The trial of a former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, continued on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, continued on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 with the prosecution presenting Adekunle Odofin as the twentieth prosecution witness.
Nyako is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N29billion.
Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds – Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.
Odofin, a detective with the EFCC, while being led in evidence by the counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court all he knew about the case.
“I know all the defendants. I know Murtala H. Nyako. He was the Executive Governor of Adamawa State between 2007 to 2014 and he is the Chairman CEO of Sabore Farms. The second defendant’s name is Abdul-Aziz Nyako. He is a director of a company called Blue Ribbon Multi-Link and also a co-owner of Blue Opal Limited.
“The Blue Opal Limited is owned by two companies. One is Blue Ribbon Multi-Links Limited and the other is a company called Opal Synergy owned by one Neigi Oforie Jombo.
“The third defendant’s name is Zulkifikk Abba. He is a director in Crust Energy Limited. He is also a share holder in a company called Mainstream Energy. He is also a share holder in a company called Sentinen Exploration and Production Limited.
“I know the fourth defendant too. His name is Abubakar Aliyu. He is a director in Tower Asset Management Limited. He is also a signatory to the company’s account. He is also a share holder in Blue Ribbon Multi-lInks limited”, he said.
