Currency Counterfeiting: Court Orders Accused to Face Trial

Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State has dismissed the claimed made by one Salisu Adamu in a trial within trial that he was tortured by EFCC operatives during investigation; therefore, he is not the maker of his statement.

The accuse was arrested at Jambutu area, Jimeta Yola, Adamawa State in possession of 361 pieces of 100 USD fake notes and 91 pieces of 1000 fake naira notes.

The accused along two others were arraigned before the Federal High Court, Yola on April 21, 2015 on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy and possession of counterfeit currency.
When the trial commenced, the prosecution counsel A. Y. Muntaka called his witnesses and when he sought the leave of the court to present the statement of the accused as exhibit, the defense counsel vehemently objected on the ground that the accused is not the maker of the statement.

The development necessitated the court to enter trial within trial in order to ascertain the maker of the statement in question.

In her ruling, Justice Bilkisu admitted the statement in question as exhibit, as according to her the accused person made two statements: one that he did not make it and the other that he made it under duress. She said the trial within trial therefore is useless.

The Judge therefore directed the substantive case to be continued.