THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed six charges against a former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu for allegedly embezzling over N3.36 billion while in office.
Aliyu, a two-term governor between 2007 and 2015, will be formally arraigned today at the High Court of Niger State in Minna.
He is facing trial with his Chief of Staff, Umar Mohammed Nasko, also a former commissioner for Environment.
The two suspects will be arraigned for criminal breach of trust; allegedly withdrawing N2.246billion from the Niger State Government House the Security Account and converting 16 per cent shares of Niger State in North South Power Company Limited into personal use among others.
Some of the charges against the ex-governor and Nasko were obtained yesterday by The Nation.
The charges read in part: “That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015 and Umar Mohammed Nasko being the former Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Environment/Chief of Staff to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu sometime between 1st of January, 2011 and 31st May, 2011 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire between yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit; criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
“That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015, sometime between 1st of January, 2011 and 31st of May, 2011 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Niger State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N520,348,000.00, which was withdrawn from Niger State Government House Security Account number 1012424374 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code.
“That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015, sometime between 1st of January, 2011 and 31st of December, 2011 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Niger State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,725,837,000.00, which was withdrawn from Niger State Government House Security Account number 1012424374 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code.
“That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015 and Umar Mohammed Nasko being the former Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Environment/Chief of Staff to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu sometime between 7th of April, 2015 and 7th of December, 2015 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Niger State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,090,000,000.00 (which formed part of the proceeds of the sale of 16% shares of Niger State in North South Power Company Limited) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code.”
The ex-governor, who was arrested on April 6, had been in custody interacting with EFCC detectives.
Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello and the State House of Assembly had demanded investigation of the ex-governor.
It was learnt that several questionable transactions were discovered by the financial management committee set up by the administration of the incumbent governor.
The Nation
