The Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Dr. Dogara Mato, is to be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna yesterday gave the remand order over an alleged fraud and conspiracy levelled against the deputy speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Tahir Malali and six others by the EFCC till Thursday next week,
While Dr. Mato was to be remanded in EFCC custody, the other? six were to be remanded in prison custody until their application for bail was heard on? January? 24, 28 and 29, 2013.
Justice Justice Awakulezin Marcellus of the Federal High Court, who gave the court orders, said that he was quashing the administrative bail currently being enjoyed by Dr. Mato in order for investigation to be carried out on other petitions alleging? fraudulent practices and conspiracy against him.
?“I am inclined to decline the application by the counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Dr. Mato Dogara to be allowed to continue to enjoy the administrative bail granted to him by the EFCC.
“The administrative bail given by the EFCC is for the period the 2nd Defendant was in their custody and is seen as a temporary recipe for him to carry on his administrative duty as member of Kaduna State House of Assembly.? But the case now is before this Court and that administrative order is hereby quashed and he should be remanded in the EFCC custody for further investigation and trial which will come up on January 24,? 26? and 28 January, 2013,” he added.
The Judge also ordered the 1st, 3rd 4th 5th 6th and 7th accused persons – all former officials of Lere LGA: Hon. Kabiru Tahir Malali, chairman; Alh. Ahmed Yahaya, director, finance; Billy Graham Amos, director of works, Yushau I. Aboku, director of personnel management; Mrs. Hannatu Iliya, head of health, and Mr. Eric Alhassan, acting chairman, are to be remanded in prison custody at the Kaduna Central Prison before the hearing of their bail application and trial.