The Kano state governorship candidate of the Green Party of Nigeria, GPN, Abdulsalam Abdulkareem Zaura has said that the $1.3m fraud allegation hanging on his neck is a smear campaign aimed at scoring political capital against his chances of winning the 2019 elections.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Mr Zaura before Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Kano on a nine-count charge of criminal conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $1,320,000.
But, the gubernatorial candidate, in an interview with select journalist in Abuja on Sunday, denied collecting any money from any person, insisting that the case was stage-managed to smear his political chances in the forthcoming general elections.
“I want to say that from inception when a petition was sent to the EFCC against my person, I have categorically denied the allegation that was levelled against me.
“I also pleaded not guilty of the charges in the court. But, since the matter is before the court, I believe the truth shall be all out sooner than later,” said Mr Zaura.
Similarly, sources told our correspondent that the case is purely political, adding that it was also a plan to scuttle the GPN guber candidate’s chances of realising his political ambition comes 2019.
“We see this as one of the political power plays, but we are hopeful that AA Zaura will emerge victorious from the court,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to January 29 and 30, 2019 for further hearing.
