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Tag: ‘Diezani cash’

  • I had no dealings with Diezani, says Belgore

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dele Belgore on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he never met or dealt with former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    He said he was not aware that the N450 million he signed for in 2015 came from her.

    Belgore, who was the Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation coordinator in Kwara State during the 2015 general elections, was testifying in his trial before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him, former National Planning Minister Prof Abubakar Suleiman and Mrs. Madueke (said to be at large) with money laundering.

    In the nine-count charge, EFCC accused them of making cash payment of N10million to Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The commission said they also paid N10million to a Commissioner of Police Garba Saliu on March 27, 2015 without going through a financial institution.

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated Sections 1(a) and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b).

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

    Belgore and Suleiman pleaded not guilty.

    Read Also: Belgore: How N450m was shared in Kwara

    Two prosecution witnesses had testified that Mrs. Madueke collected N23billion from three oil marketers – Northern Belt Ltd, Actus Integrated Ltd, Midwestern Company and one Mr Leno Laitan, ahead of the 2015 general elections, and that it was part of the money that Belgore signed for.

    But, Belgore, who said he did not know the companies, explained how he came about the N450million.

    “I don’t know any of the said marketers that PW1 claimed provided the money. I never met or dealt with them.

    “PW1 and PW2 (EFCC investigators) said the money was paid out on Diezani’s instructions. I have no information about that. I never met her.

    “I have never spoken with her. I never dealt with or spoken with anybody claiming to be acting on her behalf,” he stressed.

    Belgore said he was made to believe that the money was from the Campaign Organisation and not from another source.

    “On the contrary, we asked the Presidential Campaign headquarters for funds for the election because there were agitations from candidates and stakeholders for funds. We were told there were no funds available, but that a series of fund raising activities had been lined up.

    “I know that funds were indeed raised. I also know that within a very short time, the headquarters called me and said the funds were available.

    “On March 26, 2015, I received a call from the Financial Director of the Campaign Organisation Mrs. Nenadi Usman that the money had been sent.

    “There was no basis, evidence or indication that the money came from any other place other than the Presidential Campaign Headquarters.

    “As a matter of fact, it was during my interrogation in November 2016 that I first heard from PW2 that said funds did not come from the Presidential Campaign Headquarters as I was made to believe.

    “Up until then, no one other than PW1 and PW2 had told me that the N450million did not come from the fundraising activities conducted by the Presidential Campaign Organisation,” Belgore said.

    Two separate video clips from bank CCTV cameras recordings were shown in court.

    They were tendered by Belgore to prove that he did not leave the bank with the money even though he signed for it.

    “I did not see myself in the first and second videos. I could not make out anybody I knew in them,” he said.

    The first clip lasted for about 55 minutes, while the second one lasted for one and a half hours.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until March 27 and April 10 for continuation of trial.

  • Diezani cash: Court jails INEC chiefs for receiving bribe 

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday sentenced a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State, Christian Nwosu, to seven years imprisonment.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him for accepting bribe from former Petroleum Resources Minister  Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Also sentenced to seven years was his co-accused, a former INEC official, Tijani Bashir.

    EFCC said the defendants conspired to directly take possession of N264,880,000 which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act-gratification.

    Nwosu, who had initially pleaded guilty to receiving a N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results, at his arraignment on April 5, 2017, changed his plea to not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

    Read also:

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000 which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.

    He also concealed N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

    The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    Justice Mohammed Idris, who concluded the case despite being elevated to the Court of Appeal, had, on Thursday, held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The judge, however, could not pass a sentence on the defendants owning to Nwosu’s absence occasioned by ill-health.

    Giving the final verdict yesterday, Justice Idris sentenced Nwosu to seven years imprisonment on counts one and two and five years on counts three and four.

    He sentenced Bashir to seven years on count five and seven years on counts six, seven and eight.

    Justice Idris sentenced them both to seven years each on count nine.

    The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a property in Asaba, the Delta  State capital, worth N25million, as well as N5million cash seized from Nwosu.

    Bashir is also to lose his Abuja property.

    The sentences are to run concurrently, the judge held.

    Justice Idris said: “The convicts were officials of the INEC and were expected to conduct themselves as impartial umpires in carrying out their activities.

    “I understand it to be the mission of the INEC to serve as an independent and effective election management body that is committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible election for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.”

    Before the verdict, defence counsel Victor Opara had urged the court to temper justice with mercy, saying Nwosu was a first offender.

    He said the convict served in the INEC for 35 years and is now 64 years and unwell.

