The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, May 5, arraigned Andefiki Markus before the Gombe state high court over N20 million cattle fraud.
Markus pleaded not guilty to two charges bordering on false pretense after the charges were read before the court.
The EFCC claimed that the defendant obtained N20 million from one Skeptra Useni Baka on June 27, 2023, under the pretense of investing the money in cattle fattening business in Taraba state for profit.
According to the commission, the defendant knew the claim was false, contrary to Section 1(1)(c) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
The law prescribes up to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine for the offense.
Following the defendant’s plea, EFCC counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, urged the court to remand him pending the hearing of his bail application.
Defense counsel, Ichecu, however informed the court that a bail application had already been filed.
The trial judge, Kereng, subsequently ordered that the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application scheduled for Thursday.
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