A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered
that the deputy speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Dogara
Mato be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).
Mato was arraigned alongside six others before Justice Marcel Awokulehin on a six count charge of fraudulent conversion of state funds to the tune of N17 million.
The other six accused persons include the interim chairman of Lere local government, Mr. Kabiru Tahir Malali, former director of finance in Lere local government, Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, former director of works, Lere local government, Mr. Billy Graham Amos, former director of personnel management, Lere local government, Mr. Yusha’u Aboki, head of health, Lere local government, Mrs. Hannatu Iliya, and former acting chairman, Lere local government, Mr. Eric Alhassan.
Having pleaded not guilty to all the charges, prosecution counsel, Mr. Sa’ad Hannafi prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
He specifically prayed the court to remand the deputy speaker in EFCC custody, as there is fresh petition against him that warrants further interrogation.
Responding to the prosecution counsel’s submission, Mr. Habib Ahmed, who led the defence team, told the court that they had filed applications for bail on behalf of their clients, and were ready to move the motion.
Their prayer was overruled by Justice Awokulehin who observed that the applications were not ripe for hearing, as the prosecution will also have to respond.
He directed that the six other suspects be remanded in Kaduna Prison.
Dr. Mato Dogara had served as the chairman of Lere local government area and commissioner in Kaduna state.
The matter has been adjourned to January 24th for commencement of trial.
Mato was arraigned alongside six others before Justice Marcel Awokulehin on a six count charge of fraudulent conversion of state funds to the tune of N17 million.
The other six accused persons include the interim chairman of Lere local government, Mr. Kabiru Tahir Malali, former director of finance in Lere local government, Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, former director of works, Lere local government, Mr. Billy Graham Amos, former director of personnel management, Lere local government, Mr. Yusha’u Aboki, head of health, Lere local government, Mrs. Hannatu Iliya, and former acting chairman, Lere local government, Mr. Eric Alhassan.
Having pleaded not guilty to all the charges, prosecution counsel, Mr. Sa’ad Hannafi prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
He specifically prayed the court to remand the deputy speaker in EFCC custody, as there is fresh petition against him that warrants further interrogation.
Responding to the prosecution counsel’s submission, Mr. Habib Ahmed, who led the defence team, told the court that they had filed applications for bail on behalf of their clients, and were ready to move the motion.
Their prayer was overruled by Justice Awokulehin who observed that the applications were not ripe for hearing, as the prosecution will also have to respond.
He directed that the six other suspects be remanded in Kaduna Prison.
Dr. Mato Dogara had served as the chairman of Lere local government area and commissioner in Kaduna state.
The matter has been adjourned to January 24th for commencement of trial.
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