The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Thursday, arraigned the former governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; former Minister of State, Nuhu Somo Wya; former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State Chairman, Abubakar Haruna Gaya and the former Secretary to the State Government, Hamza Ishaq.
They were arraigned before Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Kaduna on a four count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N700million.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lead prosecution counsel, Mr. Joshua Saidi, then prayed the court for a date for commencement of trial, while remanding the accused persons in prison custody.
Lead defence counsel, Mr. Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) made an oral application for bail, which Justice Shuaibu turned down.
The Court ruled that formal applications for bail of the accused must be filed. He, therefore, adjourned the matter to June 6, 2018 for hearing of bail application.
The judge also ruled that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.
Their arraignment followed a petition alleging criminal diversion of the sum of $115 million, amounting to N23,299,705, 000 missing funds of the NNPC.
