Alleged N450M Fraud: Dakingari, others, Remanded in Prison Custody

Matilda Omonaiye/

Justice Sunday Bassey Onu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kebbi has remanded the former governor of Kebbi State, Usman Saidu Dakingari and two others in prison custody today.

Others charged alongside Dakingari are former Secretary to the State, Rabiu Kamba and Ambassador Sunday Dogonyaro.

Dakingari and his co-defendants were arraigned on Thursday, December 6th on a 13-count charge of Conspiracy and Money Laundering to the tune of N450, 000,000.

The defendants allegedly connived and collected the sum of N450, 000,000, part of the sum of $115,000,000 that was allegedly distributed by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deizani Allison Madueke for the purpose of influencing the 2015 general election.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Subsequently, counsels representing them moved a bail application on their behalf.

The bail application was argued and the matter was adjourned to today for a ruling.

In his ruling, Justice Onu granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000,000 each and one surety. The surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The defendants are to deposit their international passports and swore an affidavit of undertaking that they will never travel out without the leave of the court.

The defendants were remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

The matter has been adjourned to February 6th and 7th for trial.

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