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Tag: Ibrahim Shema

  • Ex-Katsina Governor Shema joins APC

    Ex-Katsina Governor Shema joins APC

    Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Alhaji Shema was governor in the Northwest State between 2007 and 2015, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    After registering at the Shema Ward party office, Dutsin-ma Local Government Area, the one-time governor was issued the APC membership card with serial number 26551 by the state’s party Chairman, Alhaji Sani Aliyu-Daura.

    Aliyu-Daura commended Governor Dikko Radda and his immediate predecessor Aminu Masari for their roles in securing the defection of the influential figure.

    He assured the former governor of equal treatment, just like any other party member.

    The Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Jabiru Abdullahi-Tasuri, presented the membership card to Shema on behalf of the governor in Dutsin-ma.

    He quoted the governor as saying that the party had recorded a momentous achievement by welcoming such a prominent figure from the opposition.

    “This mark a historic shift in the political landscape of the state, the defection is a homecoming and a reunion with political family members,” Radda said.

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    The governor recalled that both Shema and Masari, once served under the leadership of the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

    He explained that though, the duo later separated by certain circumstances and individual goals, they were now back on the same side.

    The governor called on other patriotic citizens of the state to join hands in repositioning the state for greatness.

    He reiterated that his doors were open to anyone willing to contribute to the development of the state.

    Shema said he joined the APC to contribute to the development of the state and the country in general.

  • Shema: Katsina High Court bows to Appeal Court Ruling

    The Federal High Court sitting in Katsina and presided over by Justice Hadiza Shagari on Wednesday ruled she would comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling which directed the court to decide on whether or not it has jurisdiction to entertain the alleged money laundering charges brought against former Governor Ibrahim Shema at the high court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The  Nation recalled that EFCC had dragged Shema before the high court, slamming him with  26 count charges, all bordering on alleged  laundering  of over five billion naira belonging to the state  SURE -P while in office.

    Shema’s counsel had equally challenged the competence of the court to entertain the case, since similar issue was subject to litigation before the Katsina State High Court & the Federal High Court, Abuja respectively.

    Justice Babagana Ashigar who was previously presiding at the high court, deferred ruling on the competence of the court to entertain the case until all issues concerning it( the case) were first entertained.

    Shema, through his counsel, subsequently approached the Appeal court in Kaduna to determine whether the high court has jurisdiction to entertain the case, in the first instance.

    The Appeal Court, in its ruling, directed the high court to determine whether it has jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    At the resumed sitting,the lead counsel for the EFCC, Dr. Joseph Olatoke told the high court that the commission was ready to continue with Shema’s trial.

    He also told the court that a prosecution witness was already in court in readiness for the continuation of the case.

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    Shema’s lead counsel, Chief Sebastine Hon drew the attention of the court to the ruling of the Court of Appeal which he said, was delivered in February that it(the High Court) must first determine whether it has jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

    Chief Hon told the court that he had a certified true copy of the Appeal court ruling, to further drive home his argument.

    He said “Your lordship, the court of Appeal has directed that this court should rule on our observation, according to section 287 of the Constitution.Your lordship should please abide by that order.We have a certified true copy of the court’s judgment.”

    Dr. Olatoke however told the high court that it could still continue with the trial, declaring “The court cannot make ruling on an application filed before a judge who has been transferred. If the defence is interested in the application, they ought to have moved an application before your lordship who has taken over as the new judge.”

    Chief Hon told the court that he was ready to move the new application on the jurisdiction of the court, adding “we are ready now to move an application.”

    Dr. Olatoke however explained to the court that even if the application was moved, the prosecution would still need time to file counter affidavit on that application.

    Justice Shagari consequently directed Shema’s counsel to file the application, assuring that she was ready to entertain it as directed by the Appeal court.

    She adjourned sitting to May 28, 2019 during which she would commence hearing and entertain all issues concerning the new application.

  • Shema: Katsina High court reserves ruling till July 9

    A Katsina High Court on Tuesday reserved till July 9, for ruling on the admissibility or otherwise of the report of committee that investigated Local Governments Finances as evidence against the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema for misappropriating about N11 billion during his tenure.

    During the court proceedings on Tuesday, Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Dabo, was called to testify where he presented the document before the court. Dabo told the court that he was appointed chairman of the committee in 2015.

    He said that the committee discovered irregularity in payments and misappropriation of public funds from the State and local Governments Joint Account.

    He said ‘’That Joint Account committee never held a single meeting and there is no single minute of meeting, ’’.

    The lead counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that the only admissible document is oral testimony as such the document is faulty.

