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Tag: Dele Belgore

  • Kwara PDP authorised sharing of N450m campaign fund, says Belgore

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore, Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he never authorised the sharing of N450 million People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign fund.

    Belgore, a former PDP campaign coordinator in Kwara State, said the instruction to do so was made in writing by Kwara stakeholders of the PDP before the 2015 polls.

    The lawyer and a former Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Sulaiman, are standing trial on a money laundering charge preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Belgore concluded his testimony in defence of the charge on April 12, following which the court adjourned for cross examination.

    At the last adjourned date on May 6, a second defence counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo SAN concluded his cross examination of Belgore.

    When trial resumed Wednesday, EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo appeared for the prosecution, while Mr Ebun Shofunde (SAN) appeared for Belgore.

    Under cross examination by Oyedepo, the defendant told the court that the stakeholders also authorised the formula for the disbursement.

    According to him, the decision to disburse the campaign funds and the list of recipients was made at a meeting of the state’s PDP stakeholders.

    He explained that he did not give any written instructions to share the money to the stakeholders, contending that the instructions came from his party.

    He said he did not have a copy of that instruction.

    The defendant denied that N80 mIllion was apportioned to the campaign coordinator or his office, contending that funds allocated were on the stakeholders’ instructions.

    Read Also: Kwara PDP screens NASS aspirants Thursday

    Belgore said the stakeholders’ meeting was to allocate funds to Local Governments and their Chairmen and that the funds were to be given to the Chairmen and representatives, adding that he was not aware if it was changed.

    He confirmed that at the stakeholders’ meeting, people were nominated to collect monies, but denied knowledge about collection of the said monies as he was not there.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa adjourned till June 17 for continuation of cross examination by the prosecution.

    In the nine-count charge, the EFCC alleged that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke, conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

    They were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorised by law, without going through the financial institutions.

  • EFCC knows I didn’t spend Kwara election funds –Belgore

    Hearings continued in the N450m money laundering case against Muhammad Dele Belgore (SAN) on Friday, with the senior lawyer saying he made full accounts to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  how the fund released for the 2015 PDP presidential election campaign in Kwara State was spent.

    Giving testimony in the 450m money laundering case against him and Professor Abubakar Suleiman, Belgore said he had supplied to the anti-graft agency all the information about who got what share of the money and the purpose it was meant for “as a matter of helping their investigations”.

    He reiterated that the funds were meant to prosecute the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign in Kwara State. He said at no time did the EFCC interview any of the people he had mentioned as having disbursed the money on the authority of the party, asserting that the claim that he disbursed any money is not factual.

    Read Also: Alleged fraud: EFCC opens case against bank, staff

    “I deny the charges/counts in their entireties. The information that I gave to PW 2 (EFCC  prosecutor) in my statement as to those who took possession, disbursed, and used the N450m which is the subject of these charges, was never pursued by PW 2,” Belgore said while being cross-examined by his counsel Ebun Sofunde (SAN).

    “(The PW2) had information of who took the money and what it was used for and he did nothing about it. So I totally denied count one to nine. I told EFCC these persons were the ones who disbursed them. EFCC never interviewed any of these persons to confirm whether I ever gave them any money. My exhibit did state the names of those who collected the money from the bank but I never said I disbursed.” Further hearings in the case have been adjourned to May 6.

  • Alleged N450m fraud: Belgore denies complicity

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore, standing trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N450 million fraud on Friday denied complicity in the crime.

    He told Justice Rilwan Aikawa that he was innocent of the charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He said that the EFCC pressed the  charge against him though he did not benefit from the N450 million which was subject of the charge before the court.

    EFCC charged Belgore and a former Minister of Planning, Abubakar Sulaiman,  on  nine counts.

    They, however, had pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail.

    On Friday, Belgore, a former campaign Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara, concluded his evidence before the court.

    He was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Ebun Shofunde (SAN).

    He told the court that in his statement to EFCC, he gave detailed information about those who took possession, disbursed and used the N450 million.

    “While  I am being investigated by the EFCC on the alleged offences, I have neither admitted orally to have committed the offences nor made any statement to admit that I am guilty of the offences.

    “I denied all the charges against me, I have never made any payment to all the names mentioned in the charge.

    “In order to assist the investigators, I gave them detailed information on who took possession of the fund and how it was disbursed and used; I didn’t benefit from the fund,” he testified.

    He had earlier told the court that the N450 million, which was set aside as campaign fund for the 2015 General Elections, was from fund-raising activities done by the PDP.

    He also denied claims that the money was from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Belgore said that throughout his tenure as the PDP campaign coordinator in Kwara, he had no dealings with Diezani and was not aware that the N450 million he signed for in 2015 came from her.

