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N450m Fraud: Court Throws Out Ex-Minister, Bulama, Others’ Applications for Stay of Proceedings

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N450m Fraud: Court Throws Out Ex-Minister, Bulama, Others' Applications for Stay of Proceedings

N450m Fraud: Court Throws Out Ex-Minister, Bulama, Others’ Applications for Stay of Proceedings

By: Michael Mike

A Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State has rejected  applications seeking for “stay of proceedings”  filed by a former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama and four others in a N450 million fraud case.

Bulama was re-arraigned on November 8, 2021 alongside a former Commissioner for Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State, Hon. Mohammed Kadai, Abba Gana Tata, Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks on a seven count charge of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, following the judgment of the Appeal Court in Gombe State which upheld the argument of the EFCC that the Lower Court erred by discharging and acquitting the defendants following their ‘no case submission’ upon the closure of the prosecution’s case. 

The ex-minister allegedly received the N450m from Diezani Alison- Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, to influence the outcome of the 2015 Presidential election as the Coordinator of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 Re-election Campaign Committee in Yobe State. Kadai was Deputy Coordinator, while the other three defendants were members of the committee. 

At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, the defendants through their lawyers, J.J. Usman and U.M. Isah informed the court that they have approached the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment of the appellate court which dismissed their no case submission and ordered a return to the Federal High Court in Yobe State for the continuation of trial.

They argued that it would not be proper for the lower court to proceed on the matter during the pendency of the appeal at the apex court.

Opposing the prayers of the defendants, prosecution counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed told the court that the EFCC is not oblivious of the fact that there is an appeal before the Supreme Court and all processes of the appeal have been received by the prosecution. 

However, he said the EFCC is not aware of any order directing the court and the judge to stay proceedings in the case. 

Muktar argued that: “Appeal regarding this case at the Supreme Court is obviously different from the matter before this court as it has no correlation.”

Justice Fadima Aminu, in her ruling, said there is no order before the court directing a stay of proceedings and there is no correlation between the appeal before the Supreme Court and the matter before her.

Consequently, she refused the applications of the defendants and ordered for accelerated hearing of the case.

The prosecution then called its first witness, Mohammed Jajere. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, PW1, Jajere, a Consultant Engineer told the court how he received the sum of N23, 210, 000.00 from the fourth defendant, Muhammad Mamu, on the 21st of February, 2015, the eve of the 2015 Presidential election day, in order to influence the outcome of the election in Fune local government area of Yobe State. 

“I know all the defendants because we belong to the same political party, PDP.  At that time, towards the 2015 Presidential election, I was a member of the caretaker committee of the PDP in Yobe State.

“On the eve of the election, I was called on phone by my party leader, Dr. Muhammad Mamu to come and pick up the money meant for my local government which I did in cash and I took the money to Damagun, headquarters of the PDP in Fune local government area where I handed over the money to a 19-member committee which was set up by the local government for the disbursement.

“The 19 member committee disbursed the funds to the 13 wards of the local government and each ward had a minimum of 5-member committee who were vested with the responsibilities of collecting such funds and took the monies to their various wards for disbursement to the 165 polling units across the local government on Election Day.

“Election was conducted the next day and our party lost the election and we all went back home.”

He further testified that, in 2016, he received an invitation from the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC to come and explain his involvement regarding the money he received from the fourth defendant. 

“I got a call from the EFCC in the year 2016 to come explain the money I received from my leader, Dr.Muhammad Mamu which I obliged”, PW1 said. 

While being cross examined, PW1 told the court that as at the time he received the money in cash, there was no functional bank in Fune local government area due to the insurgency.

He further told the court that he received the money based on the political party’s instructions and the money was not in any way payment for goods or services rendered to the fourth defendant. 

He stated that without the money he received, “our party in the local government would not have been able to participate in the election”. 

Justice Fadima, having heard the testimonies of the PW1, discharged the witness and adjourned to January 19, 2022 for continuation of trial. 

19 January, 2022.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 the EFCC presented two more witnesses.

Prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed led in evidence the PW2, Adam Ishaya. a politician and farmer, who revealed to the court how he received the sum of N13, 150, 000.00 (Thirteen Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from the third defendant, Abba Gana Tata, day to the 2015 Presidential election.

The witness said after he collected the money, he took it to a 12-member committee in Fika local government area of Yobe State for disbursement on the day of the election. 

