Determined to establish the money laundering charge it slammed against Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, tendered before the Federal High Court in Abuja, details of bank accounts it said were used by the accused persons to siphon public funds.
Though Lamido and his sons were initially docked in Kano on July 9 alongside their alleged accomplice, Wada Abubakar, on a 28-count charge, they were subsequently re-arraigned by the anti-graft agency in Abuja on September 22.
They are now answering to an amended 27-count criminal charge bordering on corruption, money laundering, breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N1.35 billion.
Lamido was alleged to have abused his position as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, by awarding contracts to companies where he had interest, using his two sons as front.
He was equally alleged to have collected kickbacks from contractors in the state, with the funds allegedly paid into accounts that were managed by his sons.
Four companies that were allegedly involved in the fraud (Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and Speeds International Limited), were also joined in the charge.
Meanwhile, opening its case against them on Wednesday, EFCC, called four witnesses who are all bank officials, to tender exhibits before the high court.
The witnesses, who testified as PW-1 to PW-4, respectively, were a relationship Manager with United Bank of Africa, Mr. Longji Tupkop, regional manager of Unity Bank Plc, Kano North, Mr. Kabir Mashi, Mustapha Baba and Onyiche Agbaghara of Unity Bank Plc and Keystone Bank.
All the documents were admitted in evidence by the court, even as the matter was adjourned till November 24 and 25 for further hearing.
It will be recalled that Lamido was granted bail by the high court on self-recognition after he had spent five days in prison with his sons.
His sons were, however, released on bail after they deposited N25 million each.
All the accused persons were also directed to surrender their passports and other travelling documents to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.
Aside Lamido, all the other accused were asked to produce two persons to stand surety for them in the like sum they were granted bail. – Vanguard.
