Nigeria: N36 Billion Fraud - EFCC Declares Ex-Governor Turaki Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared ex-Governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki wanted after a Federal High Court in Dutse the Jigawa State capital ordered his arrest over a N36 billion fraud allegation. A statement by the EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren yesterday, said, "Justice S. Yahuza of the Federal High Court, Dutse has issued a warrant directing the Inspector General of Police or his officers and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest Saminu Turaki, former Governor of Jigawa State and bring him before the court." "You are hereby commanded to arrest the said Ibrahim Saminu Turaki and bring him before me at Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State without delay," the court was quoted by EFCC as saying. "Sequel to the court order for his arrest, the EFCC has declared Turaki wanted for his failure to attend his trial in the N36 billion

case of theft and money laundering instituted against him by the Commission." Uwujaren said. "Turaki was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on a 32-count charge of misappropriating N36 billion while he was governor. "The case was later transferred to Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction ofthe FCT Court. He was subsequently re-arraigned on a 32-count charge at the Federal High Court Dutse, Jigawa State. continued