N450m fraud: EFCC appeals Bulama’s discharge, acquittals

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has appealed the February 18, 2020 discharge and acquittal of a former minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdu Bulama and four others by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State.

Bulama, who was the coordinator of former President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation during the 2015 general election, was prosecuted alongside Mohammed Kadai, a former commissioner for Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State and deputy coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Yobe State; Abba Gana Tata; Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks on seven-count of laundering N450 million.

Investigations by the commission shows that Bulama and his co-defendants partook in the disbursement of huge sums of money in the build-up to the election without going through a financial institution.

The EFCC, in the notice of appeal, filed by its counsel, Mukhtar Ahmed, argued that the trial judge erred in law in the judgement, a statement on Tuesday by the EFCC said.

It was titled, ‘N450m fraud: EFCC appeals discharge, acquittal of Bulama, others.’

Ahmed in the appeal motion noted that “The ruling of the lower court delivered by Justice Dashen is a miscarriage of justice because of the failure of the trial court to properly evaluate the evidences brought before the court against the defendants.”

He urged the Appeal Court justices to overrule the lower court.