Court Discharges Ex-Gov Bafarawa, Others

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

[Video] Mass Kidnapping in Edo: Drama as Police rescue 16 victims

https://youtu.be/sSra8Bqk-hU By Obinna Uballa The Edo State Police Command says 16 passengers kidnapped along the Benin-Auchi Road on Friday have been rescued. The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development on Saturday, adding that the rescue followed a joint operation involving police officers, local vigilantes, and hunters. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Friday…

Fears Deepen As FG Tightens Border Control Amid Ebola Outbreak in DRC

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly ramped up border security measures in response to a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sparking fears among citizens and travelers. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced the heightened surveillance. According to the Ministry, the border security measures is aimed at…

Twist as Enugu Govt Accuses Sujimoto CEO, Olasijibomi Ogundele,of N5.7bn Contract Fraud

By Obinna Uballa The Enugu State government has accused Olasijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of defrauding the state of N5.7 billion in a contract to build 22 smart green schools. The allegation follows the decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to declare the Lagos-based real estate mogul…

Ad

Justice Bello Abbas of the Sokoto State High Court today July 31st, 2018 discharged and acquitted the former governor of Sokoto State Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa alongside four others on a 22 count charge of Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation, Theft and receiving of stolen funds.

The accused now acquitted persons were arraigned on the 16th day of December, 2009 before the Sokoto State High Court.

They include: Beedash Nigeria Limited, Nasdabap Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gumm

Upon arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty to the 47 count preferred against them by the commission.

Soon after their arraignment, the accused persons filed a motion asking the court to quash the charges against them. The said motion was dismissed by both trial court and the court of appeal.

On the 29th of September, 2011, the prosecution filed an amended 144 count charge against the accused persons.

However, while the case was on going, some of the accused persons were dropped from the charge.

Those initially dropped are, Umaru Kwabo, Kabiru Marafa, Salihu Bakwai, Sambo Danchadi and Adamu Gurori who were all turned to prosecution witnesses. Abdullahi Bida died while Aisha Mohammed Binji was discharged following a nolle prosequi by the then Attorney General of Sokoto State.

Of recent, the current governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal granted a pardon to five out of the remaining accused persons.

Those pardoned by Tambuwal are Alhaji Tukur Alkali, who is the Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Isa Achida; the Chairman, Governing Board, National Commission for Colleges of Education, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi; the member representing Isa constituency at the House of Assembly, Alhaji Habibu Modachi; and a Permanent Secretary, Isah Bello.

On the 16th of December, 2017, the prosecution closed its case against the accused persons and the accused persons through their counsels filed an application for no-case submission which was subsequently dismissed by the court on the 31st of January 2018.

During the course of trial, prosecution called a total of 9 witnesses and tendered numerous exhibits while the defence call a total of 6 witnesses and also tendered documentary evidence.

In his judgment today, the judge said throughout the trial, the prosecution witnesses failed to give any hard evidence of conspiracy between the 1st accused person and his co-accused.

The presiding judge added that, most of the evidence given by the prosecution witnesses were based on hearsay. He said there was no documentary evidence to back it up.

Based on the above, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Beedash Nigeria Limited, Nasdabap Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gummi were all discharged and acquitted by the court.

Ad

X whatsapp