The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Mustapha Mohammed, the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, for allegedly defrauding hajj pilgrims of N144,162,500.
Mohammed was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Gombe on accusations related to fraudulent activities involving the 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
According to the EFCC, Mohammed, in collaboration with Nazifi Sale Idris who remains at large, purportedly deceived pilgrims by soliciting funds for services such as flight tickets, visas, and accommodation, which were never provided.
Among the victims cited were Hamza Ibrahim Maina, from whom Mohammed allegedly obtained N97,080,000 through his personal Access Bank account, and Ibrahim Arabia, from whom he allegedly obtained N29,082,500 under similar circumstances.
In response to the charges, Mohammed’s counsel, M.Z. Gambo, requested bail, which was opposed by the prosecution led by S.H. Saad.
The prosecution argued against granting bail, citing concerns that Mohammed, facing additional fraud allegations totaling N120,869,500 from various complainants, posed a flight risk.
“The defendant still has about eight other pending petitions filed by different nominal complainants alleging that he defrauded them to the aggregate sum of N120,869,500 and if granted bail, he might flee the shores of Nigeria and may never be found again,” the prosecution asserted before the court.
The presiding judge, Tijjani Ringim, subsequently adjourned the case for a ruling on the bail application and ordered that Mohammed be remanded in the Gombe State correctional facility pending further legal proceedings.
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