The former minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, 4th May, for an alleged N714, 670, 014.87 (Seven Hundred and Fourteen Million Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Fourteen Naira) fraud.
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 16 count charge.
Also arraigned with him were his special assistant, Sampson Okpetu and two companies: Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited.
Turaki, SAN, was the Minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs from 2013 to 2015. He also served as the Minister of Labour from 2014 to 2015.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (whilst serving as Minister for Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs) sometime in January 2015 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did use the sum of N159,104,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, One Hundred and Four Thousand only) out of the sum of N359, 104,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, One Hundre and Four Thousand Naira only) released to the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs for the purpose of sensitization and enlightenment of Muslim Youths, knowing that the said sum is proceed of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation and you thereby committed an offense contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section (15(3) bf the same Act.”
Having taken a “not guilty” plea, Joe Gazama, Turaki’s lawyer, asked the court to grant bail to his client.
The bail application was unopposed by the EFCC.
Inyang Ekwo, the judge, granted the defendants bail on self recognition and on the same conditions granted to them in the administrative bail by the EFCC.
The judge ordered them not to travel outside the jurisdiction of the court.
He also asked the EFCC to deposit the passports of the defendants with the court’s registrar.
The judge adjourned the matter till June 22 for trial.
