Project Officers Arraigned for Diverting N4.9M World Bank Funds Meant for Adamawa School Renovations

By Emmanuel Kwada

Two project officers, Popoona Samuel and Arama Davies Gyandi, attached to the Adamawa State Education Investment Project under the Office of the Accountant General, have been docked for allegedly diverting N4.9 million in World Bank funds intended for the renovation of public schools damaged by Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa State.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned the duo before Justice Tijjani G. Ringin at the Federal High Court in Yola on a four-count charge of money laundering and conversion of proceeds. The ICPC alleges that in 2020, the defendants conspired to misappropriate funds allocated to School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) for school rehabilitation projects.

Popoona and Arama allegedly laundered N2.4 million refunded by the SBMC of Kwaja Primary School, Mubi South. The funds were deposited into Popoona’s Zenith Bank account, with N1 million subsequently transferred to Arama’s UBA account

According to the charges, Popoona and Arama allegedly laundered N2.4 million refunded by the SBMC of Kwaja Primary School, Mubi South. The funds were deposited into Popoona’s Zenith Bank account, with N1 million subsequently transferred to Arama’s UBA account.

Additionally, the pair is accused of diverting N2.5 million refunded by the SBMC of Mutuku Primary School, Hong LGA, from a Unity Bank account, funds also provided by the World Bank for insurgency-affected schools. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. ICPC counsel, Mr. T.S. Iorngee, requested a trial date, while the defendants’ counsel, S.J. Wugira, secured bail for his clients.

The ICPC seeks to hold the defendants accountable for undermining efforts to rebuild Adamawa’s education infrastructure

The court set bail at N5 million each, with one surety in the same amount. The surety must be a federal or state public servant on grade level 14 or above, a traditional ruler not below District Head, or a director of a company with at least N10 million in share capital.

Additional requirements include passport photographs, identification, verified addresses, and other documentation. The case has been adjourned to October 22, 2025, for the trial to commence, as the ICPC seeks to hold the defendants accountable for undermining efforts to rebuild Adamawa’s education infrastructure. This scandal has raised concerns about the management of donor funds in Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for stricter oversight to ensure resources reach their intended beneficiaries.

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