A Federal High Court sitting in Katsina, Katsina State on Tuesday ordered that former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shema be remanded in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering.

Mr. Shema is standing trial before the court for allegedly misappropriating about ₦5.7billion SURE-P funds during his tenure as governor.

He is facing a 26 -count charge bordering on fraud which is contrary to Section 15 (2d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act and punishable under Section 15 sub-section (3) of the same Act.

After Shema pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him, the defense counsel, Emmanuel Ukala during the proceedings, informed the court that they had filed an application for bail on April 18.

Ukala said their application should be granted since the defendant is a lawyer, former governor of Katsina State and his international passport is with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The prosecution counsel, Sam Olugunarisa however objected to the application, saying that the court could not take the bail because it could not take jurisdiction at this stage since bail applications take effect from the time plea is taken.

The defense counsel again moved for an oral bail application which was again objected to sby Olugunarisa who told the court that there was no room for double application, urging the court to send the defendant to prison.

In his ruling, Justice Babagana Ashigar of the Court ordered that Shema be remanded in EFCC custody until April 27, when the court will entertain the written bail application.