    He further maintained that prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt to provide evidence that the offense was committed.

    He said ‘’The witness is not a clearing house of a court, I urged the court to reject it,’’

    Mr Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the then commissioner for local government, Sani Makana, said that written documents are required to supply missing links on oral testimony.

    He said ‘’the document is incomplete because it contained 25 anecdotes and I have not found anyone in it,’’. He urged the court to reject it.

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    The lead counsel to the prosecution, Sam Ologunarisa, SAN, argued that the document is not a report of the Commission of Inquiry, adding that all what the witness said was that a committee was set-up to investigate the Local Governments Finances and SUBEB, ‘’no more, no less’’.

    He said that section 1 and 4 of the Evidence Act revealed that the document is admissible and is applicable under section 67 of the same act. He urged the court to overrule the objection of the defendant counsels.

    The judge, Justice Ibrahim Maikaita Bako, adjourned the sitting to July 9, for ruling on the document presented before the court as evidence.

    Recall that Ibrahim Shema, the former governor of Katsina state has been standing trial over  alleged money laundering case amounting to N11 billion

    Shema alongside the former Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs Hamisu Makana, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Lawal Rufai, and the then Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairman Lawal Dankaba were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 24-count charge.

  • N11bn fraud: Court adjourns Shema’s case until june 12

    A Katsina High Court on Wednesday adjourned until June 12 the N11billion fraud case filed against Ibrahim Shema, former governor of Katsina State, to enable his counsel peruse the report that indicted him.

    The court adjourned the case to enable the defence counsel study report of the Committee on Local Government Finances, which indicted the ex-governor of misappropriating N11billion.

    The lead defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had said that they want to see the court follow due process.

    He said that during the last adjourned date, they requested for the report, that indicted Shema and three others.

    Daudu said that they didn’t hear from the prosecution until May 28, 2018, which was a public holiday.

    He explained that their expectation was that they would be served with the report in good time to enable them go through it and compare it with the one before the commission of inquiry.

    He urged the court to give them adequate time to study the report.

    In his submission, the prosecution counsel, Olatoke Olukayode, SAN, argued that the report was submitted to the commission of inquiry and a copy served on the defence.

    He further said that the document was not a motion that would entitle them to react within 48 hours.

    Olukayode also said that public holiday would not affect reading of public document.

    He urged the court to refuse the application and allow the prosecution to call its witness to give evidence.

    In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim Bako, adjourned the case until June 12,  to enable the defence counsel go through the report.

    Other defendants in the case are: Former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sani Makana, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Lawal Rufai and the ex-ALGON Chairman, Lawal Dankaba.

  • EFCC arraigns ex-governor Shema for SURE-P fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned a former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, before Justice Babagana Ashgar of the Federal High Court on a 26-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering of N5, 776,552,396.

    Shema was accused of laundering the cash which was allegedly stolen from the account of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in Katsina.

    The ex-governor, in a statement on Tuesday night, said he was being persecuted by Governor Aminu Masari.

    According to a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the suspect allegedly conspired with one Idris Kwado who is on the run, to perpetrate the fraud.

    One of the charges against the former governor reads:  “That you Ibrahim Shehu Shema whilst being the Executive Governor of Katsina State on or about the 17th February, 2014 at Katsina, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did indirectly control the sum of N502,216,400 withdrawn from Katsina State SURE-P bank account  meant for peace education, advocacy and mediation programme which money you ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; Fraud and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    Shema pleaded not guilty to the charges but the court dismissed his application challenging the competency of the charge and jurisdiction of court to try him.

    Justice Ashgar agreed with the submission of the prosecuting counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), that  objections as stipulated in section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 can only be taken after the plea of the defendant has been taken.

    Consequently, the application was dismissed.

     

  • Alleged N11bn fraud: Supreme Court okays prosecution of ex-Katsina Governor Shema, three others

    Alleged N11bn fraud: Supreme Court okays prosecution of ex-Katsina Governor Shema, three others

    The Supreme Court yesterday okayed the prosecution of former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, and three other ex-principal officers of the state for money laundering and corruption related charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In a judgment yesterday, the court held that the 22-count charge filed by the EFCC before the High Court of Katsina State and other documents filed with it as proof of evidence were dully filed and competent within the requirement under Section 36(6)(a)&(b) of the Constitution.

    A seven-man panel of the court rejected Shema’s and others’ challenge of the EFCC to prosecute them before the High Court of Katsina State and under the law of the state.

