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Tag: Diezani Alison-Madueke

  • 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.

     

  • Alleged fraud: Jumoke Akinjide granted bail

    Alleged fraud: Jumoke Akinjide granted bail

    A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Thursday granted bail to Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide, former Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, on self-recognition, in a case of N650 million fraud.

    The judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek, also granted bail to Sen. Ayoade Adeseun and Mr Olanrewaju Otiti in the same case, in the sum of N100 million.

    The judge added that the each of the sureties to be provided by the two accused persons, must deposit their passport photographs and Certificates of Occupancy of landed property belonging to them.

    Abdulmaleek adjourned the case to Sept. 12, for the commencement of trial.

    The three accused persons were dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over a N650 million fraud charge.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter, Adeseun, who was conspicuously absent at the previous sitting, was seen in the dock, along with the other two accused persons.

    When the charges were read to Adeseun, he pleaded not guilty to the 24-count charge proffered against him.

    Mr O.F.A. Adeosun, the defence counsel, immediately prayed the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms and in self-recognition.

    However, Mr Idriss Mohammed, counsel to the EFCC, objected the application, saying that the accused persons might jump bail.

    Mohammed recalled that Adeseun had previously failed to make himself available in court, when the agency granted him administrative bail.

    Meanwhile, Mr Richard Ogunwole (SAN), counsel to Akinjide, had earlier prayed the court to admit his client to bail, based on self-recognition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that with Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, still at large, Akinjide, Adeseun and Otiti have been standing trial over an alleged N650 million fraud in the run-off to the 2015 general elections.

  • Diezani bribe: Two INEC staff shared N100m – EFCC witness

    Diezani bribe: Two INEC staff shared N100m – EFCC witness

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday heard that two staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) kept N100 million from the N264.8 million they allegedly received from former Minister of Petroleum, 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.

    The defendants were accused by the EFCC of receiving gratification from the former minister and were arraigned for corruption and undue enrichment.

    According to the commission, the offences contravene sections 15(3), 16(2) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act, 2012 and punishable under same.

    Adedoyin pleaded guilty and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Led in evidence on Thursday 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 $115m, 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 N264.8m, while 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.

     

  • Diezani ‘bribed’ INEC officials with N264m to rig polls – Witness

    Diezani ‘bribed’ INEC officials with N264m to rig polls – Witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos heard on Wednesday that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adegoyin, allegedly received N264million from former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general elections.

    A prosecution witness, Timothy Olaobaju, said the money was paid to Nwosu and Adedoyin in cash.

    He stated these while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, in the trial of Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir before Justice Idris.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the duo of receiving gratification from the former minister.

    Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Olaobaju, who was his bank’s head of operations in Ilorin, Kwara State, said he paid the Nwosu and Adedoyin the cash based on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s instructions.

    He said: “I was the Head of Operations for Ilorin Branch where I had cause to meet Nwosu and Adedoyin. Sometime in 2015, there was a meeting between our Managing Director and the former Petroleum minister during which she explained that some companies and individuals would come to the bank to pay some money into some accounts.

    “The companies were Northern Belt Limited, Actus Integrated Limited, Midwestern Company and one Mr. Leno Laitan. In addition, she said certain individuals would bring some cash to be kept for her.

    “A total sum of $89million was paid into the accounts. A cash sum of $25million was brought, totaling $114million. The money was kept in the bank pending her instruction as agreed.

    “On March 26, 2014, we got instruction that the money should be converted to naira. After it was converted, it was about N23billion. There was a list of beneficiaries that was sent, to be paid across the 36 states of the federation, including Kwara. I handled the transactions in my branch.”

    He said the defendants came to his office to collect the cash payment, and that he only acted on instruction.

    “There was an instruction that Nwosu and Adedoyin be paid N264, 880,000. The instruction came from the head office based on instruction from Mrs. Alison-Madueke and they were paid. They signed a receipt of payment for the money they collected,” Olaobaju said.

    The witness said after the defendants were paid, they left with the cash and did not pay it into any account.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel, Obinna Okereke and Nelson Imoh, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the payment.

    “The only instruction we had was that they should bring means of identification and should be paid. They even waited for the money to be released to them. We did not know the purpose of the payment,” he said.

     

  • Updated: $115m ‘Diezani bribe’: Court frees lawmaker as ex-minister wife surrenders to EFCC

    Updated: $115m ‘Diezani bribe’: Court frees lawmaker as ex-minister wife surrenders to EFCC

    An Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos Tuesday freed a federal lawmaker, Aliyu Ahman Pategi, who was remanded last Friday for failing to produce his ex-minister wife, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, who he stood surety for.

