Two witnesses who gave crucial statements during the investigation into a N29billion naira fraud case against the former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako have died mysteriously.
A detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) Adekunle Odofin, on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, that two people who made “crucial statements” during the investigation into a N29billion fraud case involving Murtala Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa State, died mysteriously after giving their statements.
Odofin told the court that the two people were very vital to the prosecution of the case.
Murtala Nyako is being prosecuted by the Commission, alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba, on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N29billion.
Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds – Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.
Testifying as the twentieth prosecution witness, Odofin, who had started his testimony on June 23, 2018 and tendered documents which were admitted in evidence, told the court on November 26, 2018, that one Mohammad Maj Iro, who was the General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, the Regional Manager in charge of North-East, and the Account Officer of Adamawa State 200 accounts, domiciled in Zenith bank, died after making “crucial statements”, at the time of filing the case in the court.
While being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, on November 27, 2018, the detective told the court that the Commission also extended invitations to one Dalhatu Abdulmalik, who was the cousin to Murtala Nyako and the Director of Ameak Investment Limited, Kirkelly Investment Limited and Pilkola Engineering Limited, and that after giving his own statement, during the point of filing the case in court, he also died.
(EFCC)