Witness Testifies How Ex- Adamawa Governor, Nyako Looted State’s Funds
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Odofin, who is the EFCC’s star witness and 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) in the alleged N29 billion fraud preferred against Nyako; his son, Abdulaziz, and others, told Justice Peter Lifu while giving his testimony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nyako, who was Adamawa governor between Jan. 2007 and Dec. 2014, is facing a 37-count charge concerning money laundering.
They were re-arraigned, on March 21, alongside Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms and Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The trial, which began on Aug. 7, 2015 before late Justice Evoh Chukwu, was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang and they were re-arraigned on Oct. 17, 2016.
However, the case was again re-assigned to Justice Lifu following Abang’s elevation to Appeal Court.
Led in evidence by Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN) the witness told the court that “as a detective, my schedule of duty includes investigating all cases assigned to my team, writing reports on same, forwarding same to Legal and Prosecution Department of the commission and also go to court to testify in respect of same.”
Odofin, who identified Nyako as former Adamawa governor, said he also doubled as the chairman and chief executive officer of Sebore Farms and Extension Limited.
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“The name of the owner of Opal Synergy Nigeria Limited is one Neigi Oforie Jombo.
“These two companies came together to form Blue Opal Limited on 50/50 ratio.
“I know the 3rd defendant in this case. His name is Zulkifik Abba.
“He is a director in Cross Energy Limited. He is also a shareholders in a company called Mainstream Energy Limited.
“The 3rd defendant is also a director in a company called Sentiment Production and Exploration Limited
“I also know the 4th defendant. His name is Abubakar Aliyu. He is a director in Tower Assets Management Limited.
“He is also a signatory to the bank account of Tower Assets Management Limited.
“The 4th defendant is also a shareholder in Blue Ribbon Multilinks Limited,” he told the court.
The detective said in 2011, the anti-graft agency received a petition against the defendants.
“Sometimes in 2011, the commission was in receipt of a petition dated 10th October, 2011 written by one Alhaji Saheed Umar.
“The petitioner alleged how the 1st defendant (Nyako), while he was executive governor of Adamawa State, siphoned the state funds running into billions of naira through a programme called Special Project Programme Unit (SPPU).
“The petitioner also alleged how the 1st defendant used his office to inflate contracts in his state.
“This petition was accepted and assigned to Economic Governance 3 (EG3) Unit for discreet investigation,” he said.
Justice Lifu admitted the petition in evidence and was marked Exhibit MN01 after the defence counsel including Michael Aondoakaa, (SAN), who appeared for Nyako and his son, did not oppose Jacobs tendering it as evidence against their clients.
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