    Chief Magistrate Afolashade Botoku struck out the charge against Pategi following Akinjide’s surrender Tuesday afternoon to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Lagos office in Ikoyi.

    Pategi is the House of Representatives member representing Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constitutency of Kwara State.

    Akinjide, a former Federal Capital Territory and Minister of State for Defence, was declared wanted by the EFCC for alleged conspiracy and laundering of N650 million.

    The agency said she collected the sum from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke in March 2015, as part of the $115million allegedly illegally disbursed by the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration to prosecute the 2015 general elections.

    According to a 16-paragraph affidavit filed by the commission, Diezani received the money as gratification from some oil marketers.

    EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that Akinjide was granted bail by the agency last August 10, after Pategi stood as her surety on a N650 million bail bond.

    Pategi, Oyedepo said, promised to produce Akinjide whenever she was needed.

    He said a 24-count charge of money laundering and conspiracy was brought against her before Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, in Suit No. FHC/IB/26C/2017.

    Akinjide, Oyedepo added, failed to turn up in court after more than three proceedings, despite the service of the charge on her prompting the Federal High Court to threaten to dismiss the charge.

    He said Akinjide was not seen since then and Pategi, despite repeated demands, failed to produce her

    He brought an application that Pategi should show cause why the N650m should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Pategi was then remanded in EFCC custody.

    When the case came up yesterday, Oyedepo said Akinjide had reported herself to the EFCC’s office.

    “I just confirmed from the EFCC zonal office that Akinjide has turned herself in to EFCC custody.

    “Since it was the inability of Pategi to produce Akinjide that triggered our application, we apply that this suit be struck out in view of the success of producing Akinjide.

    “In the interest of justice I seek to withdraw this suit,” Oyedepo said.

    Earlier, defence counsel Olusegun Williams told the court that although the business of the day was for the defendant’s bail and preliminary objection to be heard, an arrangement out of court settlement talks were on going.

    He, thereafter, withdrew his applications and urged the court to suspend the suit until a settlement was reached.

    In a bench ruling, Magistrate Botoku struck out the suit.

    She said: “Based on the application of the prosecutor, the suit is hereby struck out and the defendant released.”

  • 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.

  • Judge dismisses request to transfer INEC officials’ case

    Judge dismisses request to transfer INEC officials’ case

    Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday refused to transfer the case of two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, Christian Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir, who were accused of receiving bribe, to another judge.

    The judge rejected an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he should hands off the case having rejected Nwosu’s plea bargain agreement.

    Justice Idris held that since the defendants were re-arraigned on an amended charge and pleaded not guilty, Nwosu’s earlier plea of guilty no longer matters.

    The defendants were accused of receiving N30million bribe from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general election results.

    They were arraigned alongside Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving N70.050 million cash payment from the former minister, who is named in the charge but is “at large.”

    Nwosu pleaded guilty when he was first arraigned, but Justice Idris rejected a plea bargain agreement he reached with the EFCC on the basis that it was not “appropriate.”

    Justice Idris gave Nwosu the option of changing his plea to not guilty, or accepting a heavier sentence, including N10million fine as provided in the law.

    Nwosu changed his plea to not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, said based on Section 270 (15) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the judge should return the case-file for re-assignment to another judge, as he could be accused of bias later, having rejected the plea bargain agreement.

    But, Nwosu’s lawyer, Victor Opara, said since the judge had rejected the plea bargain agreement for not being in compliance with the law, it indicated that there was no plea bargain.

    However, Justice Idris held on Wednesday that since the defendants were re-arraigned on an amended charge, it was as if they were arraigned for the first time.

    “I agree with the view that the prosecution having amended the charge and fresh plea taken by the first defendant in line with the ACJA, the court is being enjoined to commence fresh proceedings as if he has been arraigned for the first time.

    “Section 217 (1) and (2) of the ACJA says: ‘Where a new charge is framed or alteration made to a charge under the provisions of section 216 of this Act, the court shall call on the defendant to plead to the new or altered charge as if he has been arraigned for the first time.

    “‘The court shall proceed with the trial as if the new or altered charge had been the original charge,” the judge held.

     

  • Alleged bribery: EFCC wants judge to withdraw from INEC staff trial

    Alleged bribery: EFCC wants judge to withdraw from INEC staff trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday asked Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos to withdraw from the trial of two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees accused of receiving bribe.

