On April 24, 2018 EFCC arraigned the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema before Justice Babagana Ashgar of the Federal High Court sitting in Katsina on a 26 count charge of conspiracy and Money Laundering to the tune of N5,776,552,396 (Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Naira Only).
Shema is accused of laundering N5,776,552,396 (Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Naira Only) which was allegedly stolen from the account of SURE-P Katsina.
He is said to have conspired with one Idris Kwado who is at large, to perpetrate the fraud.
One of the counts reads "that you, Ibrahm Shehu Shema, whilst being the Executive Governor of Katsina State on or about the 17th February, 2014 at Katsina, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did indirectly control the sum of N502,216,400 (Five Hundred and Two Million, Two Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Four Hundred Naira Only) withdrawn from Katsina State SURE-P account No.5030053838 domiciled at Fidelity Bank Plc, Katsina Branch, meant for peace education, advocacy and mediation programme which money you ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; fraud and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Shema pleaded not guilty to the 26 count charge.
The court had dismissed an application made by the former governor, challenging the competency of the charge and jurisdiction of court to try him.
Justice Ashgar agreed with the submission of the learned prosecuting counsel, Lateef Fagbemi SAN that, objections as stipulated in section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 can only be taken after the plea of the defendant has been taken.
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