    Bashir’s lawyer, K.I. Marcus, also urged the court to consider that his client is a single parent who lost his wife last October and is taking care of four children alone.

  • Diezani cash: Ex-INEC officials convicted

    TWO former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees Christian Nwosu and Tijani Bashir have been convicted by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

    Nwosu, who was an INEC Administrative Secretary in Kwara State and Bashir, an official of the commission, were charged with N264.8 million gratification and money laundering.

    They were found guilty of the charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The former INEC officials were arraigned by the anti-graft agency for accepting bribe from former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    EFCC said the former minister received gratification from oil marketers such as Auctus Integrated Services Ltd, Northern Belt Oil, Gas Ltd and Midwestern Oil and Gas Ltd and Leno Adesanya.

    The money was part of slush funds distributed with a view to influencing the 2015 general elections, which former President Goodluck Jonathan lost.

    According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired to directly take possession of N264,880,000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

    The convicts were charged with another INEC official Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Nwosu, who had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30 million bribe from Mrs. Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results at his arraignment on April 5, 2017, changed his plea to not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

    EFCC said the convicts made cash payment of N70, 050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeds the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification, and concealing N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

    The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    In his verdict, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The Judge said: “I find that the prosecution has proved this case beyond reasonable doubt in a manner required by law.

    “I, therefore, find the first and second defendants guilty as charged.”

    He, however, could not pass a sentence on the defendants due to Nwosu’s absence.

    The convict’s lawyer, Obinna Okeke, said Nwosu, based in the Southeast, embarked on a journey to Lagos on Wednesday morning on learning that judgment would be delivered yesterday.

    The lawyer told the court that his client arrived in Lagos late Wednesday.

    He said: “I got a call that he collapsed at the park. He’s on admission in a hospital in Ajangbadi.

    “The doctor had to start administering injections on him. His blood pressure was 200/100. He has been very hypertensive and has not been sleeping.”

    Besides, Okeke said there was a pending appeal on a constitutional issue which the defendants filed at the Court of Appeal.

    ”We’re urging your Lordship to grant an adjournment to enable the Court of Appeal dispose of this constitutional issue, by which time the first defendant would have recovered,” he pleaded.

    But, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to disregard the hospital report which he described as “worthless” and contradictory.

    He said the doctor’s report stated that Nwosu was “conscious and alert”.

    Refusing the prayer for adjournment, Justice Idris held: “The first defendant is absent without any valid reason in my respectful view.”

    On the pending appeal, Justice Idris held that the issue of law raised and any appeal from the judgment would both be determined by the Court of Appeal.

    He added that he was bound by the Constitution to deliver the judgment within 90 days.

    In his verdict, Justice Idris held that the defendants went to a Fidelity Bank Plc branch to “conduct an unusual transaction” that was outside the scope of their functions.

    Contrary to Nwosu’s claim that the money was for logistics purposes, Justice Idris held that the convict had no account in Fidelity Bank where he went to receive the money, nor did he receive any instructions to disburse the cash.

    The judge said the fact that he collected huge sums of cash without going through a financial institution meant that an offence was committed.

    Justice Idris noted that the defendants did not tender any instructions with respect to the transaction, adding the prosecution witnesses’ evidence was not contradicted.

    He said: “The money did not come from any political party. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not issue any cheque in the name of the defendants to legitimise the transaction, neither did INEC.

    “The defendants admitted that they did not receive cheques from anyone, including the PDP or INEC before going to Fidelity Bank. Why did they have to collect such huge amount of money in cash? INEC is not a customer of Fidelity Bank.

    Read also: Lagos residents in street protest over Apapa gridlock

    “There was no instruction directing the bank to disburse the said N264, 880,000 to the intending beneficiaries. The defendants admitted receiving the money.

    “The evidence on record shows that this money did not come from any political party or any other known legitimate source other than the source revealed by the prosecution.

    “The defendants were not customers of Fidelity Bank and were clearly not issued any financial instruments to carry out the transactions.

    “I agree with the prosecution that the manner in which the transaction leading to this charge was consummated shows clearly that the defendants and Fidelity Bank, acting on behalf of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, agreed to carry out unlawful act.

    “The defendants though may not know reasonably ought to have known in view of the circumstances that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    After finding the defendants guilty, Justice Idris adjourned until 12 noon today for sentencing.

    He ordered that Nwosu be produced in court while Bashir should be kept in EFCC’s custody.

  • Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected an offer for an out-of-court settlement by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, who was accused of money laundering.

