Court Arraigns Fmr Zamfara Gov For Diverting N1 Billion, Granted N100m Bail.

Supporters of former governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani Yerima, yesterday attacked staff of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offenses Commission, ICPC, in Gusau shortly after he was arraigned before Bello Shinkafi of High Court 4 for allegedly diverting over N1 billion appropriated for the renovation of a dam to other uses.

But for the quick intervention of the police, the staff of the anti-graft agency would have been lynched by the irate supporters who thronged the High Court in their hundreds.

The ICPC staff were immediately taken to the Mobile Police Police barracks for protection, while chairman of the Commission, Ekpo Nta, directed that they be moved to Abuja immediately.

His arraignment, which attracted the who is who in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, led by the deputy governor ,reportedly almost brought activities in the court complex to a halt.

After pleading not guilty to the 19-count charge, counsel to Senator Yerima , Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, SAN, urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognition.

Justice Shinkafi granted the former governor, who represents Zamfara West senatorial district in the Senate, bail in the sum of N10 0 million, with two sureties who must be resident in Gusau, with properties worth N150million.

The case has been adjourned to March 1 for hearing.

Those who accompanied the former governor to court included the deputy governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, the Secretary to the State Government, all the commissioners and members of the state House of Assembly, the chairman and members of the executive of the All Progressive Congress in the state as well as the senator representing Zamfara East and several other supporters.