The Commission had filed a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abetment, and criminal breach of trust before Justice Aliyu Mayaki(now retired) against Aliyu, Beji and a former Commissioner for Environment and Chief of Staff to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Umar Mohammed Nasko.  The matter was later reassigned to Justice Abdullahi Mukailu and the EFCC called 11 witnesses, tendered over 400 exhibits, and closed its case.  However, the three defendants made a no-case submission before the court, and His Lordship on December 7, 2023, granted the prayers in favour of Aliyu and Beji and directed Nasko to open his defence.

The EFCC, dissatisfied with the ruling of His Lordship on Aliyu and Beji regarding their no-case submission and fully persuaded that a prima facie case had been established against them, filed a Notice of Appeal dated January 10, 2024.  The Commission was optimistic that the Court of Appeal would do justice to the appeal.

Surprisingly, on January 15, 2024, when the EFCC’s counsel appeared in court to continue the trial of Nasko and without any prior notice, the Attorney General of Niger State made an appearance in court with an application to take over the case from the EFCC. Not done yet, the AG made another appearance four hours later and entered a nolle prosequi which His Lordship acted on and discharged Nasko.

For the EFCC, the road has not closed.  The Commission is proceeding in its appeal against Aliyu and Beji at the Court of Appeal with all its evidence against them.  The Commission will continue to discharge its duties in line with its mandate of tackling all forms of economic and financial crimes without fear or favour.

The post EFCC drags Babangida Aliyu and Tanko Beji to Appeal Court over  Alleged N4bn fraud appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

One of the counts reads: “That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (whilst being the Executive Governor of Niger State) and Umar Mohammed Nasko (whilst being the Commissioner for Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources in Niger State) on or about 23rd July, 2014 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did indirectly take control of the aggregate sum of N478.4 million out of the sum of N487.4 million paid by the Niger State Ministry of Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources to MJ Eco Projects Limited for environmental/ecological consultancy project awarded to the company in respect of Zone B of Niger State which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an offence unlawful act to wit: corruption and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.”

They pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges.

In view of the plea, the prosecution counsel, Prince Ben Ikani, asked for a date for trial to commence, and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.

Counsel to Aliyu, Olajide Ayodele, SAN, however, urged the court to admit his client to bail.

“There is a summons, which seeks for the application to be heard and if the court is ready the application will be heard as the prosecution has been served with it,” Ayodele said.

However, Ikani told the court that he was yet to be served with the motion for Aliyu’s bail but had received that of Nasko. “We are interested in a speedy trial,” Ikani said.

Earlier in the proceedings, Mamman Osman, SAN, brought before the court a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court. His argument was however, countered by Ikani, who quoting Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, noted that “the application is premature as the business of the day is for the arraignment”.

Justice Dimgba, thereafter, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200million with two sureties each, who must be a public servant or a professional not less than the rank of a Director.

“The sureties must own houses in Abuja Metropolis excluding the satellite towns. The defendants are also to deposit their international passports with the registrar of the court and must not travel except with the permission of the court,” the trial judge ruled.

The Court Registrar and the EFCC are to verify and ensure that the bail conditions are met within 48 hours and if not they are to be remanded in Kuje Prison.

The matter has been adjourned to July 6 and 7, 2017 for commencement of trial.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had on April 25, 2017 arraigned the two defendants before the Niger State High Court on a six-count charge bordering on misappropriation of public funds, and “diversion of proceeds of the sale of 16 per cent shares of the sale of Niger State in the North South Power Company Limited”.

The post EFCC docks ex-Niger Gov Aliyu, for N1.46bn fraud appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.