    Akinjide was charged with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (who is said to be at large), a former Senator Ayo Adeseun and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.

    They were accused of conspiring to directly take possession of N650 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and without going through a financial institution.

    Justice Muslim Hassan had adjourned to enable parties conclude the settlement talks after Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) reported that the N650 million had been returned.

    Yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer Nnaemeka Omenwa, who stood in for Rotimi Oyedepo, said he was instructed to turn down the proposal.

    “I have instruction to reject the proposal as it’s not in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Based on that, we’re ready to go on with the trial, subject to your Lordship’s overriding convenience,” he said.

    But defence counsel Ayorinde and Michael Lana (for second defendant) accused Oyedepo of a breach of agreement.

    Ayorinde said the defendants made a proposal to the prosecution in line with Section 14 of the EFCC Act.

    “For the purposes of your Lordship’s record and because of the public interest that this case seems to unnecessarily attract, our proposal was made in accordance with established laws and there is no fixation on Section 270 of the ACJA.

    “We’re very confident that this case is a sham and we’ll defend it vigorously. It’s political and we’ll show that it’s unnecessary and a waste of time and resources of the court,” Ayorinde said.

    Lana accused EFCC of breaching an agreement reached by parties with regards to the settlement, saying it amounted to a “betrayal”.

    He said the defendants agreed to withdraw a civil suit against EFCC and Oyedepo after the prosecuting counsel indicated that the commission was open to an out of court settlement.

    “Their refusal to consider the terms of settlement is to say the least a betrayal of trust by a lawyer. A representation was made to us that we should withdraw a civil suit we filed. Oyedepo is the first defendant in the suit.

    “He made a proposal to us which we believed. On the day of the first arraignment in Ibadan, Oyedepo and Chief Ayorinde informed the court that they had agreed to settle. But the judge decided that the defendants should be arraigned while the talks continued.

    “We withdrew the suit and the money they requested was paid. That’s why we were surprised when we received a hearing notice. A lawyer’s words should be sacrosanct. That’s an abuse of office. Oyedepo was the initiator of the settlement. That’s like 419. We’re highly disappointed with Oyedepo,” Lana said.

    But, Omenwa denied that the case was politically motivated, adding that there was no proof to support the claims against Oyedepo.

    “The EFCC is not a political party. We’re an independent organisation and are not out to witch-hunt anybody.

    “There is no documentary evidence that they had any such agreement with Oyedepo that they should withdraw their suit. There’s no evidence before my Lord,” he said.

    In his ruling, Justice Hassan said since settlement talks had “broken down,” EFCC was at liberty to call its witness.

    Trial began immediately with Omenwa calling the first witness, a banker, Mrs. Kehinde Adeniyi, who said she is the head of Customer Relations at her bank’s Dugbe, Ibadan branch. She said she knew Akinjide and Adeseun.

    Asked to narrate her connection with them, she said: “On March 26, 2015, I received a call from our Head of Operations Mr. Martins Izuegbe that we should pay the sum of N650 million to Akinjide, Adeseun and Hon. Taiwo Yinka once they produce two means of identification and sign a receipt of payment.

    “They came, signed and the payment was made. The payment was in naira. They came with their Hillux van to pick up the cash in a box.”

    The receipt of payment was tendered in evidence.

    The witness said under cross examination by Ayorinde that she made three statements at the EFCC, which were also tendered in evidence.

    Mrs. Adeniyi said she merely carried out instructions and that she did not know the source of the funds.

    She added that she knew Mrs. Alison-Madueke and that she did not know how the money was used.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until March 8 and 9 for continuation of trial.

  • Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m

    Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arrested a former Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Christian Nwosu.

    He was arrested after yesterday’s proceedings in another criminal case at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    EFCC charged Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir with receiving N30 million bribe from former Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 election result.

    They were arraigned with Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving cash payment of N70,050,000 from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

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

    Nwosu pleaded guilty when he was first arraigned, but changed his plea to not guilty after claiming EFCC induced him to plead guilty.

    Yesterday, EFCC’s investigator Usman Zakari tendered Nwosu’s account statements showing details of the N30 million.

    The witness said Nwosu received N17 million in his Diamond Bank Plc account and N13 million in his Union Bank Plc account.

    Zakari also tendered some title documents of land allegedly acquired by Nwosu with some of the funds.

    After the documents were admitted in evidence, the prosecution closed its case.

    Defence counsel Victor Opara said his client would file a no-case submission, meaning they do not intend to call any witness to defend the case because they believe the prosecution’s case is weak. After the proceedings, Nwosu and his co-accused were arrested.