    Justice Sidi Dauda Barge, who read the lead judgment, resolved the two issues identified for determination, in favour of the EFCC. The issues were that the EFCC could prosecute under any law once it relates to economic and financial crimes  and that the EFCC’s failure to provide the appellants with all documents relating to the charge did not amount to a violation of their right to fair hearing.

    The EFCC had, upon a petition from the Katsina State Government, investigated the allegation of diversion of N11billion against Shema and three others. The commission consequently filed a 22-count charge against them before the state High Court last year.

    They were charged, among others, with conspiracy, money laundering, corruption, criminal breach of trust, aiding and abetting. They were accused of diverting local governments’ funds.

    The others are Sani Hamisu Makana (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars), Lawal Ahmad Safana (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy AffiarsI and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba (Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Before their pleas could be taken, Shema and others filed an application on January 4, 2017, challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the grounds that the EFCC cannot initiate a criminal proceeding against them in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN).

    They argued that the EFCC has no powers to prosecute a state offence even with the fiat of the Attorney General of Katsina State. They also argued that the prosecution violated that right to fair hearing under Section 36(6) of the Constitution by failing to furnish them with all the documents relating to the case and necessary for their defence in the case.

    The trial court dismissed the application in a ruling on February 12, 2017 and ordered them to submit themselves for trial, a decision they appealed to the Court of Appeal, Kaduna. The Court of Appeal, in a judgment on September 12, 2017, dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the High Court, prompting them to appeal to the Supreme Court.

    Justice Bage, in his lead judgment yesterday upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    He said with the damage so far done to the nation’s development by corruption, the general mood of the society, including all courts in the land, was a revolt against corruption, requiring the collaboration of all agencies of the government, both at state and federal levels to address.

    Justice Bage proceeded to upheld the finding of the Court of Appeal to the effect that the powers and duties of the EFCC as stated under Section 13(2) of EFCC Act, allows the Legal and Prosecution Unit of the commission to prosecute offenders under the Act.

    Another member of the panel, Justice Ejembi Eko slightly disagreed with the majority decision when he held that the defendants were entitled to being provided will all necessary materials to prepare their defence. He said it was immaterial whether or not their pleas had been taken.

    Justice Eko said such materials were more relevant before the defendants plead to the charge to enable them know beforehand what offences they were required to plead to.

    Other members of the panel: Justices Mary Peter-Odili, Musa Dattijo Mohammed, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Amina Augie and Paul Adamu Galinje agreed with the lead judgment.

    Shema and other appellants, while responding through their lawyer, A. T. Kehinde (SAN), said they were not deterred by the judgment, because it will provide them with the opportunity to prove their innocence when trial commences.

    They insisted that they were innocent and that the current administration in the state was merely out to rubbish their integrity.

  • Alleged fraud: Supreme Court orders ex-governor Shema to face trial

    Alleged fraud: Supreme Court orders ex-governor Shema to face trial

    The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the judgment of Court of Appeal, Kaduna, which authorised the trial of ex-governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema.

    The ex-governor is standing trial for alleged N11 billion fraud.

    Shema was arraigned along Sani Makana, Lawal Safana and Ibrahim Dankaba by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Delivering judgement on the interlocutory application filed by the accused persons,  Justice Sidi Bage held that the constitution  empowered the EFCC to prosecute suspects on graft allegations at federal and state levels.

    Justice Bage added that evidence placed before the apex court had shown that the EFCC front-loaded necessary documents along with the charge sheet to the applicants to prepare their defence.

    He said: “The action of the ex-governor and the three other applicants cannot tempt the court to over-rule itself.

    “The apex court took time to explain the powers of the EFCC to work within both federal laws and penal codes of states in ex-governors’ Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame similar applications.

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    “The full strength of the court met over this application and we have resolved not to over-rule ourselves on application that is clearly meritorious

    “In the circumstance, the application is dismissed on the grounds that the EFCC has the powers to prosecute anybody found to have committed fraud in any part of the country.

    “The panel therefore affirms the judgment of the Appeal Court, Kaduna, delivered on September 13, 2017, which mandated the applicants to submit themselves to trial at the High Court of Katsina.”

    EFCC had arraigned Shema and other accused persons before Justice Maikaita Bako of the state High Court for allegedly defrauding the state during his eight years stint as governor.

    The defendants had approached the apex court to set aside the decisions of the lower courts.

     

    NAN

  • Alleged N11bn fraud: Shema ‘s trial to begin Feb.13

    Alleged N11bn fraud: Shema ‘s trial to begin Feb.13

    A Katsina State High Court has fixed Feb 13, 2018, for mention of the case filed by Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC ) against ex-governor Ibrahim Shema, alleged to have misappropriated N11 billion state fund.

