The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and six others for the alleged N544million grass-cutting contract fraud.
Mr Lawal and others again pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of fraud during their re-arraignment on Monday before Justice Charles Agbaza of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja.
The judge previously handling the case Justice Jude Okeke died on August 4, 2020.
Lawal, along with his younger brother Hamidu Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh Monday, and two companies – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd – were initially arraigned on February 13, 2019.
Following their pleas on Monday, the defence lawyers pleaded with the judge to allow their clients to continue to enjoy the bail already granted them by the former judge.
The judge fixed January 20 to 22 for trial.