On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned former Adamawa governor Murtala Nyako and his son, Sen. Abdulaziz, at the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged N29 billion fraud.
They faced re-arraignment on 37 counts of money laundering allegedly committed during Nyako’s tenure as governor of Adamawa.
Also arraigned alongside them were Zulkifik Abba and Abubakar Aliyu.
The companies allegedly involved in laundering the funds—Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited—were also listed as the 5th to 9th defendants, respectively.
This re-arraignment followed the elevation of the former trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, to the Court of Appeal.
During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the case was starting afresh because the previous two judges who handled the matter were no longer available.
“My Lord, Justice Evoh Chukwu first handled the matter; we called eight witnesses before he died. “It was then transferred to Justice Okon Abang, where we called 21 witnesses and closed our case.
“The defendants, however, all appealed the case, saying they had no case to answer, but the Court of Appeal dismissed their appeals and asked them to return to the Federal High Court and open their defence.
“Unfortunately, Justice Abang was elevated to the Court of Appeal, and that is why we are before you today, my lord.” The trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, directed that the charge be read to the defendants to enter their plea.
