The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday arraigned one Nathaniel Attah before Justice Tukur Muazu of the Kaduna State High Court on a one-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation to the tune of N10,611,171.70.
Similarly, the commission arraigned one Ibrahim Na-Ta’ala before the same court on a one count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N2,400,000.
While Mr Attah was arrested by the EFCC operatives following a petition from his employer, Sharon Petroleum Limited, SPL, for allegedly diverting N10, 611,171. 70 sometimes in April 2017, as a manager of Lugbe Station of SPL in Abuja, Mr Na-Ta’ala was alleged to have obtained the sum of N2,400,000 from the complainant under the pretext of selling a plot of land to him.
The land was however discovered to be a properly of another person.
Investigations revealed that the N10, 611,171. 70 Mr Attah allegedly embezzled was the differences from the daily sales of the petroleum products which were recorded at the suspect’s station.
The accused person admitted to have misappropriated the alleged sum when he was confronted with the allegation.
He initially pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him, but he later changed his plea to not guilty.
In view of his later plea, the prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, requested a date for trial and also urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.
Like Mr Attah, Mr Na-Ta’ala also pleaded not guilty to one count charge and he was subsequently remanded in prison custody.
Justice Mu’azu adjourned both cases to June 7 for trial, and remanded the accused persons in prison custody pending the consideration of their bail application.
