The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Senator Saidu Umar Kumo, the North-East campaign coordinator of former vice president Atiku Abubakar over alleged conspiracy and money laundering.

Senator Kumo was arraigned on Wednesday before a Federal High Court in Gombe together with former chairman of the PDP in Gombe State, Nuhu Poloma.

The EFCC Gombe zonal office told the court that the duo were alleged to have on March 27, 2015, collected the sum of N450 million from a new generation bank, which was suspected to be proceeds of illegal acts.

According to the court document, Senator Kumo allegedly took the sum of N111 million and instructed one Abba Sunday Agaba, one of the bank official, to deliver the balance of N313,500 million to a cashier of Gombe State Government House.

The court further heard that Kumo spent N3 million for himself and gave N2 million to Mr Poloma, but failed to account for the remaining balance of N106 million.

EFCC counsel, Barrister Israel Akande, said the money transaction exceeds the statutory limit authorised by law and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (a) and 16 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended.

However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the five-count charge preferred against them.

Barrister Akande, therefore, applied for a new date to commence trial.

The presiding judge, Justice Nehizena Apolabi, granted the application and adjourned the case to December 5.

He released the defendants on bail at the sum of N10 million each and two sureties in like sum.

•Sourced from a Daily Trust report

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