From John Adams, Minna
Supporters of former Niger State governor Babndida Aliyu sang and danced at the Minna High Court premises yesterday when he was granted bail in the sum of N150 million over alleged N4.568 billion misappropriation.
Immediately the news of the judgement filtered into the town, thousands of youths marched round the town carrying placards praising the former governor for “his victory over political dogs.” Lamido was arraigned last Tuesday on a six-count charge alongside Umar Nasko, the Chief of Staff under his administration. They were accused of conspiring and dishonestly converting for personal use, the sum belonging to Niger State Government.
As early as 7:00am, the major road leading to the Minna central market was completely blocked by Lamido’s supporters, most of whom were prevented from gaining entrance into the court premises by security agents. The placard carrying supporters sang and danced, chanting “sai Talba” (up Talba) throughout the three hours duration the court sitting lasted. Immediately the presiding judge, Justice Aliyu Mayaki made the bail pronouncement for the two accused persons, the supporters went into wide jubilation.
Delivering judgment on bail application by the counsels to the accused persons, the judge, Justice Aliyu Mayaki gave Aliyu N150 million bail condition with two sureties who are expected to deposit the Certificates of Occupancy to landed properties worth N200 million each in the registry. Umar Nasko, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the state in 2015, was granted bail in the sum of N100 million in addition to two sureties each with landed property worth N150 million located in the jurisdiction of the case. Ten people immediately signified their readiness to stand as sureties to the two accused persons. Maiyaki, however, disclosed that each of the offences attracts punishment of up to seven years imprisonment.
Counsel to the second defendant Mamman Mike Usman, however, said the bail terms are too harsh for his client.
“The judge, however, demonstrated tremendous courage and he showed good grasp of both practice and procedure and substantive law. “When you look at the bail conditions for someone whose antecedents are as reflected in the affidavit which the judge believed, I believe strongly, without being disrespectful to this wonderful academic ruling given by the judge, that the condition is harsh,” he said.
The sureties to Dr. Aliyu include his elder brother, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu and one of his former Commissioners, Dr. Peter Saleh Sariki.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the former officials, the alleged misappropriated funds were meant for ecological projects as well as money realised from the sale of 16 per cent shares of the state in the North-South Power Company. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.
The judge held that the EFCC had not adduced concrete evidence to show that the defendants would interfere with justice, if granted bail. He said the defendants had no criminal antecedents, adding that they provided sufficient materials in support of their applications.
The judge adjourned the case until June 12 commencement of hearing.