The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has indicted Mustapha Mohammed, the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, on charges of fraud amounting to N144 million.
Mohammed was brought before Justice T.G. Ringim of the Federal High Court in Gombe on Monday, facing a three-count charge of obtaining money under false pretenses and intent to defraud.
According to the EFCC, the defendant, alongside an accomplice, Nazifi Idris who is currently at large allegedly defrauded Hamza Maina of N97,080,000 and Ibrahim Arabia of N29,082,500. The funds were collected under the pretext of facilitating their 2024 Ramadan Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, including flight tickets, visas, and accommodation.
The agency stated that the alleged crime violates Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
During the court proceedings, EFCC counsel S.H. Sa’ad urged the court to set a trial date and requested Mohammed’s remand in the Gombe State Correctional Facility. However, the defense counsel, M.Z. Gambo, filed a bail application, which the prosecution opposed.
Opposing the bail, Sa’ad argued that Mohammed still had about eight other pending fraud petitions from different complainants, alleging that he defrauded them of a combined sum of N120,869,500.
Justice Ringim adjourned the case for a ruling on the bail application and ordered Mohammed’s remanded at the Gombe State correctional facility pending further hearings.