The presiding judge of the Kano Federal High Court 2, Justice Muhammad Nasir Yunusa, has accepted the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to withdraw its amended charges against Alhaji Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura in the alleged fraud case before the court.
EFCC had sought the withdrawal of its amended charge against the Kano Central senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during Wednesday’s sittings, having failed to produce before the Court prosecution witnesses to prove the criminal charges against the defendant.
Zaura is being held by EFCC for alleged financial fraud in the sum of $1.2 million in a prolonged retrial involving a Kuwaiti national.
At the resumption of the matter before Justice Mohammad Nasir Yunusa on Wednesday, counsel to EFCC, Aisha A.T. Habeeb, told the court the withdrawal of the application already served on the defendant became pertinent to forestall a possible delay in the case.
Zaura, through his counsel, Isyaka M. Dikko, had filed a motion on notice seeking to strike out the amended charge for lacking substance.
He also prayed to the court lordship to stay proceedings of the trial pending the hearing and determination of an application on a related matter before the supreme court.
The application before the Supreme Court is challenging the Appeal Court judgement that ordered the retrial after the defendant was discharged and acquitted.
The EFCC lawyer cited previous matters that disallowed criminal trials and allowed concurrent proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Yunusa ordered the parties to supply the court with the necessary documents to back their claims. The case is adjourned until July 13, 2023, for a ruling on the application.
