By Frank Momoh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Court of Appeal to set aside a no-case ruling granted a former Governor of Niger State, Dr, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and former Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, Niger State, Tanko Beji by Justice Abdullahi Mukailu of the Niger State High Court sitting in Minna, on December 7, 2023.
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 (CoS) to Aliyu, Umar Mohammed Nasko.
The matter was later re-assigned to Justice Abdullahi Mukailu and the EFCC called 11 witnesses and tendered over 400 exhibits and closed its case.
However, the three defendants made a no-case submission before the court and on December 7, 2023, granted the prayers in favour of Aliyu and Beji and directed Nasko to open his defence.
The EFCC, dissatisfied with the ruling 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 was acted on and Nasko was discharged.
EFCC, said its determination to pursue the case further, reaffirmed that the road has not closed, even as it said that 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.
