The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned Ja’afaru Maliki, an aide to former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, before Justice Balkisu Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola, over alleged procurement fraud and diversion of funds totaling N700million.
The funds were meant for the development of the Yola bye-pass Phase 1 road project awarded to Nasser & Associate Global International Limited.
Maliki was arraigned along with the former director of rural access mobility project of the World Bank, Vwapamkai Bafyau; ex-director, civil works, Farouk Tarja; James Zarma and Suleiman Mohammed, both former deputy permanent secretaries, and Mamman Malgwi, an ex-permanent secretary.
A group, Adamawa Awareness for Change had petitioned the EFCC, alleging that the accused had misappropriated the funds for the project.
The accused persons are facing a nine-count charge.
They pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to them and were later granted bail.
Justice Aliyu adjourned their trial to October 26, 27 and 28.
