The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has ordered a former Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance and Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Mr. Bashir Mohammed Saidu, and his co-defendant, Mr. Ibrahim Murktar, to open their defence in an ongoing ₦155 million money laundering trial.
The case was instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Delivering ruling on the no-case submissions filed by the defendants, Justice Rilwan Aikawa dismissed the applications, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against them.
The court held that, from the totality of evidence presented by the ICPC, the defendants have questions to answer and must enter their respective defences.
Saidu and Murktar are being prosecuted on a four-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering offences under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The ICPC alleged that Murktar, who was a cashier in the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance at the time, withdrew the sum of ₦155 million in multiple cash tranches from the Kaduna State Exchange Gain Account.
According to the Commission, the funds were allegedly handed over in cash through a proxy for the benefit of Saidu, in violation of statutory financial regulations.
The ICPC further contended that the transactions, which were allegedly conducted outside the formal banking system, were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
The trial commenced after the defendants were arraigned on January 21, 2025.
During the proceedings, the prosecution called two witnesses and tendered several exhibits before closing its case.
The defendants subsequently filed no-case submissions, arguing that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to warrant them opening their defence.
However, the court disagreed, ruling that the prosecution had placed sufficient material before the court requiring explanations from the defendants.
Justice Aikawa consequently ordered the defendants to open their defence.
The ICPC, in its reaction, reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing corruption cases to their logical conclusion and upholding transparency and accountability in public service.
The ICPC, in its reaction, reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing corruption cases to their logical conclusion and upholding transparency and accountability in public service.