, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail, adding that the accused persons would not do anything to frustrate their trial.

Justice Aliyu admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N5million and a surety each in like sum.

The case was adjourned to March 14, 15, 16 and 17 for hearing.