    Christian Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir were accused of receiving N30million bribe from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general election results.

    They were arraigned along with Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving cash payment of N70, 050,000.00 from the ex-minister.

    Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge, but is said to be “at large.”

    Adedoyin was convicted following a plea bargain with EFCC in which he agreed to pay a fine of N10million and to forfeit his illicitly-acquired assets.

    Nwosu pleaded guilty at first and entered a plea bargain with EFCC, but Justice Idris rejected the agreement on the basis that it was not severe enough.

    It was agreed that Nwosu would forfeit the assets he acquired with the money and pay N500,000 fine.

    After rejecting the plea bargain agreement, Justice Idris gave Nwosu the option of changing his plea to not guilty, or accepting a heavier sentence, including N10million fine as provided in the law.

    When the defendants were re-arraigned, Nwosu changed his plea to not guilty.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said on Monday that based on Section 270 (15) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the judge ought to return the case-file for re-assignment.

    The section reads: “Where the defendant has been informed of the heavier sentence, the defendant may withdraw from his plea agreement, in which event the trial shall proceed de novo before another presiding judge or magistrate, as the case may be.”

    Oyedepo said should the trial continue before Justice Idris, the judge could later be accused of bias and violating the law.

    “I urge my lord to remit the case to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge,” the prosecutor said.

    But, Nwosu’s lawyer, Victor Opara, said since the judge had rejected the plea bargain agreement, it amounts to there being no plea bargain.

    Besides, he said Nwosu had pleaded not guilty to a “new” charge, adding that transferring the case to a new judge would be a waste of time.

    Opera undertook not to raise the issue of bias at any point in the proceedings, including on appeal.

    Justice Idris adjourned till May 24 for ruling on the matter.

  • Court convicts INEC staff for accepting N70m bribe from Diezani

    Court convicts INEC staff for accepting N70m bribe from Diezani

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for accepting over N70million bribe from former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general election results.

    Justice Mohammed Idris convicted Yisa Adedoyin for receiving cash payment of N70,050,000.00 after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him along with Christian Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir.

    They allegedly collected N264.88million bribe on March 27, 2015 from the former minister ahead of the election.

    Nwosu had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted for receiving N30million bribe.

    But, Justice Idris rejected his plea bargain agreement with the EFCC which involved payment of N500,000 fine and forfeiture of properties acquired with the money.

    The judge said Nwosu should either accept a heavier sentence, which includes N10million fine, or change his plea.

    When the defendants were re-arraigned on Wednesday, Nwosu changed his plea to not guilty.

    Adedoyin, who earlier pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to guilty.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke, said to be at large, was named in the charge.

    Prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to convict Adedoyin following his plea and to accept the plea bargain agreement reached with him on May 2.

    It was agreed in the plea bargain that Adedoyin would forfeit a parcel of land measuring 100ft by 100 at Taoheed Road, Budo-Osho Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area in Kwara State.

    “That a fine of N10million is proposed to this Honourable Court to be imposed on him upon his conviction on count four of the amended charge.

    “That in paying the fine of N10million, the defendant shall raise a draft of N5million in addition to the sum of N5million already recovered from him,” the agreement reads in part.

    Reviewing the facts of the case, Oyedepo said EFCC received an intelligence in late 2004 that Mrs. Alison-Madueke received gratification from various oil companies such as Northern Bet Oil and Gas, Auctus Integrated Company and an oil magnate Adesanya Laitan.

    “The total sum received was $115,010,000. It was kept in the custody of a bank which received instructions to convert the sums to naira and distribute to the 36 states and the FCT.

    “Our investigation established that the second defendant (Adedoyin) in conjunction with the first defendant (Nwosu) signed a receipt for N264,880,” Oyedepo said.

    He tendered the receipt and Bashir’s statement in evidence.

    “We discovered that though he signed for a total of N264,880, we found as a fact that he received N70,050,000 from the third defendant.

    “Out of the N70million, he only benefited N28million, which has been forfeited. The property he acquired with it has been recovered. We have the deed of assignment and plan,” Oyedepo said.

  • $1.04bn block: How Diezani ceded OPL 245 to Malabu Oil in 2010

    $1.04bn block: How Diezani ceded OPL 245 to Malabu Oil in 2010

    •What Mohammed Abacha told FG on the firm’s shareholders’ crisis

    More trouble awaits a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, following fresh revelations yesterday that she has been fingered in the ceding of the controversial $1.04billion OPL 245 to Malabu Oil.

