FG Seeks To Tender Evidence Of Bank Accounts Used By Ex-Gov Nyako To ‘Launder N29bn’

The Federal Government on Wednesday sought to tender documents of over 30 bank accounts – in evidence – used to allegedly launder money by former Governor Murtala

Nyako who is facing trial in the Federal High Court Abuja.

Mr. Nyako, the former governor of Adamawa and seven others, including companies, are standing trial before Justice Okon Abang on a 37-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accusing them of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, opening of multiple bank accounts and theft to the tune of N29 billion.

The defendants were said to have opened over 30 different accounts with Zenith Bank Plc. with the money between 2011 and 2013.

At the resumed sitting, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, sought to tender the documents used in opening the account through the bank’s officer, Olabode Farinoola, who identified himself as a compliant officer.

“Some of the names used by the defendants in opening these accounts are Tropical Agro Farms Clinic Ltd, Redcapet Protocol Ltd, Tower Asset Management Ltd and Government Service Department account.

“Others are office of the secretary to the state government, Muru Ngbula-Joran, Bincola Engineering Service Ltd, Blue Ribbon Service and Travel Tour Ltd and Blue Opal Nigeria Ltd.”

“Others are Pagoda Petroleum Marketing Ltd, Pagoda Fortunes Nigeria Ltd, Sebore Farms Extension Service Ltd and Blue Opal Nigeria Ltd (Project account), Kikary Investment Ltd, Blue Ribbon Multilink Ltd, Russelley Farms Nigeria Ltd and Agric International Tech Trade among others,” Mr. Jacobs said.

In a quick reaction, Counsel to Nyako, Kanu Agabi, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defendants ascertain the authenticity of the documents before it is tendered in by the prosecution.

 “I plead for adjournment to enable the defence to go through the documents the prosecution seeks to tender through the witness,” Agabi prayed.

Subsequently, Okon Abang, the judge, adjourned the hearing to December 14 and 15 to enable the defence go through the documents.