    He added that claims by two EFCC investigators that the money was part of the N23 billion allegedly collected by Diezani from three oil marketers – Northern Belt Ltd., Actus Integrated Ltd., Midwestern Company – and one, Mr Leno Laitan, ahead of the 2015 General Elections, were false.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa has adjourned until May 6, for cross-examination of Belgore by both the second defence counsel and the prosecution.

    Meanwhile, the court has granted leave to the second defendant to travel to Mecca for the lesser Hajj.

    In granting the leave, the court ordered him to provide a surety who must be a civil servant resident in Lagos, or a landed property owner in the state.

    The court ordered the defendant to return to the country before May 6.

    In the nine-count charge, the EFCC alleged that Diezani conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of unlawful act.

    They were also alleged to have taken the said fund in cash, which exceeded the amount authorised by law, without going through the financial institutions (NAN)

  • Money laundering: Absence of counsel stalls trial of lawyer Dele Belgore

    Absence of Mr Ebun Shofunde, SAN, defence counsel to Mr Dele Belgore, SAN, has stalled his trial in the N450 million money laundering charge filed in a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Belgore is standing trial by the EFCC for allegedly benefiting N450m from the sum of $115m which a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly doled out to influence the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

    The EFCC had alleged that himself, and his co-defendant, a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, went to a branch of Fidelity Bank in Ilorin on March 26, 2015, to sign for and collect the N450 million.

    The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The case which was earlier slated on Wednesday, for continuation of trial, could not proceed as planned, as the court was informed that counsel to Shofunde was indisposed.

    Counsel, who appeared on behalf of Shofunde, prayed the court for an adjournment on this ground, after informing the court of the position.

    Read Also; No Debit Order: Court fixes May 22 to hear suit filed by Patience Jonathan

    The prosecution did not object to the oral application.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa, consequently, adjourned the case until April 10 for continuation of defence.

    The EFCC had since closed the case for the prosecution, after calling several witnesses and tendering exhibits.

    The defence had accordingly, opened his case, and is still leading evidences.

    At the last adjourned date, the court had viewed electronic evidences in the case, which included two video clips, and the court adjourned for continuation of trial.

    In the nine-count charge, EFCC accused the defendants of making cash payments to a Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

    The commission said that they made cash payments without going through any financial institution.

    EFCC said they “directly took possession of the sum N450 million,” which they allegedly indirectly spent, adding that they “reasonably ought to have known (that the money) forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated the provisions of sections 1(a) and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, of 2012.

  • How N450m was shared in Kwara, by Belgore

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Dele Belgore, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he did not personally share the N450million he signed for in 2015.

    Belgore, who was People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign coordinator in Kwara State during the 2015 general elections, said the money was for party men and agents and not for his personal benefit.

    According to him, although he signed for the money at the bank, he did not take it away.

    Belgore was testifying in his defence before Justice Rilwan Aikawa in a money laundering charge brought against him and former National Planning Minister Prof Abubakar Suleiman by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge. EFCC said she is “at large”.

    The prosecution said they “directly took possession of the sum N450million,” adding that they “reasonably ought to have known [that the money] forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    Led in evidence by his lawyer Ebun Shofunde (SAN), Belgore said as coordinator, it was his responsibility to ensure that the money was sent to PDP candidates, party leaders and stakeholders at ward levels.

    “The money was not meant for me. As a matter of fact, there was never any intention for me to collect the money personally,” he said.

    Read Also: Kwara APC, Belgore mourn Bamigboye

    Belgore had earlier testified that he went to the bank to sign for the money along with Suleman but never took it away as his car could not contain it.

    Asked if he went back to get the money with a bigger car, he said: “I did not take any steps regarding collection of the money from the bank, because as I have said, the money was meant for stakeholders. They were the ones who took steps to collect it.

    “My position has always been that I never took possession of the money, either in cash, cheque, bank transfer or any other means. That remains my position till date.”

    Belgore said he told the EFCC operative who interviewed him, Usman Zakari, that he never took the money from the bank.

    “Zakari showed me a copy of a document (acknowledging receipt) and asked me to confirm whether it was my signature on it.

    “I did confirm that it was my signature. I told him that I didn’t have the money and never had it.

    “He said as far as he was concerned, it was my name that was on Exhibit 1A and that I confirmed that I signed it, and therefore I was the one to pay back the money.

    “Again I responded that the money was not meant for me, I never took it, but it was taken by stakeholders – candidates, party officials, agents, etc for the purpose of the 2015 election.”

    Belgore said he told EFCC in one of his several statements that “we left the money in the bank for safekeeping”.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until March 5 when a video of what transpired when Belgore visited the bank will be viewed in court

    He admitted the flash drives containing the clips in evidence.

     

  • Belgore, Suleiman, re-arraigned for money laundering

    Belgore, Suleiman, re-arraigned for money laundering

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Dele Belgore and the former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, for alleged money laundering.

