NIGERIA · KANO
Key Facts
- —The country Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, votes for president on 16 January 2027 and for governors, including in Kano, on 6 February.
- —Why it matters The anti-corruption agency EFCC is prosecuting a payment meant for a spaghetti supply in a Kano court, a live example of payment-for-goods risk in Nigerian trade.
- —Why now The case surfaced on Friday 16 October, two days after the arraignment, and it returns to court on Monday 2 November.
- —What happened On Wednesday 14 October the EFCC arraigned Abdulmajid Halifa Nazifi (some outlets print Halifa Abdulmajid) on one count of criminal misappropriation; he pleaded not guilty and was remanded.
- —The numbers The charge covers ₦34.875 million (about US$26,200), allegedly misappropriated in Kano between September and October 2024.
- —What it means for you US firms that pay Nigerian suppliers in advance face real fraud and court risk, though this sum is too small to move markets.
- —Still open Whether the defendant will seek bail, what his defence is and whether any goods were delivered.
The EFCC Kano spaghetti fraud arraignment on Wednesday 14 October centres on ₦34.875 million (about US$26,200). Prosecutors allege the money, meant for a spaghetti purchase, was misappropriated, and the defendant pleaded not guilty.
For US readers the sum is small, but the case is a live example of payment-for-goods risk in Nigerian trade. It also shows the national anti-corruption agency prosecuting a matter that involves money said to belong to a private individual.
What the EFCC Kano Spaghetti Fraud Arraignment Involves
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is Nigeria’s financial-crimes agency, and it brought the case before the Kano State High Court. Mustapha Maiwada appeared as prosecution counsel before Justice Musa Karaye.
The charge sheet lists one count of criminal misappropriation under Section 308 of the Kano State Penal Code Law. It is punishable under Section 309, and the alleged offence took place in Kano between September and October 2024.
According to the prosecution, the money went on the defendant’s instruction to a third party’s First Bank account, to buy IRS spaghetti from BUA. Daily Trust and Aminiya add that prosecutors say it was diverted for his personal use.
BUA is named only as the intended supplier, and the coverage reviewed alleges nothing against it. The same applies to the account holder and the complainant, who are not accused of any offence.
Daily Trust, Aminiya and The Nigeria Lawyer name the defendant as Abdulmajid Halifa Nazifi. Premium Times and Daily Post lead with Halifa Abdulmajid, and Premium Times also once writes Mr Nazifi, so the form of his name differs between outlets.
What the Court Decided on 14 October
After the plea, Mr Maiwada asked the judge to fix a trial date and to remand the defendant. Justice Karaye ordered him held in a correctional centre and adjourned the case to Monday 2 November 2026 for hearing.
Remand means the defendant stays in custody while the case is pending, and it is not a finding of guilt. He is presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.
The coverage reviewed does not say whether the defence has applied for bail. The hearing on 2 November is the next point at which that may become clear.
Why the Case Is Drawing Attention in Kano
The arraignment comes as Kano heads towards governorship elections on 6 February 2027, according to the electoral commission INEC’s calendar. Our profile of Rabiu Kwankwaso Political Career and Kano Influence explains one of the state’s best-known political figures.
Nothing in the court coverage links the defendant, the complainant or the supplier to any party or candidate. On the available reports this is a criminal case with no stated political link.
For the wider map of power ahead of the vote, see Nigeria Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026. Readers should keep that political context apart from this single charge.
What It Means for US Readers
The ₦34.875 million is about US$26,200 at the central bank’s official rate of 1,332.0893 naira per US dollar on 14 October. That is too small to move markets, but the payment pattern matters to anyone who pays Nigerian suppliers in advance.
Common safeguards are paying against signed documents, using only accounts in the supplier’s own name and keeping written instructions. These are general trade practices, not findings of this case.
The agency has also worked with US investigators, as in FBI and EFCC Join Forces to Probe USAID Fund Diversion in Nigeria. That matter is separate and has no stated connection to the Kano charge.
Visitors to Kano face no new rule or restriction from this case. Consult current official travel guidance before any trip, as for any northern state.
What Is Not Known
This account rests on court coverage by five Nigerian outlets, because no EFCC statement or charge sheet was available to review. The defendant’s response beyond his plea is not known, and no lawyer for him was named.
Premium Times and Daily Post say he failed to deliver the goods, but Daily Trust says the money was diverted. The court has made no finding on either version.
It is not known whether any goods were delivered, whether any money was recovered or how the two sides knew each other. The coverage also does not state the penalty under Section 309.
No source reviewed links the case to a political party or to the Kano campaign. Whether bail will be sought before 2 November is also unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is charged in the Kano spaghetti case?
The EFCC has charged Abdulmajid Halifa Nazifi with one count of criminal misappropriation at the Kano State High Court. Premium Times and Daily Post give his name as Halifa Abdulmajid.
How much money is involved?
The charge concerns ₦34.875 million, about US$26,200 at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate on 14 October. The prosecution says it was meant to buy spaghetti from BUA.
What did the defendant plead?
He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday 14 October when the charge was read. The judge ordered him remanded in a correctional centre.
When is the next hearing?
Justice Musa Karaye adjourned the case to Monday 2 November 2026 for hearing. That date appears in Daily Trust, Aminiya and The Nigeria Lawyer.
Is the case linked to Kano politics?
No source reviewed links the case to a party or candidate. Kano’s governorship election is scheduled for 6 February 2027.
Sources: Premium Times Nigeria, 16 October 2026; Daily Trust, 16 October 2026; Daily Post, 16 October 2026; Aminiya (Hausa), 16 October 2026; The Nigeria Lawyer, 16 October 2026; INEC election calendar; Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rates.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief