From Saka Bolaji, Minna
A Minna High Court on Monday stopped an attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to smuggle the case of the Niger state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Tanko Beji into that of former Governor of the state, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and ex Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Nasko.
EFCC had last week Thursday arrested and detained Tanko Beji and on Monday brought him before Justice Aliyu Mayaiki who is hearing the case against Aliyu and Nasko.
Beji was neither docked nor his plea taken.
The EFCC had also filed an amendment to the charge before the court in which Beji was to appear as one of the accused persons in the case involving Aliyu and his erstwhile chief of staff.
The court could not take cognisance of the amended charge in view of the reaction of counsel to Umar Nasko.
Though the case did not come up Counsel to Umar Nasko, Mamman Mike Usman (SAN) drew the attention of the court to the presence of Tanko Beji in court and urged the judge to grant him bail ” because he is one of us and cannot jump bail”.
However Justice Aliyu Maiyaki in his ruling said he could not take cognisance of Tanko Beji because “he has not been formerly arraigned before this court.
” There is a preliminary objection from Nasko’s counsel challenging the process by which the amended charges were brought to court
” The court has to determine that application before proceeding with the case because the process by which the proceedings commenced is alleged to be incompetent and it then means that every order made by the court will be null and void if the objection is upheld. This court will not go after other issues until that matter is resolved”.
Justice Maiyaki said the PDP chieftain was in the custody of the EFCC and that the anti-graft agency had the power to grant him administrative bail if it so wished.
Justice Maiyaki therefore adjourned the case to June 16, 2017 for continuation of trial.
As a result of the development the case against Aliyu and Nasko was not heard.
The EFCC later took Beji back into its custody in Abuja.
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