BY Bolanle Olabimtan
A federal high court in Abuja has ordered Murtala Nyako, former Adamawa state governor, to enter his defence in a case of alleged N29 billion fraud.
Nyako and eight others, including Abdulaziz, his son, are standing trial on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering, allegedly perpetrated while he was a governor.
Others standing trial are Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd, Pagado Fortunes Ltd, Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had closed its case on November 13, 2019, after calling 21 witnesses.
Instead of opening their defence, the defendants filed a no-case submission in which they argued that the facts adduced by all the witnesses called by the prosecution do not prove the allegation against them.
Ruling on the no-case application on Monday, Okon Abang, the presiding judge, said he has “painstakingly scrutinised the evidence adduced by the 21 witnesses in chief and under cross-examination” including the oral and written arguments of all the defendants.
“In this ruling, it is my humble but firm view that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the defendants. Therefore, the no-case submission filed by the defendants lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. The defendants are required to enter their defence immediately,” the judge ruled.
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