Adamawa court acquits ex-Nyako security chief over alleged N80m land fraud

The Adamawa State High Court on Friday discharged and acquitted a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former Governor Murtala Nyako, ACP Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu (retd), of charges brought against him.

The court, presided over by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, acquitted Rabiu of criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and inciting public disturbance.

Justice Hafsat held that the prosecution failed to prove its case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly discharged and acquitted him.

‎The judgment brings to an end one of Adamawa State’s most closely watched legal disputes, arising from allegations by former Governor Murtala Nyako that his former security chief defrauded him of N80 million under the guise of acquiring two landed properties in Yola.

In other words, Rabiu was arraigned before the court for allegedly converting two landed properties worth N80 million to his personal use.

‎The case, which began with Rabiu’s arraignment on November 12, 2021, saw the state call five prosecution witnesses in an effort to establish its case.

Justice Hafsat held that there was no evidence to prove the commission of the offences, emphasising that the prosecution failed to establish its case as required by law.

On the charge of cheating, the judge said there was no evidence of deceit, inducement, or fraud as alleged against the defendant, and held that the offence had not been proved. She also discharged and acquitted him of the remaining charges.

According to the prosecution, the properties, initially purchased in the name of Sebore Farms, owned by Murtala Nyako, were allegedly transferred into Rabiu’s personal ownership and later sold.

Rabiu denied all the allegations against him when he was arraigned before the court.