Court summons Rep over ex-governor Turaki’s Absence

Following the failure of former governor of Nigeria’s north western state of Jigawa, Saminu Turaki to attend his trial in the N36billion case of theft and money laundering instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Justice S. Yahuza of the Federal High Court, Dutse has summoned his surety, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, a member of the House of Representatives to appear before him on May 16, 2013,

He is “ to show cause why the recognizance entered into by him to produce the accused should not be forfeited”

Part of the notice, which was on Tuesday April 30, 2013 pasted on the house of Hon. Bwari, at the Apo Legislative Quarters, read: “Take notice that you are hereby summoned to appear at the Federal High Court, sitting at Dutse Judicial Division on the 16th day of May 2013 at 9.00am. You are to show cause why the recognizance entered into by you to produce the accused in the above-mentioned charge should not be forfeited.”

Turaki was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on a 32-count charge. The case was later transferred to Federal High Court; Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT court. He was subsequently re-arraigned on a 32- count charge at the Federal High Court, Dutse for allegedly misappropriating N36 billion while he was governor of Jigawa State.

Turaki had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was subsequently granted bail with Hon. Bwari serving as one of his sureties.

In a related case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja and presided over by Justice Peter Kekemeke, to disregard the no-case submission by Herman Hembe, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and his deputy, Chris Azubogu, insisting that the federal law makers have a case to answer in the $4,095 dollars estacode scam.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday April 30, 2013 EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma observed that the arguments canvassed by defence counsel in support of their applications are immaterial at this point; stressing that the fundamental issue remains that a prima facie case have been established against the defendants to warrant explanation from them before the court.

He said, from available indications, the accused were deceptive which amounts to dishonesty and punishable under the relevant laws.

He therefore urged the court to refuse the application.

Earlier, counsel to the accused persons, J.S Okutepa, SAN and Onyenchi Ikpeazu, SAN while moving their separate motions for no case submission contended that estacode is money meant for a public servant who travels overseas.

They said once the money is approved and the officer embarks on the journey, the money becomes his.

The duo of Hembe, and Azubogu are being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly converting the sum of $4,095 dollars paid to them as estacode for a conference in Dominican Republic, which they failed to attend; thereby committing an offence contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990.

After listening to arguments from both sides, the presiding judge adjourned ruling to June 19, 2013