By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with
Published on 2024-01-21 09:27:50
The Niger state High Court granted a no-case submission to former governor Babangida Aliyu over a N4 billion fraud allegation in December. However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed this decision and have filed charges against Aliyu, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Niger state, Tanko Beji, a former commissioner, and a former chief of staff under Aliyu.
The anti-graft commission filed a notice of appeal on January 10, 2024, after expressing dissatisfaction with the judgment in the case. The defendants were charged with seven counts of charges bordering on conspiracy, abetment, and criminal breach of trust.
Aliyu and Beji were granted the no-case ruling by Justice Abdullahi Mukailu of the Niger state High Court but the court was re-assigned to Justice Mukaila, where the EFCC called 11 witnesses and exhibited over 400 pieces of evidence before the case was closed.
The defendants, however, made a no-case submission before the judge. Their submission was granted in December. In response, the EFCC filed a notice of appeal dated January 10, 2024, to contest the decision. The case was filed with charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and abutment.
This case follows a pattern of high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria. The EFCC recently unveiled amended charges against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. In those charges, the EFCC alleges that Emefiele and another individual, Odoh Ocheme, now on the run, conspired to withdraw $6.2 million from the CBN by impersonating former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The EFCC has been busy with high-profile cases of corruption and financial impropriety. The judiciary in Nigeria will be closely watched as these cases proceed as they are considered to be tests for the country’s commitment to fight high-level corruption.
Source: Legit.ng
