The EFCC has told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that two key
witnesses it lined up to testify against the former governor of Adamawa
State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, rtd, who is facing money laundering
charge, have died under mysterious circumstances.The EFCC, via a counter-affidavit that was deposed to by its lead
Detectives, Adekunle Christopher Odofin, said that the witnesses,
Ma’aji Mohammed Iro and Abdulmalik Dalhatu were found dead shortly after
they came to its office and testified against the accused former
governor.
The late Mohammed Iro was the then Regional Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, North East, Nigeria, and was in charge of the accounts of Adamawa State with the bank.
Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds-Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged as the 5th to 9th accused persons.
Trial Justice Evoh Chukwu had on Friday granted the accused persons bail to the tune of N350million each.
They were asked to produce two persons to stand as their sureties or in the alternative, provide one surety who must be a serving Director in any federal government establishment.
The surety according to the court must show a proof of ownership of landed property in Abuja, depose to an affidavit of means before the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court, as well as, show evidence of three years tax payment.
Besides, the accused persons were directed to surrender their international passport to the court alongside their two recent passport photographs, even as the court slated September 30 to commence their trial.
However, EFCC is kicking against their release on bail, decrying that, “two of our crucial witnesses have died in mysterious circumstances and this has instilled fear in other prospective witnesses in this case”.
The late Mohammed Iro was the then Regional Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, North East, Nigeria, and was in charge of the accounts of Adamawa State with the bank.
He was said to have adduced incriminating evidence against Nyako who is answering to a 37-count criminal charge alongside his son, Abdulaziz, a serving Senator.They are facing trial alongside their alleged accomplices - Zulkifikk Abba and Abubakar Aliyu.
Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds-Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged as the 5th to 9th accused persons.
Trial Justice Evoh Chukwu had on Friday granted the accused persons bail to the tune of N350million each.
They were asked to produce two persons to stand as their sureties or in the alternative, provide one surety who must be a serving Director in any federal government establishment.
The surety according to the court must show a proof of ownership of landed property in Abuja, depose to an affidavit of means before the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court, as well as, show evidence of three years tax payment.
Besides, the accused persons were directed to surrender their international passport to the court alongside their two recent passport photographs, even as the court slated September 30 to commence their trial.
However, EFCC is kicking against their release on bail, decrying that, “two of our crucial witnesses have died in mysterious circumstances and this has instilled fear in other prospective witnesses in this case”.
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