Babangida Aliyu: Witness slumps at hearing

A former director with the Niger State Ministry of Environment,
Mohammed Shaba Yabagi, slumped during the commencement of hearing
of the case of alleged fraud and abuse of office brought against
former Governor Muazu Babaginda Aliyu and others by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former governor and Umar Muhammad Nasko, a former
Commissioner of Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources
are standing trial on eight-count charge of laundering ecological
fund of about N2 billion.

At the commencement of hearing at the Minna Federal High Court
Wednesday, Yabagi who is one of the prosecution witnesses in the
case slumped during examination by the Counsel to the EFCC, Prince
Ben Ikani.

The incident resulted in a short break after which the witness
came back to give his testimonies and cross examination.

Another prosecution witness and former permanent secretary in
the Ministry of Works, Malam Umaru Bawa, explained how the state
obtained the ecological fund from the Federal Government and the
procedure followed in awards of various contracts as well as
payment of the contract sums.

He also submitted that some of the contracts were not
executed.

He admitted during cross examination that he refunded some money
to the EFCC, even as he claimed that there was outstanding of the
balance to be remitted to the commission.

Also, a retired permanent secretary in the Ministry of
Environment, Adamu Jagaba, testified in the case and identified
vouchers for some contracts which were not executed.

The case has been adjourned to 26 and 27 of June for
continuation of hearing.

A former director with the Niger State Ministry of Environment,
Mohammed Shaba Yabagi, slumped during the commencement of hearing
of the case of alleged fraud and abuse of office brought against
former Governor Muazu Babaginda Aliyu and others by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former governor and Umar Muhammad Nasko, a former
Commissioner of Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources
are standing trial on eight-count charge of laundering ecological
fund of about N2 billion.

At the commencement of hearing at the Minna Federal High Court
Wednesday, Yabagi who is one of the prosecution witnesses in the
case slumped during examination by the Counsel to the EFCC, Prince
Ben Ikani.

The incident resulted in a short break after which the witness
came back to give his testimonies and cross examination.

Another prosecution witness and former permanent secretary in
the Ministry of Works, Malam Umaru Bawa, explained how the state
obtained the ecological fund from the Federal Government and the
procedure followed in awards of various contracts as well as
payment of the contract sums.

He also submitted that some of the contracts were not
executed.

He admitted during cross examination that he refunded some money
to the EFCC, even as he claimed that there was outstanding of the
balance to be remitted to the commission.

Also, a retired permanent secretary in the Ministry of
Environment, Adamu Jagaba, testified in the case and identified
vouchers for some contracts which were not executed.

The case has been adjourned to 26 and 27 of June for
continuation of hearing.