A former member of the House of Representatives for Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency, Hon. Albert Sylvanus Atirwurcha, and Sabo Mohammed Jimeta have been remanded in Abuja prison over an alleged N800 million fraud. Another suspect, Ezekiel Namda, remains at large.
Two years ago, Atirwurcha, along with property agents Msheilia Julius Silas and Sabo Mohammed Jimeta, was arraigned by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force before a Federal High Court in Lagos. They were accused of defrauding a politician and businessman, Abubakar Baba Zango, of N800 million.
Babazango, currently representing Yola North, Yola South, and Girei Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, confirmed that Atirwurcha and Jimeta had betrayed his trust despite their close relationship. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also investigated the case, which led to the defendants being charged with criminal breach of trust.
The defendants, along with Jitau Investment Limited, were arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo. During the proceedings, police prosecutor CSP Emmanuel Jackson informed the court that the accused conspired to fraudulently sell a property located at No. 3 Bunu Sheriff Crescent, Katampe Extension, Abuja, for N800 million. The property belonged to Abubakar Baba Zango.
Jackson further alleged that the proceeds from the sale were diverted into two separate bank accounts—one in Union Bank belonging to Jitau Investment Limited and another in Zenith Bank under J&J Holding Villa Limited—contrary to the instructions of the property owner.
The prosecutor argued that the defendants violated Sections 1(3) and 1(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, as well as Section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012).
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. While their lawyers, including Kyari Joe Gadzama (SAN), Kole Bello, and J.W. Dong, applied for bail, the prosecution opposed it, arguing that the defendants initially failed to appear in court and might evade trial if granted bail.
Justice Oweibo eventually granted bail, setting conditions at N500 million for each defendant, with one surety who must own property in Lagos worth the bail amount and provide evidence of three years’ tax payment. The defendants were to remain in the custody of the SFU until they met the bail terms.
Following the case’s transfer to the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice O.A. Egwuatu upheld the earlier ruling but modified the bail conditions, requiring two federal directors with landed property in Abuja as sureties. He ordered that the defendants remain in prison custody until they fulfill the bail requirements. The trial is set to continue on June 21.