The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau, Professor Magaji Garba.

He was docked before Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi on a five count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

Garba allegedly extorted various sums from a contractor on the pretext of awarding him a N3billion contract for the perimeter fencing of the school.

The action was contrary to section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The EFCC, in count two, said Garba, on or about May 15, 2019 in Abuja, obtained N100,000,000 from Alhaji Shehu Umar Sambo, Managing Director of Ministaco Nigeria Limited.

In count three, Garba, on or about August 1, 2019 in Abuja obtained another N150,000,000 from Sambo, also on the claim of awarding a fencing project.

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him.

EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to fix a trial date and requested that Garba be remanded in prison custody.

Defence counsel, R. Usman applied for the bail of his client, an application opposed by Tahir.

Justice Aliyu adjourned the matter until October 14, 2021 for hearing of the application.

The judge remanded the Garba in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).