FG arraigns ex-Gov Aliyu on money laundering charges

By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja

The federal government through Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, arraigned the immediate past Governor of Niger state, Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on eight-count charges bordering on money laundering.
The former governor was arraigned alongside Umar Nasko, the 2015 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, over allegation that they conspired and diverted over N1 billion from Ecological Fund the state received from the federal government in 2014.

The defendants were alleged to have paid the Ecological Fund into the account of a private company, D-Sabrin International Limited through the Niger state Minister of Environment.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Shortly after the arraignment, counsel to the defendants, Mr. Mamman Usman, reminded the court that the defendants were earlier granted administrative bail.
He also insisted that the charges leveled against them were bailable.
Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Ben Ikani, who did not opposed the bail application, urged the court to impose conditions that would secure the presence of the defendants for their trial.

In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba granted them bail to the sum N200 million with two sureties each who could be public servants or professionals.
“When in public service, the surety must not be below the rank of a Director,” he ruled.
Also, in the bail condition is that the two sureties must be owners of landed property within the Federal Capital Territory and not in the satellite towns.
Also, the defendants should surrender their international passports.
He ruled that operatives of EFCC must confirm that all the bail conditions were fully perfected.
“The defendants are however to be remanded in Kuje Prison if the bail is not perfected within 48 hours.”
The case was subsequently adjourned till July 6 and 7, for hearing.

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