Written by Ruby Rabiu
Tuesday, 17 July 2007

With his wives and a brother offering comforting words, former Jigawa State governor Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki shed a tear yesterday when Abuja Federal High Court judge Justice Binta Murtala Nyako remanded him in prison custody until Monday next week, when his bail application would be heard. Also remanded in prison custody was former Abia State governor and PPA presidential candidate Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, standing for trial alongside Turaki for alleged money laundering. Former Plateau State governor Mr. Joshua Chibi Dariye, who was separately standing trial on money laundering charges, was also remanded in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission until his case comes up next week.

Turaki, now a senator, was first arraigned before the court on Friday last week, having been arrested by EFCC agents at his Abuja home two days earlier. He is facing a 32-count charge in which he was alleged to have laundered over N36 billion while in office. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Three companies allegedly used by the accused in siphoning state funds were charged along with him. They

are INC Natural Resources Ltd., Arkel Construction Ltd., and World Cat Construction Ltd.

One Ahmed Mohammed, said to be at large, was also charged alongside Turaki.

The former governor’s counsel, Ayodele Olajide (SAN) had in obedience to the judge’s directive of last Friday, filed a bail application on his client’s behalf.

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacob however told the court that he would need time to study and file a reply to the motion before it could be heard by the court.

The judge agreed with Jacob and ordered that Turaki be remanded in prison custo-dy. The bail application would now be heard on June 23.

Meanwhile, the charge sheet made available to Daily Trust yesterday alleged that Alhaji Saminu Turaki was involved in seventeen fraudulent bank transactions in which N17bn was allegedly stolen. It further alleged that on July 31, 2006, N91.8 million was diverted from the Jigawa State government account. On August 27, last year, it said N32.5million zwas diverted from Jigawa government accounts, shortly followed by another N3.46 million diversion on September 27, last year. According to the charge sheet, another N417 million was carted away in October last year, while N32.5 million found its way out of Jigawa state accounts on November 1 and another N32.5 million was removed on November 28. EFCC charges that before Turaki left office, N9.2 billion was taken out of the Jigawa state accounts in just three transactions and another N400 million was taken out last April.

The next person to stand trial in the court was Kalu, who stood in the dock for over 2 hours while the registrar read the 107 count charge against him. He was alleged to have laundered over N3 billion while in office as Abia State governor.

Kalu was charged alongside his mother, Mrs. Eunice Kanu and one Emeka Kalu, both said to be at large.

Chief Livy Uzokwu (SAN), who led 14 other senior lawyers in defence of Kalu, also filed a formal application for his bail.

Justice Murtala-Nyako ordered written addresses from Uzokwu and the prosecution counsel, Jacob, on the bail application and adjourned the case till July 25 for adoption of the addresses.

Speaking to journalists after the proceeding, Rotimi Jacobs said, "We must stamp out corruption. Their being sent to prison is a testimony that no one is above the law".

However, Kalu was all smiles even when he exited the court premises. He told journalists that "going to jail is no big deal. A lot of great leaders have been to prison. Obasanjo was there, Mandela spent 27 years in prison. I am healthy. I can withstand the ordeal to prove my innocence".

The two former governors were earlier brought to court by EFCC agents to face charges of concealment and money laundering, which is punishable under Section 14 (1) of the Money Laundering Act.

All was not legal battle at the court as hundreds of Abia State indigenes mounted a protest to show their dis-pleasure over Kalu’s arrest. They were however coun-tered by another group of protesters, who chanted anti – Kalu slogans and were shouting that he must be held accountable for misappro-priation of Abia State’s funds.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing of the case against Chief Joshua Dariye before Justice Babs Kuewumi, the sober looking ex- governor, attired in a light green checked suit and a black trouser, entered the dock and pleaded not guilty to all the 14 count charges of money laundering when they were read to him.

But his efforts to regain his freedom were crushed when the trial judge refused his bail application to enable the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Joseph Uzor, to study the document and reply accordingly.

Dariye is standing trial for laundering over N750m, and the judge ordered that he be remanded in the EFCC’s custody.

Earlier, counsel to Dariye, Mr. Conrad Joseph (SAN) had moved his application for bail.

He canvassed that the offences of money laundering draw a jail term of a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years.

He argued that a prima facie case of bail has been established and Dariye could be released on bail except contrary issues were raised by the prosecution.

EFCC counsel Mr. Joseph Uzor opposed the application on the grounds that he was only charged that morning and he needed time to peruse the documents. He said certain depositions were made in the affidavit which he would not be admitting to, adding that based on the principles of fair hearing, he was entitled to time to react.

Justice Babs Kuewumi obliged him, and adjourned the case to July 19 to enable the prosecution reply forma-lly, saying all sides were entitled to fair hearing in the matter.

The court was heavily guarded by EFCC agents, police and security aides who thoroughly searched all litigants going into the court premises.