The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026, arraigned a former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, before the Katsina State High Court over alleged bribery totaling N19.7 million.
Bichi was arraigned alongside two others, Lawal Tukur Mani and Aliyu Lawal Jari, before Honourable Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar on a five-count charge bordering on bribery.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired to receive bribes from contractors as kickbacks for the award of various contracts at the Federal University Dutsinma during Bichi’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor.
One of the charges stated that Bichi, sometime in July 2023 in Katsina, while serving as Vice-Chancellor of FUDMA, allegedly obtained a bribe of N5 million from one Theophilus Ilechukwu of Goezek International Agency Nigeria Limited as a reward for the award of contracts for the supply of medical equipment and the furnishing of a laboratory at the university. The money was allegedly paid into an Access Bank account belonging to the third defendant, Aliyu Lawal Jari.
The offence is said to be punishable under Section 79 (a), (b) and (i) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
The EFCC further alleged that the former Vice-Chancellor received the bribes through the second and third defendants from the petitioners.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, asked the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution present its witnesses and prove its case. Defence counsel, A. L. Yusuf and Raphael Henry, separately applied for bail on behalf of their clients.
Justice Abubakar granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to March 12, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