While being cross examined, PW2 told the court that there was no functional bank in Fika local government area as at the time he received the money, adding that the committee could not have disbursed the money to over a thousand people on election day via bank transfer.

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He further told the court that part of the money he received was meant for logistics for agents at all polling units in the Fika local government area.

The third prosecution witness, Dauda Umar in his testimony, revealed how the first defendant made a cash withdrawal of N450 Million from Fidelity Bank, Damaturu branch and disbursed the said sum to influence the outcome of the 2015 Presidential election. 

PW3 who is an operative of the EFCC, told the court that on 13th of April, 2016, the Maiduguri Command received an ‘intelligence report’ from the Headquarters in Abuja and it was assigned for further investigation. 

Dauda said the intelligence report stated that the Commission was investigating a case of money laundering against Diezani Alison-Madueke,  a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and investigation revealed that Diezani warehoused $115, 010, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million, Ten Thousand US Dollars) in Fidelity Bank across the country and the money was to be used for 2015 Presidential election. 

PW3 told the court that investigation revealed that the monies were disbursed to politicians, security agencies and INEC officials.

He further testified that during investigation, one Rabiu Bello who was a cash officer with Fidelity Bank, Damaturu branch was invited to the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC for interview and he told the investigating team that he was authorized by his operational manager to release the sum N450 Million to the first and second defendants; Abdu Bulama and Mohammed Kadai prior to the 2015 Presidential election.

PW3 said: “N83.1million was given to the third defendant, Abba Gana Tata from which N13.1million was given to PW2.

“The fourth defendant, Muhammad Mamu received the sum of N73.5million and he gave the PW1, Engr. Mohammed Jajere N23million and N70.4million was given to the fifth defendant, Hassan Ibn Jaks and one Mero Ashi got the sum of N11.9million for disbursement on the 2015 Presidential Election Day.

“Investigation revealed that the balance was shared amongst security agencies and INEC officials in Yobe State”. 

PW3 told the court that all the defendants were invited to the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC at different times starting with the first to the fifth defendants and N14.2million was recovered in the course of investigation. 

“All the defendants were invited at different times and they were interviewed and they all made voluntary confessional statements, admitting they received the said monies as revealed by investigations”, PW3 said. 

Prosecution counsel, Ahmed sought to tender the statements of the defendants as evidence before the court but defence counsel objected to the admissibility of the statements on the grounds that they were not made voluntarily.

They prayed the court to order a “trial -within-trial” to determine the voluntariness of statements made by the defendants at the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC.

Justice Aminu, thereafter ordered for a trial-within-trial and adjourned the matter to January 20, February 28 and March 1, 2022 for continuation trial

N450m Fraud: Court Throws Out Ex-Minister, Bulama, Others’ Applications for Stay of Proceedings

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EndBadGovernance: NHRC Condemns Arraignment of Minors for Treason by Police

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EndBadGovernance: NHRC Condemns Arraignment of Minors for Treason by Police

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in its entirety the arraignment for treason of children and minors who allegedly participated in the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

The Commission in a statement at the weekend said it wishes to state that the arrest, detention and arraignment of these minors by the Nigerian Police on charges of treason and attempting to overthrow a legitimate government among other charges clearly contravenes a plethora of national, regional and international laws.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who stated this in Abuja over the weekend noted that the action of the Nigeria Police has raised significant concerns among senior lawyers and legal experts, the human rights community, development partners, sister national human rights institutions and well meaning Nigerians as it is widely considered as an excessive and inappropriate use of State Institutions against Citizens and it is even worse when the victims are children and minors whose best interest were not considered at all in line with the law.

Ojukwu stressed the importance of ensuring that legal proceedings align with children’s rights as protected under the Nigeria’s Child’s Rights Act 2003, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA), and some regional and international legal frameworks, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

He noted that these frameworks emphasize that children should be treated differently and separated from adults within the justice system, focusing on their best interest, protection and rehabilitation rather than harsh punitive measures.

He added that unfortunately, the trial court that should know better than the police unleashed a draconian bail condition which almost all the children cannot meet, and adjourned the matter to Jan 2025, knowing fully well that these are children who have been detained since August 2024. Infact, the judge witnessed some of the children looking malnourished and unwell which calls to question the mental state of the judge when imposing such bail conditions on the children and minors for participating in a protest now turned treason.

