EFCC re-arraigns three National Assembly directors in alleged N337m fraud case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved to re-arraign 3 elder officials of the National Assembly implicit an alleged N337.06 cardinal fraud, but the process was stalled on Monday following preliminary objections raised by the defence earlier a Federal Capital Territory High Court successful Jikwoyi, Abuja.

The defendants are Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty, Director of Public Affairs successful the Directorate of Special Duties and Parliamentary Security; Mamud Alhaji Abubakar, a erstwhile Permanent Secretary successful the National Assembly Service; and Igba Ityoakura Joseph, a Deputy Director of Procurement.

According to the EFCC, “The trio were scheduled to beryllium re-arraigned earlier Muhammed Zubairu connected an amended 23-count complaint bordering connected conspiracy, forgery, transgression breach of trust, authoritative corruption and the alleged diversion of National Assembly funds amounting to N337,062,350”.

Proceedings, however, could not proceed aft counsel to the 2nd defendant, Muhammed Ndayako, filed a preliminary objection seeking the striking retired of counts three, four, five, six, 7 and 18 of the amended charge.

Ndayako argued that the affected counts were incompetent and amounted to an effort to revive charges that had already been quashed by the tribunal successful a ruling delivered connected 12 May 202...