Court adjourns ex-Katsina gov’s N5bn fraud trial | Nairalaw

Justice Hadiza Shagari of the Federal High Court, Katsina, on
Tuesday said she would comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling
directing the court to rule on whether or not it has jurisdiction
to entertain the money laundering charges against former Katsina
State Governor Ibrahim Shema.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Shema with
26 counts, wherein he was accused of laundering over N5bn Sure-P
funds meant for empower youths in the state.

Shema’s counsel then challenged the competence of the Federal
High Court in Katsina to entertain the case, contending that the
issue was already the subject of litigation before the state high
court.

Justice Babagana Ashigar, who was presiding at the Federal High
Court, Katsina, deferred ruling on the competence of the court to
entertain the case until all issues concerning it were first
entertained.

Shema, through his counsel, subsequently approached the Appeal
Court in Kaduna to determine whether the high court had
jurisdiction to entertain the case.

The Appeal Court, in its ruling, directed the high court to
determine whether it had jurisdiction to entertain the case.

At Tuesday’s sitting, the lead counsel for the EFCC, Joseph
Olatoke, said the commission was ready to continue with Shema’s
trial.

He also told the court that a prosecution witness was in court
in readiness for the continuation of the case.

But Shema’s lead counsel, Chief Sebastine Hon (SAN), informed
the judge of his client’s application, challenging the court’s
jurisdiction.

Olatoke, however, explained that even if the application was
moved, the prosecution would still need time to file a
counter-affidavit in response.

Justice Shagari consequently directed Shema’s counsel to file
the application, assuring that she was ready to entertain it as
directed by the Appeal Court.

She adjourned sitting till May 28, 2019.