The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yobe state chapter, Comrade Muktar Tarbutu has been ordered to be remanded in prison.

He was charged to court for allegedly diverting palliatives.

The order was given by the court On Wednesday, March 27.

Comrade Tarbutu was arraigned on Wednesday before Magistrate II Damaturu over the allegation of diverting palliatives given to him by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for distribution.

The secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yobe state, Barrister Mohammad Ngumurumi, disclosed that NEDC had given the palliatives to the NLC to share among some selected unions, but he failed to do so.

As reported by Daily Trust, Comrade didn’t share these items with NUJ and NBA.

However, he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

The legal practitioner explained thus:

‘‘The North East Development Commission (NEDC) distributed 25kg of 150 bags of rice, 150 bags of sugar, 150 cartons of spaghetti, 150 rappers for women, and 150 textiles for men as well as 150 blankets.

‘‘He was urged to share them among the members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

‘‘He didn’t share these items with NUJ and NBA, we asked him where ours is, he didn’t show us that is why NBA filed the case to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and he was arraigned today (Wednesday), but he pleaded not guilty."

The accused was sent to prison by Chief Magistrate II Damaturu, His Worship Hasiya Abubakar, till April 18, 2024, when the principal hearing will be held.