The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) yesterday, arraigned former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, earlier than a Federal Excessive Court docket sitting in Ilorin on a 12-count cost bordering on cash laundering.
Nevertheless, Ahmed was later granted bail with the sum of N50 million and two sureties in like sum.
The EFCC is investigating the previous governor and his Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Demola Banu (2nd defendant) over offences bordering on cash laundering allegedly dedicated throughout his tenure between 2015-2019.
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the anti-graft company had on February 19, invited the previous governor in continuation of its ongoing investigation the place he was detained and brought to courtroom yesterday.
The second defendant was nonetheless absent from courtroom and was neither represented by his counsel.
Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, had advised the courtroom that the second defendant “jumped administrative bail” asking the courtroom to concern a summon, warrant of arrest or each on the defendant.
He alleged that the 2nd defendant on getting wind of the arrest of the first defendant jumped the executive bail earlier granted him and travelled to the UK.
“The EFCC males visited his home severally however couldn’t be discovered,” he stated.
Jacobs stated the surety to the second defendant, had additionally “minimize off his line” and will not be reached.
On the first defendant, the EFCC requested the courtroom to just accept the 12-count cost most well-liked towards him and allowed such be learn to him to take his plea.
Among the costs learn: “That you just, Abdulfatah Ahmed (whereas being the Governor of Kwara State) between 2015 and 2019 in Ilorin inside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court docket used an combination sum of N1,610,730,500.00 (one billion, 600 and ten million, seven hundred and thirty thousand, 5 hundred naira) property of Kwara State Authorities, meant for the safety and working price of the Authorities of Kwara State to constitution personal jets by Journey Messengers Restricted on totally different events on your native travels and which sum you moderately should have recognized fashioned a part of the proceeds of your illegal act, to wit: Felony Breach of Belief or Theft and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to part 15(2)(a) of the Cash Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable beneath part 15 (3) of the identical Act.
“That you just, Abdulfatah Ahmed (whereas being the Governor of Kwara State) and Ademola Banu (whereas being the Commissioner of Finance of Kwara State) someday in 2019, in Ilorin inside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court docket not directly transformed the sum of N400,000,000.00 (4 hundred million naira) out of the N1,000,000,000.00 (one billion naira) short-term mortgage obtained by the Kwara State Authorities from Ecobank Nigeria Restricted for the aim of finishing some then ongoing tasks and which sum you moderately should have recognized fashioned a part of the proceed of your illegal Act, to wit: prison breach of belief/theft and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to part 15(2) of the Cash Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable beneath Part 15 (3) of the identical Act.”
The first defendant nonetheless pleaded not responsible to all of the 12 costs levelled towards him when learn to him on the courtroom.
Counsel to the first defendant, Kehinde Eleja (SAN), moved an oral utility asking the courtroom to grant the previous governor bail.
His oral utility was nonetheless objected to by the EFCC counsel on the grounds that such utility ought to have been made formal and left on the discretion of the courtroom.
He additionally argued that the first defendant being a former governor may intervene with investigation as a result of based on him, “lots of the witnesses that may be known as to testify towards him labored beneath him as subordinates.”
Jacobs additionally argued that the first defendant just like the second defendant (Banu) now at giant might “evade his trial” and in addition jeopardise investigation.
Replying to the argument of the EFCC counsel, Eleja, argued that “denying the first defendant bail will likely be tantamount to subjecting him to pre- trial punishments including that he’s presumed harmless till confirmed in any other case by the courtroom.”
In her ruling Justice Evelyn Ayadike, granted the utility of the EFCC counsel and ordered the arrest of the second defendant.
The choose granted him bail within the sum of N50 million and two sureties in like sum.
“The sureties should submit three passport pictures every together with the defendants.
“One of many sureties should be homeowners of landed property inside Ilorin .
“The unique title paperwork the land should be submitted to the courtroom registry.
“The defendants shall stay in EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of his bail situations.”
The case was adjourned to April 29 and thirtieth for trial.
