Alleged N36bn Fraud: Court discharges, acquitted ex- Jigawa governor, Saminu Turaki
By Baba Aminu
A Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State on Thursday, discharged and acquitted Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of the N36 billion corruption charges preferred against him by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
SOLACEBASE reports that Saminu Turaki and 3 other companies had been standing trial since May 4, 2007 in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioner (EFCC) on a 33-count charge.
The former governor was arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 13, 2007, on a 33-count charge.
In 2011, the case was transferred to the Federal High Court, Dutse after the former governor challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT division of the court.
A new judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, was reassigned to take over the case which was formerly being handled by Justice S. Yahuza before his retirement early in December.
The presiding judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, who delivered the ruling, struck out all charges and discharged all the accused persons for want of diligent prosecution.
The court further ordered that the travel documents of the 1st accused person, Saminu Turaki be released to him with immediate effect.
Reacting to judgment, Barrister Saidu Muhammad Tudunwada one of the defense counsel, said that the court found merit in their application for the discharge of the accused person against the 33 count charges.
He added that with the ruling, Justice has been served and it is a victory for all.
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