Alleged N714m Fraud: How Ex-Minister Ignored Tenders Board – Witness

The trial of Tanimu Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties,
resumed on Monday.

Turaki was charged with his special assistant, Sampson Okpetu
and two companies – Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment
Limited.

They are facing a 16-count charge, bordering on fraud and
misappropriation to the tune of N714,670,014.

The fifth prosecution witness, Vincent Odafe, continued his
testimony before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court,
Abuja.

He was cross-examined by defence counsel, Joe Kyari Gadzama
(SAN).

Odafe, ex-director of Finance and Administration in the
ministry, denied being coerced into giving evidence against Turaki
by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He said the minister’s approval ceiling was up to N1billion if
he goes through the Ministerial Tenders Board but that Turaki
shunned due process.

Under cross-examination by the third defence counsel, Abdulazeez
Ibrahim, Odafe disclosed that he has so far refunded N35 million
through the EFCC to the government.

It was his share of N45million from an N80million contract in
the ministry.

The judge adjourned until November 10, 2020 for continuation of
trial.

The trial of Tanimu Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties,
resumed on Monday.

Turaki was charged with his special assistant, Sampson Okpetu
and two companies – Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment
Limited.

They are facing a 16-count charge, bordering on fraud and
misappropriation to the tune of N714,670,014.

The fifth prosecution witness, Vincent Odafe, continued his
testimony before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court,
Abuja.

He was cross-examined by defence counsel, Joe Kyari Gadzama
(SAN).

Odafe, ex-director of Finance and Administration in the
ministry, denied being coerced into giving evidence against Turaki
by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He said the minister’s approval ceiling was up to N1billion if
he goes through the Ministerial Tenders Board but that Turaki
shunned due process.

Under cross-examination by the third defence counsel, Abdulazeez
Ibrahim, Odafe disclosed that he has so far refunded N35 million
through the EFCC to the government.

It was his share of N45million from an N80million contract in
the ministry.

The judge adjourned until November 10, 2020 for continuation of
trial.