The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Alhassan Musa, an acting director at the Renewable Energy Department, Energy Commission of Nigeria, for allegedly defrauding a certain Musa Baba of the sum of N3,800,000 in connection with a failed contract award.

The arraignment took place before Justice A.Y. Shafa at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

On December 13, 2023, Musa faced three counts related to obtaining money by pretense.

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The first count alleges that on or about January 21, 2019, in Abuja, Musa obtained the sum of N3,800,000 from Alhaji Musa Baba, presenting it as a fee for the award of a contract for the rehabilitation of Jatropha Farm Karshi for Bio-Diesel Production by the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

This act is said to violate Section 1 (1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

The second count accuses Musa of making a false contract award on Energy Commission of Nigeria letterhead on the same date with the intent to induce Alhaji Musa Baba to part with the sum of N3,800,000.

This action is purportedly in violation of Section 363 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja) 1990.

Despite pleading not guilty to all counts, the prosecution sought a trial date. Subsequently, Justice Shafa granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1,000,000, with one surety in like sum.

The judge ordered Musa’s remand in Kuje Correctional Service until February 22, 2024, pending the fulfillment of bail conditions.

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The EFCC, in a statement on its official channel, disclosed that Musa, an Acting Director at the Renewable Energy Department of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, was arrested following a petition.

The petition alleged that Musa collected N3,800,000 from the complainant on January 21, 2019, promising a contract for the rehabilitation of Jatropha Farms Karshi for BioDiesel production, a promise that remained unfulfilled.