By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA—Trial Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, remanded the erstwhile Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, in prison custody. The court okayed Fintiri to spend 24 hours at Kuje maximum prison after he pleaded not guilty to a five-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, entered against him.

EFCC operatives

Justice Mohammed said he would  on Friday, decide whether or not the defendant should be released on bail pending the conclusion of his trial. Specifically, EFCC, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2016, alleged that the defendant, between October 2014 and August 2015, diverted public funds to the tune of N1.9billion. The anti-graft agency also charged a firm that allegedly served as conduit pipe through which the fund was siphoned,   Mayim Constructions & Properties Limited, as the 2nd defendant before the court.

EFCC alleged that Fintiri had at various dates, within the ten months period the fraud was perpetuated, transferred funds from account number: 0313000301 domiciled at EcoBank Plc operated by Timeplex Nigeria Ltd, into account number: 5742019591 domiciled at the same bank but operated by the 2nd defendant.

Aside allegation that he used N220 million to acquire a property at No 7 Gana Street, Maitama Abuja, Fintiri was said to have  within three months  he held sway as acting governor of Adamawa State, repaid a N550 million loan he secured from Ecobank for the acquisition of a Tea plantation farm from Nigeria Agricultural Bank in Taraba State.