N3 billion alleged fraud: Court discharges two time ex-PDP governorship candidate in Niger State

After seven years of legal fire works between the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), and Umar Mohammed Nasko the former Commissioner of Environment under the administration of Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu, the Minna High court has discharged him.

Umar Mohammed Nasko was a two time governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State.

His discharge was sequel to the application filed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, Nasir Mua’azu to discontinue with the case as brought against Umar Nasko by the EFCC in 2017.

The development for his discharge came few hours after the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State took over the prosecution of the case from the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC),

The former governor of Niger State, Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu and the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state Chairman, Tanko Beji were discharged in December, by Justice Mikailu Abdullahi of High court number two.

They were both dragged to the court by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC)
Some times in 2017, for alledged criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of N3 billion belonging to Niger state.

Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu, along with his Commissioner for Environment Umar Nasko and the Niger State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Barrister Tanko Beji, were in 2017 arraigned before the then chief Judge of Niger State Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki.

Before his discharge, Umar Nasko was the only respondent remaining in the case and he was to enter his defence yesterday (Monday) the 15th of January 2024..

However, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice applied to take over the prosecution of the case from the EFCC, on the ground that the case has suffered several adjougnment for the past seven years without any visible headway from the EFCC.

His application was contained in the motion on notice filed before the court dated 8th January 2024 and filed 10th January 2024.

The Prosecuting Counsel to EFCC Farouk Abdullahi objected to the application and requested time to address the court on the application.

The Counsel to the respondent, Mike Maman Osman (SAN), objected to the submission of the prosecuting counsel and the Attorney General cited the provision of Section 211 (1b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The EFCC counsel after short standdown withdrew his objection and submitted that he had no option than doing so adding that whatever happens the course of ensuring justice is done in accordance with the criminal justice system.

A few hours after the court resumed, the Attorney General applied to discontinued the case which was granted by the court.