    It was also learnt that contrary to their claim, the Abacha family in December 2012 sought  the Federal Government intervention in the shareholders’ dispute in Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

    But the government in January 2013 asked aggrieved shareholders to go to court, a development which was unacceptable to the Abachas at that time.

    These facts have emanated from the  ongoing investigation of the controversial oil block by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

    Findings by our correspondent revealed that detectives have obtained more documents, implicating Diezani in the oil block deal and confirming the interest of the Abacha family.

    Although the ex-minister is still holed up in London pending a trial in a UK court, it was learnt that she has a case to answer on the Malabu Oil block.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ongoing probe of the controversial oil block has shown that Diezani was central to the ceding of the oil block to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

    “Some documents available to detectives have clearly shown that she has some explanation to give on how the oil block was returned to Malabu.

    “At the appropriate time, the EFCC may seek inter-agency collaboration with the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom to enable its detectives to interrogate Diezani.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There are many suspects we are closing in on the Malabu Oil block. More will still face trial.”

    In a July 2nd 2010 letter to the Managing Director of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Diezani asked the company to pay US$210million as signature bonus.

    The letter, ICSID Case No. ARE/07/18, said: “Further to the Settlement Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd dated  November 2006, your company is hereby allocated OPI 245 subject to the payment of the sum of US$210million as signature bonus into the Federal Government designated account less the sum of US$2,040,000 already paid by your company in respect of the said block within ninety days (90 days) from the date of receipt of this letter.

    “Please note that failure to pay the above mentioned within the stipulated period will amount to forfeiture of the allocation without further notice from the office.

    “Please, accept the assurance of my highest regards.”

    As at press time, findings confirmed that the Abacha family begged the Federal Government to intervene in the shareholders’ dispute in Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

    But  after failure by shareholders to meet, the government asked those aggrieved to go to court.

    It was learnt that a company, ‘Enervate Consult Limited’, approached the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), for “urgent intervention in the dispute among shareholders of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

    The AGF through a letter,  HAGF/GEN/SA3/2012/1 of December 18, 2012 and signed by a Special Assistant to the ex-minister, Mr. Pius Oteh, sought clarification from the Abachas on the status of Enervate Consult Limited.

    The letter said: “I am directed to you that the Honourable Attoney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) is in receipt of a letter dated today, 18th December, 2012 from a certain ‘Enervate Consult Limited’ in respect of the above described matter.

    “The said company has indicated in the said letter that it is representing your interests towards the resolution of the alleged dispute among shareholders of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited over ownership rights.

    “The HAGF requests that you confirm that the said ‘Enervate Consult Limited’ has been so instructed by you to represent your interests in the matter.

    “Please, accept the assurance of the good wishes of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”

    But  Mohammed Abacha disowned the consulting firm and chose to handle the shareholding crisis through two representatives-Abdullahi Haruna and Reuben Okpanachi Atabo Esq.

    In a December 18, 2012 letter to the ex-AGF and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), the scion of Abacha family, Alh. Mohammed Abacha said: “I acknowledge the receipt of your letter with reference no. HAGF/GEN/SA3/2012/1 dated 18th December, 2012 on the above subject and want to thank you immensely for the warm reception accorded me and my team in your office today.

    “I want to formally inform you that I want to directly handle the current stage of efforts to resolve the outstanding shareholders dispute would want to be presented at all meetings by Abdullahi Haruna and Reuben Okpanachi Atabo Esq.”

    On March 21, 2017, Mohammed Abacha approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to declare him and a firm, Pecos Energy Ltd, as genuine owners of Malabu Oil & Gas Limited.

    The EFCC had filed two  charges against some people suspected to have played some roles in the auctioning of the oil block.

    The commission on  December 20, 2016 filed nine charges bordering on alleged mismanagement of $1,616,690,656.78 Malabu Oil cash against a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke (SAN), a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Rocky  Top Resources Limited; Imperial Union Limited; Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, Group Construction Limited and Megatech Engineering Limited.

    The nine-count charge was filed  at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    In another separate charge, the EFCC sued  Etete, Adoke, Abubakar and eight others over alleged $801million bribe in respect of the auctioning of the Malabu Oil block.

    The others are Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited;  Nigeria Agip  Exploration Limited; ENI SPA; Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Ralph Wetzels (ex- Director of SNEPCO), Casula Roberto(Italian) whilst being the Director of AGIP; Pujatti Stefeno(Italian) while being the Director in AGIP; and Burafato Sebastiano (Italian).

    All the suspects have denied the charges.