A former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Tanimu Turaki, has pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed 16 counts of unlawful and criminal misappropriation of funds against the former minister, his aide, and two companies.
Others listed as defendants to the charges include one Sampson Okpetu who served as Turaki’s special assistant, as well as Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited which allegedly belong to Okpetu.
The EFCC arraigned the defendants on Monday before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High court sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was the Minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs from 2013 to 2015.
He also served as the Supervising Minister of Labour under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Okpetu, also pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges levelled against him by the Federal Government.
More to follow…
