The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned Abubakar Muhammad before the Federal High Court in Maiduguri over the alleged diversion of N1.5 billion belonging to Aminami Global Ventures.
Muhammad was re-arraigned before Justice Shehu Umaru Adamu on a 20-count amended charge bordering on alleged money laundering and criminal misappropriation. The anti-graft agency alleges that, while serving as the company’s shop manager between January 2021 and February 2026, he manipulated sales records and diverted company funds into multiple personal bank accounts.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution opened its case with the testimony of the company’s owner, Babagoni Ali Aminami, who told the court that he trained and employed Muhammad as manager but later discovered that he allegedly diverted company funds, instructed customers to pay into his personal accounts, and obtained goods on credit in the company’s name without proper accountability.
According to Aminami, the alleged actions left his business with significant financial losses and outstanding debts.
A second prosecution witness, Rhoda Yaro, testified that she worked for the company and processed several payments based on Muhammad’s instructions. She told the court that she transferred millions of naira from the company’s account to accounts provided by the defendant, with individual transactions ranging from N2 million to N5 million.
Another witness, Muhammad Bashir, narrated how he facilitated the purchase of a house on the defendant’s behalf after Muhammad transferred money to him for the transaction. He also identified property documents linked to the purchase.
The prosecution also called businessman Umar Mohammed Gajibo, who testified about his business relationship with Aminami Global Ventures, and Samuel Nwabisi, a backend operator attached to the company through Nestlé. Nwabisi alleged that while working as the company’s inventory clerk, he observed irregularities in sales documentation and claimed the defendant often prevented him from witnessing cash transactions with customers.
He further told the court that the alleged financial misappropriation affected the company’s operations with Nestlé, forcing a temporary suspension before business activities later resumed under a reduced sales target.
Justice Shehu Umaru Adamu adjourned the case until July 8, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.
Muhammad was first arraigned in June 2026 on charges related to the alleged diversion of proceeds from the sale of Nestlé products valued at N1.5 billion.
