HIGH COURT DISCHARGES AND ACQUITTS MU’AZU BABANGIDA ALIYU AND TANKO BEJI OF ALLEGED DIVERSION OF OVER N3.2B 08-11-23
By Sadiq Aminu After Seven years of Legal battle, a High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State has acquitted a Former Governor of the State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and the current Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state Tanko Beji of alleged diversion of over three point two billion naira Ecological funds.
However, the third Respondent in the case,a former Chief of Staff to the Ex Governor, Umar Mohammed Nasko still has a case to answer.
Recalled that the trio were accused of embezzling Ecological funds by the then administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
After several court sittings since 2017 on Seven count charges bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, the Minna High Court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Mikailu quashed the charges against the duo.
The ruling followed the Prosecution’s closure of its case after calling eleven witnesses and the motion for no-case submission by the accused persons Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the State PDP Chairman Tanko Beji, and Umar Muhammed Nasko.
Justice Abdullahi Mika’ila said no case was established against the first and second accused persons; Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Tanko Beji respectively.
The Judge however said the third accused Person, Umar Nasko has a case to answer in respect of counts 5, 6, and 7 of the charges.
The Court adjourned the case to the fifteenth of January, 2024 to allow Umar Mohammed Nasko to enter his defence in respect of the offences which contravened sections 47 and 312 of the penal code.
Reacting to the court ruling, the former Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu said the charges brought against him by his Successor were concocted.
He however appreciated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Judiciary for being fair to both parties in the matter.
The former Niger State Governor stressed the need for Nigerians to have confidence in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.