The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned the former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Haliru Bello before Federal High Court, Abuja.
Bello was docked along with his son, Abba, on a four-count criminal charge for N300 million fraud and he took his plea in a wheelchair. They are facing trial alongside a firm, BAM Projects and Properties Limited.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused persons, through the firm, withdrew N300m from an account the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The fund was said to have been transferred to the accused persons, 11 days to the 2015 presidential election, by the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Both Bello and Abba pleaded not guilty to the charge dated December 23 but amended on December 30, 2015.
Meantime, trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed has okayed 30 minutes stand-down on the matter to entertain arguments about whether or not the accused persons should be granted bail.
EFCC lawyer, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf had immediately after the duo took their plea, urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending their trial.
However, counsels to the defendants, O. Osoka and Abdulaziz Ibrahim, opposed FG’s remand application, saying their clients already filed separate motions for bail.
“The 3rd defendant is willing and ready to stand his trial, but we vehemently oppose the application to remand him in prison custody”, counsel to the former PDP boss, Ibrahim, maintained.
More details soon.
