Alleged N40bn Fraud: FG Rearraigns Nyako, Eight Others

The federal government monday re-arraigned former governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), his son Abdullajeez and seven others before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for N40 billion fraud allegedly committed while in office. They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 37-count charge bordering on allegation of fraud and corruption, before Justice Okon Abang. Others being prosecuted alongside Nyako and his son are Zulkifikk Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms and Extension Limited. Others include, Pagoda Ventures Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited.

The defendants, who were first arraigned last year before Justice Evoh Chukwu before his demise, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Following their plea, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang ordered that the defendants should continue to enjoy the conditions of the earlier bail granted by late Justice Chukwu.

He denied the request of the prosecution that the defendant’s sureties should file a fresh affidavit on the grounds that the prosecutor failed to oppose the oral application made by the defendants. He further ruled that the court cannot vary the condition of the bail earlier granted to the defendants. Abang therefore adjourned trial of the matter till November 17 and 22, 2016.