By Our Correspondent

Comrade Muktar Tarbutu, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Yobe State, has been remanded in prison following accusations of diverting palliatives intended for union members.

Tarbutu faced arraignment before Magistrate II Damaturu on Wednesday, responding to allegations of misappropriating palliatives provided by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

According to Barrister Mohammad Mohammad Ngumurumi, Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Yobe, the NEDC had allocated various essential items, including rice, sugar, spaghetti, and textiles, for distribution among several unions, which Tarbutu allegedly failed to fulfill.

“The North East Development Commission (NEDC) had distributed these items to the NLC, TUC, NUJ, and NBA for distribution among their members. However, the accused did not distribute the items allocated to the NUJ and NBA,” Ngumurumi stated.

Tarbutu, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was remanded in custody until April 18, 2024, awaiting further legal proceedings, as ordered by Chief Magistrate II Damaturu, His Worship Hasiya Abubakar.