Efcc asks court to relist babangida aliyu others for money laundering trial

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EFCC Asks Court to Relist Babangida Aliyu, Others for Money Laundering Trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to relist the trial of former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, and others for alleged money laundering.

The EFCC had earlier charged Aliyu, his former Chief of Staff, Umar Nasko, and a former Commissioner for Finance, Abdulrasheed Maina, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 10-count charge of money laundering.

However, the trial was stalled due to the absence of the defendants, who were said to be out of the country.

In a fresh application filed before the court, the EFCC prayed the court to relist the case for trial, citing the defendants' failure to appear in court.

The EFCC's application, dated March 15, 2023, was signed by its lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir.

The commission argued that the defendants had been served with the charges and were aware of the trial date, but failed to appear in court.

The EFCC prayed the court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendants and to relist the case for trial.

The commission also prayed the court to grant it an order to proceed with the trial in the absence of the defendants, citing Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges, but their trial was stalled due to their absence.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants laundered N1.622 billion between 2012 and 2015, while Aliyu was the Governor of Niger State.

The commission also alleged that the defendants used the funds to purchase properties in Abuja and other parts of the country.

The case has been adjourned to April 12, 2023, for further hearing.