Apprehension in Minna as EFCC begins trial of ex- Gov. Aliyu

Apprehension has gripped Minna residents even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) begins the trial of a former governor of the state, Babangida Aliyu, today (Tuesday).

The trial of the two term governor has been the topic of discussion among those supporting and against the former governor with opinions sharply divided as to if former Governor Aliyu should be tried for corruption or not.

Some of those against the former governor were said to be grouping themselves to embarrass him when he is brought to court by the EFCC.

Some civil servants, according to findings, are also involved in the plot because of the failure of Aliyu’s administration to pay the 7.5% increase in salary to them.

Unconfirmed source said some of those engaged in this grand plan were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) last weekend.

As a result, it was learnt that not less than 150 heavily armed security personnel mostly from Abuja, are to be deployed to the premises of the state high court as the trial begins.

When contacted, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, neither confirmed nor denied the story.

Elkana said however that the police is not involved in the prosecution of the former governor, saying: “The EFCC which is prosecuting has all it takes to protect life and property during and after the trial”.

The state government also in a statement broadcast on the state radio distanced itself from any plan to boo the former governor when he is brought to court.

The statement authored by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, said the APC-led government holds in high esteem present and past leaders of the state and would not be involved in anything that would bring them to disrepute in the face of the common man.

“However as a government, we strongly believe in the rule of law and anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari administration which is to rid the country of every form of corruption,” he said.

Vatsa continued that “the Niger State government therefore has no hand in the travails of the former governor who is currently facing corruption charges before the EFCC.”