The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Mr. Suleiman Garba Bulkwang, Director of Human Resources Management at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of fraud and money laundering involving ₦223,412,909.
Bulkwang faces a five-count charge, including criminal diversion of funds and money laundering. According to the EFCC, the alleged crimes involve the illegal transfer and conversion of funds meant for official purposes.
One of the charges states that Bulkwang counseled Umaefulem Donatus Chibueze, Managing Director of consulting firms Cees Assist Resources and Brainstask Value Resources, to transfer ₦138,123,969 out of ₦279,330,000 paid by REA to the consultants. The EFCC alleges that the diverted funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, violating provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accuses Bulkwang of indirectly converting ₦45 million in July 2023 through payments made to companies, including Dammy Gold Programme Ltd, World Class Business, Green Haven Company, and De-Sam Rose-Base Ltd, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Bulkwang pleaded not guilty to all charges. In the absence of his defense counsel, EFCC prosecutor Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, requested a trial date and asked for the defendant to be remanded.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the prosecution's request, ordering Bulkwang’s remand at Kuje Correctional Center and adjourning the case to February 3, 2025, for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
