The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Chief Bailiff of the Gombe State High Court, Usman Zakari, on a one-count charge of fraudulent conversion of funds meant for a judgment debtor.
Zakari was brought before Justice Haruna H. Kereng of Gombe State High Court 3 on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, following investigations by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency.
According to the EFCC, Zakari, in his capacity as Chief Bailiff, was entrusted with the auctioning of a property in relation to Suit No. GM/329M/2023.
The property was reportedly sold for N14 million, of which N4.18 million was paid to the judgment creditor, Ahmed Umaru. However, Zakari allegedly dishonestly converted the balance—N9.82 million—meant for the judgment debtor, to his own use.
The charge reads in part: “That you Usman Zakari, sometimes in October 2023 at Gombe, while being the Chief Bailiff of the High Court of Justice, Gombe State… dishonestly converted the sum of N9,820,000.00 (Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) being the remaining balance from the auction… thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 308 and Section 309 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria respectively.”
Zakari pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecution counsel, M. O. Tijani, requested that the defendant be remanded in the Gombe Correctional Centre pending trial. However, the defence counsel, Yusuf A. Aliyu, moved a motion for bail.
Justice Kereng granted the defendant bail on self-recognisance, noting his status as a serving court official. The matter was adjourned to July 30, 2025, for commencement of trial.
