2020 arraigned former minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental
Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, for alleged N714, 670, 014.87 (Seven
Hundred and Fourteen Million Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand and
Fourteen Naira) fraud.
He was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court,
Abuja on a 16 count charge.
Also arraigned with him were his special assistant, Sampson Okpetu and
two companies: Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited.
Turaki, SAN, was the Minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental
Affairs from 2013 to 2015. He also served as the Minister of Labour from
2014 to 2015.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (whilst
serving as Minister for Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs)
sometime in January 2015 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court
did use the sum of N159,104,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, One
Hundred and Four Thousand only) out of the sum of N359, 104,000 (Three
Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, One Hundre and Four Thousand Naira only)
released to the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and
Inter-governmental Affairs for the purpose of sensitization and
enlightenment of Muslim Youths, knowing that the said sum is proceed of
unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation and you thereby
committed an offense contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under
section (15(3) bf the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all 16-counts brought against him,
while Okpetu, his special assistant pleaded not guilty to counts 10 to
12. A not guilty plea was also entered for the two companies.
In view of the pleas, prosecution counsel, Halifax Shehu asked for a
commencement date of trial, stating that the prosecution has lined up
nine witnesses for presentation in court on the matter.
Turaki’s defence team, led by Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, alongside four
other senior learned silks applied for his bail, urging the court to
grant him bail on self-recognition.
Counsel to the second defendant O.M. Atoyebi, SAN, also prayed the court
to grant the defendant bail based on self-recognition or on liberal
terms in line with the administrative bail granted the defendants by the
EFCC.
While not opposing the bail applications, the prosecution urged the
court to grant bail conditions that will ensure the court attendance of
the defendants all through the trial.
In granting the bail applications, Justice Ekwo stated that the terms of
the administrative bail granted the defendants by the EFCC were
reasonable and adoptable and therefore, adopted them.
He therefore, ordered that the defendants continued to enjoy the
administrative bail condition granted them by the EFCC. Adding that the
particulars of the EFCC administrative bail be transferred to the
Registrar of the court, which included the international passports of
the defendants, which are in the custody of the EFCC. Additionally, the
defendants shall not travel out of the court’s jurisdiction without the
leave of the court.
In addition to the transfer of his international passport to the court,
the second defendant is to produce one surety who must be a Deputy
Director on Grade Level 16.
The case was adjourned to June 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2020.