EFCC arraigns CEO for N144m Hajj pilgrims fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, Mustapha Mohammed, before the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe, Gombe State, on three-count charges bordering on intent to defraud and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N144,162,500.

Count one of the charges read: “That you, Mustapha Mohammed , male adult, while being the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited and Nazifi Sale Idris (now at large) sometimes in 2024 at Gombe, Gombe state within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud falsely obtained through your personal Access Bank plc account number 0026323827, the total sum of N97,080,000.00 from one Hamza Ibrahim Maina for the purpose of procurement of flight tickets, visas and accommodation for 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, SH Saad, on Monday, February 3, 2025, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Gombe State Correctional Centre.

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However, the defence counsel, MZ Gambo, moved a motion for bail which was  vehemently opposed by the prosecution lawyer.

Saad said: “My Lord, the defendant still has about eight other pending petitions filed by different nominal complainants alleging that he defrauded them to the aggregate sum of N120,869,500 and if granted bail, he might flew the shores of Nigeria and may never be found again.

“Therefore, for the interest of justice, we urge my Lord not to grant the defendant bail.”

The presiding judge, Justice TG.Ringim, thereafter, adjourned the case for ruling on bail application and remanded the CEO at the Gombe State Correctional Centre.

The Star