The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja arraigned former Minister for Special duties and Inter-governmental affairs, Tanimu Turari, ovet fraud charges.
The ex-minister alongside three others were arrigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo and subsequently granted bails.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed 16 counts of unlawful and criminal misappropriation of funds against Turaki, his aide, and two companies.
Other defendants in 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.
When the counts were read to him, the former minister pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Okpetu also pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges levelled against him by the Federal Government.
Thereafter, the presiding judge granted bail to the former minister in self-recognisance.
He also fixed June 22, 23, 24, and 25, 2020 for the commencement of the trial.
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.