Ojukwu explained that The NHRC’s criticism mainly centers on insensitivity of the prosecution and the court for the lack of humanity, accountability and impunity in the application of the law to the children , the severe nature of the charges, the draconian bail conditions and the potential for the psychological harm such impunity in actions might cause minors, bearing in mind that there are procedures for the treatment of the underaged, even when they come in conflict with the law. When treated in the way the prosecution and the court have done, our children could grow up with deep grudge against society, and unleash huge contempt on society in future.

He said: “We are therefore calling for immediate corrective action to ensure that children are not unfairly subjected to extreme inhumanity and slammed with charges like treason, which carry heavy penalties generally reserved for adult offenders accused of severe crimes against the state.”

According to his statement, the incident also points to broader systemic issues within Nigeria’s criminal and juvenile justice system and the need for reforms and enlightenment of police and the judiciary of the need to protect child rights in compliance with both national and international human rights standards.

Ojukwu commended the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi for intervening by instructing the police to forward the case files of these minors to his office for a review by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).

He noted that this action by the Attorney General of the Federation is seen as a positive step towards ensuring a fair and careful evaluation of the charges levelled against the minors, providing an opportunity to reassess the appropriateness of the charges, the combination of adults and children in the same charges, the venue of trial of adults and children, the length of adjournment, the venue of the incarceration of the children, the onerous bail conditions, the health and nutrition of the children and a host of other considerations enumerated in the law concerning the treatment of Children when in conflict with the law. These considerations have been disregarded with impunity so far by both the police and the trial Judge therefore casting doubts as to whether the children can get fairness and justice from the current handlers within the police and court under the circumstances.

He added that the intervention of the AGF further underscores the importance of prosecutorial and judicial oversight, particularly in cases involving children for serious allegations like treason.

He noted that: “By involving the DPPF, the Attorney General’s office has demonstrated a commitment to upholding due process and the rights of children, who should be afforded protections and rehabilitation within the justice system.”

Ojukwu said the NHRC’s position is to use this opportunity to re-emphasize the right to peaceful protest during the End Bad Governance Protests and the need for a balanced approach to justice, ensuring that the legal rights of minors are protected and that any legal proceedings reflect the principles of fairness and child protection as outlined in Nigeria’s legal frameworks.

EndBadGovernance: NHRC Condemns Arraignment of Minors for Treason by Police

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EndBadGovernance: Group Asks FG to Release Detained Protesters Now or Face Nationwide Mobilization Against “State Repression.”

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EndBadGovernance: Group Asks FG to Release Detained Protesters Now or Face Nationwide Mobilization Against “State Repression.”

By: Michael Mike

The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTiON) has said it is outraged and appalled by the blatant display of government repression that has led to the unconscionable detention of 76 protesters across the nation including 32 minors.

The group in a statement on Sunday by its Convener, Hauwa Mustapha, noted that these protesters are being charged with ludicrous accusations of terrorism, attempted mutiny, and treason simply for exercising their democratic right to protest against government mismanagement of the commonwealth resources, hunger and hardship.

The statement read that: “This alarming attempt to criminalize peaceful expression as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as Amended is yet another assault on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerian citizens.

“It is increasingly apparent that the Nigerian government is not only weaponizing state power but is also acting in dangerous alignment with external forces like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. In seeking to implement an agenda driven by these international entities, the government has seemingly resorted to brutal repression to silence dissent and discourage citizens from publicly resisting harmful policies.

“The government’s actions— including detaining minors, inflicting trauma on protesters, and issuing punitive bail conditions – of N10 million each send a clear message that protests, and free expression are being treated as criminal acts and is a shameless and deliberate act designed to keep them imprisoned indefinitely and send a warning to all who might dare to dissent.”

The statement added that: “The root causes of these protests reflect deep-seated issues of bad governance, a crippling inflation rate that has sharply reduced the purchasing power of citizens, and an unmanageable cost of living that leaves countless Nigerians grappling with hunger and poverty.

“Rather than the government addressing these deep-rooted issues of poverty which is affecting over 65 percent of citizens and has seen at least 20 million children roaming the streets of the nation, government has resorted to high handed approach of fighting the very citizens it swore to protect.

“These are the real crises that have driven citizens to take to the streets, to demand accountability and a government that prioritizes the well-being of its people over external agenda.”

MOTiON further said: “The coordinated suppression of public expression is uncalled for, as it is disturbingly aligned with an IMF and World Bank playbook notorious for encouraging governments to suppress their people to enforce often oppressive economic reforms.

“The Nigerian government’s partnership with these entities has evidently come at the cost of the democratic rights of its own citizens.

