The Economic and Finacial Crimes
Commission( EFCC) yesterday finalised plans for the trial of a former Group
Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr.
Andrew Yakubu, over $9,772,800 slush cash.
Also, the embattled ex-GMD lost his battle for bail yesterday
following the obtaining of a court order by the EFCC to remand him in
custody pending his arraignment in court.
But the EFCC’s latest investigation revealed that the ex-GMD
did not tell his
brother, Bitrus Yakubu, that he was hiding such a huge sum in
a safe in the slums of the Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna.
Detectives were shocked that Bitrus got to know after they
discovered the safe.
As at press time, the EFCC has concluded that Bitrus will not be
prosecuted under any guise.
According to findings by our correspondent, the Head of Zonal Office of the
EFCC in Kano has submitted a comprehensive brief on the investigation of Andrew
Yakubu to the Acting Chairman of the agency, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
It was learnt that a “prima facie case has
been established against the former GMD and he is recommended for immediate
trial.”
A top source in the EFCC said: “From the
weight of evidence so far, we have taken a decision that the former GMD should
be on trial anytime next week.
“We are ready with charges preferred
against him and we will be in court any moment from next week.”
Responding to a question, the source
added: “In line with our commitment to the rule of law, the EFCC has obtained a
court order to remand Andrew Yakubu in custody until it is ready to arraign him
in court.
“In fact, Andrew Yakubu is yet to make the
list of those who purportedly gave him the $9.7m as a gift. He has been
adamant.”
On the fate of Bitrus, the younger brother
of the ex-GMD, the source added: “Investigation has not linked him to the slush
funds in any manner whatsoever. He has no case to answer.
“Detectives actually discovered that Bitrus Yakubu did not know that such a
huge cash of $9,772,800 was hidden in a safe in his brother’s house in the
slums of Sabon Tasha in Kaduna.
“So far, Bitrus will not be prosecuted. It
is only his brother that will carry the cross.”
A statement by the Head of Media and
Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said a special operation conducted
by operatives on February 3 yielded the recovery of a staggering
$9,772,800 and another sum of £74,000 cash.
The statement said: “The huge cash was
hidden in a fire-proof safe. The surprise raid of the facility was sequel to an
intelligence which the commission received about suspected proceeds of crime
believed to be hidden in the slums of the Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna.
“On arrival at the facility, the caretaker
of the house, one Bitrus Yakubu, a younger brother to Andrew Yakubu, disclosed
that both the house and the safe where the money was found belong to his
brother, Andrew Yakubu.
“When the safe was opened, it was discovered
that it contained the sum of $9,772,800 and £74,000 .
“On February 8, 2017, Andrew Yakubu
reported to the commission’s zonal office in Kano and made statement wherein he
admitted ownership of the recovered money, claiming it was a gift from unnamed
persons”.
thenation
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