₦19.7m Contract Bribe: EFCC Drags Former University VC Before Katsina Court
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, over an alleged ₦19.7 million bribery fraud.
Bichi was arraigned on Thursday, February 5, 2026, before Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar of the Katsina State High Court, alongside two co-defendants, Lawal Tukur Mani and Aliyu Lawal Jari, on a five-count charge bordering on bribery.
According to the EFCC, the former Vice Chancellor allegedly used the second and third defendants as intermediaries to receive bribes from contractors as kickbacks for contracts awarded by the university during his tenure.
One of the charges alleged that Bichi, sometime in July 2023, while serving as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma, obtained a ₦5 million bribe from Theophilus Ilechukwu of Goezek International Agency Nigeria Limited as a reward for the award of contracts for the supply of medical equipment and laboratory furnishings to the university.
The charge further stated that the money was paid into an Access Bank account belonging to Aliyu Lawal Jari, an act said to be punishable under Section 79 (a), (b) and (i) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
When the charges were read to them, all three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, requested a trial date to enable the prosecution present witnesses and prove its case.
Defence counsel, A. L. Yusuf and Raphael Henry, moved separate bail applications on behalf of their clients, urging the court to admit them to bail.
In his ruling, Justice Abubakar granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
