The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday November 23, 2009, arraigned a one time Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Mamman Yusuf, on a nine count criminal charge at the FCT High Court, Lugbe, before Hon. Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi for dishonestly misappropriating about N300 million belonging to Aso Radio and Television. Ambassador Yusuf, until now was the Chairman Board of Directors of Aso Radio and Television Abuja and one-time national chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, AD.The other accused persons who were also arraigned by the EFCC alongside Yusuf, were Mr. Ahmed A. Ishaq, Mr. Ahmed Tafida and Mr. Sani Ja’afaru. They were the three board members who allegedly conspired with Yusuf on February 5, 2009, to dishonestly misappropriate about N300

million belonging to the establishment. The embattled former envoy and his board members, were arraigned following their indictment by the on going investigation being conducted by the Commission into a petition submitted by Radio Television and Art Workers of Nigeria, RATTAWU. Ambassador Yusuf and his three co- accused entered a plea of innocence to the 9-count criminal charges that were read to them by the court clerk. They were granted bail in the sum of N5million each by trial Justice Adeniyi who adjourned further hearing in the matter till February 4, next year Four of them were specifically alleged to have conspired to obtain credit facilities totaling about N25million, dishonestly siphoned about N130 million meant for the establishment of Aso TV and further shared amongst themselves another 22,280 Euros allegedly secured through an illegal transmission of ‘Aso Radio International’ radio station. The EFCC further alleged in the charge sheet that while about N1.5million was used by the accused persons to lodge in an Hotel in Abuja , about N8.6 million was later traced to a Zenith bank account, which they were said to have opened in the name of one Sunday Ibok. Their act according to the anti-graft agency, contravened section 97(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( Abuja ) 1990, Article 801 of the Financial Regulation and punishable under section 309 of the Penal Code Act. Femi Babafemi Head, Media & Publicity 24/11/09
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission - EFCC