Independent Corrupt and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC in a three count charge filed against a former Executive Director (Retail), Aso Savings and Loan Plc, Abuja and a dropped member of the Independent Corrupt and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC governing board, Maimuna Aliyu before an Abuja High Court had explained how the defendant diverted about N57 million being sales from the property belonging to the bank.
Though, the defendant was supposed to be arraigned on Wednesday, but it was stalled due to her absence.
Maimuna is the mother of Maryam Sanda, who allegedly murdered her husband, the son of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
When the matter was called yesterday, Prosecuting Counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that though the matter was for arraignment of the defendant but that the prosecution had some difficulties serving court processes on her.
He added that she was eventually served through the IPO, who claimed that he (IPO) told her of the arraignment date.
According to him, “since we did not procure hearing notice from the court to serve, we take responsibility of her absence in court”.
He however prayed the court for a short adjournment to serve her with the hearing notice.
Defence counsel, J.K Gadzama SAN informed the court that his client was not aware of the arraignment and hence, the reason for her absence.
He added that, he was not present when the IPO served the defendant with the process.
He undertook to bring the defendant to court at the next adjourned date.
After hearing the parties, the trial judge, Justice. Nasiru adjourned till December 14.
The Federal Government had slammed a three count charge on the defendant bothering on diversion of about N57 million belonging to Aso Savings and Loans for her personal use.
The FG alleged that Maimuna Aliyu on the 7th of December, 2012 or thereabout in Abuja, being the Executive Director (Retail) of Aso Savings and Loan Plc, Abuja at the time, used her said position to confer corrupt advantage upon herself when she received the sum of about 360,000 dollars, the equivalent of N57 million at the time being the amount for the sale of Plots Nos 2432; and 2434 all in Cadastral Zone BO8, Jahi District, Abuja property of Aso Saving and Loans Plc: from one Banagana Bashir on behalf of Vincent Msheila and you failed to remit the said amount to Aso Savings and Loans Plc as required: and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
She was also accused making a false statements to the operatives of ICPC, in the course of their official duties that Plots Nos 2432;2433 and 2437 all in Cadastral Zone, BO8, Jahi District, Abuja, properties of Aso Savings and Loans plc were sold to Bangana Bashir acting as agent to Vincent Msheila of Subwang Global Integrated Limited, and that she handed over the sum of N57 million being the amount for the sale of the said plots at the time, to one Bilikisu Rimi (Company Secretary, Aso Savings and Loans Plc, Abuja), statement you knew to be false; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1)(a) and (b) of the ICPC Act, 2000.
Maimuna Aliyu was also accused to have on 7th December, 2012 or thereabout in Abuja, being the Executive Director (Retail) of Aso Savings and Loan Plc, Abuja at the time entrusted with the original copies of the offer letters in respect of Plots Nos 2432; and 2434 all in Cadastral Zone BO8, Jahi District, for the purposes of selling same on behalf of Aso Saving and Loans Plc, did commit criminal breach of trust when you disposed of the said plots of land to Banagana Bashir acting as agent for Vincent Msheila of Subwang Global Integrated Limited and you dishonestly misappropriated the total sum of N57 million at the time as you did not remit the said amount to Aso Savings and Loans Plc, as required; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532, Laws of the Northern Nigeria 1990.
