Two Project Officers Docked for Diverting World Bank Project Funds in Adamawa

Two Project Officers of the Adamawa State Education Investment Project under the Office of the Accountant General of Adamawa State have been arraigned for allegedly diverting world bank funds released for the renovation of public schools damaged by Boko Haram in the state.

The defendants, Popoona Samuel and Arama Davies Gyandi were arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). 

Popoona and Arama were brought before Justice Tijjani G. Ringin, on a four-count charge bordering on money laundering and retention/conversion of proceeds.

According to the ICPC, the duo while serving as officers under the State Education Investment Project in the Office of the AG of Adamawa State in 2020, allegedly conspired and laundered funds belonging to the School-Based Management Committees of primary schools in the state.

The Project Officers allegedly conspired among themselves to commit an offence of money laundering by taking possession of the total sum of N2,400,000.000 refunded by the School-Based Management Committee of Kwaja Primary School, Mubi South.

The money was paid into Zenith Bank Plc Account No: 2116268547 belonging to Popoona Samuel, out of which the sum of N1,000,000.00 was transferred to UBA Plc Account No: 2302541629 belonging to Arama Davies Gyandi.

Equally, the defendants allegedly diverted the sum of N2,500,000.00 refunded by the School-Based Management Committee of Mutuku Primary School, Hong LGA, from Unity Bank Plc Account No:0042530017 being  part of the funds provided by the World Bank for the renovation of primary schools affected by insurgency. 

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges when read to them.

In view of the 'not guilty' pleas entered by the defendants, Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. T.S. Iorngee, applied to the court for a date for the commencement of trial.

Counsel to the defendants, S.J. Wugira, on his part, moved an application for bail for his clients, which the court granted under the following terms.

"Bail bond of ₦5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a Federal Public Servant or Adamawa State Government Public Servant on salary grade level 14 and above, or a traditional ruler not below the rank of District Head, or a Director of a company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with a share capital of at least ₦10,000,000.

Additionally, the defendants and their surety are to provide: Two recent passport photographs, official means of identification, a valid registered phone number, an affidavit of means, a recommendation letter from the Defendants' counsel, utility bills, and a proper verification of the residential address of the surety by the court and the prosecution.

The case was thereafter adjourned to 22nd October 2025 for the commencement of the trial.