The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Director of Human Resource Management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr. Sulieman Garba Bulkwang, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja for fraud.

He is being prosecuted on a five-count charge amounting to criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N223,412,909 (Two Hundred Twenty Three Million, Four Hundred Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred Nine Kobo).

One of his accusations says “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG, while you were the Director of Human Resource Management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, advised a man Umaefulem Donatus Chibueze, the Managing Director of Cees Assist Resources and Brainstask Value Resources (consultants to REA) to transfer the sum of N138,123,969 (one hundred thirty-eight million, one hundred and twenty-three thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine naira) out of the sum of N279,330,000.00 (two hundred and seventy-nine million Naira) paid to the consultants by REA, when you knew that the said sun of N138,123,969,000000 constitutes a process of illegal activity and therefore you have committed a contrary offense section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) of the same Act.”

Number two says: “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG while the Director of Human Resource Management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) sometime in July 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly converted the sum of N45,000,000, 00 (forty five). Million Naira) are part of the money paid cumulatively into the bank accounts of the Program Dammy Gold Ltd, World Class Business, Green Haven Company and De-Sam Rose – Base Ltd by REA consultants, when you know that the said sum of N45,000,000 . 00 constitutes an illegal activity product and therefore you have committed an offense contrary to Section 18( b) (b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to all charges after they were read to him and in the absence of a defense.

The prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN prayed the court for a remand and that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre.

Judge Abdulmalik adjourned the case until February 3, 2024 for the defendant’s bail application and ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.