Court dismisses ‘no case submission’ of Mama Boko Haram’s co-defendant

Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, yesterday, dismissed the ‘no-case submission filed by Tahiru Daura, a co-defendant to Aisha Wakil, popularly known as ‘Mama Boko Haram’, who is being prosecuted for alleged N25 million fraud.

Wakil (first defendant), who is the Chief Executive Officer of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, is facing trial alongside Lawal Shoyade and Daura, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively.

For fraudulently obtaining N25 million from one Adam Mohammed, the CEO of Kauram Global Enterprises, they were arraigned on Thursday, March 5, 2020, by the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The sum was reportedly obtained under the guise of supplying seven X-ray machines to Kauram Global Enterprises.

Upon their arraignment, they pleaded not ‘guilty’.

In the course of the trial, nine witnesses were called and several documents tendered and admitted as exhibits.

After the prosecution had closed its case, Daura, rather than enter his defence, opted for a ‘no-case submission’ through his counsel.

He also filed a Motion on Notice dated August 11, 2021, for “stay of proceedings”.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Fadawu dismissed both applications and ordered Daura to open his defence.

In a related development, Fadawu dismissed another application for a ‘no-case submission filed by Daura, who is facing two counts alongside Wakil and Shoyade for obtaining N40 million.

‘Mama Boko Haram’ and her co-defendants allegedly obtained the money from Bashir Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer of Duty-Free Shop Limited, under the false pretence of executing a contract for the supply of five X-ray Machines 1900 with solar power.

The judge adjourned both cases till September 15 for Daura to enter his defence.