Alleged fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-Gov Aliyu, Nasko, others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Umar Nasko and the PDP state chairman, Tanko Beji before the state High Court Minna for alleged corrupt practices. The former Governor was re-arraigned on seven count charges for alleged money […]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Umar Nasko and the PDP state chairman, Tanko Beji before the state High Court Minna for alleged corrupt practices.
The former Governor was re-arraigned on seven count charges for alleged money laundering of over N2 billion ecological fund during his tenure as Governor between 2007 and 2015.
Also re-arraigned were Umar Nasko who was Commissioner for Environment during his tenure, on two count charges and Tanko Beji the PDP state chairman on one count charge for alleged corrupt and dishonest conversion of the money meant for the state ecology.
The case which was before another State High Court Presided over by Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki had suffered several adjournments.
The case now on trial de-novo was opened at high court 8 presided over by Justice Mikailu Abdullahi on Thursday with same charges as amended by the EFCC.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty, when their pleas were taken today.
However, Counsel to former Gov Aliyu, Ayodele Olajide (SAN), applied for bail on the ground that it was a trial de-novo, adding that the earlier bail should stay since the accused persons have not contravened the bail condition.
Counsel to Umar Nasko, Mamman Osumam aligned with the presentation of Olajide (SAN) that the bail should subsist.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi granted the oral application for the bail of the accused persons as granted by earlier court with all the conditions therein.
However, he ordered that travel documents of the accused persons be deposited with the Court.
He adjourned the case to 21 and 22 of February for mentioning.