The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Salisu Suleiman, the Managing Director of Faris Construction Company Limited, and his company, for an alleged misappropriation of funds amounting to N21 million. The charges were presented before Justice Hadiza Suleiman of the Kano State High Court on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Mr. Suleiman faces a single count charge that accuses him of dishonestly misappropriating the sum of N21 million. The funds in question were purportedly meant for the supply of 125,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to a construction site in Nguru Local Government, Yobe State, by SID Oil and Gas Limited. The charge is in violation of Section 308 of the Penal Code Law and is punishable under Section 309 of the same law.
Upon the reading of the charge, Salisu Suleiman pleaded not guilty. The prosecution counsel, Aisha Tahar Habib, requested the court to set a trial date, while the defense counsel, Mardiyya Alasan Dawaki, applied for bail on behalf of the defendant. Habib opposed the bail application, citing the defendant’s previous violation of an administrative bail granted by the EFCC.
In response, Justice Suleiman ordered the remand of the defendant in EFCC custody and scheduled a hearing on the bail application for a later date.
The charges against Suleiman stem from allegations that he received 125,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil on credit from SID Oil and Gas Limited, amounting to N21 million. The agreement was based on Suleiman’s commitment to settle the payment upon receiving funds from the Yobe State Government for the oil supply. However, investigations by the EFCC revealed that Suleiman had received the payment from the Yobe State Government but intentionally misrepresented the situation to SID Oil and Gas Limited. The petitioner suspected foul play and subsequently lodged a complaint with the EFCC.
