A five-year legal dispute between former Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd.), and his former Chief Security Officer (CSO), Abubakar Sheriff, ended on Friday after the Adamawa State High Court dismissed all criminal charges against the retired Deputy Commissioner of Police in an ₦80 million property dispute.
Key Highlights:
- Adamawa High Court acquitted former CSO Abubakar Sheriff of all charges.
- Court ruled the prosecution failed to prove allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
- Case centred on the ownership of an ₦80 million property.
- CAC records showed the companies cited by the prosecution were not registered.
- Court found evidence indicated payment for the property came from Sheriff’s personal bank account.
- Justice Hafsat Abdurahaman held that Murtala Nyako’s failure to testify weakened the
prosecution’s case.
In a judgment that lasted nearly four hours, Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Hafsat Abdurahaman, discharged and acquitted Sheriff of all five counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and making inciting statements. The court held that the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The case, filed by Nyako on November 12, 2021, revolved around the ownership of an ₦80 million property, which the former governor alleged had been fraudulently transferred into Sheriff’s name.
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Delivering judgment, Justice Abdurahaman ruled that the prosecution failed to support its allegations with credible and convincing evidence, observing that the case amounted to what she described as an “academic exercise” rather than a successful criminal prosecution.
A major issue during the trial was the ownership of the disputed property. Court documents showed that the property was allegedly purchased in the names of Sabore Farm Nigeria Limited and Sabore Export Processing Zone.
However, the court noted that certified records obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed that neither Sabore Farm Nigeria Limited nor Sabore Export Processing Zone exists as registered companies in Nigeria, significantly weakening the prosecution’s claims.
Following a brief adjournment caused by extreme heat inside the courtroom, proceedings resumed with the defence presenting documentary evidence through counsel, Roland Emem. The documents showed that payment for the ₦80 million property originated from Sheriff’s Zenith Bank account rather than from the companies cited by the prosecution.
Justice Abdurahaman also attached considerable importance to Nyako’s decision not to testify during the trial. The court held that because the alleged instruction to acquire the property was said to have come directly from the former governor, his absence from the witness box created a critical gap in the prosecution’s case.
“The court hereby discharges and acquits the defendant of all the charges levelled against him,” the Chief Judge ruled.
The judgment brings an end to years of litigation and hands Sheriff a comprehensive legal victory.
Speaking after the verdict, Sheriff and his legal team described the judgment as a triumph of justice, maintaining that the evidence presented throughout the proceedings vindicated their client.
The ruling represents another legal setback for Admiral Nyako, who was impeached as Adamawa State governor over allegations of financial misconduct during his administration.
The former governor is also facing a separate case before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he is standing trial over allegations of diverting about ₦30 billion in public funds while in office. That matter remains before the court, and Nyako is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Legal observers say the judgment reinforces the principle that criminal allegations must be backed by credible evidence and proven beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction can be secured.
