The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Sadi Babale before the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri over an alleged ₦19 million land fraud.
Babale was brought before Justice Aisha Kumaliya on Monday on a one-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly dishonestly converted ₦19 million belonging to one Alhaji Tijjani Mohammed, contrary to Sections 296 and 297 of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the money was paid to Babale in September 2024 for the purchase of four plots of land, which were later discovered to be non-existent.
The Commission alleged that instead of delivering the property, the defendant converted the funds to his personal use.
Babale, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
Counsel to the defendant, J. Yakubu, informed the court of his intention to move an application for the defendant’s bail.
Justice Kumaliya subsequently adjourned the case until July 28, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Babale be remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility pending further proceedings.
