Corruption Trial: Appeal Court Sets Ngilari Free
Former Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, was on Thursday set free by an Appeal Court sitting in Yola, the state capital.
The Appeal Court set aside the ruling of the state High Court which had earlier sentenced Ngilari to five years imprisonment.
The Court, presided over by Justice Olayomi Folashade dismissed the charge against Ngilari for lack of merit and enough proof of the offences levelled against him by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency had charged Ngilari for violation of procurement laws in the award of contract of one hundred and sixty-seven million Naira to one El-Yadi Motors Limited for supply of twenty-five units of operational vehicles (Toyota Corolla).
The Commission instituted a 19-count charge against Ngilari, his former Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Andrew Welye and his former Commissioner of Finance and Budget, Sanda Jonathan Lamurde. The EFCC had accused them of conspiracy, lack of No objection Certificate, No competitive bidding and others in procurement process.
