EFCC Arraigns Ex-minister, Turaki, Others Over Alleged N714.6m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, May 4, 2020, arraigned the former minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, for alleged N714, 670, 014.87 (Seven Hundred and Fourteen Million Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Fourteen Naira) fraud. He was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 16 count charge.
Also arraigned with him were his special assistant, Sampson Okpetu, and two companies: Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited.
Turaki, SAN, was the Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs from 2013 to 2015. He also served as the Minister of Labour from 2014 to 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all 16-counts brought against him, while Okpetu, his special assistant, pleaded not guilty to counts 10 to 12. A not guilty plea was also entered for the two companies.
The defense counsels pleaded for the defendants to be granted bails on liberal terms or the terms of self-recognition.
While not opposing the bail applications, the prosecution urged the court to grant bail conditions that will ensure the court attendance of the defendants all through the trial.
In granting the bail applications, Justice Ekwo stated that the terms of the administrative bail granted the defendants by the EFCC were reasonable and adoptable and, therefore, adopted them.
The case was adjourned to June 22, 23, 24, and 25, 2020.
