Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials kept N100 million from the N264.8 million they allegedly received from former Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 polls.
An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Usman Zakari, made the disclosure at the resumed trial of INEC officials Christian Nwosu, Yisa Adedoyin and Tijani Bashir.
EFCC accused the defendants of receiving gratification from the former minister and were arraigned on a charge of corruption and undue enrichment.
Adedoyin pleaded guilty and was convicted following a plea bargain.
Led in evidence yesterday by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Zakari testified before Justice Mohammed Idris that Nwosu got N30 million and Adedoyin got N70 million gratification.
The witness said sometime in 2016, the commission received intelligence that some firms had paid Allison-Madueke $115 million to influence the 2015 elections.
The receipts of payment of the $115 million, Zakari said, were discovered after investigation.
According to him, it was discovered that the first defendant (Nwosu), who was the administrator of INEC in Kwara State at the time, signed for a payment of N264.8 million. The receipt also had Adedoyin’s signature.
The witness said it was based on the receipts of payment that the defendants were invited to the commission.
He said: “Adedoyin, who reported first to the commission, told operatives that he signed for the money and handed same to Bashir for onward transmission to other staff.”
According to him, Adedoyin received N70 million, Nwosu benefited to the tune of N30 million while the remaining funds were transferred to Bashir for onward payment to some ad-hoc workers.
“We have so far, recovered N10 million from Adedoyin, N5 million from Nwosu, as well as title documents to landed properties purchased from crime proceeds.
“The source of these monies recovered from the defendants, was the gratification given to the then Minister of Petroleum, for purposes of interfering with the course of the 2015 general elections.
“After our interview with the defendants at the commission, Nwosu stated that he benefited N30 million, while Adedoyin benefitted of N70 million. They both promised to return the money.
“Nwosu later made a payment of N4 million and when he reported later to the commission, he paid the balance of N1 million and submitted title documents of landed properties acquired,” Zakari said.
Oyedepo’s attempt to tender the first defendant’s statement as evidence was opposed by defence counsel, Victor Opara, on the ground that it was not voluntarily obtained.
Opara prayed the court for a trial-within-trial to test the voluntariness of the document. Upholding his prayer, Justice Idris adjourned till October 13 for the trial-within-trial.