Subsequently, an Approval was received from the Defendant through the
same Chief Detail, thereby confirming and validating PW5’s assertion that he
usually received instructions from the Defendant, through his Chief Detail.
The Claim that the Chief Detail was the acknowledged Channel was therefore
validated.
From the Evidence, it can be seen that it was Mr. Mohammed that was the
Official who left Abuja for Jalingo on the 8th of July 2005 to officially collect a
Cheque of Twenty Four Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N24,
300, 000.00) for the Purchase of the Grains from the Accountant General’s
Office.
In Page 6 of Exhibit DD, it is noted that the Government of Taraba State
issued a Treasury Receipt No. 142731, TRT6, acknowledging as received
from Accountant General, the Sum of Twenty Four Million, Three Hundred
Thousand Naira Only (N24, 300, 000.00) being Funds for Purchase of grains
for the State, dated the 8th July 2005.Mr. Abdulrahman then lodged the
Cheque into the Bank Account of Taraba State Liaison Office. He not only
processed the payment of these Sums for Grains, but was also in Physical
Custody of the Money.
His Testimony was to the effect that the Chief Detail called him and
instructed him to withdraw the Sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15, 000, 000)
and then take it to the Governor’s Lodge, which he did by asking the Steward
to open the door of the bedroom. Mr. Abdulrahman then called the Chief
Detail, notifying him of his compliance with the instructions, and the Chief
Detail told him that the Defendant would be duly notified, and the Balance
Sum of Twenty Four Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N24, 300,
000) followed the same process.
His Statement before the EFCC in Exhibit X1, also corroborated the fact that
he was told to bring the Money and keep it in the Defendant’s Bedroom,
under the custody of the Steward, Mr. Dennis Bobo, as this was the Usual
Practice whenever he brought Money to the Defendant.
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