EXCLUSIVE: How Bauchi Governor’s Nephew Allegedly Used Courts, Lawyers To Remand EFCC Witness In ₦4.6Billion Fraud Case

Duguri has been identified as a nephew of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

Fresh allegations have emerged in the ongoing ₦4.6 billion money laundering investigation involving Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, with new details pointing to an alleged scheme by Muntaka Mohammed Duguri to weaponise the judicial system against a key witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC).

Duguri has been identified as a nephew of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

A government source familiar with the case told SaharaReporters that Duguri allegedly orchestrated a series of civil and Sharia court actions, bribed judicial officers, and connived with legal practitioners to have Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, identified by investigators as a crucial prosecution witness, jailed and dispossessed of his property.

Aliyu, Managing Director of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Ltd, is listed alongside Duguri as a co-accused in a six-count charge filed by the EFCC before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the alleged laundering of ₦4.65 billion.

Alleged Frame-Up Through Civil Suits

According to the source, Duguri gave Aliyu money and instructed him to conduct a transaction with specific individuals. Shortly after, Duguri allegedly encouraged those same individuals to sue Aliyu for the funds in a deliberate attempt to frame him.

Aliyu reportedly engaged a lawyer, Barrister Zubairu A. Bube of Agbejemi & Partners Chambers, to defend him. However, the source alleged that the lawyer later colluded with Duguri, deceived his client, fabricated court processes, and induced Aliyu to sign documents that were later filed against him at the Bauchi State High Court.

“As gratification for betraying his client, Muntaka Duguri allegedly bought Barrister Zubairu a new Honda E.O.D vehicle, ash in colour,” the source said.

Sharia Court Detention And Alleged Bribery

The matter reportedly escalated when a separate case was filed by Iro Dan Gombe and Sunusi Gezna at Upper Sharia Court 3, Bauchi, presided over by Malam Wuro Jamel. The court allegedly ordered Aliyu’s immediate remand at the Bauchi Correctional Centre.

While Aliyu was in custody, Duguri allegedly paid ₦1 million as bribe to a judge, who is reportedly now a Deputy Chief Registrar at the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi, to secure an order permitting the sale of Aliyu’s residential property located at Fadaman Mada area of Bauchi metropolis.

The house was subsequently sold, the source claimed.

Court Files ‘Missing’

In a further twist, SaharaReporters learnt that the case files relating to the Sharia Court proceedings are now missing.

The Registrar of Upper Sharia Court 3, Malam Abdul’aziz, reportedly confirmed that the files could not be located and disclosed that he had been instructed not to allow anyone access to them pending further directives.

EFCC Probe

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Duguri and Aliyu were named as co-accused in the EFCC’s case against Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu, who is accused of conspiring to launder ₦4.6 billion while serving as a branch manager at Polaris Bank Ltd.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on December 24 ordered the EFCC to produce Adamu for arraignment on December 30, warning of sanctions for further delays.

Investigators allege that Duguri fled the country to Egypt after Governor Bala Mohammed was alerted that Aliyu had volunteered a statement to the EFCC detailing the alleged laundering scheme.

Sources also alleged that Aliyu’s disappearance has stalled the EFCC’s case, as he is regarded as a principal witness whose testimony could significantly strengthen the prosecution.