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, Professor Armayau Hamisu Bichi, before the Katsina State High Court over an alleged ₦19.7 million bribery scheme.
Bichi was arraigned before Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar alongside Lawal Tukur Mani and Aliyu Lawal Jari on a five-count charge bordering on bribery.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly received bribes from contractors as kickbacks for the award of various contracts during Bichi’s tenure as Vice Chancellor.
One of the charges alleged that Bichi, sometime in July 2023 in Katsina, obtained ₦5 million from Theophilus Ilechukwu of Goezek International Agency Nigeria Limited as gratification for the award of contracts for the supply of medical equipment and laboratory furnishing at the university. The funds were allegedly paid into an Access Bank account belonging to the third defendant, Aliyu Lawal Jari.
The offence is said to contravene Section 79 (a), (b) and (i) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, requested a trial date to enable the EFCC present witnesses and prove its case.
Defence counsels, A. L. Yusuf and Raphael Henry, separately applied for bail on behalf of their clients.
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.
