EFCC tenders evidence against Lamido, 2 sons

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

U.S. Oil Output Beats Weekly Estimates in June

U.S. crude oil production hit a new record in June at 13.58 million barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration’s latest Petroleum Supply Monthly. That’s 133,000 barrels more than May and 2.5 percent higher than a year ago. The new monthly figures also show a sharp disconnect from the EIA’s weekly estimates. For…

Zelenskyy fumes as ex-Ukrainian parliament speaker is shot dead

By Obinna Uballa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the killing of former parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy as a “horrendous murder,” vowing that every resource will be deployed to track down the attacker. “All necessary forces and means are engaged in the investigation and search for the killer,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on social…

Rivers Crisis: Fubara will return as governor after September 18, Wike declares

• Hails LG election as peaceful By Obinna Uballa Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the State House of Assembly will resume their constitutional duties once the emergency rule in the state expires on September 18. Wike, who spoke to journalists on Saturday…

Ad

lamido1ABUJA—Determined to establish the money laundering charge it slammed against Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, tendered before the Federal High Court in Abuja, details of bank accounts it said were used by the accused persons to siphon public funds.
They are now answering to an amended 27-count criminal charge bordering on corruption, money laundering, breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N1.35 billion.Though Lamido and his sons were initially docked in Kano on July 9 alongside their alleged accomplice, Wada Abubakar, on a 28-count charge, they were subsequently re-arraigned by the anti-graft agency in Abuja on September 22.

Lamido was alleged to have abused his position as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, by awarding contracts to compa-nies where he had interest, using his two sons as front.

He was equally alleged to have collected kickbacks from contractors in the state, with the funds allegedly paid into accounts that were managed by his sons.

Four companies that were allegedly involved in the fraud (Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and Speeds International Limited), were also joined in the charge.

EFCC’s witnesses,  adjourment

Meanwhile, opening its case against them on Wednesday, EFCC, called four witnesses who are all bank officials, to tender exhibits before the high court.

The witnesses, who testified as PW-1 to PW-4, respectively, were a relationship Manager with United Bank of Africa, Mr. Longji Tupkop, regional manager of Unity Bank Plc, Kano North, Mr. Kabir Mashi, Mustapha Baba and Onyiche Agbaghara of Unity Bank Plc and Keystone Bank.

All the documents were admitted in evidence by the court, even as the matter was adjourned till November 24 and 25 for further hearing.

It will be recalled that Lamido was granted bail by the high court on self-recognition after he had spent five days in prison with his sons.

His sons were, however, released on bail after they deposited N25 million each.

All the accused persons were also directed to surrender their passports and other travelling documents to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.

Aside Lamido, all the other accused were asked to produce two persons to stand surety for them in the like sum they were granted bail.

Ad

X whatsapp