Justice
Maikaita Bako of the Katsina State High Court today February 7, 2017 adjourned
for ruling on an application brought before him by the former governor of
Katsina State Ibrahim Shehu Shema and three others challenging jurisdiction of
the court and competency of the N11billion criminal charge of abuse of office
brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The
application was brought before the court at the last adjourned date through
their counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN. However, the prosecution brought a counter
affidavit through its counsel J.S Okutepa SAN and the case was adjourned to
today for argument.
At
the resumed hearing today, Daudu SAN argued that the court has no jurisdiction to try the
offences. However, Lateef Fagbemi SAN
who announced appearance for the prosecution argued that contrary to the
submission of the defence counsel, challenging the jurisdiction of the High
Court to try and prosecute state offences, Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment
Act has empowered the Commission to investigate and prosecute all kind of
economic and financial crimes including those under Penal Code.
After
listening to the argument of both counsel, Justice Bako adjourned the matter to
February 21, 2017 for ruling.
Shema
is being charged alongside three others, Sani Hamisu Makana, Lawal Ahmad Safana
and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba before Justice Maikaita Bako of the Katsina State
High Court for the alleged offences of criminal breach of trust, abuse of
office and conversion of public funds to the tune of over Eleven Billion Naira
during his tenure as governor.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head
Media & Publicity
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