By SUNTV Global Channel News Desk
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved to re-arraign three senior officials of Nigeria’s National Assembly over allegations of fraud, corruption, forgery, and the misappropriation of public funds amounting to N337 million.
The officials facing prosecution are Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty, Director of Public Affairs in the Directorate of Special Duties and Parliamentary Security; Mamud Alhaji Abubakar, a former Permanent Secretary of the National Assembly; and Igba Ityoakura Joseph, a Deputy Director of Procurement.
The anti-graft agency brought the matter before Justice Muhammed Zubairu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jikwoyi, Abuja, on an amended 23-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, official corruption, forgery, and unlawful conversion of government funds.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired between 2017 and 2019 to divert and misappropriate a total sum of N337,062,350 belonging to the National Assembly.
However, the planned re-arraignment was stalled after counsel to the second defendant, Mamud Abubakar, filed a preliminary objection challenging several counts in the amended charge. The defence argued that some of the charges had previously been struck out by the court and should not be reintroduced.
Reacting to the objection, EFCC counsel, Francis Usani, described the application as frivolous and accused the defence of attempting to frustrate the re-arraignment process. He urged the court to dismiss the objection and allow the defendants to take their pleas.
Court documents revealed that one of the charges accuses the defendants of conspiring to commit criminal breach of trust while serving in various capacities within the National Assembly.
The EFCC further alleged that Aishatu El-Nafaty personally diverted N89.8 million in public funds into her private account and converted the money for personal use. She is also accused of forging payment receipts allegedly issued by Fazah Integrated Services Limited in a bid to conceal the transactions.
The anti-corruption agency maintains that the alleged offences violate several provisions of the Penal Code and carry significant legal consequences if proven in court.
During proceedings, lawyers informed the court that the first defendant also intends to file a separate objection challenging aspects of the amended charge. Justice Zubairu subsequently ordered that the application be filed within 48 hours and granted the prosecution time to respond.
The court adjourned the matter until September 23, 2026, for the hearing of the preliminary objections and further proceedings.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as events unfold.
