The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned the duo of Shehu Mustapha, the Registrar Litigation, Adamawa State High Court and Binanu Esthon, a former chairman of the Yola chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) before Justice B.B Aliyu of Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State.
They were charged on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N60million.
Mustapha and Esthon were docked following a complaint alleging criminal conspiracy between the accused persons and a prima facie case established against them.
A group of staff numbering five hundred and one were disengaged from Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited, but had their entitlements withheld by the Company.
The disengaged staff, through the former NBA boss, Esthon instituted an action against their employer (Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited) at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, and had the judgment entered in their favour.
According to them, Esthon, in connivance with Mustapha, the registrar of the court, diverted part of the funds meant for the settlement of their entitlements to personal use.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, A.Y. Muntaqa asked the court for a date to commence trial.
However, L. D Nzadon, counsel to the accused persons, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail, adding that the accused persons would not do anything to frustrate their trial.
Justice Aliyu admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N5million and a surety each in like sum.
The case has been adjourned to March 14, 15, 16 and 17 for hearing.
