EFCC Arraigns Ex-University VC, Two Others Over ₦19.7m Katsina Bribery
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma, Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, before the Katsina State High Court over an alleged ₦19.7 million bribery.
Bichi was arraigned by the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC alongside two others, Lawal Tukur Mani and Aliyu Lawal Jari, on a five-count charge bordering on bribery.
The case is being heard before Honourable Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly received bribes as kickbacks for contracts awarded by the Federal University Dutsinma during Bichi’s tenure as Vice Chancellor.
One of the charges stated that Bichi, sometime in July 2023 in Katsina, while serving as Vice Chancellor, allegedly obtained a bribe of ₦5 million from one Theophilus Ilechukwu of Goezek International Agency Nigeria Limited.
The payment was said to be a reward for the award of contracts for the supply of medical equipment and the furnishing of a laboratory at the university.
The prosecution alleged that the money was paid into an Access Bank account belonging to the third defendant, Aliyu Lawal Jari, an act said to be punishable under Section 79 (a), (b) and (i) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
The EFCC further alleged that the former vice chancellor used the second and third defendants to receive bribes from contractors who benefited from various contracts awarded by the institution.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Salihu Sani, requested a trial date to enable the prosecution present witnesses and prove its case. Defence counsel, A. L. Yusuf and Raphael Henry, separately moved bail applications on behalf of their clients.
Justice Abubakar granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum and adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
