Alleged N11billion fraud against ex-Gov Shema adjourned till May 30, 31

The trial of former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema and three officials of his administration on  the  alleged misappropriation of N11 billion during the tenure of the former Governor resumed at the Katsina State High Court on Tuesday with the arraignment of the accused on 24 count amendments charges.

Former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftancy Affairs,  Sani Hamisu Makana, former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Lawal Ahmed Safana and former Chairman ALGON Katsina State chapter, Ibrahim Dankaba pleaded not guilty to the 24 count amended charges.

At the resumption of the trial , one of the prosecution counsels,  Dr J. O Olatoke SAN called the first witness in the trial , one Ibrahim Dabo who introduced himself as former Auditor General of Katsina State said he was the chairman of the Committee set up by Governor Aminu Bello Masari in 2015 to investigate  the State Universal Basic Education Board and Local Governments finances between year 2007 and 2015. He said the Committee submitted the report of its findings to Governor Aminu Bello Masari.

When the prosecutors Witness was asked by the prosecution Counsel , Dr J. O. Olatoke SAN to state the content of the Committee report, this was objected by defence counsel, E. Y. Kura SAN, he  said  the prosecution witness needs to submit the report to the court and not by oral statement which the trial Judge, Justice Maikaita Bako agreed with the Kura that the report of the Committee should be tendered to the Court..

However in a twist of the event at the trial, the prosecution counsel, Olatoke seeks for the adjournment of the trial on the basis that the report of the Committee is not ready. This request for adjournment infuriated the defence Counsel for the first accused person , J. B. Dawodu SAN,  who said it is unfortunate that despite the preparedness of the accused to clear their names and prove their innocence,  the Prosecution Counsels are employing delay tactics to frustrate and delay the trial.

The trial Judge, Justice Maikaita Bako however adjourned the trial till May, 30th and 31st.