EFCC Picks up APC Chief, Ja'afaru Isa

For the first time since the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government swept to power seven months ago, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) late Wednesday arrested a close political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari and chieftain of the ruling party, Gen. Lawal Ja’afaru Isa (rtd), in connection with the misappropriation of funds in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the past administration.

EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwajiaren, confirmed his arrest by the commission, stating that Isa, who was also the former military governor of Kaduna State from 1993 to 1996 under General Sani Abacha and was a one-time governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Peoples Change (CPC) in Kano State, was still being interrogated by the anti-graft agency last night.

The revelation confirmed suspicions all along that the disbursement of funds meant for the procurement of arms from the NSA’s office was not limited to just chieftains and associates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was in power at the time, but cut across party lines.

In addition to being close to Buhari, Isa was also an ally of the embattled former NSA who has been in the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) for about two weeks.

Shortly after the 2015 general election, Buhari appointed Isa as one of the members of the Ahmed Joda-led transition committee, and was speculated as one of those who was going to be appointed to the president’s cabinet.

However, General Abdulraham Dambazzau from Kano State was selected over him.
According to sources, he was arrested at his residence located on Ajayi Crowther Street, Asokoro, Abuja, after ignoring the invitation of the EFCC.

An EFCC operative told THISDAY that the retired army general was first invited last week to appear before the commission to explain some questionable transactions in his bank account linked to the former NSA, but refused to honour the invitation.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a former National Chairman of the PDP Mohammed Haliru Bello and his son, Abba, bail under stringent conditions.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in his ruling yesterday, granted the accused persons bail on a bond of N300 million each and two sureties.
Mohammed granted the bail after considering the arguments presented by both the defence and the prosecuting counsels.

“This ruling is rested on the bail applications brought to this court by the first and third defendants. The issue to be determined is whether the applicants have tendered sufficient evidence to support their bail applications,” he said.

Citing the constitution and Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Act, the judge noted that bail can only be denied in a situation where “the applicant if granted bail, will commit another offence, jump bail and/or interfere with ongoing investigations”.

The justice however noted that in this instance, both defendants had met the conditions under which their bail applications were granted.
He said: “The first defendant (Abba Mohammed Bello), is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Also the third defendant (Mohammed Haliru Bello) is presumed innocent until proven guilty; he is bed ridden and currently receiving medical treatment at the Abuja Clinic, Maitama.

“I have carefully read the affidavit in regard to the first and third defendants, as well as the counter-affidavits by the prosecuting counsel. The offences are bailable and for the first defendant, he is suffering from chronic asthma.

“The third defendant is suffering from a spinal injury for which he is receiving treatment in London. All medical records are verifiable.”
Based on the above, the trial judge granted the first defendant (Abba) bail, on the condition that he would provide a bond of N300 million, two sureties - one of whom must be a civil servant not below grade level 12 and the other must own a landed property within Abuja or the like same of the bond.

Justice Mohammed also directed Abba to deposit his travelling documents, and international passport with the court, while his sureties would submit an affidavit of means and their passport photographs to the court.

He further directed the first defendant to be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Justice Mohammed also granted the third defendant (Mohammed Haliru Bello), who for the second time was brought to the court in a wheelchair, bail under the same terms, but remanded him in the custody of the Inspector General of Police (IG) while on admission at the Abuja Clinic until his bail terms are met.

Justice Mohammed further adjourned the case to Tuesday, February 16 for definite hearing on the matter.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the PDP chieftain and onetime Minister of Defence, Mr. Abdulaziz Ibrahim, commended the court’s decision to grant his client bail.