EFCC arraigns man for N56.5 million Hajj fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Lawal Musa for alleged fraud involving N56.5 million, which was supposed to cover the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage for ten individuals. The arraignment took place on Thursday before Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. Musa faces 57 charges related to stealing by conversion, forgery, and uttering of documents. According to the EFCC, the accused allegedly collected the funds from Ibrahim Shuaibu, who had been led to believe that Musa worked for the Kaduna State Government and could assist in securing Hajj travel permits. The EFCC stated that the case emerged when Musa approached Shuaibu, claiming to be affiliated with the Kaduna State Government and capable of facilitating the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage. This led Shuaibu to inform several friends, Jibril Adamu, Suleiman Aminatu, Musa Haruna, Suleiman N. Abdullahi, Audu Bello, Yusuf Umaru, Saidu Musa, Idris Suleiman, Musa Yunusa, and Usman Haruna, who are described as cattle breeders and rearers based in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State. These individuals collectively paid approximately N56.5 million to Shuaibu, who then passed the money to Musa for the purpose of organizing the pilgrimage. However, the EFCC noted that none of the ten individuals managed to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. The reason cited was that Musa failed to fulfill his promises. The commission further alleged that Musa forged a receipt from the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, specifically Receipt Number 0013041, in the name of Jibril Adamu, intending for it to be treated as authentic. This act is considered a criminal offense under Sections 465 and 467 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. During the arraignment, Musa pleaded not guilty to all the charges presented against him. His defense attorney, Kehinde Adegbola, requested that the court consider releasing his client on bail under favorable conditions. In response, the prosecution’s lawyer, Bashir Shamsuddeen, sought a trial date and the remand of Musa in a correctional facility. The judge, Justice Adetujoye, postponed the case until August 17, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Musa remain in custody at the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan. The charges include multiple counts of forgery and uttering of documents. For instance, Count Two alleges that Musa forged a Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency receipt dated November 10, 2023, intended for Jibril Adamu, with the intention that it would be regarded as genuine. Another count accuses him of uttering a different receipt, numbered 012654, also in the name of Jibril Adamu, with similar intent. Both acts are charged under Sections 468 and 467 of the same legal code. The EFCC's statement detailed how the fraud unfolded. It explained that Musa used his false claim of government affiliation to gain the trust of Shuaibu, who then facilitated the payment of the large sum. The victims, being local cattle breeders, were likely unaware of the potential risks associated with such transactions. The commission emphasized that the failure to deliver on the promised pilgrimage resulted in a financial loss of nearly N56.5 million for these individuals. The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating economic crimes, particularly those involving public officials or individuals posing as such. The EFCC continues to pursue cases of this nature to protect citizens from financial exploitation. The outcome of the bail application will determine whether Musa will be released pending trial or remain in custody. The trial is expected to proceed once the legal procedures are completed.