N700m Diezani Bribe: EFCC Re-Arraigns Ex-Gov Yero, Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday
re-arraigned a former Governor of Kaduna State, Muktar Ramalan
Yero, before Justice MG Umar of the Federal High Court, Kaduna on
an eight-count amended charge of money laundering.

An EFCC statement said Yero is being prosecuted by the EFCC
alongside Nuhu Somo Wya (a former minister), Ishaq Hamsa (former
Secretary to Kaduna State Government) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna,
former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in the state, for their
alleged involvement in the sharing of N700 million provided by a
former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani
Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential
election.

Their re-arraignment yesterday followed the transfer of the
former trial judge, Justice Zainab B. Abubakar to another division
of the Federal High Court.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecuting counsel, Nasiru
Salele told the court that the case was for re-arraignment of the
defendants and urged the court to ask them to take their pleas.

The defence counsel did not object.

The eight-count charges were read to the defendants and they all
pleaded ‘not guilty’.

In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel asked the court
to fix a date for trial.

But the defence counsel drew the attention of the court to the
previous bail granted the defendants, asking that the status quo be
sustained which the prosecution counsel did not oppose.

The court consequently adopted the bail earlier granted the
defendants and adjourned till October 13, 2021 for commencement of
trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday
re-arraigned a former Governor of Kaduna State, Muktar Ramalan
Yero, before Justice MG Umar of the Federal High Court, Kaduna on
an eight-count amended charge of money laundering.

An EFCC statement said Yero is being prosecuted by the EFCC
alongside Nuhu Somo Wya (a former minister), Ishaq Hamsa (former
Secretary to Kaduna State Government) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna,
former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in the state, for their
alleged involvement in the sharing of N700 million provided by a
former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani
Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential
election.

Their re-arraignment yesterday followed the transfer of the
former trial judge, Justice Zainab B. Abubakar to another division
of the Federal High Court.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecuting counsel, Nasiru
Salele told the court that the case was for re-arraignment of the
defendants and urged the court to ask them to take their pleas.

The defence counsel did not object.

The eight-count charges were read to the defendants and they all
pleaded ‘not guilty’.

In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel asked the court
to fix a date for trial.

But the defence counsel drew the attention of the court to the
previous bail granted the defendants, asking that the status quo be
sustained which the prosecution counsel did not oppose.

The court consequently adopted the bail earlier granted the
defendants and adjourned till October 13, 2021 for commencement of
trial.