From KABIRU YUSUF, Abuja

The former governors along with Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia) who were in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since last week, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer various charges of public fund misappropriation.
While listening to the charges against him from the EFCC prosecutor, Barrister Rotimi Jacob, before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, Turaki who is standing trial on 32-count charge of concealment and laundering of over N35 billion, broke into tears publicly denying the charges and pleading not guilty.
Immediately after hearing from the EFCC’s prosecutor and the denial from the accused person, the presiding judge, Justice Nyako ordered that Alhaji Saminu Turaki be remanded in prison custody until July 23, 2007.
Also listening to the charges against him by the prosecutor, Barrister Joseph Uzo, the erstwhile governor of Plateau state, Chief Dariye who is also facing a 14-count charge of money laundering and theft also bursted into tears and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
After the hearing from the prosecutor, in the Dariye’s case, the presiding judge, Jusice Babs Kuewumi, ordered that the former governor remains in EFCC’s custody till July 19th, 2007 when the hearing will continue.
However, the former Abia governor Orji Uzor Kalu who was arraigned before Justice Binta Murtala Nyako facing 107-count charge involving laundering of about N3 billion while in office, denying the charges read against him, the presiding Judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi ordered that the former governor also be remanded in prison custody until the 25 of this month when the case will come up.
As the accused stepped out of the court after adjournment, the families, friends and supporters of Saminu Turaki together with the former governor engaged in another session of weeping the day away. However, some youths were seen chanting: “Well-done EFCC, carry on. We are supporting your action. Rid Nigeria of corruption.”
Daily Triumph recalled that the former governors Turaki and Dariye were arraigned last Friday before the court for alleged money laundering, conspiracy to steal, and abuse of office and even though the EFCC brought Kalu to court the same day, it however, deferred his arraignment without giving any reason.
Turaki and Dariye were allowed to study the charges against them over the weekend and be brought back to the court yesterday.