N2bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Ex-Niger Gov, Aliyu’s Case

Niger State High Court has adjourned the trial of a former governor of the state, Babangida Aliyu, till next month.

Naija News recalls that Aliyu is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC alongside his then Chief of Staff, Umar Nasko on a seven-count amended charge bordering on criminal breach of trust.

The offenses were allegedly committed while he was the governor between 2007 and 2015.

At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, counsels for the defense were present, prompting counsel for the EFCC, Boniface Bassey, to tell the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination of Muhammad.

Counsel for the first defendant, Olajide Ayodele, SAN, and counsel for the second defendant, Ibrahim Isiyaku, SAN, both cross-examined the witness. During cross-examination, there was, however, an application for a stand down, to allow the witness present memos and payment vouchers for identification purpose.

When the court session resumed, Muhammad presented to the court, the memos and payment vouchers with dates and payment voucher number signed by the then Chief of Staff, Government House, Yusuf Garba Tagwai. After the presentation of the memos and payment vouchers, the trial judge adjourned the case to October 7, 8 and 9, 2019 for “continuation of cross-examination and trial”.

Justice Abdullahi, however,  given the verdict warned that if the counsels for the defense again failed to be present, the court would be persuaded to discharge the witness and continue with the trial.