Violence Erupts In Lafia As Ex-Gov Doma Is Arraigned In Court + Ex-Commissioner Loses Ear In The Fracas

Armed youths yesterday attacked the convoy of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as it was leaving the premises of the Federal High Court in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma and others are facing trial over financial crimes. 

The youths, reportedly comprising those of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had besieged the major raod leading to the court premises on Shendam Road.

While those of the CPC were holding Governor Tanko al-Makura's posters, those of the PDP wore T-shirts bearing Doma's images and carried his posters. 

As EFCC was conveying Doma to detention after the day's sitting, the youths began to throw missiles at the anti-graft's convoy. 

The former Commissioner for Information, Mamman Alakayi, who was in the convoy, narrowly escaped when a spear, said to have been thrown at a car belonging to the state PDP Chairman, missed its target and slashed Alakayi's ear.

Also attacked were the National Vice-Chairman of the PDP, North Central Zone, Alhaji Yususf Ayitogo; former Deputy Governor John Michael Abdul; and some former commissioners in the Doma administration. 

Alakayi and other injured persons were treated at M and D Hospital on Jos Road in Lafia.

The violence caused confusion among residents of Shendam Road who scampered for safety while the mayhem lasted. 

A secondary school pupil collapsed on Shendam Road after inhaling tear gas thrown byn the police to disperse the rioters.

The boy was taken to Dalhatu Araf Hospital by our co

Doma was arraigned on a 16-count charge. 

He is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly inflating or duplicating contracts in addition to mismanaging N18 billion from the Local Government Joint Account. 

The former governor, who arrived at the court at 9am in a Coaster bus, wore a blue babanriga and a cap to match.

He headed straight to the court room in company of EFCC officials and three other persons. 

Doma is on trial with former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Timothy Anjide; and former Accountant-General, Dauda Egwa.

Doma, who was unable to secure bail yesterday due to lack of harmonisation of papers by counsel to the EFCC and that of the defence, was returned to EFCC custody on the orders of the Chief Judge, Justice Marcel Awokelehin.

The accused are: Aliyu Akwe Doma, Timothy Anthony Anjide, Dauda Egwa, Aigbakhode John, Abdumumin Jibrin, Senator John Dangoyi, Suleiman Ibrahim, Incapint Nigeria Limited, Broworks Limited,and  Green Forest Investment Limited.

Doma, Anjide, Egwa, John Danboyi, Suleiman Jibrin and Abdumumin Jibrin were in court yesterday.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges

Nation