The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had arraigned two Muslim clerics and a reverend over their alleged collaboration in diverting a gift of N10 million by the Taraba State government to the Muslim Council.

A statement issued by Wilson Uwujaren, spokesperson of the commission on Sunday read: “The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three clerics before Justice M. S. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State on  six count charges bordering on money laundering and obtaining N10million by false pretences.

“Alhaji Inuwa Usman and Alhaji Chindo M.D. Bose, both leaders of the Taraba State chapter of the Muslim Council allegedly conspired with Reverend John Simon Jatutu, who was the Special Adviser to the state Government on Religious Matters to divert part of the funds approved to the council by the state government towards the celebration of the country’s golden jubilee.

“The Taraba State government had in September 2010, approved N42million for the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Muslim Council for the 50th independence celebration. The two bodies shared the money equally with each getting N21million but the three accused persons cornered N10million from the Muslim Council share of the grant and declared only N11million to the council.

“But members of the council later got wind of the actual amount approved for them, which prompted a petition to the EFCC.

“When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Al Qasim Jaafar, to request the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Comments (5)

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written by Mandapa, July 16, 2012

Our leaders should learn to be more prudent, what on earth do religious bodies need 42m for a golden year celebration for? How many motorised bore hole can that amount provide for the masses?

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EFCC Docks Clerics
written by Olongbo, July 16, 2012

Celebration of golden jubilee? 42million naira? When Almajiris are everywhere on your roads? When your indegenes are living in abject poverty? Mr. Governor must be a daft or wicked. Nigerians is full of religious noicemakers, there are few godly religious leaders in Nigeria, most of them are fraudsters in the God's garments. EFCC should concentrate more on the so called religious leaders in the country,we will not be surprised how stinking some of them could be when they are caught in the mess. Welldone EFCC.

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Birds of the Same Feathers
written by oluyemiO, July 16, 2012

The only religion that unites false Muslims and Christians is corruption.

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the fraud
written by lanre razaak.o, July 16, 2012

I am not surprised the clerics cornered the 10million,considering the state Government approving 42million for the 50 years anniverssary of Nigeria,JUST imagine Poor Taraba state releasing such ammount for celebration.The EFFCC ought to arrest the Government officials that released the fund.Imagine the level of pverty in that sate from the time of That "REV" iTS A shame!I am sure the guys will have SANs that will fight their case,it is anormal things in Nigeria.

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Dullard Governor.
written by Mr. Sad, July 16, 2012

Hmm, wonders will never end. N42m for Golden jubilee cerebration by religious organisation? what on earth are they going to do. Taraba State Gov is a dullard for wasting money while majority of the poor people are suffering. The Gov. should be investigated also.

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