The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has approached the Court of Appeal to set aside a no-case ruling granted by the Niger State High Court, to Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Abdullahi Mukailu On 7th December 2023, granting both Aliyu and Tanko Beji, former Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state, no case ruling.
Prior to this, the Commission had filed a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abetment and criminal breach of trust before Justice Aliyu Mayaki (now retired) against Aliyu, Beji and a former Commissioner for Environment and Chief of Staff to Aliyu, Umar Nasko.
The matter was later reassigned to Justice Mukailu and the EFCC called 11 witnesses and tendered over 400 exhibits and closed its case.
The three defendants made a no-case submission before the court and court on 7th December 2023, which was granted in favour of Aliyu and Beji and directed Nasko to open his defence.
However, in a press release through its spokesman Dele Oyewale on Thursday, EFCC said it is “dissatisfied with the ruling of His Lordship on Aliyu and Beji regarding their no-case submission, and fully persuaded that a prima facie case had been established against them, filed a Notice of Appeal dated January 10, 2024.
“The Commission was optimistic that the Court of Appeal would do justice to the appeal. Surprisingly, on January 15, 2024, when the EFCC’s counsel appeared in court to continue the trial of Nasko and without any prior notice, the Attorney General of Niger State made an appearance in court with an application to take over the case from the EFCC.
“Not done yet, the AG made another appearance four hours later and entered a nolle prosequi which His Lordship acted on and discharged Nasko.
“For the EFCC, the road has not closed. The Commission is proceeding in its appeal against Aliyu and Beji at the Court of Appeal with all its evidence against them.
“The Commission will continue to discharge its duties in line with its mandate of tackling all forms of economic and financial crimes, without fear or favour,” Oyewale said.
EFCC Drags Former Niger Governor Aliyu, PDP Chairman Beji To Appeal Court Over Alleged N4bn Fraud is first published on The Whistler Newspaper