FG to tender evidence of bank accounts used by Nyako to ‘launder N29bn’

The federal government on Wednesday sought to tender evidence of over 30 bank accounts used to allegedly launder money by Muritala Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa state.

Nyako and seven other people are standing trial for a 37-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The defendants, who were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are accused of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, opening of multiple bank accounts and theft to the tune of N29 billion.

At the federal high court Abuja, Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the government, listed the names of several companies used to allegedly launder money by Nyako.

“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,” Jacobs said.

“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.”

Responding, Kanu Agabi, counsel to Nyako, asked the 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.