- The EFCC has disclosed that two witnesses an ongoing fraud case against Murtala Nyako mysteriously died in custody
Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa state, is currently facing an ongoing N29 billion fraud case initiated by the anti-graft agency
- The two people who made crucial statements during the investigation died after giving their statements
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has disclosed that two witnesses in the ongoing N29 billion fraud case against former governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako mysteriously died in custody.
A detective with the commission, Adekunle Odofin, on Tuesday, November 27, told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, that two people who made crucial statements during the investigation into a N29billion fraud case died after giving their statements.
Odofin told the court that the two people were very vital to the prosecution of the case, Leadership reports.
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Nyako, a retired Navy Admiral, is being prosecuted by the EFCC, alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba, on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N29billion.
Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.
While testifying as the twentieth prosecution witness, Odofin, who had started his testimony in June 2018 and tendered documents which were admitted in evidence, told the court that one Mohammad Maj Iro, who was the General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, the regional manager in charge of north-east, and the account officer of Adamawa state 200 accounts, domiciled in Zenith bank, died after making “crucial statements,” at the time of filing the case in the court.
When led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the detective told the court that the commission also extended invitations to one Dalhatu Abdulmalik, who was the cousin to Nyako and the director in three of the five indicted companies, and that after giving his own statement, during the point of filing the case in court, he also died.
After hearing from both sides, the judge adjourned the matter to Thursday, November 29 for continuation of trial.
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The acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, recently urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice, Adamu Abdul-Kafarati, to transfer all the lawsuits challenging his appointment from Justice Binta Nyako.
Legit.ng gathered that the lawsuits are 11 in number and they have all been consolidated before Justice Nyako.
However, Magu, in a letter dated Tuesday, July 31, by his lawyer, Wahab Shittu, said he would love the cases taken away from Justice Nyako for fear of conflict of interest.
Magu said he was uncomfortable with Justice Nyako handling his cases at a time when the anti-graft agency was prosecuting the husband and stepson of the judge - Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, respectively.
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Source: Legit.ng
