N40 Billion Fraud - Bankole's Motion adjourned to Jan. 31

An application by former speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole and his former deputy, Bayero Nafada to have allegations of corruption against them quashed will be decided by an Abuja High Court on January 31.

Justice Suleiman Belgore set the date after admitting the response by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the no-case-submission made by the two ex-principal lawmakers

EFCC counsel Festus Keyamo had in the reply argued that there is sufficient prima facie case to warrant the trial of the accused persons.

Bankole and Nafada, who were arraigned in June by the EFCC for alleged conspiracy and misappropriation of N40 billion through bank loans for purposes of increasing the running costs of members of the House of Representatives between August 2010 and May 2011, were also alleged to have done so without approval of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.