The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned a former governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako, and his son, Sen. Abdulaziz, in the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N29 billion fraud.
They were re-arraigned on 37 counts of money laundering allegedly perpetrated while Nyako was governor of Adamawa.
Others arraigned with them are Zulkifik Abba and Abubakar Aliyu.
The firms allegedly used in laundering the funds—Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited—were also joined as 5th to 9th defendants, respectively.
The re-arraignment followed the elevation of the former trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, to the Court of Appeal.
When the matter was called, counsel to the prosecuting agency, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the matter was starting de novo (afresh) because the first two judges who were handling the matter were no longer available to handle it.
“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.
