The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially arraigned Salihu Yusuf Wavah before the Borno State High Court on charges of criminal misappropriation involving N20 million.
Appearing before Justice Muhammad Maina on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Wavah faced a two-count charge preferred by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency. The prosecution alleges that Wavah diverted funds intended for a property transaction for his personal use.
The court heard that between June 9 and June 11, 2024, Wavah received a transfer of N20,000,000 from one Alhaji Ahmadu Bello into his Access Bank account. According to the EFCC, the money was meant for the purchase of a property, but the defendant allegedly failed to deliver the real estate or refund the capital.
One of the charges read to the defendant stated: “That you, Salihu Yusuf Wavah… within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriate and converts to your own use the sum of N20,000,000.00… a property belonging to one Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and thereby committed an offence… punishable under section 297 of the Borno State Penal Code Law.”
When the charges were read, Wavah entered a plea of “not guilty.” Following the plea, the prosecution counsel, Faruqu Muhammad, requested that the court keep the defendant in custody to ensure his appearance for the duration of the case.
“We pray the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody,” Muhammad told the court.
Justice Maina granted the prosecution’s request, ordering that Wavah be held in a correctional facility. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until February 9, 2026, for the commencement of the trial. Wavah will remain in prison custody pending the determination of the case.
The case highlights the EFCC’s ongoing crackdown on real estate-related fraud and the misappropriation of private funds within the region.
