By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Sokoto on Wednesday ordered a director in the Sokoto State Commodity Board, Mr Hassan Bello, to be remanded in a correctional centre for his alleged role in a N1.3 million employment scam.
Justice Ahmad Mahmud gave the order following a not guilty plea to advance free fraud entered by Mr Bello and his counsel in the state.
He also adjourned the case until October 4, for a hearing on the bail application as well as the trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecution counsel, Mr Hannafi Sa’ad, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in August 2021.
Mr Bello, who is the Director of Administration on the board, was said to have collected the money from Mr Aliyu Adamu-Tsaki, Mr Yusuf Abubakar and Mr Yahaya Salihu in the presence of Mr Dahiru Muhammad in Sokoto.
The EFCC alleged that the defendant presented false letters to the victims, which were later discovered to be fake and non-existent.
The defence counsel, Mr Aminu Mustapha, filed a motion for bail on behalf of his client.
The anti-graft agency’s counsel prayed for time to respond to the application on the ground that he was only served in court.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka