A Federal High Court sitting in Dutse has stopped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from arresting the former state governor, Senator Saminu Turaki over alleged money laundering during his eight years administration in the state.
The commission had earlier, declared Turaki wanted just as the warrant for his arrest was pasted in his houses at Kazaure, Kano and Abuja respectively.
Turaki was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on a 32-count charge of misappropriating N36 billion while in office.
The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT Court. He was subsequently re-arraigned on a 32-count charge at the Federal High Court in the state.
Defence counsel, Mr Saidu Tudunwada recalled that the court in the past has squashed the case due to lack of evidence to prove that his client was involved in any shady deal, saying the revisiting of the case was aimed at tarnishing Turaki’s hard earned image.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Sabiu Yahuza has advised EFCC to stop arresting Turaki, and adjourned the case till February 4, 2015 for further hearing.
