Alleged N4bn fraud: EFCC resists plot by Niger govt to stop trial of ex-governor Aliyu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has vowed to resist the plot by the Niger State Government to stop the trial of former governor of the state Muazu Babangida Aliu, former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Tanko Beji as well as former commissioner and chief of staff Umar Mohammed Nasko on alleged N4 billion fraud.

The Commission said this on Thursday evening while confirming that it has approached the Court of Appeal to set aside a no-case ruling granted Aliyu, Beji and Nasko by Justice Abdullahi Mukailu of the Niger State High Court sitting in Minna, on December 7, 2023.

EFCC 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 and 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.

But the EFCC said surprisingly, on January 15, 2024, when the its 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.

But the EFCC said it will not give up on the case despite the behaviour of the Niger State Government.

“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 Commssion said in a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.

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