Funds Diverted By Gov Yari Claimed By To Firms

At the hearing on Wednesday, August 9, Udemgaba and Associates owned by Prince Godwin Udemaduka of Udemgaba sought the court's relief to be joined as an interested party on the matter before it.

Two firms on Wednesday, August 9, laid claims to N2.2 billion Paris Club refund allegedly said to have been diverted by the Zamfara state governor Abdulaziz Yari. The firms Udemgaba and Associates and Mountain Quest Investment Services Limited in an application filed against the suit by the Federal Government for the fortitude of the funds claimed ownership of the funds.

The application was filed before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Prince Godwin with his team of lawyers led by a senior advocate of Nigeria Valeries Azinge, Rita Chris Garba, S. Offia and Lawrence Alobi also attached letters of appointment as consultants with the Zamfara state government to the application.

The team's letter seen showed that in 2011, an agreement of 20% of the recoveries made will be paid to the consultants. It was also gathered that the Zamfara state government has failed to pay Udemgaba and Associates its professional fees despite the release of N10 billion from the Paris fund by the Federal Government.

Also, an application by the second firm, Quest Investment, submitted by its counsel Uzoma Nnona sought permission of the court to be joined as parties in the matter. Quest Investment in its claims said the funds are part of its payment for the supply of equipment to Gosh Ltd for the execution of projects for the state.

However, the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel Ben Ikani did not raise objections to the application brought before the court. Following this, Justice Dimgba in his ruling held that since the law allows members of the public interested in a matter the right to show cause, there was no need for the application for a joinder.

Justice Dimgba further admitted the parties to the suit while adjourning the matter to Monday, September 11 for hearing. The court on July 4, ordered the interim forfeiture of N500 million from the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) funds.

The funds were said to have been moved to First Generation Mortgage Bank Ltd, and another $500,000 traced to Gosh Projects Limited. The court also directed that any party who may have interest in the funds may indicate by applying within 14 days from when the order was given. The court's order followed a suit by the EFCC that N2.2 billion was moved from the governors' forum account to a private firm.