Government re-arraigns Nyako, others over N40b alleged fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned the former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, his son, Abdulaziz and seven others.

They were charged on 37 counts before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for allegedly defrauding the state of N40 billion.The defendants were first arraigned last year before the late Justice Evoh Chukwu, where they pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, Justice Abang ordered that the defendants continue to enjoy the conditions of the bail earlier granted them.He overruled the prosecutor’s request that the defendants’ sureties file a fresh affidavit, since he did not oppose their oral application.

Part of the charges read: “That Murtala, Abdulaziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited and Tower Assets Management Limited, on or about March 9, 2012, within the jurisdiction of the court, did convert the sum of N35 million to develop Hill View Estate, Mpape, Abuja.

“The amount was derived from the theft of the fund of Adamawa State government, routed through the accounts of Amdak Investment Limited, Towers Assets Management Limited and Blue Opal Limited, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said sum.”The court adjourned to November 17 and 22 for trial.