The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Bello Kaloma, also known as Muhammad Auwal, over an alleged N5.7 million fraud involving a purported auctioned tractor in Bauchi State.
Key Highlights
- EFCC arraigned Bello Kaloma, alias Muhammad Auwal, before the Federal High Court in Bauchi.
- He faces a four-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and money laundering.
- He allegedly collected money for a tractor said to be auctioned by the Ganjuwa LGA chairman.
- Kaloma pleaded not guilty and was remanded in a correctional centre.
- Trial has been fixed for October 30, 2026.
Kaloma was arraigned before Justice Aminu Garba of the Federal High Court in Bauchi, by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Thursday, on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and money laundering.
According to the commission, the alleged fraud involved a sum of N6.16 million, which the defendant allegedly obtained from a petitioner under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of an auctioned tractor.
What The Charge Says
One of the charges stated that Kaloma on or about April 23, 2025, allegedly obtained N5.7 million through electronic transfers from MB Modi Logistics Nigeria Limited, a company belonging to Musa Ibrahim.
The money was reportedly transferred into Kaloma’s personal account domiciled with First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
The charge alleged that the defendant claimed the money was for the purchase of a tractor being auctioned by the executive chairman of Ganjuwa Local Government Area, knowing the claim to be false.
The alleged offence was brought under Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which provides punishment under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
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Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
Kaloma pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him in court.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, M.T. Iko, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional centre.
Justice Garba subsequently adjourned the case until October 30, 2026, for trial and ordered that Kaloma be remanded in a correctional centre.
The EFCC said the case originated when the defendant allegedly approached the petitioner and claimed that his boss intended to auction a tractor for N6.16 million.
According to the commission, the petitioner paid the money in two tranches, but the tractor was never delivered and the money was not refunded.
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