The spotlight shines on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as it gears up to bring former registrar of Zamfara State Upper Sharia Court 1 Gusau, Abubakar Garba Dandare, before Justice Bello Shinkafi of Zamfara State High Court in Gusau.
In a gripping case filed by the EFCC with court case number ZMJ/GS/13C/2024, Dandare faces accusations of misappropriating ₦3.8 million belonging to the late businessman, Alhaji Ladan Mada, and forging the signature of his next of kin, Aminu Mada, on the Court Cash Deposit Register.
Dandare stands accused of diverting ₦3,837,634.46, a retention fee paid by Zamfara State Ministry of Finance for the family of late Alhaji Ladan Mada during his tenure as the Registrar of Upper Sharia Court 1, Samara Gusau, Zamfara State.
Furthermore, he is alleged to have committed forgery by falsely imprinting Aminu Mada’s signature on the Court Cash Deposit Register in a bid to access the deceased’s funds.
These actions, according to the EFCC, constitute the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust as outlined in sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code CAP 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963.
In a separate development, the APC candidate in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, finds himself embroiled in controversy. A coalition of civil society organizations has accused him of abusing the Nigerian currency, the naira, under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007.
Expressing disappointment over influential individuals breaching such provisions, the coalition has commended the EFCC for its proactive stance in similar cases, calling for swift action against offenders, including Senator Monday Okpebholo.
As the EFCC continues its crackdown on financial crimes, the public eagerly awaits the outcome of these high-profile cases, underscoring the importance of accountability and justice in upholding the rule of law.