The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the trio of Yakubu Joseph Dangabar (alias Hamisu Yakubu), Usman Abdulhakim and Baba Yahaya before Justice O.A. Musa of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining property by false pretence and impersonation to the tune of N20 million.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Yakubu Joseph Dangabar (alias Yakubu Hamisu) (m); Usman Abdulhakim ( m) and Baba Yahaya (m) on or about the 16th day of September, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did conspire with yourselves to obtain N10 million from Alhaji Hudu Bello (a Director at the Federal Capital Territory Water Board) by false pretences that you are Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officers investigating a petition against him and will help him stop the petition from getting to the President.”

Another charge reads: “That you, Yakubu Joseph Dangaba (alias Yakubu Hamisu) (m) on or about the 16th day of September, 2015, in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory pretended to hold the office of Investigating Officer III with staff identification Number EFCC:042 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and attempted to obtain the sum of N10 million from Alhaji Hudu Bello (a Director at the Federal Capital Territory Water Board) by false pretence that you are the officer detailed from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate a petition against him, which you knew is false.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, L.P. Aso, prayed the court for a trial date.

However, counsel to the first, second and third accused persons, U.U. Umoan, asked the court to admit the accused persons to bail on liberal terms, pending their trial.

While not opposing the bail application by the defence counsel, the prosecution counsel urged the court to impose strict bail terms on the accused persons, in order to ensure their availability for trial.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Musa granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N10 million each with one surety in like sum.

Justice Musa adjourned the case to November 16, 2015 for hearing