Court clears ex-Jigawa gov, Turaki, of N8.3b alleged fraud

Saminu Turaki, the former governor of Jigawa state, was cleared of N8.3 billion fraud by a Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed the corruption allegations against him.

A 33-count charge against Turaki and three other businesses has been the subject of a trial since May 4, 2007.

Turaki was detained by the EFCC in July 2017 for allegedly misusing Jigawa State finances while he was the governor.

For his corruption trial in early December 2021, Turaki made his first court appearance after years of regular absences.

The 32-count corruption allegation against him and his co-defendants has been pending against them for more than 14 years, and the former governor made an appearance before the Dutse Division of the Federal High Court in Jigawa State on December 7.

The proceedings on December 7 were heard by Hassan Dikko, a judge who had just been given the case. Following the recent retirement of the former judge S. Yahuza from the Federal High Court’s bench, the case was reassigned to Dikko.

Due to Yahuza’s retirement, the 2007 trial for Turaki had to be reopened, with the defendants entering new pleas.

On December 7, the former governor was re-arrested and entered a not-guilty plea to all 32 charges.