    It was learnt that their arrest was in connection to a fresh finding by EFCC that they allegedly diverted N450 million to a company called Advaita Nigeria Limited through an INEC cashier.

    Bashir is said to be a director in the company.

    EFCC said Nwosu is a signatory to an account where the money was hidden, and that his wife benefited N11.8 million.

    The commission said Bashir got N25 million through a company called Heiza Nigeria owned by his relative, Saliu Yakubu.

    Nwosu had claimed that the N30 million he collected was for logistics purposes during the election, and that his office knew how the money was spent.

    He also said the money was shared to INEC ad-hoc staff for logistics.

    Nwosu had earlier claimed that EFCC allegedly forced him to surrender his property worth N30 million and that he was induced to part with N5 million in a bid to regain his freedom.

    According to him, the statements he made at EFCC were dictated to him while the one he made voluntarily was described as “rubbish”.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned till March 7 for hearing of the no-case submission.

     

  • Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m

    Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arrested a former Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Christian Nwosu.

    He was arrested after yesterday’s proceedings in another criminal case at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    EFCC charged Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir with receiving N30 million bribe from former Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 election result.

    They were arraigned with Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving cash payment of N70,050,000 from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

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

    Nwosu pleaded guilty when he was first arraigned, but changed his plea to not guilty after claiming EFCC induced him to plead guilty.

    Yesterday, EFCC’s investigator Usman Zakari tendered Nwosu’s account statements showing details of the N30 million.

    The witness said Nwosu received N17 million in his Diamond Bank Plc account and N13 million in his Union Bank Plc account.

    Zakari also tendered some title documents of land allegedly acquired by Nwosu with some of the funds.

    After the documents were admitted in evidence, the prosecution closed its case.

    Defence counsel Victor Opara said his client would file a no-case submission, meaning they do not intend to call any witness to defend the case because they believe the prosecution’s case is weak. After the proceedings, Nwosu and his co-accused were arrested.

    It was learnt that their arrest was in connection to a fresh finding by EFCC that they allegedly diverted N450 million to a company called Advaita Nigeria Limited through an INEC cashier.

    Bashir is said to be a director in the company.

    EFCC said Nwosu is a signatory to an account where the money was hidden, and that his wife benefited N11.8 million.

    The commission said Bashir got N25 million through a company called Heiza Nigeria owned by his relative, Saliu Yakubu.

    Nwosu had claimed that the N30 million he collected was for logistics purposes during the election, and that his office knew how the money was spent.

    He also said the money was shared to INEC ad-hoc staff for logistics.

    Nwosu had earlier claimed that EFCC allegedly forced him to surrender his property worth N30 million and that he was induced to part with N5 million in a bid to regain his freedom.

    According to him, the statements he made at EFCC were dictated to him while the one he made voluntarily was described as “rubbish”.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned till March 7 for hearing of the no-case submission.

  • Diezani cash: Ex-Minister Akinjide to face trial in Lagos

    Diezani cash: Ex-Minister Akinjide to face trial in Lagos

    The case of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, has been transferred to the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    It has been re-assigned to Justice Muslim Hassan.

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

    Others named in the charge are Senator Ayo Adeseun and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.

    They were accused of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

    They were arraigned last June before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in Ibadan.

    It was learnt that the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Adamu Kafarati, moved the case to Lagos at Akinjide’s instance.

    The former minister was granted bail on self-recognition when she was arraigned in Ibadan. She was also asked to submit her international passport.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo confirmed to our correspondent yesterday that the former minister would be tried in Lagos.

    “Yes, we have been served with a Hearing Notice by the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, that the case is coming up before Justice Hassan next week,” he said.

    The defendants allegedly received the money from Mrs Alison-Madueke in the build- up to the 2015 general election.

    It was said to be part of the $115 million allegedly disbursed by Mrs. Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

    One of the charges reads: “That you, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (still at large), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun and Chief Olarenwaju Otiti on or about the 26th day of March, 2015, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to directly take possession of the N650 million which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

    “That you, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun and Chief Olanrewaju Otiti on or about the 26th day of March, 2015 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: making cash payment of the sum of N650 million which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law without going through financial institution and you thereby committed an offence.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    It was learnt that Akinjide held plea bargain talks with the EFCC. The case may come up before Justice Hassan on Tuesday.

  • N30m ‘Diezani cash’ was for logistics, says ex-INEC official

    FORMER Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Christian Nwosu, yesterday denied being bribed by former Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results.

