EFCC arraigns former governor, Ngilari, SSG over N160 million contracts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Adamawa State governor, Barrister Bala James Ngillari over N160 million contracts.

The former governor as well as two of his subordinates, Ibrahim Welye, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG)  and Barrister Sanda Lamurde, former finance Commissioner were arraigned on  Tuesday on 17-count charges ranging from criminal conspiracy to award of contract for purchase of 25 cars at the cost of N160 million without following due process.

The accused, all of whom pleaded 'not guilty' when the charged were read to them, had allegedly awarded the contract without obtaining the certificate of 'No Objection' from the state procurement agency.

While calling for adjournment, counsel to the EFCC, Ahmad Muttaka asked the court to remand the accused in prison, a position objected to by the counsels to the accused, Akamode Abayomi and Leonard Nzadon who requested that their clients be kept in EFCC custody, arguing that the accused had already been granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency and had been reporting to the commission.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Nathan Musa of the Adamawa State High Court, sitting in Yola ruled that the accused persons be remanded in EFCC custody until Thursday September 22 when he would rule on their bail applications. 

Daily Trust 

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