Alleged N29bn Fraud: Court Admits More Evidence Against Nyako

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama,
Abuja on Monday admitted in evidence documents tendered by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former
governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.

The former governor is standing trial on 37 counts of
conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the
tune of N29bn.

One of the documents which were tendered through the 12th
prosecution witness, Caroline Utsaha, showed that a total of N80m
deposit was made in a day in the name of Blue Opal Limited, one of
the companies allegedly used by the former governor to siphon the
state funds.

According to a statement from the EFCC spokesman, Wilson
Uwujaren, the documents tendered and admitted in evidence include a
letter dated July 21, 2014, captioned “Re-Investigation
Activities”, with the account name – Blue Opal Limited – Exhibit
H1; a letter dated August 15, 2014, captioned “Re-Investigation
Activities”, with the account name – Opal Corporate Limited –
Exhibit H2; and a letter dated February 26, 2015, captioned
“Re-Investigation Activities”, with the account name – Crust Energy
Limited which was admitted as Exhibit H3.

Utsaha, a relationship manager with the First Bank, while being
led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, said: “In
2014, the EFCC wrote our Bank, requesting for details of the
accounts packages and statements of accounts of three accounts. The
accounts were: Blue Opal Limited, Opal Corporate Limited and Crust
Energy Limited. I got all they requested and did a forwarding
letter to the Commission and also did an identification letter,
indicating that the statements and all the documents are from First
Bank”.

When asked to look at Exhibit H1 and tell the court about the
transactions therein, the witness said: “the entries here are
series of deposits of Zenith bank cheque”.

“On March 29, 2012, there were eight deposits of Zenith bank
cheque of N10m each. The deposits were done on the same day,” she
added.

Justice Abang adjourned till July 4 for the continuation of
hearing.

Nyako is being prosecuted alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz
Nyako as well as Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba.

Other companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the
purported diversion of funds are Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower
Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama,
Abuja on Monday admitted in evidence documents tendered by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former
governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.

The former governor is standing trial on 37 counts of
conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the
tune of N29bn.

One of the documents which were tendered through the 12th
prosecution witness, Caroline Utsaha, showed that a total of N80m
deposit was made in a day in the name of Blue Opal Limited, one of
the companies allegedly used by the former governor to siphon the
state funds.

According to a statement from the EFCC spokesman, Wilson
Uwujaren, the documents tendered and admitted in evidence include a
letter dated July 21, 2014, captioned “Re-Investigation
Activities”, with the account name – Blue Opal Limited – Exhibit
H1; a letter dated August 15, 2014, captioned “Re-Investigation
Activities”, with the account name – Opal Corporate Limited –
Exhibit H2; and a letter dated February 26, 2015, captioned
“Re-Investigation Activities”, with the account name – Crust Energy
Limited which was admitted as Exhibit H3.

Utsaha, a relationship manager with the First Bank, while being
led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, said: “In
2014, the EFCC wrote our Bank, requesting for details of the
accounts packages and statements of accounts of three accounts. The
accounts were: Blue Opal Limited, Opal Corporate Limited and Crust
Energy Limited. I got all they requested and did a forwarding
letter to the Commission and also did an identification letter,
indicating that the statements and all the documents are from First
Bank”.

When asked to look at Exhibit H1 and tell the court about the
transactions therein, the witness said: “the entries here are
series of deposits of Zenith bank cheque”.

“On March 29, 2012, there were eight deposits of Zenith bank
cheque of N10m each. The deposits were done on the same day,” she
added.

Justice Abang adjourned till July 4 for the continuation of
hearing.

Nyako is being prosecuted alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz
Nyako as well as Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba.

Other companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the
purported diversion of funds are Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower
Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited.