On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-arraigned Murtala Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa, and his son, Abdulaziz, for an alleged N29bn fraud.
They were re-arraigned with Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms and Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited.
The defendants were accused of laundering N29bn.
When their pleas were taken, they pleaded not guilty.
On August 7, 2015, Nyako, Abdul-Aziz, Zulkifikk Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, and five firms were arraigned before the late Justice Evoh Chukwu.
The defendants were re-arraigned on October 17, 2016, before Justice Okon Abang, who is now a judge at the Court of Appeal. https://punchng.com/n29bn-alleged-fraud-efcc-re-arraign-nyako-son/
When the case was called, the EFCC's counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the case was starting over due to the unavailability of the original two judges who handled it.
He stated, “My Lord, Justice Evoh Chukwu first presided over the matter where we presented eight witnesses before he passed away.
“The case was then transferred to Justice Okon Abang where we presented 21 witnesses and closed our case.
“However, all the defendants appealed, claiming they had no case to answer, but their appeals were dismissed by the Court of Appeal, and they were instructed to return to the Federal High Court and present their defense.
“Regrettably, Justice Abang was promoted to the Court of Appeal, hence why we are before you today, my lord.”
Michael Aondoakaa( SAN), counsel for the former governor, his son, and their companies, asked the court to grant his clients bail under the initial conditions stated by the court.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, granted his request.
After this, the EFCC lawyer reminded the court that the defendants had opted for a plea bargain when Justice Abang was presiding over the matter and inquired if they still wanted to pursue that option.
Aondoakaa, however, explained that they had only sought to settle the matter amicably due to the former governor's age.
He said, “Plea bargain implies guilt. The admiral is 81 years old, the same age as retired Gen. Badamosi Babangida, and he cannot continue to endure this ordeal.”
He promised to keep the court informed if progress was made with the attempt at amicable settlement.
Justice Lifu subsequently scheduled the trial to commence on May 10 and 13.
