EFCC tenders evidence against Lamido, 2 sons

ABUJA—Determined to establish the money laundering charge it slammed against Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, tendered before the Federal High Court in Abuja, details of bank accounts it said were used by the accused persons to siphon public funds.

Lamido in Prison

Though Lamido and his sons were initially docked in Kano on July 9 alongside their alleged accomplice, Wada Abubakar, on a 28-count charge, they were subsequently re-arraigned by the anti-graft agency in Abuja on September 22.

They are now answering to an amended 27-count criminal charge bordering on corruption, money laundering, breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N1.35 billion.

Lamido was alleged to have abused his position as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, by awarding contracts to compa-nies where he had interest, using his two sons as front.

He was equally alleged to have collected kickbacks from contractors in the state, with the funds allegedly paid into accounts that were managed by his sons.

Four companies that were allegedly involved in the fraud (Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and Speeds International Limited), were also joined in the charge.

EFCC’s witnesses,  adjourment

Meanwhile, opening its case against them on Wednesday, EFCC, called four witnesses who are all bank officials, to tender exhibits before the high court.

The witnesses, who testified as PW-1 to PW-4, respectively, were a relationship Manager with United Bank of Africa, Mr. Longji Tupkop, regional manager of Unity Bank Plc, Kano North, Mr. Kabir Mashi, Mustapha Baba and Onyiche Agbaghara of Unity Bank Plc and Keystone Bank.

All the documents were admitted in evidence by the court, even as the matter was adjourned till November 24 and 25 for further hearing.

It will be recalled that Lamido was granted bail by the high court on self-recognition after he had spent five days in prison with his sons.

His sons were, however, released on bail after they deposited N25 million each.

All the accused persons were also directed to surrender their passports and other travelling documents to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.

Aside Lamido, all the other accused were asked to produce two persons to stand surety for them in the like sum they were granted bail.

EFCC tenders evidence against Lamido, 2 sons

I would have been richer in PDP -Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that himself  and other members of the House who defected to All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party would have been richer‎ politicians today had they remained in the PDP.

Aminu Tambuwal

He explained that remaining  in the PDP would have bee‎n an easier choice as all the lawmakers would have enjoyed the financial benefits of being in the same party as the Federal Government.

However, Tambuwal stated that for the love of Nigeria and the need to turn the country around for good, they opted to leave the PDP and join the progressive-minded ‎APC.

He claimed that the PDP had not done much for the country since it assumed control of its leadership in 1999.

But, a member of the House who is serving on the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Committee, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, quickly disagreed with Tambuwal.

A statement on Monday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Imam Imam‎, quoted Tambuwal as making the submission at an APC town hall meeting held in Tsafe Emirate, Zamfara State.

“Many patriotic Nigerians who felt the need to change the course of our country have protested the inept administrative style on this country.

“They made their voices known by abandoning the PDP and teaming up with progressive-minded Nigerians.

“Remaining in the PDP would have been the easy option for us. We would have been richer and would have been enjoying the benefits of being in the same political camp with the Federal Government.

“But we chose a different option because we felt enough is enough. We felt Nigeria deserves better leadership that is why we are in the APC,” the statement added.

Tambuwal also advised the electorate against voting for the PDP on the grounds that it was not dignifying ‎to do so.

“‎So, a vote for PDP would be undignified.

“We must re-discover our self-worth as a people, we must move the country forward,” Tambuwal said.

Traditional rulers and other interest groups at the Emirate as well as the Zamfara State Governor, Mr. Abdulaziz Yari, attended the APC town hall meeting.

In his reaction to the speaker’s comments, Kaze, who is from Plateau State, said it was “unfortunate” that Tambuwal, who was until six months ago a member of the PDP, could paint the party in such bad light.

He argued that so long as Nigeria was not yet practising politics of ideology, a change of political party merely served personal interest and nothing more.

I would have been richer in PDP -Tambuwal