“These recent events position the current administration as systematically paving the way toward full state capture and adopting a dangerous blend of dictatorship under the guise of democracy. MOTiON calls upon the Federal Government to recognize that dissent is not a crime; it is a democratic right. Attempts to criminalize it will only strengthen the resolve of the Nigerian people to demand justice and accountability.”

MOTiON emphatically demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters, including the minors, by the Attorney General of the Federation, who has the authority to withdraw these “baseless charges.”

“An end to the criminalization of peaceful protest and a complete halt to the harassment of citizens exercising their constitutional rights.”

It said failure to heed these demands will compel MOTiON “to mobilize the full force of our membership, along with millions of Nigerians, to resist this unbridled tyranny. MOTiON will not rest until justice is served. We are prepared to confront this state repression head-on, alongside every Nigerian who believes in a just and democratic society.”

MOTiON, according to the statement, is a collective force of Nigerians from mass democratic organisations, workers’ organisations, pro-democracy movements, movements for social justice, women groups, citizens groups, NGOs, academia, students and youth groups, and climate action groups.

The statement described the group as “a movement of movements channelling shared anger, frustration and aspirations of Nigerians into purposeful action. Through concerted, strategic effort, we are engaging in citizens’ actions to address and overcome the root causes of Nigeria’s current state: elite capture, ineffective leadership, institutional corruption, insecurity, and the pervasive culture of impunity.”

EndBadGovernance: Group Asks FG to Release Detained Protesters Now or Face Nationwide Mobilization Against “State Repression.”

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ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Respect of Citizens’ Rights and End to the Harassment of Protesters by Security Agencies

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ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Respect of Citizens’ Rights and End to the Harassment of Protesters by Security Agencies

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where safeguarding citizens’ rights is essential to maintaining democratic principles. ActionAid Nigeria condemns the recent unlawful detentions and harassment of peaceful protesters, including minors, by security agencies. These actions undermine democratic values and represent a troubling escalation in the suppression of citizens’ rights and free expression.
We are particularly concerned about reports surrounding the treatment of underaged Nigerians who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024. The Constitution and the Child Rights Act make it clear that minors are not to be treated like adults in cases where the law is violated. In this case, there’s no evidence of these children being involved in the act of treason, yet they have been subjected to a reality most kids their age would never know in their lifetime. This shows the failure to uphold the Nigerian Child Rights Act, which guarantees children’s right to protection from harm and neglect.
It is deeply troubling that in a democratic nation, peaceful protest a fundamental human right enshrined in both Nigeria’s Constitution and international law continues to be suppressed with such ruthless disregard. Detaining and humiliating underaged protesters are a blatant contravention of the Nigerian Child Rights Act, which explicitly provides for children’s right to protection from harm, abuse, and neglect. This Act, ratified to ensure the dignity and welfare of children in Nigeria, is starkly violated by the government’s failure to protect, rather than punish, vulnerable young citizens seeking a voice against the hardships that threaten their future.
As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Nigeria also agreed that minors should be given a shot at rehabilitation, not harsh judgment. The law even demands that minors be kept in separate facilities from adults and prioritises juvenile courts for their cases, aiming for rehabilitation, not punishment. But we saw how the court put a huge price tag on the freedom of these 67 minors granting them bail of ₦10 million each. These children now face a tough task of finding a surety to stand for them.
Nigeria’s leadership is entrusted with the mandate to protect and serve its citizens. Addressing systemic issues of poverty, inequality, and insecurity should be the focus of state efforts. Misusing security operatives and other agencies to limit freedom of expression and intimidate citizens could have a lasting impact on Nigeria’s democratic standing and the trust of its people.
ActionAid Nigeria calls for an immediate review of the circumstances under which these minor protesters were detained. We urge the swift release of those held and ask for a renewed commitment to the human rights principles that underpin a strong democracy. The right to protest is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, and we believe that every Nigerian deserves the freedom to voice their concerns in a safe environment.
The government’s legitimacy is derived from the people. We encourage an approach that prioritizes dialogue and respect for democratic freedoms to build trust and foster progress for all Nigerians.
In Solidarity.
Signed: Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria
Editors’ notes
ActionAid Nigeria is a national non-governmental, non-partisan, non-religious, civil society organisation, and an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with presence in 45 countries. It works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication towards achieving a just, equitable and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression.

ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Respect of Citizens’ Rights and End to the Harassment of Protesters by Security Agencies

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