Former Governor Aliyu, ex-Chief of Staff, Nasko granted bail

Former Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu and his erstwhile Chief of Staff, Umar Mohammed Nasko, were on Wednesday, granted bail by a Minna High Court presided over by Justice Aliyu Mayaki, where they are facing corruption charges.

The duo were ordered to be remanded at the Minna Medium security prison by Justice Maiyaki eight days ago pending the determination of their bail application yesterday (Wednesday).

Justice Maiyaki, granted the duo bail in the sum of N150 million and two surety in the like sum who must deposit the Certificate of occupancy of their landed property worth N200 million within the jurisdiction of the court.

The former governor was docked with a six-count charge while his ex-chief of staff was facing a four-count charge after the prosecution EFCC amended the 95-count charge originally filed before the court.

The duo were arraigned last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended six-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of N2.9 billion ecological fund, conspiracy to commit an illegal act, criminal breach of trust punishable under section 97 of the penal code.

As was the case when they were first brought to court, security was very tight within and outside the court.
The duo were brought to the court as early as 6am in a ”Green Maria” Prison Pick -Up van, marked, ‘Medium Prison, Minna’ and clad in a

‘White Babanriga’ and brown cap and seated in the office of the Registrar until 9.15am when they marched inside the court before the judge emerged to deliver his ruling on the bail application.

When the case was called, Barrister Durojaiye Funke appeared for the prosecution (EFCC), while Olajide Ayodele (SAN) and 21 others appeared for the first defendant, Dr. Muaxu Aliyu Babangida.

Mamam Mark Usman (SAN) led 9 others to appear for the second defendant, Umar Mohammed Nasko.

Before delivering his ruling, the judge noted that the court has the right to grant bail, having satisfied that the applicant fulfilled all the conditions that could warrant it.

For the second defendant, the judge stated that each of the four charges carried a punishment of seven years on conviction, just as the first defendant.

He further remarked that all the offences allegedly committed by the applicants are bailable, adding “I therefore certified and considered all conditions prescribed by the CPC has been met”.

In his ruling, he said that the second defendant is granted bail to the sum of N100 million, two surety with landed property worth N150 million within the jurisdiction of the court and deposit his C of O with the Court Registrar.

Then former governor, who is facing a six count charge, was granted bail in the sum of N150 million and two surety in the like sum with a landed property worth N200 million with the C of O to be deposited with the court.

The duo met the bail condition before the close of work while the trial will commence on June 14, 2017. The whole Minna city went on a wild jubilation as the news of the bail reached the town.