EFCC Arraigns Travel Agency Boss Over Alleged N144m Hajj Pilgrims Fraud

The EFCC has arraigned a travel agency CEO for allegedly defrauding Hajj pilgrims of N144 million, as investigations into the case continue.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought Mustapha Mohammed, the CEO of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, before Justice T.G. Ringim at the Federal High Court in Gombe for arraignment.

Mohammed is confronting three charges related to allegations of fraudulent intent and acquiring N144,162,500 (One Hundred Forty-Four Million, One Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) under false pretenses.

The EFCC reported that Mohammed misled unsuspecting victims with promises of services that were never fulfilled, resulting in significant financial losses.

One of the charges states: “Mustapha Mohammed, a male adult and Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited, along with Nazifi Sale Idris (currently at large), is accused of fraudulently obtaining N97,080,000.00 (Ninety Seven Million Eighty Thousand Naira) from Hamza Ibrahim Maina in Gombe State within this court’s jurisdiction during 2024. This was allegedly done by falsely using your personal Access Bank PLC account number 0026323827 to secure funds for flight tickets, visas, and accommodation for the 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia—a claim you knew to be false—thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 punishable under Section 1(3) of said Act.”

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Two charges have been filed against you. The second charge states: “Mustapha Muhammed, as the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited, along with Nazifi Sale Idris (currently at large), between December 2023 and February 2024 in Gombe, Gombe State—within this court’s jurisdiction—you allegedly defrauded Ibrahim Arabia by falsely acquiring a total sum of N29,082,500.00 (Twenty Nine Million Eighty Two Thousand Five Hundred Naira) through your personal Access Bank account number 0026323827 for the purpose of arranging services related to Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia. This act was done deceitfully and is an offense under Section 1(2)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006; it carries penalties outlined in Section 1(3) of that same Act.”

Considering his plea, prosecution counsel SH Saad requested the court to set a trial date and order that the defendant be held at the Gombe State Correctional Facility.

However, MZ Gambo, defense counsel for the defendant, filed a motion for bail that was strongly opposed by the prosecution.

Saad argued, “My Lord, the defendant currently faces approximately eight other pending petitions from various complainants who allege that he defrauded them of a total sum of N120,869,500. If granted bail, there is a risk that he might flee Nigeria and evade justice entirely. Therefore, in the interest of justice , we strongly request my Lord to deny his bail.”

Justice Ringing, after hearing arguments from both sides, postponed the decision on the bail application and ordered that the defendant be held at Gombe State Correctional Facility.