The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, Mustapha Mohammed, on charges of fraud and obtaining money under false pretenses amounting to N144 million.
Mohammed appeared before Justice T.G. Ringim of the Federal High Court in Gombe on Monday over allegations that he collected N144 million from Hamza Maina and Ibrahim Arabia, falsely promising to facilitate their 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
According to the EFCC, Mohammed, along with an accomplice, Nazifi Idris (who is currently at large), allegedly defrauded Maina of N97,080,000 for flight tickets, visas, and accommodation. This act violates Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Similarly, he was accused of fraudulently obtaining N29,082,500 from Arabia under the same pretext, which contravenes Section 1(2)(a) of the same Act.
During the hearing, the prosecution counsel, S.H. Sa’ad, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in the Gombe State Correctional Facility. However, the defense counsel, M.Z. Gambo, applied for bail, which the prosecution opposed.
Justice Ringim postponed the ruling on the bail request and ordered Mohammed’s remand at the correctional facility.
Opposing the bail application, Sa’ad revealed that Mohammed has at least eight other pending fraud-related petitions against him, totaling N120,869,500. He warned that granting bail could allow the defendant to flee the country and evade justice.
The court adjourned the case for further hearing.
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