EFCC Releases Ex-Adamawa Governor, Nyako On 'Administrative Bail'

A former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, who was detained by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, has been
released.

Mr. Nyako was held after he turned himself in to the anti-graft agency.

Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for the EFCC said Mr. Nyako was
released on what he called "administrative bail".

Mr. Uwujaren said the former governor, who is 73, was also released
based on his age and health situation.

He said Mr. Nyako was allowed to go home at about 7p.m. but asked to
report frequently at the commission until the case is fully
investigated.

Mr. Nyako was impeached as the Adamawa State governor on July 16, 2014
and later declared wanted by the anti-graft agency alongside his son
Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako, a retired naval officer in February.

They were both wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse
of office and money laundering.

The EFCC had alleged massive looting by top officials in Mr. Nyako's government.

This led to the arrest of key officials in the state including the
then Secretary to the State Government, the State Commissioner for
Finance, the Commissioner for Higher Education, the Accountant General
of the State and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local
Government.

The EFCC at the time said its investigation was triggered by petitions
alleging massive looting of the treasury by the governor and his
cronies through an illegal department called Special Programme and
Project Units, SPPU, which engaged in over invoicing and inflation of
contract.

At the commencement of the EFCC's investigations, Mr. Nyako left the country.

He returned on Saturday, nearly a year later.
—PremiumTimes