The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 presented a witness in the ongoing trial of Murtala Nyako, former governor of Adamawa state through video-link.
Nyako and seven others are being prosecuted before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 37-count-charge bordering on money laundering.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday November 5, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, led the 21st prosecution witness (PW21), Kobis Harithimnu, former Secretary to Adamawa State Government,who is currently residing in London, in evidence through a video call .
In his testimony, the witness told the court that he was a commissioner in 2007 in the Ministry of Rural Infrastructure and Economic Development between 2008 and 2014, and was later appointed Secretary to Adamawa State Government.
He informed the court that there were two departments in his office, which he oversaw, namely: the Security and Special Services Office and Political Services, adding that the memos were usually generated by the permanent secretary and brought to him for endorsement before sending to the governor’s office for approval.
According to him, “it is the governor that approves the memos, and collects the cheques from the accountant of the department or sometimes from the permanent secretary. Some of the cheques are sent to the governor by me.” He added that he explained to the permanent secretary that the procedure was irregular.
Justice Abang had on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 ruled in favour of EFCC’s application for a video link evidencing by Harithimnu, who is prevented from flying from London by ill-health and security concern.
Justice Abang adjourned the matter to November 13, 2019, for continuation of trial.