Ahmed Yerima's supporters attack ICPC office after he is indicted for embezzling N1bn

SUPPORTERS of former governor of Zamfara State Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima have attacked staff at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offenses Commission (ICPC) in Gusau to protest his recent indictment for appropriating N1bn (£3.5m).

 

Earlier this week, the ICPC arraigned Senator Yerima before Justice Bello Shinkafi before High Court Four in Gusau for allegedly diverting over N1bn appropriated for the renovation of a dam to other uses. Following his arraignment, Justice Shinkafi granted the former governor, who represents Zamfara West senatorial district bail in the sum of N100m (£352,694), with two sureties who must be resident in Gusau, with properties worth N150m.

 

In response to the incident, his supporters attacked the ICPC premises and for the quick intervention of the police, the staff of the anti-graft agency would have been lynched by the irate supporters who thronged the court in their hundreds. The ICPC staff were immediately taken to the Mobile Police barracks for protection, with the commission's chairman Ekpo Nta, directing that they be moved to Abuja immediately.

 

After pleading not guilty to the 19-count charge, Senator Yerima urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognition. Following his pleas, the case has been  adjourned to March 1 for hearing by Justice Shinkafi.

 

Those who accompanied the former governor to court included the deputy governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, the secretary to the state government, all the commissioners and members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. Also accompanying him were the chairman and members of the executive of the All Progressives Congress in the state as well as the senator representing Zamfara East and several other supporters.

 

Some of the 19-count charges read: ‘’That you Ahmed Rufai Sani on or about November, 2006 whilst being the Governor of  Zamfara  State at  Gusau  within the jurisdiction of this court did commit an offence of spending money allocated for one project on another to wit out of N1bn additional budgetary allocation  Zamfara State House of Assembly allocated for the repair of collapsed Gusau dam and settlement of the victims of the said dam which was obtained through bank and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 22 (5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000."

 

Highly controversial, Senator Yerima was the one who introduced Sharia law into Nigeria in 2000 and is known for being an Islamic hardliner. He has married two teenage brides since becoming a senator, claiming that the Koran supports such marriages and that Islamic law should take precedence over Nigeria's constitution.