N29bn fraud trial: Ex Gov.Nyako, Son, others to know fate July 19

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday fixed July 19, for a ruling on an application for  ‘no-case’ submission filed by former Adamawa state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and three others.

The EFCC is prosecuting the former governor and his son, Abdul-Aziz; two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd, for allegedly laundering over N29bn while he was in office.

Other defendants are Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd.

The EFCC had arraigned them on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

The trial began in 2015 and has lingered till date. 

Justice Abang fixed the date after defence counsel in the matter moved and adumbrated on their no-case-submission applications.

The defendants are urging  the court to uphold their applications, and to dismiss the charge against them as according to them EFCC has failed woefully to establish a nexus linking them with the alleged offence.
Meanwhile the prosecution had asked.the Court to dismiss the applications for lacking in merit . According to the prosecution the evidence adduced had licked them to the offence and they should be ordered to enter their defence.