The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned a former governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Shinkafi alongside three others before Justice Fatima Murtala of the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau on a five-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.

Others charged alongside Mr. Shinkafi were the former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, Aminu Nahuche, and Ibrahim Malaha.

The defendants allegedly conspired and received a cash payment of ₦450 million, part of the $115 million that was allegedly distributed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deizani Allison-Madueke for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the 2015 general election.

One of the charges read: “That you Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Aminu Ahmed Nahuche and Ibrahim Malaha on or about 27th, March 2018, at Gusau, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court conspired among yourselves to receive cash payment of the sum of ₦450, 000,000 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only) from Odia Akpotune without transacting through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act and punishable under 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Counsel to the prosecution, Johnson Ojogbane, requested the court to fix a trial date in view of the plea of the defendants. The defence counsel, J. C Shaka, consequently moved a motion for bail, asking the court to admit the defendants to bail pending the conclusion of the matter.

Subsequently,  Ojogbane informed the court that the prosecution had filed counter affidavit praying the court to refuse bail.

Justice Murtala, after listening to the arguments between the parties, granted the defendants bail in the sum of ₦5 million each and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must however be within the jurisdiction of the court while the other must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. Both sureties shall also be public or civil servants not below grade level 16.

The court also ruled that the defendants must deposit their recent passport photographs and international passports with the registrar. The case was adjourned to June 27 and 28 for the commencement of trial while the defendants were ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending when they perfect their bail terms.