    Shema had challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the case but lost at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna.

    The ex-governor is now at the Supreme Court, which has fixed Nov. 8, to hear his appeal on the verdict by the appellate court.

    During the proceedings at the state High Court on Tuesday in Katsina, the defence counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), prayed the court to adjourn the case, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on jurisdiction.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Mr Earnest Obunadike objected to the request by  the defence, urging the court to proceed with the trial.

    The judge, Justice Ibrahim Maikaita-Bako, who adjourned the case to Feb. 13, 2018, for mention, however, said the court might fix an earlier date, if the Supreme Court delivers its verdict before the adjourned date.

    NAN reports that the Katsina State Government had petitioned the EFCC accusing Shema of misappropriating about N11 billion during his tenure.

    NAN

  • Commission of Inquiry: Katsina vows to recover N58.5bn diverted funds

    Commission of Inquiry: Katsina vows to recover N58.5bn diverted funds

    The Katsina State Government on Sunday said it would use all legal means to recover N58.5 billion allegedly diverted by former governor Ibrahim Shema and some of his lieutenants.

    Gov. Aminu Masari said this in Katsina while receiving the main report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on missing funds and properties from the commission’s Chairman, Mr Ado Ma’aji.

    He said the state government had established the commission to investigate the loss of funds and properties during the last days of his predecessor’s tenure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shema was the governor of Katsina State from 2007 to 2015.

    Masari said the state government was not investigating monies spent on executing projects but direct withdrawals from bank accounts belonging to ministries and parastatals.

    The governor said that a White Paper on the issue would soon be forwarded to the state Ministry of Justice for legal consideration.

    Masari said that the funds that were allegedly diverted by the people in question were so huge that the government would not contemplate on not retrieving them.

    He said administrative actions would be taken on those involved that are still serving the state government, while those who are no longer on the state payroll would face legal action.

    “The amount in question is so huge that it cannot be a mistake.

    “If we have such money, we would have transformed the state and made it much better than what it is now.

    “Government will take immediate action on officials found to be involved.

    “We’ll look at the system and those wrongs not connected to individuals would be checked to forestall future occurrence,” he said.

    The governor assured the people of the state that he would pursue the recovery of the money no matter how long it would take.

    Ma’aji had earlier said the commission discovered that a whooping sum of N58.5 billion was unaccounted for after analysing 13 Memoranda presented to it and evaluation of the testimonies of witnesses.

    He said the amount was more than the N55.5 billion the commission came up with during its submission of the interim report.

    The chairman said that the difference was the outcome of a painstaking and critical verification of the figures in producing the main report.

    He said more than N17.9 billion was found to have been diverted under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) and that over N14.9 billion went unaccounted for under the state’s Roads Maintenance Agency (KASROMA).

    He added that more than N10.1 billion was also unaccounted for on the activities of the Ministry of Environment, Department of Community Development, Special Duties, Girl Child Education and Almajiri affairs.

    He said over N15.4 billion was lost or unaccounted for on the activities of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Ma’aji said bulk of the amount was withdrawn from the state’s Joint Local Account into ALGON’s account, and that there was an instance of 87 cheques of between N9 million and N10 million withdrawn in cash on the same day.

    He said the 89 withdrawals were made on May 28, 2015, which was the twilight of Shema’s administration in the state.

    Reacting to the development, Shema said that he was being witch-hunted by Masari’s administration.

    Shema, who spoke through one of his aides, Mr Oluwabusola Olawale, said that he did not commit any fraud during his tenure.

    The ex-governor said that he executed meaningful projects for the development of the state, adding that he has no regrets serving the people of the state.

  • Court adjourns Shema’s corruption trial till June 6

    Court adjourns Shema’s corruption trial till June 6

    A Katsina State High Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the corruption trial involving a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shema, till June 6.

    Shema is is standing trial for alleged conspiracy, forgery and diversion of N11 billion public funds.

    Arraigned alongside the former governor are former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sani Makana, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Lawal Safana and former ALGON Chairman, Lawal Dankaba.

    The offences contravene Sections 312 and 364, Cap 96 of the Penal Code, Laws of Katsina State, 1991.

    When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, Justice Ibrahim Bako said the adjournment became necessary following the defendants’ application  challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try the case.

    He said the court stepped down the case until the appeal court rule on the matter.

    “The court has adjourned the case to June 6 for situation report on the matter,’’ the judge said.

    Earlier, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the defence counsel, had told the judge that the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, would sit on the matter on May 25.

    NAN