Ex-minister, 4 others remanded over money laundering

Former minister of science and technology, Dr Abdu Bulama, and four others have been remanded in EFCC custody by Federal High court Damaturu, over alleged money laundering. 

The four other dependants are Muhammad Kadai, Muhammad Mamu, Hassan Ibn Jaks and former PDP state Chairman, Abbagana Tata. 

Justice Isah Hamma Dashen, gave the order on Friday when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented seven-count charges before the court, accusing the defendants of money laundering.

An EFCC prosecuting council, Alkasim Jafar, told the court that the defendants committed the offences contrary to and punishable under sections 16(1) (d) and 16(2) (b) of the money laundering prohibition Act, 2011 as amended.

Although the defendants, who were all present in the court, pleaded not guilty to the charges read against them, the court ordered that they should be remanded in the EFCC custody pending determination of an application for their bail.

Earlier in his submission, counsel of the defences, A A Sani had craved the indulgence of the court for a leave to make oral application for the court to grant him permission to apply for bail for the defendants but, the court rejected the plea and ruled that judicial procedure should be followed for the application.

The judge fixed July 3, 2018 to determine the application for their bail and adjourned the case to September 24, 2018 for hearing.

Source