The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
A former Regional Manager of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bashir Babagana, has admitted before a Federal High Court, Abuja, that he paid $360, 000 for three plots of land, in cash to the former Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans Plc, Ms. Maimuna Aliyu.
Babagana, who left Ecobank in 2017 was called by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to testify against Aliyu, who the Commission charged to court for allegedly defrauding the bank of $360, 000.
Testifying before Justice N. Dimgba, Babagana told the court that Aliyu, in 2012, informed him that her bank had three plots of lands measuring 2,500 sq m, at Jahi district, Abuja, for sale at the cost of N57 million.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Ekoi Akponiminsingha, Babagana said that a client, Vincent Mshelia provided the $360,000 for the purchase of the property which he handed to Aliyu in cash in her office in exchange for the original title documents of the land.
He further told the court how his client who went to the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) in 2014 for the Certificate of Ownership (C of O) was asked to go back to Aso Savings for some documents vital to the transaction.
However, on getting to Aso Savings, it was revealed that Maimuna Aliyu never remitted the proceeds of the sale of the land to the bank.
The judge then adjourned the matter to 1st March, 2019 for continuation of trial after Babagana was also cross-examined by the defense counsel, R. Okotie-Eboh.
