The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Gombe zonal office on Thursday 12, 2018 arraigned the trio of Hon. Mark Bako Useni, Hassan A Abubakar and John Danjuma Ali before Justice Filibus Bitrus Andetur of the Taraba State High Court, Jalingo on four count charge bordering on Criminal Conspiracy, Corruptly procures benefit to public officers, Corrupt demand by persons and corruptly receiving monetary benefit.
While Mark Bako was a former speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly and serving member representing Takum Constituency in the State Assembly, Hassan A Abubakar and John Danjuma were Head of Admin, INEC, Taraba State and retired INEC staff respectively.
Mark Useni received the sum of N45m on his behalf and that of Arc. Darius Ishaku the then PDP Governotorial candidate in 2015 election while John and Hassan did corruptly received N267.46m through Fidelity Bank Plc in order to corrupt Public Officers working with INEC Taraba State.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charge read against them.
In view of that, the prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu asked for a date for trial as well as prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison pending trial and bail application.
While adjourning the case to 26th, 27th and 28th of June 2018, Justice Filibus also granted bail to all the accused persons pending the hearing of their bail applications. The decision of the Judge was hinged on the fact that the EFCC had granted them administrative bail during investigation.
The conditions for the bail is for self recognizance for Mark as well as to deposit the sum of N500,000.00 cash in court and property while others are to deposit the sum of N500, 000.00 each and one reliable surety each with landed property.
All the properties must be covered by C of O without any incumberance.
