The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday October 27, 2014 arraigned the trio of Ibrahim Abubakar, Abubakar Maigaskiya and Bashir Musa before Justice Faruk Lawal of Kano State High Court on two separate charges bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence.
While the 1st accused, Ibrahim Abubakar was docked on a 13-count charge, the duo of Abubakar Maigaskiya and Bashir Musa were slammed with a 2-count charge. The accused persons alongside three others currently at large were alleged to have sometime in June 2009 conspired among themselves and forged documents purportedly emanating from the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, for use in obtaining a N93million loan facility from a new generation bank.
The other suspects are Aminu Garba Gulma, Muhammed Surajo and Yunusa Abdullahi. Because of their absence in court, the charge had to be separated to facilitate the speedy trial of the accused persons that were ready for trial.
While moving the motion to split the charge, the prosecution counsel, M.S Abubakar submitted that in order not to continue delaying the trial of the accused persons present in court and for the purpose of fair hearing the 1st, 5th and 6th accused persons should be tried separately pending the appearance of the other accused persons.
Counsel to the1st accused person M.E Sheriff and counsel to 5th and 6th accused persons did not object to the motion.
The three accused however pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
They were however remanded in prison custody pending hearing of their bail applications. The case was adjourned to October 31, 2014 (AIT)
