The absence of a former Secretary to the Government of Bauchi State, Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija,on Wednesday stalled the arraignment of Babayo Garba Gamawa, Aminu Hammayo, Aliyu Abdullahi Jalam, Dahiru Madaki and Sunusi Isa before Justice M. Shitu of the Federal High Court Bauchi on five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The defendants who held various position in Bauchi State Government as former Deputy Governor, former Secretary to the Government of Bauchi State, former Special Assistant to the Bauchi State Governor, member Finance Committee, Bauchi State PDP 2015 Election Campaign, former Special Adviser to the Bauchi State Governor and former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government respectively, are alleged to have sometime in March, 2015 conspired to accept cash payment exceeding the threshold provided by law, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a ) and Punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

Investigation revealed that the money (N500 million) which was collected on 27 March 2015 by Babayo Garba Gamawa and Alhaji Aminu Hammayo is suspected to be part of the $115m allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison Madueke to compromise the 2015 election.

The court slated yesterday for arraignment but when the case was called, only five defendants entered the dock.

However, the sixth defendant’s counsel Nasiru Balan Malam informed the court that his client was absent due to illness which necessitated him to travel abroad for medical attention. He, therefore, asked for an adjournment to enable his client to appear in court.

While adjourning the case toSeptember 25for arraignment, Justice Shitu ordered the 6th defendant to be present in court on the next adjourned date.