The Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, Mustapha Mohammed has been charged with three counts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, including intent to defraud and obtaining N144 million under false pretences.
Mohammed was arraigned on Monday for receiving N144 million from Hamza Maina and Ibrahim Arabia under the guise of arranging their 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj journey to Saudi Arabia before Federal High Court Judge T.G. Ringim in Gombe.
The EFCC contends that Mohammed and his accomplice, Nazifi Idris, who is now at large, defrauded Maina of N97,080,000 for visas, airline tickets, and lodging for religious activities.
The offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
In a similar count, Mohammed was accused of fraudulently collecting N29,082,500 from Arabia for the same purpose, an act that violates Section 1(2)(a) of the same Act.
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During proceedings, the prosecution counsel, S.H. Sa’ad, urged the court to set a trial date and remand the defendant to the Gombe State Correctional Facility.
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However, defence counsel, M.Z. Gambo filed a bail application, which the prosecution opposed.
Justice Ringim adjourned the case for a ruling on the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Gombe State Correctional Facility.
Opposing the bail application, Sa’ad argued, “My Lord, the defendant still has about eight other pending petitions filed by different complainants, alleging he defrauded them of an aggregate sum of N120,869,500. If granted bail, he may abscond from Nigeria and evade justice.”
The case was adjourned to a later date for further hearing.
