The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, re-arraigned a former Minister of Science and Technology, Abdu Bulama, before Justice Fadima Aminu of the Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, on seven counts of criminal conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N450 million.
Bulama was re-arraigned alongside a former Commissioner for Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State, Mohammed Kadai, Abba Tata, Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks.
The ex-minister allegedly received the said sum from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison- Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 Presidential election as the coordinator of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election campaign committee in Yobe State.
Kadai was deputy coordinator, while the other three defendants were members of the committee.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, titled, ‘N450m fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-minister, Bulama, four others in Yobe.’
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and the prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ahmed asked for a trial date.
He also prayed that the court to remand the defendants in the correctional centre pending the determination of the case.
The lead counsel for the defendants, E. Adenitan informed the court that applications for bail had been filed and served on the court and the prosecution.
He, therefore, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail pending trial.
While opposing the bail applications, Ahmed prayed the court for accelerated hearing, ‘‘pursuant to section 19 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004.’’
Should the court exercises its discretion in favour of the defendants, he argued that the bail conditions, ‘‘should be such that will guarantee their attendance in court regularly to face trial.’’
The statement read, “Justice Aminu after listening to both parties admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N50m each with two sureties in the sum of N25m each.
“The sureties may be private businessmen or professional in any field or profession. The sureties must also submit to the Registrar of the court his or her tax clearance certificate for the last two years.
“All the defendants shall deposit their international passports, official/diplomatic passports or any international documents that they can use to exit the country with the court.”
Aminu adjourned the matter till January, 18, 19 and 20, 2022 for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Potiskum correctional facility pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
The defendants were first arraigned on May 29, 2018 before Justice Hammada Dashen of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, on seven counts of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel presented six witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.
But at the close of the case, the defendants opted for a “no case submission” and their prayers were granted by Dashen as they were discharged and acquitted.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the EFCC appealed the judgment and the Appeal Court set aside the decision of the lower court.
