The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has launched a manhunt for the arrest of Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zara, Kano central senatorial candidate under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr. Zaura aka A.A Zaura is accused of fraud to the tune of $1.3 million.
Counsel to the EFCC Ahmad Rogha, disclosed news of the manhunt to journalists on Monday.
Barrister Rogha said it at the resumption of criminal trial of US$1.3million slammed on A.A Zaura at the Federal high court sitting in Kano.
Although, the scheduled arraignment of the Kano based politician could not hold because of the absence of the trial Judge, who is attending another national issues outside Kano, the EFCC lawyer declared that Zaura was supposed to report himself to the commission.
According to him, ” We are looking for Zaura and he would be arrested as soon as we found him. Ordinarily, he was supposed to be in our custody and the court has affirmed that but I can assure you he would be arrested and brought to court for the next adjourned date 30th January, 2023″.
On his part, counsel to the accused person, Ibrahim Garba Waru faulted the position of EFCC insisting the commission did not possess any legal authority to arrest his client.
When asked why Zaura refused to appear for arraignment, Waru said there was no need for him to appear since the court did not sit.
Before the adjourned date, the trial Judge, Justice Mohammad Yunusa ordered EFCC to produce the accused person for arraignment on the allegation of fraud against him by a Kuwaiti national.
Justice Yunusa had overruled Zaura’s application that challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case and other addresses bothering on whether the accused must appear in person to take plea.
Zaura’s attorney, Barrister Ibrahim Waru had argued that his client under the law was not compel to appear before the court, insisting Zaura’s appeal was pending before the Supreme Court.
The arraignment is adjourned to 30th January, 2023.
