In our review of high profile corruption trials today, two actors, a former governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki, faced charges of N36 billion money laundering.
Also, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo also faced charges on N5.46 billion and N1 billion fuel subsidy scam.
Read on:
Saminu Turaki – N36 billion money laundering
Since February 2018, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced its plan to reopen 14 cases involving ex-governors and top politicians corruption cases in which Saminu Turaki’s case is one of them, nothing has been done for continuation of his trial.
Saminu Turaki is a former Governor of Jigawa State charged for money laundering allegedly committed by him while he was the governor of the state.
In July 2007, the EFCC filed a 32-count charge of corruption and money laundering against Turaki at a Federal High Court in Dutse in charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/86/07.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former governor laundered N36 billion meant for his state. But his trial could not continue because, according to the EFCC, he absconded after being granted bail.
Turaki, who was a senator between 2007 and 2011, “has continuously evaded appearance in court,” the anti-corruption agency said.
The commission then declared him wanted in December 2014.
But, at a book launch in Abuja on July 4, 2017, the EFCC rearrested Turaki and was in EFCC custody for 14 days before he was granted bail with N500 million.
Turaki was subsequently brought before a court for trial on September 19, 2017.
No progress has been made since then as no available record on the case.
Oluwaseun Ogunbambo – N5.46 billion and N1 billion fuel subsidy scam
Trial is yet to re-open and no update is available in the case of Oluwaseun Ogunbambo as one of the five suspects EFCC arraigned on November 12, 2012 over the looting of over N5.4 billion under the guise of fuel supply.
Oluwaseun Ogunbambo was arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited, Mamman Nasir Ali, Christian Taylor, and Olabisi Abdul-Afeez before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court.
They were all accused of obtaining N5.46 billion from the Federal Government by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accrued to them under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 61,049,937.00 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on February 14, 2013, gave the EFCC approval to seize assets belonging to Seun Ogunbambo, Mamman Ali and two suspects standing trial for engaging in extensive fuel subsidy fraud.
The EFCC was to take possession of the assets pending the outcome of the trial. Justice Onigbanjo, on February 10, 2014 issued a bench warrant against Ogunbambo for failing to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial.
In his ruling, Justice Onigbanjo said there was no exceptional circumstance to warrant the court vacating the bench warrant.
The judge said the warrant was to ensure that Ogunbambo was brought to court for speedy conclusion of the trial.
Justice Onigbanjo dismissed the application of the defence and advised the EFCC to arrest Ogunbambo.
He was declared wanted by the EFCC in 2016. The case is still pending with no updated record to determine the current status.
Read also:
High profile corruption: How N1.2b fraud jailed Dariye 10 years; as Wagbatsoma escapes hammer
[This Publication includes part of a compendium by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) covering corruption cases as at 22nd of November, 2019.