The trial of a former Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, got underway on Thursday before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission presenting its first witness, Ibrahim Andrew.
Fintiri, who was also a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, is facing a five-count charge of money laundering.
He was arraigned on June 30, 2016 alongside Mayim Construction and Properties Limited for allegedly laundering monies to the tune of N2.9 billion through his naira and dollar accounts domiciled at Ecobank Plc as well as making a large cash payment for the purchase of a property at Plot Number 7, Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja when he held sway as the acting governor of the State.
The offence is in contravention of Section 15(2)(a) of the Money laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act.
Andrew, while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Larry P. Aso,
told the court that when he was appointed Secretary to the State Government, he requested for briefing from various ministries and their responses showed that state funds running billions of naira were misappropriated.
He also explained how the defendant during the press briefing as the acting Governor claimed to have received N21 billon in the 86 days he spent in office.
The witness went further to explain how the defendant also claimed to have spent N2.8 billion on projects, mainly in Malamre Ward in Jimeta Local Government Area, which was under attack of insurgents at that time.
On the transaction of N475 million, which was meant for the construction of Faculty of Law at the Adamawa State University, the witness said there was no construction, adding that only the foundation was laid.
Two documents were tendered as exhibits.
Though the defence counsel, M. A. Magaji, objected its admissibility, his objection was overruled and the documents were admitted as exhibits A and B.
The case has been adjourned to March 2, 2017 for the continuation of trial.
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