The trial of former minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama, continued today Monday, May 13, 2019 before Justice Hammada Dashen of the Federal High Court, sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, with the testimony of two prosecution witnesses, who shed light into how money was shared among politicians in Yobe state.
According to the statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Bulama is being prosecuted on a seven-count charge, bordering on criminal conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N450million.
Abdul Bulama is facing trial alongside Mohammed Kadai, a former Yobe State commissioner for Intergraded and Rural Development, Abba Gana Tata; Dr. Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks.
Prosecution Witness Four, Dr. Mairo Ahmad Amshi, who is a farmer and a house wife while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmad, informed the court that on March 27, 2016, they received a list of 2015 Presidential and Senatorial Election Committee members for disbursement of funds for Jakusko Local Government Area, Zone C.
“I received a note authorizing the committee to collect cash from First Bank, Gashuwa Branch and a template given by Hassan Ibn Jaks in the presence of Dr. Lawal Yarima Ngama and Alhaji Sani Elkatuso for the disbursement of the fund.”
She further stated that, First Bank, Gashuwa Branch, released to them the cash sum of N32, 440,000 after the authority letter was presented to bank. “The said fund was taken to Jakusko for disbursement in line with the template given by the Jakusko LGA committee on funds disbursement,” Mairo said.
According to her, “I presented the template to the operatives of Maiduguri Zonal Office (EFCC) and how the funds were disbursed, duly signed by beneficiaries for the 2015 Presidential and Senatorial elections.”
During cross-examination, Dr. Mairo answered in the affirmative that, the template was prepared by three people comprising Dr. Yarima Lawal Ngama, Alhaji Sani Elkatuso and the fifth defendant, Alhaji Hassan Ibn Jaks.