N40bn FRAUD: Witness tenders over 30 bank accounts as evidence against ex-Gov Nyako

The alleged N40billion fraud case leveled against former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako and his son Abdulaziz, a senator, resumed on Monday with a prosecution witness tendering before the Federal High Court, Abuja over 30 bank accounts as evidence against the defendants.

The account opening documents and statements of account of more than 30 accounts provided by the witness, Remigius Ugwu, a staff of Zenith Bank, were admitted by the court as evidence against the former governor.

The witness explained to the court that as a compliance officer of the bank, he worked closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police.

He disclosed that part of his duty to agencies was to always respond to their enquiries and request in respect to customers’ accounts.

Ugwu further told the court that he worked together with a former prosecution witness, Olabode Farinuola, who while the trial was ongoing went on annual leave and consequently resigned his appointment with the bank.

Read also: Patience Jonathan drags EFCC to Port Harcourt court in fresh suit

Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecuting counsel had earlier made an application for the substitution of a prosecution witness.

Trial justice Okon Abang granted the request after the defence did not object.

Justice Abang adjourned the matter till February 21 for continuation of trial.

Mr. Nyako and his son are facing a 37-count money laundering charge, alongside two others, Zulkifik Abba and Abubakar Aliyu.

They were said to have diverted N40billion from the Adamawa treasury between January 2011 and December 2014.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now