N450m: Ex Zamfara gov. Shinkafi, 3 others docked, granted bail

Former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi

 Former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, ex - minister Bashir Yuguda, and two others were today arraigned before the Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara state capital, by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on five count charge.

The other defendants include Alhaji Aminu Nahuche and Alhaji Ibrahim Mallaha.The charges seen by Daily Trust mostly bordered on receipt of cash payments without transacting or receiving same through financial institutions.

Some of the charges read in part: "That you Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi on or about 27th March 2015, at Gusau within the jurisdiction of this honourable court received cash payment of N15m from Ambassador Bashir Yuguda without transacting or receiving same through a financial institution."

"Thereby committing an offence contrary to section 1 (a) of the money laundering ( prohibition) Act 2011 ( as amended) and punishable under section 16 (2)( b) of the same Act."

Also among the charges, one read: "That you  Bashir Yuguda, Aminu Nahuche and Ibrahim Mallaha on or about 27th March 2015, at Gusau within the jurisdiction of this honourable court conspired amongst you to receive cash payment of the sum of N450m  from Odia Akpofune without transacting or receiving same through a  financial institution."

Thereby, committing an offence contrary to section 18 (a) of the money laundering (prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) punishable under section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the said offences when they were read to them and the presiding judge Justice Fatima Murtala Aliyu granted bail to the defendants on 11 conditions.

The conditions include, sureties in the sum of N5m each, a civil servant/ public servant or retired civil servant not below grade level 16. In case of civil servant he must deposit last payslip, last promotion among others. Counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants John Shaka said they would work hard to perfect the bail conditions.

The defendants must also deposit their international passports or diplomatic passports with the court. Meanwhile the case has been adjourned to 27 and 28 of June 2018 for trial.