A retired director in Niger state Ministry of Environment, Sabo Yabagi, collapsed as the 6th prosecution witness under examination in the case of N2 billion money laundry instituted against the former governor of the state, Muazu Babangida Aliyu. The retired director, it was learnt, was on the witness box answering questions from the EFCC lead prosecutor when he suddenly began to gasp for air before he collapsed. Our correspondent learnt that, as soon as he was revived, Yabagi requested to use the court toilet but was escorted by the police. It was also learnt that the prosecutor lawyer however resumed examination of the witness soon after the incident during which he admitted to have conducted the ecological survey that led to the award of the projects.
He also said that the sum of N10 million was paid to him to conduct the survey, not as a consultant. In the same vein, a Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Works who served at the period of the alleged offence, also testified as 4th prosecution witness during which he made detailed explanation on how the ecological fund was processed.
The 4th prosecution witness said that he was aware of payments made without completion of jobs, adding that the department of environment gave him false assessment report on the status of the projects.
