The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Mustapha Mohammed, the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, over allegations of defrauding Hajj pilgrims of N144,162,500.
Mohammed appeared before Justice T.G. Ringim of the Federal High Court in Gombe on a three-count charge of obtaining by false pretenses and intent to defraud.
According to the EFCC, he and an accomplice, Nazifi Sale Idris (currently at large), allegedly collected N97,080,000 from Hamza Ibrahim Maina under the guise of securing visas, flight tickets, and accommodation for the 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj.
Another count accuses him of fraudulently obtaining N29,082,500 from Ibrahim Arabia for the same purpose.
The anti-graft agency stated that these offenses violate the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Following his plea, the EFCC’s counsel, S.H. Saad, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody.
However, Mohammed’s lawyer, M.Z. Gambo, applied for bail, which the prosecution opposed.
Saad argued that the defendant had eight additional fraud-related petitions against him, totaling N120,869,500, and posed a flight risk if released.
After hearing both sides, Justice Ringim adjourned the case for a ruling on the bail application and ordered Mohammed’s remand at the Gombe State Correctional Facility.
