The Nigeria Police Force brought charges against Aliyu Abdulhameed, former Managing Director of Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Plc (NIRSAL), alongside Babangida Abdullahi, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, News About Nigeria reports.
Abdulhameed, who was removed from his position by former President Muhammadu Buhari on December 1, 2022, faced arraignment on 10 charges related to conspiracy and document forgery.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2023, the police alleged that the defendants, along with others at large, conspired to commit forgery around October 23, 2023.
The charges against them were said to contravene Section 3(6) and be punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.
Upon arraignment, Abdulhameed and Abdullahi pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecuting counsel, Celestine Odo, requested that the court remand the defendants at the Kuje Custodial Centre and informed the court of five witnesses lined up for the prosecution.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, the trial judge, indicated his intention to admit documentary evidence in a bundle without entertaining objections on admissibility during the trial.
He instructed the prosecution to paginate the evidence from page 1 to the end.
Responding to the prosecution’s request for remand, Akin Olujimi (SAN), representing the defendants, informed the court of their bail application filed on February 24.
He noted the absence of any counter-affidavit from the prosecution.
Confirming the receipt of the application, Odo said that the prosecution did not oppose the bail request.
The judge granted bail to the defendants on the terms of their administrative bail and instructed the prosecution to transfer their bail particulars to the court registry.
The matter was adjourned until May 20, 21, 22, and 23 for trial.
