Former Adamawa state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd.), on Friday lost a five-year legal battle against his former Chief Security Officer (CSO), Abubakar Sheriff, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, over the ownership of an N80 million property.

It would be recalled that Nyako had, on November 12, 2021, instituted legal proceedings against Sheriff, accusing him of unlawfully converting the property to his personal ownership.

Delivering judgment on Friday after nearly four hours, the Chief Judge of Adamawa state, Justice Hafsat Abdurahaman, held that the prosecution failed to prove the five-count charge brought against the defendant.

The charges included criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery of documents and making inciting statements against the former governor.

Justice Abdurahaman ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the essential legal ingredients of the offences, describing its approach as an academic exercise rather than one supported by evidence.

The court found that documents presented showed the disputed property was allegedly purchased in the names of Sabore Farm Nigeria Limited and Sabore Export Processing Zone.

However, the judge noted that certified records from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) confirmed that neither Sabore Farm Nigeria Limited nor Sabore Export Processing Zone exists among registered companies in Nigeria.

Following a brief adjournment caused by the heat in the courtroom, the judge also considered documentary evidence tendered by the defence counsel, Roland Emem, indicating that the N80 million property was paid for through Sheriff’s Zenith Bank account and not by the purported companies.

Justice Abdurahaman further held that Nyako’s failure to appear before the court to testify weakened the prosecution’s case, particularly as the alleged instruction to purchase the property was said to have originated from him.

“The court hereby discharges and acquits the defendant of all the charges levelled against him,” the judge ruled.
Sheriff and his counsel welcomed the judgment, describing it as a landmark victory.

Nyako, who was impeached by the Adamawa State House of Assembly while in office over allegations of financial misconduct, is also facing trial before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N30 billion fraud.