In a significant development, the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally arraigned Alhassan Musa, the Acting Director of the Renewable Energy Department at the Energy Commission of Nigeria. The arraignment took place before Justice A.Y. Shafa of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Gwagwalada. Musa faces charges related to the alleged defrauding of Alhaji Musa Baba in the amount of N3,800,000 in connection with a failed contract award.
The charges, encompassing three counts, are primarily centered around the accusation of obtaining money through false pretenses. The arraignment transpired on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, marking a significant legal development in the ongoing investigation.
Count one of the charges accuses Alhassan Musa of obtaining the sum of Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,800,000.00) from Alhaji Musa Baba by false pretenses, with the intent to defraud. This action is said to contravene Section 1 (1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Count two alleges that on or about January 21, 2019, Alhassan Musa falsely made a contract award on the Energy Commission of Nigeria letterhead. This false representation was purportedly designed to induce Alhaji Musa Baba to part with the sum of Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,800,000.00) and is considered an offense under Section 363 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja) 1990. It is punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.
Upon the reading of the charges, Alhassan Musa pleaded not guilty to all three counts. In response, the prosecution sought a trial date, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged offenses.
Justice Shafa granted the defendant bail in the amount of One Million Naira Only (N1,000,000) with one surety required to provide an equivalent sum. Furthermore, the judge ordered that Alhassan Musa be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Service until February 22, 2024, pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.
Alhassan Musa, an Acting Director in the Renewable Energy Department of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, was apprehended by the EFCC following a petition. The petition accused him of collecting the sum of N3,800,000 from Alhaji Musa Baba in January 21, 2019, promising a contract for the rehabilitation of Jatropha Farms in Karshi for BioDiesel production—a promise that, according to the petitioner, remains unfulfilled.
