The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Lawal Musa over alleged fraud involving N56.4 million meant for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage.
Musa was arraigned before Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on a 57-count chargebordering on alleged forgery, uttering of documents and stealing.
The EFCC alleged that Musa collected the money through Ibrahim Shuaibu after claiming he could facilitate the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage through the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency.
According to the anti-graft agency, the money was paid on behalf of 10 prospective pilgrims, but none of them travelled to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
Musa pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution requested a trial date and the remand of the defendant, while his counsel applied for bail.
Justice Adetujoye adjourned the case to August 17, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that Musa remain at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
