SAN FRANCISCO, November 07, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Friday arraigned Kebbi State Accountant-General, Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari and Musa Yusuf, Managing Director, Beal Construction Nigeria Limited before Justice Sabiu Bala of Kebbi State High Court, Birnin-Kebbi on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and abuse of office.
Dakingari, among other things allegedly used his office to fraudulently enrich himself.
Particulars of count four of the charge reads: “That you Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari being the Accountant-General of Kebbi State, on or about 2nd May, 2013 in Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kebbi State, did use your office to confer upon yourself, a corrupt advantage for the award of a contract by Kebbi State Government to Beal Construction Nigeria Limited, (a company on whose board your children are directors and of which you are a signatory to its bank accounts) for the provision of additional structures to the newly established secondary school at Moh’d Mera College, Argungu worth N241,866,556.50 (two hundred and forty one million, eight hundred and sixty-six thousand, five hundred and fifty six naira, fifty kobo) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2010”.
Count two reads: “That you Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari being the Accountant-General of Kebbi State and Musa Yusuf being the Managing Director, Beal Construction Nigeria Limited sometime in October, 2012 in Birnin-Kebbi within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kebbi State, with intent to defraud, did aid Ibrahim Abdullahi Usman, Chairman/Managing Director, Cigale Finance S.A Lome-Togo (now at large) to obtain 25 Units of Iveco Trucks, property of Karimat Global Trade Links Limited valued at N175,000,000.00 (one hundred and seventy five million naira) only by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) 0f the same Act”.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Mahmud Bello urged the court to fix a date for trial to commence praying that the accused persons are remanded in custody. However, the defence counsel, Suleiman Usman prayed the court to admit his clients to bail pending the commencement of trial. He added that, the accused persons are men of integrity and would not jump bail.
Justice Bala after listening to both counsel, adjourned to November 11, for hearing on the bail application and ordered the accused persons to be remanded in EFCC custody.
Recall the accused persons were to be arraigned on August 28, 2014 but their plea could not be taken following an application by the defence to the court to quash the charges on the ground that no prima facie case has been established against them. He contended that, since there is no link between the accused persons and the alleged offence, the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The prosecution, in response, posited that, there is a prima facie case against the accused persons going by the proof of evidence attached to the charge. “Before the court grant leave to prefer the charge against the accused persons, it had already satisfied itself with the proof of evidence attached to the charge”, he added.
At the resumed hearing of the case today, the court held that it had jurisdiction to entertain and decide the matter and consequently ordered the accused persons to enter their plea.
In another development, Justice E.S Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Friday granted bail to a former managing director, Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company, NSMPC, Ehidiamhem Okoyomon on stringent conditions.
Okoyomon is facing extradition proceeding instituted against him by the office of Attorney General of the Federation, following a request by the UK government.
The former Mint boss is wanted in the UK over his alleged role in the bribery scandal involving officials of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company, NSMPC, and Securency International Pty of Australia, between 2006 and 2008.
At the last adjourned date, Alex Iziyon, SAN, counsel to Okoyomon had pleaded with the court to grant his client bail pending judgment. He averred that his client was entitled to bail and that, if granted, he will be available for trial. Tanimu Almakura, the prosecution counsel told the court that before bail is granted, sufficient evidence must be placed before the court.
Ruling on the bail application today, Justice Chukwu granted Okoyomon bail in the sum five hundred million naira and two sureties who must be of the rank of executive director in government establishment and possess landed property within Abuja Municipal Area Council.
Also, they are to swear to affidavit of means and provide evidence of tax payment for the last three years.
The two sureties are also to deposit two recent passport photographs with the court registrar. The two sureties and the respondent are to deposit their international passports with the EFCC while Okoyomon is expected to report to the Commission every Monday.
Furthermore, counsel to the respondent is also to write an undertaking; while officials of the EFCC, the court registrar and the bailiff are to verify the terms.
Justice Chukwu adjourned the case to December 1, 2014 for final ruling.
