New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

By Andrew Orolua, Abuja
Former Governor of Plateau State Chief Michael Botmang was yesterday arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a 31-counts charge of embezzlement and laundering of over 1.9 billion Naira belonging to the Plateau State Government.
The charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] which has been investigating the alleged fraudulent activities since he left office when he reverted to his position as Deputy Governor in May 2007.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered by the trial judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere to be confined to his house in Zawang village, near Jos, Plateau State for reason of his ill health until 8th October, 2008 when he would face the trial.
Justice Chikere refused his counsel Mr. Yankasuwa Markus Saleh‘s oral application for bail and directed that he should come formally. ”It is a crime trial, procedure of the court should be followed”, she said.
The counsel while making the oral application had informed the court that Botmang was seriously ill suffering from Diabetes, hypertension, chronic Kidney disease.
He further told the court that EFCC was fully aware that the accuse goes for dialysis on Saturday and Tuesday every week and that it would be impossible for the accused to survive without the dialysis machine in his house.
According to the charges Chief Botmang who served as the governor of Plateau State for the period the substantive governor Chief Joshua Dariye was barred through an impeachment, allegedly paid the huge sum into his own private bank account at the Union bank Jos branch in 31 separate withdrawals and lodgments contrary to section 41 (1) of the Money Laundering Act.
He was said to have on 21st February, 2007 illegally withdrawn 2million Naira from the Plateau State Government’s Union Bank account and lodged same into his own account.
According to the charge sheet Chief Botmang withdrew the following amount and lodged them on the following dates; 25th Nov. 2006- 500000 dollars, 30th April, 2007- N397, 27TH March,2007- N154.5 million,8th February 2007- N232.5 million, 14th April 2007-N100million ,14th July 2007-N100million,9th February 2007-N 20 million, 2ND February, 2007-N23million, 3rd March, 2007-N20 million, 9th March, 2007 in five separate withdrawals - N58million.
Other withdrawals are as follows; on 27thMarch, 2007 -N63.3Million, 27th March, 2007-in three separate withdrawals –N37million, 25th April, 2007 – N48.8 million, and on 30th April, 2007 – in three separate withdrawals N 280million.