Yobe Auditor-general Gets N2M Bail After Being Arraigned For Misappropriating N19M

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Yahaya Idris, the Auditor-General for Local Governments of Yobe State for allegedly misappropriating N19,900,000.00.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwajuren said Idris who was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Lawan of the Yobe State High Court, Damaturu, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge levelled against him.

The charge against him read;

"That you, Yahaya Lawal Idris, being the Auditor-General for Local Government, Yobe State, between 20th to 21st day of May 2017 at Damaturu, Yobe State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, received the sum of N19,900,000.00 via your personal account number 1001480930 with account name Alhaji Yahaya Idris domiciled with United Bank for Africa Plc from the Local Government Audit account number 5030030060 domiciled with Fidelity Bank Plc for the purchase of a brand new Toyota Corolla 2015 model, did dishonestly misappropriated the gross sum of N10,100,000 only, being the money made for the purchase of the said brand new Toyota Corolla 2015 for the office of the Local Government Auditor-General, Yobe State, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Cap. 102, Laws of Yobe State of Nigeria and punishable under Section 309 of the same law.”

While counsel for the prosecution, J. A. Ojogbane, who appeared alongside M. A. Ahmed, prayed for a trial date in view of the defendant’s plea, counsel for the defendant, Baba Zau, through an application for bail, urged the court to admit his client to bail pending the determination of the case.

Justice Lawan thereafter admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2m with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned till November 30, 2022, for the commencement of trial.