Murtala Nyako
Justice E.O Abang of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Monday, April 8, 2019, admitted more documents in evidence in the case of diversion of state fund and money laundering brought against former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako and others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the continued trial yesterday, prosecution witness 20, (PW20), an operative of the EFCC, under cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court how the defendants allegedly acquired Hill View Estate in Mpape, Abuja.
He said that in the cause of the investigation, the fourth defendant, Abubakar Aliu, who is said to be in-charge of finance of the fifth defendant, gave the commission the list of subscribers to the estate.
The witness testified that the commission was in possession of the property documents, which included certified true copy of the application forms for the purchase of the estate, details of subscribers, financial records of subscribers and the sales details of purchase of the property, among others.Jacobs tendered the documents, which the judge admitted in evidence as exhibits LL43 (1)-LL43 (27), LL44 (1)-LL44 (3) and LL45.
According to him, Kirkelly Investment, one of the defendants in the trial, paid the N50 million, N23 million and N50 million respectively in cash between March and May 2012.The prosecution witness also informed the court that two defendants, who had earlier given the commission useful information in the course of investigations, are now unfortunately late. The matter was adjourned to tomorrow, April 10, 2019 for cross-examination of the witness by the defence counsel.
