N450m Scam: EFCC arraigns Senator Saidu Kumo, one other

Gombe Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Senator Saidu Umar Kumo (Garkuwan Gombe) and Hon. Nuhu Poloma before the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe.

The duo were alleged to have on March 27, 2015 collected the sum of Four hundred and fifty million naira (N450m) at the Gombe branch of a new generational bank, being part of funds allegedly paid out to influential political figures and electoral officials by a former petroleum minister to influence the outcome of the 2015 general election.

Specifically, Senator Kumo allegedly took the sum of N111million out of the Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira and instructed one Abba Sunday Agaba to deliver the balance of Three Hundred and Thirty Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only to cashier Government House, Gombe.

From his share, Senator Kumo allegedly gave Two Million Naira only to Hon. Nuhu Poloma, who also allegedly used the sum of Three Million Naira personally and failed to account for the balance of One Hundred and Six Million Naira.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the five count charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.

The prosecution counsel, Israel Akande then prayed the court for a date to commence trial

Meanwhile, the presiding Judge, Justice Nehizena Apolabi after the plea of not guilty granted bail to the defendants in ten sum of N10million and two sureties in like sum.

He held that the sureties to sign an undertaking to produce the defendants at every court sitting.

of the Federal High Court Gombe on five counts conspiracy and money laundering.

The matter has been adjourned to December 5,2018 for trial.