El-Rufai, two others arraigned over abuse of office

Details: Category: Law, Crime & Judiciary; Published on Friday, 08 April 2011 06:03; Written by Admin; Hits: 2065

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El-Rufai was yesterday arraigned before an Abuja High Court alongside two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of official misconduct.

In the eight count charges read over to El-Rufai, the formerDirectorGeneral of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Altine Jubril and the former General Manager AGIS, Ismaila Iro, the EFCC through its counsel Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) alleged that the accused persons were involved in conspiracy, conferring corrupt advantages and seeking gratification as public officials during their public service in 2007.

Specifically, they were alleged to have re-allocated parcels of land already allocated to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in Asokoro and Maitama respectively to family members and associates.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offences. Upon this, defence counsel Akin Olujimi (SAN) pleaded for their bail on liberal terms arguing that they are responsible citizens who would not default on the bail conditions.

Presiding judge Sadiq Umar granted bail on self recognisance to El-Rufia which he premised on his antecedents as a former Minister of the FCT and the fact that he is on an EFCC administrative bail. The judge, however ordered the two accused persons to produce two sureties and the sum of N50 million bond which will be forfeited if they jump bail.

Before the case was adjourned to May 17 for hearing, the EFCC counsel attempted to introduce some witnesses for the commencement of trial of the accused persons. But defence counsel Olujimi objected to this on the grounds that he is not prepared to cross examine them, adding that his co-defence counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN) is not in court.

Source: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16472