    He said the N30 million he was alleged to have collected from her was spent on logistics.

    Nwosu said his office knew about the money and how it was spent.

    He spoke while testifying in a trial-within-trial before Justice Ibrahim Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Under cross-examination by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Nwosu claimed he did not personally benefit from the money.

    He said it was shared to INEC ad-hoc staff for logistics.

    He said: “I did not personally benefit from the N30 million. The ad-hoc staff benefitted because the election went smoothly with the assistance of the logistics support. My commission was aware of the money and the evidence was that the election went smoothly.”

    On how he got the cash, he said: “The money was not given to me by way of cheque. We were asked to go to the bank to collect it. No cheque was given to me at the bank. I just signed a document at the bank, which confirmed the receipt of the money.

    “I did not instruct the bank to transfer the money to any account because it was not for me but for the coordinator (Mr. Isa  Adedoyin), who is to ensure that the money get to the ad-hoc staff.”

    Nwosu said N17 million was paid into his Diamond Bank Plc account on April 7, 2015 and N13 million was also paid into his Union Bank account on April 13, 2015.

    Nwosu had claimed that EFCC allegedly forced him to surrender his property worth N30 million.

    He said he was also induced to part with N5 million in a bid to regain his freedom.

    According to him, the statements he made at the EFCC were dictated to him while the one he made voluntarily was described as “rubbish”.

    Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir were accused of receiving N30 million bribe from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

    They were arraigned along with Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving cash payment of N70,050,000 from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

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

    Justice Idris adjourned to November 15.

  • ‘I was forced to surrender my property over Diezani cash’

    A former Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Christian Nwosu, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) forced him to surrender his property worth N30 million.

    According to him, the statements he made at EFCC were dictated to him while the one he made voluntarily was described as “rubbish”.

    Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir were accused of receiving N30 million as bribe from former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 election results. They were arraigned with Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving cash payment of N70,050,000 from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

    Nwosu, testifying yesterday in a trial within trial to determine the truthfulness of his statements, said he got N30 million for logistics.

    But EFCC’s Head of Special Task Force in Lagos, Usman Zakari, who also testified, said Nwosu made his statement voluntarily.

    On how he was compelled to forfeit his property, Nwosu said: “On December 28, 2016, I was invited to EFCC. I was interviewed by Mr. Moses and I wrote a three-page. He said his boss, Mr. Zakari, wanted to see me but Zakari told me “No, you have not written what I want”, that he would not take that rubbish from me.

    “He said he had signed a detention order and that he was going to keep me in custody for as long as he wanted, that even if I brought 10 lawyers or more, they would not help me, and unless I wrote what he would dictated to me, he was going to make that place my home for a long time.

    “He told me that Adedoyin had admitted collecting N28 million and was released; that being a senior officer, there was no way I would not have not have benefitted N30 million (sic) and unless I stated that I benefitted N30 million, he would dump me in the cell. I quickly told him I benefitted. He dictated to me that I should write it and I did.”

    Nwosu added that he was forced to write that he would take  refund the money he received. He told them he had only N5 million in his account but an officer and two armed policemen accompanied him to the bank, where he raised a draft of N4 million and gave to Zakari, who then asked him to bring another draft for N1 milion, which he brought on March 15.

    He said EFCC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo walked into the office and asked Zakari not to let him go, but to keep him in custody.

    But Zakari said Nwosu gave his statement voluntarily after being cautioned. He said Nwosu also elected to make his statements without a lawyer being present.

    “He was given a bail condition to produce a surety, but he pleaded that he did not know anybody in Lagos. It was three days to New Year. I took a risk and gave him bail on self-cognisance,” Zakari said.

    According to him, Nwosu also returned on March 15 and 22 and agreed to make further statements and was also cautioned. He was also granted bail on self-cognisance.

    “He was never detained until he was served with his charge sheet, because I had to produce him in court on the day of his arraignment. The statements were devoid of threat, duress or any promise whatsoever. He was never threatened or promised anything to admit to a crime,” Zakari said.

    Justice Mohamed Idris adjourned till November 2 and 15 for continuation of trial.

  • ‘Diezani cash’: SAN loses bid to quash charge

    ‘Diezani cash’: SAN loses bid to quash charge

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore, yesterday 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, 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 to 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’s 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.

    The EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of the N450million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms 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.

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

    The sum, the prosecution said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and is contrary to Section 1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

    Belgore and Suleiman pleaded not guilty to all the counts and were granted bail.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until October 3.