The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Usman Mallam, a civil servant in Gombe, for “tearing its official investigation activities’ letters”.
In a statement issued on Friday, the commission said Mallam, a desk officer in charge of responding to official correspondences in the office of the secretary to the state government (SSG) in Gombe, was arraigned on a one-count charge of “willful obstruction of investigation activities and tearing official documents of the EFCC”.
The anti-graft agency said the official was arraigned on June 11 before TG Ringim, judge of the federal high court in Gombe.
“That you, Usman Mallam on or about the 26th day of February 2024 at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while the officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC were carrying out an investigation activity involving an alleged economic and financial crime, did willfully obstruct the said investigation by tearing the EFCC formal letters of investigation activities dated January 1, 2024, and February 21, 2024, respectively, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 38 (1) and punishable under Section 38 (2) (a) and (b) of the Economic and financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act,” the charge against Mallam reads.
Mallam pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Consequently, the judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million and one surety in like sum.
The judge said the surety must be a director in a government establishment or a private company, with a capital worth no less than N10 million.
Mallam was remanded in Gombe correctional service pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to July 9 for trial.
(The Cable)
