Court hears fraud case against Aliyu, others

A Minna High Court has commenced hearing on an alleged fraud and abuse of office case brought against a former governor, Dr Muazu Babaginda Aliyu and some others by the EFCC. Aliyu was re-arraigned on a seven-count charge over the alleged laundering of over N2 billion ecological fund during his tenure between 2007 and 2015. […]

A Minna High Court has commenced hearing on an alleged fraud and abuse of office case brought against a former governor, Dr Muazu Babaginda Aliyu and some others by the EFCC.

Aliyu was re-arraigned on a seven-count charge over the alleged laundering of over N2 billion ecological fund during his tenure between 2007 and 2015.

Also re-arraigned were Umar Nasko who was Commissioner for Environment during his tenure on a two-count charge and Tanko Beji, the state PDP chairman on one count charge over alleged corrupt and dishonest conversion of the money.

The case which was before another High Court presided over by Justice Mohammed Aliyu  Mayaki had suffered several adjournments.

At commencement of hearing yesterday, counsel to Aliyu,  Ayodele Oladeji (SAN), raised an objection through an oral application on the jurisdiction of the state High  Court  to entertain the case.

However, counsel to the EFCC, JS Okutepa (SAN), objected to the application on the ground that it lacked merit.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammad  Mohammed,  said the application lacked merit, adding that the case under contention was a state  matter.