The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday arrested Maimuna Aliyu, the mother of Maryam Sanda in the premises of the FCT High Court in Maitama.
Operatives of the commission along with armed policemen whisked Maimuna into a white Toyota Hiace just as she was stepping out of court where she had gone for the continuation of a murder trial involving her, Maryam her daughter, Aliyu Sanda and Maryam’s housemaid, Sadiya Aminu.
Our reporter gathered that she was arrested for allegedly failing to honour an invitation of the ICPC concerning a charge before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja. She had reportedly said she wasn’t comfortable going to the ICPC.
Our reporter further gathered that Maimuna was later detained as she was unable to meet up with some of the conditions in the administrative bail granted her by the commission.
Maimuna was among the 14 persons nominated to the board of ICPC, but her nomination and that of Saadu Alanamu were subsequently stepped down following revelations that both nominees were being investigated for alleged corruption.
Daily Trust reports that Maimuna, a former Director with Aso Savings and Loans, was arraigned by the ICPC on a three-counts charge with the first count accusing her of selling off three plots of land in Jahi District, Abuja, on behalf of the bank at the cost of N57 million without remitting same to the bank.
She was also accused of making false statement to the ICPC during investigation that she remitted the money to the bank through another staff of the bank. She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N10million with two sureties in like sum that must be resident of the FCT and must swear to an affidavit of means. The matter is expected to continue on November 29.
Meanwhile, the murder trial against Maryam Sanda, her mother and brother before the FCT High Court could not continue yesterday.
The police told the court that one of their witnesses who ought to have testified got held up in the Kaduna crisis and could not come to Abuja.
The defendants were charged by the police of causing the death and concealing evidence in the killing of Bilyamin Bello, a nephew of former National Chairman of the opposition People’s Demicratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Halliru Bello
At the resumed hearing yesterday, prosecution counsel, CSP James Idachaba, applied for an adjournment to enable the prosecution to bring its witnesses to court.
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the case to November 15 for continuation of hearing.
