Alleged theft of IDPs rice : Absence of LG chairman stalls trial
A Maiduguri High Court has adjourned till Feb.9, hearing in the case of Shettima Maina, Chairman of Mafa Local Government Area in Borno, along with two others, charged for allegedly diverting food items meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Maina could not be produced in court on Tuesday as he had been arrested by the military over another alleged offence of links with Boko Haram insurgents.
When the case of alleged diversion came up for hearing, Mr Alquasim Ja’afar, EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, sought for adjournment of the case to enable him amend the charges. In his ruling, Justice Fadamu Umar granted the request and adjourned the case to Feb-9 for further Hearing. Maina, along with Bulama Ali Zangebe and Modu Bulama, had allegedly connived and misappropriated about 300 bags of rice worth N2 million, meant for IDPs in Mafa LGA. According to the prosecution, the offence committed is punishable under Section 96 and 97 of the Panel Code Law Cap 345 laws of the Northern States of Nigeria.
