The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Musa Saidu Koki, also known as Alhaji Baffa, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, over an alleged N108.07m land fraud.
Koki, a former Managing Director of Buffah S.K. & Co. Limited, was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice F. E. Messiri on a five-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly defrauded victims of N108,068,500 through fraudulent land transactions involving a disputed property located at Plot 526, Cadastral Zone C04, Guzape, Abuja.
One of the charges alleged that on August 15, 2024, Koki obtained N7m from one Justice Enenche as an agency fee after claiming to be the beneficial owner of the Guzape property and entering into a joint venture agreement with the victim.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the representation was false and constituted an offence under Sections 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
In another count, the EFCC alleged that between December 2024 and thereafter, Koki fraudulently induced Voice Real Estate Limited into a joint venture agreement to develop the same property, causing the company to lose N97,568,500.
The commission alleged that the defendant falsely claimed the land was free from encumbrances despite allegedly knowing that the beneficial owner was former Abia State Governor and Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Koki pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, F. O. Dibang, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
However, defence counsel, T. Tonye, urged the court to allow Koki to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
Despite the prosecution’s opposition, Justice Messiri allowed the defendant to remain on the existing administrative bail. The court also directed Koki to submit copies of his National Identification Number (NIN) slip and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to the court registrar.
The matter was adjourned until July 29 for the continuation of trial.
(The Whistler)