    The anti-graft agency also closed its case.

    The defendants told Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos of their intention to file no case submissions on the matter.

    In effect, they intend not to call any witness to defend themselves because they believe the prosecution did not present a strong case against them.

    The judge, however, can dismiss the submissions and direct them to open their defence.

    Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, is also named in the charge.

    EFCC said she is “at large.”

    In the nine-count amended charge, EFCC accused Mrs. Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Suleiman of making cash payment of N10million to a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The Commission said they also paid N10million to a Commissioner of Police, Garba Saliu.

    EFCC also alleged that the defendants “directly took possession of the sum N450million,” adding that they “reasonably ought to have known [that the money] forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    They pleaded not guilty to the second amended charge.

    READ ALSO: EFCC recovers N738b in two years

    Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said he had no more witnesses to call.

    Two witnesses testified in the trial which began on February 8.

    EFCC also tended several documents, including those showing how the N450m allegedly received from Mrs. Alison-Madueke was “shared.”

    Also tended is a receipt which they allegedly signed to acknowledge receiving the money.

    Defence counsel, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), indicated that they would file no-case submissions on their clients’ behalf.

    .

  • Belgore’s N500m fraud charge: Join me as defendant, Diezani tells court

    A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke on Monday asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to issue an order, listing her as a party to a N500 million fraud charge involving a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dele Belgore.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) had charged Belgore together with a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, on a five-count charge bordering on N500 million fraud.

    The EFCC had named the former petroleum minister as an accomplice in the criminal trial.

    She was however, described as being “at large”.

    The EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo had opened the case for the prosecution and had already called two witnesses in the ongoing trial.

    Meanwhile, at the last adjournment on Oct 6, Allison-Madueke, through her lawyer, urged the court to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation to extradite her to Nigeria from the United Kingdom to defend herself.

    Justice Mohammed Aikawa had adjourned the case to hear the motion to join Allison-Madueke.

    At the resumed trial on Monday, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel representing Allison-Madueke (the applicant), urged the court to grant his application for “joinder of the applicant” in the sole interest of justice.

    “My lord, we have a motion dated Sept. 29 and an affidavit of 16 paragraphs together with a written address which we rely on.

    “We have received the counter-affidavit of counsel, but there remains yet one consideration which should touch conscience of parties.

    “In four counts of the charge, the applicant’s name was mentioned clearly and there is no alteration to the fact that she has been charged; it simply suggests that it is a consummated complaint.”

    According to Ikpeazu, by the definition Section of 494 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, a defendant is any person against whom a complaint or charge is made, while a charge refers to an allegation that any named person has committed an offence.

    He argued that from count one to count four, the name of the applicant was mentioned as an accomplice, adding that it would be in the interest of justice to join her in the charge.

    Persuasively citing the authority of Frn vs Jide Omokore, FHC/Abj/CR/121/2016, which he argues bears similarity with the instant case, he noted that the judge had struck out the charges on similar grounds.

    “We will have no objections if the applicant’s name is extracted from the charge, then, trial can proceed. Otherwise, she should be included in the charge.

    “I know that she will be happy to come and face the trial,” he told the court.

    Objecting to the motion for joinder, counsel to the first accused, Mr E. O. Shofunde (SAN), informed the court of his counter-affidavit filed in opposition to the application.

    Firstly, Shofunde, argued that the applicant was not a necessary party to the suit since in the end, the court will only decide the guilt or innocence of the first and second accused who were charged.

    Again, he contended that by the combined provisions of Sections 216(2), 221, 273, 274, and 494(1) of the Criminal Justice Act, only the prosecution could exercise the power to amend a process during trial.

    He argued that it will be “incongruous” for any other party to seek an amendment of a criminal charge, adding that the court will not make an order in vain.

    Besides, the counsel argued that it will amount to a waste of precious judicial time if that amendment was allowed since some progress had been made in the case.

    In his response, Oyedepo, agreed with the first defence counsel and vehemently opposed the application for joinder, citing the Ewenla Vs State case.

    He noted that where trial had commenced, the state could only amend a charge for purposes of adding offences and not defendants.

    Oyedepo said:“Iif an amendment is allowed at this stage, it will occasion a miscarriage of justice.”

    He added that several attempts were initially made to interrogate the applicant, but that she fled to London after she got wind of the move by the EFCC, and has since then, carefully avoided any meeting with the commission.

    According to Oyedepo, it is misconceived and too late in the day for the applicant to now seek to be joined in the charge when she is already under investigation in London.

    He submitted that whenever the applicant returns to Nigeria, she can still be tried as time does not run against the prosecution in criminal trial.

    After listening to the counsel, Justice Aikawa fixed Nov. 1 for ruling.

    In the amended charge, Diezani was alleged to have conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015 to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act.

    They were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash which exceeded the amount authorized by law without going through the financial institutions.

