EFCC Counsel Stalls Trial of Ex-Gov Babangida Aliyu

The absence of counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday stalled the trial of former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu.

Aliyu is standing trial alongside a former Commissioner of Environment, Umar Nasko, on eight counts bordering on criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the first defendant, Olajide Ayodele (SAN), said he wondered why the prosecution failed to show up without any notice.

On his part, counsel to the second defendant, Mamman Osuman (SAN) prayed the court to adjourn until Tuesday in the interest of justice since the case had been slated for Monday and Tuesday.

In her ruling, Justice Yellim Bogoro adjourned the matter until (tomorrow) Tuesday for continuation of hearing.

The alleged offences are contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of same Act if convicted.

The two are accused of laundering ecological funds of over N1.940bn released by the Federal Government to the state in 2014.

NAN reports that on July 10, Justice Bogoro granted the EFCC leave for the interim seizure of some assets belonging to Aliyu, which are within the jurisdiction of the court.

The court also granted the commission leave for the interim forfeiture of the sum of N57m recovered from Umar Nasko, who is the second defendant in the case.

The money is to be paid into the EFCC’s recovery account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

FROM NANng