A Kano-based businessman, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim-Zaura has been summoned by a Federal High Court sitting in the state over his alleged involvement in a 1.3 million dollars’ fraud.
Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa gave the order on Thursday, summoning the defendant before the court on December 5.
The accused was arraigned before the Nasir-Yunusa-led court following a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the businessman falsely obtained money to the tune of 1.3 million dollars.
After listening to counsels for EFCC and Abdulkarim-Zaura, Nasir-Yunusa ruled that the suspect must appear before the court to answer his plea.
Nasir-Yunusa adjourned the matter until Dec.5, 2022, for arraignment and adoption of written addresses.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, A I Arogha urged the court to decline being in the application of the suspect.
“The application is not ripe for hearing since the defendant is not in court and We served the Prosecution our written addresses on Nov.7”
Counsel for Abdulkarim-Zaura, Ibrahim Garba-Waru, objected to the prosection’s prayer because his client was challenging the jurisdiction of the court to arraign him and why he will not appear before the court.
“The prosecution served us with their written addresses on Nov.9, we need time to reply on point of law,” he said.
On October 14, the suspect filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to arraign him and in as much trial didn’t start his appearance in court is not necessary.
On October 31, he was not in court as his counsel said the presence of his client was not mandatory because he was physically fit to stand trial.
On June 9, 2020 Abdulkarim-Zaura was discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court of the nine-count charge of 1.3 million dollars in fraud.
The Kano Court of Appeal division on April, 2022 ordered a fresh trial.