    Belgore and Sulaiman were also alleged to have paid the sum of N50 million to a man, Sheriff Shagaya, without going through any financial institution.

    The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(2)(d), 1(a), 16(d) and 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Amended Act, 2012.

    NAN

  • Diezani to FG: Bring me back for trial

    Diezani to FG: Bring me back for trial

    A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Tuesday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the Federal Government to facilitate her return to Nigeria to face trial.

    She asked for an opportunity to defend allegations against her in a charge filed against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Suleiman.

    The prosecution said Alison-Madueke allegedly shared $115,010,000 (about N35billion) to different individuals in 36 states ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Belgore and Suleiman allegedly received N450million in cash from the ex-minister.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the duo of conspiring to directly take possession of the N450million.

    Alison-Madueke was not listed a defendant. She is described as being “at large” in the charge.

    Her lawyer, Obinna Oniya, told Justice Rilwan Aikawa on Tuesday about a pending application seeking to join the former minister as a defendant.

    He said Alison-Madueke was accused in counts one to four of giving money to Belgore and Sulieman, an allegation she would like to be present to defend.

    The lawyer said contrary to EFCC’s claim that the ex-minister was at large, she was in the United Kingdom and willing to return to take her plea and defend the allegations.

    He said it would be against her right to fair hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity to defend herself.

    “The statement made by the prosecution means that the applicant is going to be convicted without being given the opportunity to defend herself,” Oniya said.

     

     

  • Diezani: Belgore loses bid to quash fraud charge

    Diezani: Belgore loses bid to quash fraud charge

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore, on Friday lost his bid to quash the fraud charge filed against him and two former ministers.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Belgore and former minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

    They were charged along with former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large.

    The prosecution said Alison-Madueke allegedly shared $115,010,000 (about N35billion) to different individuals in 36 states ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Belgore and Suleiman allegedly received N450million in cash.

    Belgore’s lawyer, Ebun Shofunde (SAN), argued that the charge was not accompanied by a proof of evidence as required by the Administration of Criminal Justice Acts (ACJA) 2015.

    He urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of competence and discharge his client.

    Dismissing Belgore’s application, Justice Rilwan Aikawa held: “I am in total agreement with the prosecution that this is a court of summary trial where criminal charge is not filed by a way of information but by summary statement of witnesses.

    “As it is in this instance, the prosecution has substantially complied with Section 396 of the ACJA.”

    The judge agreed with the prosecution that failure to file affidavits of investigation cannot affect the substance of the charge.

    He, therefore, dismissed the application to quash the charge and ordered the prosecution to go on with the trial.

    Justice Aikawa granted Belgore and Sulaimon’s application for permission to travel abroad for medical treatment in the United Kingdom and India between July 15 and August 8.

    They are expected to return their international passports to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar on or before August 31.

    Sulaiman, a professor of Political Science and International Relations, and Belgore, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State, were accused of conspiring between themselves to commit the offence on March 27, 2015.

    EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of the N450million, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

    The commission said they committed the alleged offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under same.

    They were also accused of making cash payment of N450million to one Sheriff Shagaya without going through a financial institution.

     

  • Court rules on Belgore’s bid to quash bribery charge July 7

    Court rules on Belgore’s bid to quash bribery charge July 7

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday fixed July 7 for ruling on an application by a Senior Advocate, Dele Belgore, seeking to quash a criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Mohammed Aikawa adjourned for ruling after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution counsel.

    Belgore is charged along with a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman over allegations of receiving N450 million from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge but is described as “being at large”.

    The Commission had also accused them of handling the said sum in cash without going through any financial institution.

    The offence, according to the anti-graft body,  contravened the provisions of sections 1(a), 15(2)(d) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Moving the application on Thursday, the defence counsel, Mr Ebun Shofunde (SAN), insisted that the failure of the EFCC to attach an affidavit to indicate that investigations had been concluded remained  a fundamental breach of the court rules.

    He argued that the failure rendered the charge most incompetent and urged the court to quash the charge and set Belgore free.

    Opposing the application, the Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that the current law governing criminal cases in Nigeria is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    Oyedepo maintained that the ACJA never listed the filing of the affidavit in question as a condition which must be accomplished before a criminal charge could be initiated in court.

    He argued that the provisions of the ACJA are superior to the Federal High Court Practice Direction.

    Oyedepo drew the court’s attention to the provision of Section 221 of the ACJA which restrains any judge in Nigeria from looking at any application which challenges the competence of charges in a criminal matter in the middle of trial.

    He also referred to the provision of Section 396 (2) of the Act,which restrains a judge from delivering any ruling on any application of that nature until judgment is handed down on the matter.

    Oyedepo urged the court to throw out the application, saying granting same would amount to “slaughtering” justice on the altar of technicality.
    Justice Aikawa will rule on the arguments on July 7.