The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, May 29, 2018 arraigned the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama before Justice Hammada Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State, on a 7-count charge of criminal conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N229million.

Bulama, who was also the coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organization, was arraigned alongside Hon. Mohammed Kadai, a former Commissioner for Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State and deputy coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Yobe State; Abba Gana Tata; Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks.

The defendants allegedly conspired to make cash transactions above threshold without going through financial institution. Investigation was conducted and facts were established against them.

Count one of the charge reads:
“That you, DR. ABDU BULAMA, HON. MOHAMMED KADAI, ABBA GANA TATA, MUHAMMAD MAMU AND HASSAN IBN JAKS on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 at Damaturu, Yobe State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did agree among yourselves to do illegal act, to wit: conspiracy to commit Money Laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended”.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts.

Counsel to the EFCC, Al’Qasim Ja’afar, thereafter, asked the court to fix a date for the prosecution to present its witnesses.

Justice Hammada Isa Dashen adjourned the matter to the July 3, 2018 for hearing of bail application and ordered the defendants to be remanded in the EFCC custody.

                               Media and Publicity
                                   29 June, 2018