The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, re-arraigned a former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, and his son, Abdulaziz, for alleged N29bn fraud.
They were re-arraigned alongside Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms and Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited.
The defendants were accused of money laundering to the tune of N29bn.
When the defendants’ pleas were taken, they pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC had first arraigned them on August 7, 2015 before the late Justice Evoh Chukwu.
The defendants were subsequently re-arraigned on October 17, 2016, before Justice Okon Abang who is now a judge at the Court of Appeal.
When the matter was called on Thursday, counsel for the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the case was commencing afresh due to the unavailability of the initial two judges who had presided over it.
He said, “My Lord, Justice Evoh Chukwu first handled the matter where we called eight witnesses before he died.
“It was then transferred to Justice Okon Abang where we called 21 witnesses and closed our case.
“The defendants, however, all appealed the case, saying they had no case to answer but the Court of Appeal dismissed their appeals and asked them to return to the Federal High Court and open their defence.
“Unfortunately, Justice Abang was elevated to the Court of Appeal and that is why we are before you today My Lord.”
Counsel for the former governor, his son, and their companies, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), prayed the court to admit his clients to bail on the earlier conditions stated by the court.
The trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, granted his prayer.
After this, the EFCC lawyer reminded the court that the defendants had opted for a plea bargain when Justice Abang was presiding over the matter, adding that he would like to know if they had not changed their minds.
Aondoakaa, however, said what they requested was to amicably settle the matter as a result of the age of the former governor.
He said, “Plea bargain creates the impression of guilt. The admiral is 81 years old; he is the age mate of the likes of retired Gen. Badamosi Babangida and he cannot continue to be made to face this again.”
He said the court would be duly informed if progress was made with the attempt at amicable settlement.
Justice Lifu subsequently fixed May 10 and 13 for the commencement of trial.
