The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jumoke Akinjide

  • Court refuses to hands-off ex-minister Akinjide’s trial

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday refused to recuse himself from the trial of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mrs Jumoke Akinjide for alleged money laundering.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned her with a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State Chief Olarenwaju Otiti and a former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District Ayo Adeseun.

    Former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said to be at large, is also named in the charge.

    Otiti and Adeseun had on February 6 prayed the judge to recuse himself from the case.

    They accused him of bias, claiming that as a former head of EFCC’s legal unit, they did not believe they would get justice in his court.

    Justice Hassan headed the EFCC’s legal unit before he was appointed a judge.

    The applications were filed after trial had begun, during which a trial-within-trial was also held.

    But, Justice Hassan dismissed the applications, describing them as “cheap blackmail”.

    He held: “As rightly submitted by the prosecution, at the time the defendants were investigated and subsequently charged before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, the trial judge had been appointed a judge already.

    “I agree with learned counsel for the prosecution that judges of superior courts of record swear to oath of allegiance to be just and fair, and cannot be disqualified from presiding over cases by mere allegations that the judge once worked in an organisation.

    “Learned counsel to the third defendant had filed a similar application for the transfer of the case to Ibadan.

    “On 12 December 2018, the court dismissed the application, only for counsel to turn around and raise allegations of bias.

    “These applications are meant to harass, intimidate and blackmail the court; the court will not succumb to cheap blackmail.

    “Both applications are liable to be dismissed and they are accordingly dismissed. I make no order as to cost,” the judge held.

    The defendants were re-arraigned last January 16 on the amended charge.

    EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million from Mrs. Alison-Madueke, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes the Money Laundering Act.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until April 18 for continuation of trial.

  • Ex-Minister Akinjide seeks court’s leave to jet out

    A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, on Monday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to release her international passport to enable her travel abroad.

    Akinjide, who is on trial for alleged money laundering, said she plans to travel on March 7 and return on March 23.

    Justice Muslim Hassan adjourned till January 28 to hear the application.

    Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) told the court that his client intends to embark on a two-week trip outside the country.

    The SAN said the application, which he described as harmless, was ripe for hearing.

    Besides, he said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not file any objection to the application.

    But, the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court not to hear Akinjide’s application yet.

    Read Also: Minister quits to pursue political ambition

    He said the former minister’s co-defendants filed separate applications to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.

    “In a joint trial, two parties are saying the court lacks jurisdiction, another party is seeking the court’s discretion. It is technically incorrect to say that the applications are not inter-woven,” the prosecutor said.

    Justice Muslim Hassan said though he did not think that the applications were inter-woven, it would be more convenient to consider the three applications together and deliver a joint ruling.

    The EFCC arraigned Mrs. Akinjide along with a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State Chief Olarenwaju Otiti, a former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District Ayo Adeseun and a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said to be at large.

    The EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    They pleaded not guilty.

  • Akinjide returned N640m in separate case – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Wednesday the N640million returned by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, was for another fraud case.

    Akinjide was arraigned for alleged money laundering alongside a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti, a former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun and a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large.

    The EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of N650 million without going through a financial institution.

    EFCC said the N640 million Akinjide returned was not part of the N650 million she allegedly received from Mrs. Alison-Madueke ahead of the 2015 election and for which she is standing trial before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    An EFCC investigator, Usman Zakari, said the former minister was being investigated for a separate fraud case.

    Zakari had said during a trial-within-trial on Monday that Mrs. Akinjide’s husband paid N10 million to the Commission in August 2016.

    When asked by Akinjide’s lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), if the N10 million was a condition for her release, Mr. Zakari said “No”.

    He added: “On August 10, 2016, he volunteered a Sterling Bank draft of N10 million on behalf of his wife as part payment of the N650 million that was traced to her and the co-accused.

    “The N10 million was paid by the first defendant’s husband on her behalf and the remaining N640 million has not been paid.”

    The witness said the returned N640million was not the balance of the N650million in the ongoing trial.

    “I am aware that the sum of N640 million was received from the first defendant in Stanbic IBTC Bank draft in another case investigated by a team tagged, HOPST, which was headed by one Shuaibu Shehu,” Zakari said.

     

     

  • Akinjide: We don’t have torture chamber – EFCC

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative, Usman Zakari, told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday that the Commission does not have a torture chamber.

    He was testifying in a trial- within -trial to determine whether statements made by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Jumoke Akinjide, and her co-accused were voluntary.

    Akinjide disowned five extrajudicial statements which she allegedly made at the EFCC.

    The other defendants including former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti, also claimed they did not make their statements voluntarily.

    Akinjide’s lawyer, Mr. Olusegun Williams, had opposed moves by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo to tender the statements in evidence on the basis that they were obtained under duress.

    EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    Justice Muslim Hassan had ordered a trial –within- trial to determine if the statements were made voluntarily.

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omenwa, who stood in for Oyedepo on Monday, Zakari, who heads the Commission’s Special Task Force 4, said the defendants were not forced to make a statement.

    He said when Adeseun reported at the Commission on May 11, 2016, he agreed to make a statement only in his lawyer’s presence.

    “We had to wait for his lawyer to come before he made statements. The following day, the second defendant made a statement voluntarily in the presence of his lawyer,” he said.

  • Akinjide’s statements were voluntary – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday denied inducing a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Jumoke Akinjide, to make statements.

    The former minister and her co-accused told the Federal High Court in Lagos that their statements to EFCC were not made voluntarily.

    The accused persons claimed they were threatened with incarceration.

    Akinjide disowned five extrajudicial statements which she allegedly made.

    The other defendants – a former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti – made similar claims.

    Akinjide’s lawyer, Mr. Olusegun Williams, opposed moves by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, to tender the statements in evidence on the basis that they were obtained under duress.

    He urged the court to order a trial-within-trial to determine if the statements were made voluntarily.

    Other defence counsel, Mr. Michael Lana and Akinola Oladeji, also claimed that their clients’ statements were not made voluntarily.

    Oladeji said: “The third defendant also made statements to the EFCC and we shall be contending that the statements were made under inducement and subsequently threat of incarceration.”

    After Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial-within-trial, Oyedepo called his first witness, the leader of its Special Task Force 4, Usman Zakari, as a witness.

    Zakari said: “I’m surprised. The first defendant (Akinjide), when she reported to our office, came along with Barrister Olusegun Williams and her husband. I was the one that interviewed her.

    “During the course of the interview, the payment receipt of the N650million, which the defendant signed, was shown to her and she volunteered to react in writing regarding the payment receipt. There and then, I instructed my subordinate, Tosin Owobo, to caution her. And he read the cautionary words to her, which she understood.”

    Zakari said Akinjide signed the statements, following which Williams also signed to indicate that they were made before him.

    The investigator said Akinjide was granted administrative bail with her husband standing as the surety.

     

  • Akinjide ’s alleged N650m fraud: Judge orders trial-within-trial

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered a trial-within-trial in the ongoing prosecution of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ), Jumoke Akinjide, and others charged with N650 million fraud.

    Justice Muslim Hassan gave the order for the trial following objections raised by the defence counsel, who had argued that statements purportedly made by the accused were obtained under duress, threat and inducement.

    Akinjide is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) along with a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is said to be “at large”.

    Also charged with them are a former Senator, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) chieftain, Olarenwaju Otiti.

    They allegedly conspired to directly take possession of N650 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act which did not go through a financial institution.

    During the trial on Monday, the EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had resumed examination of the second prosecution witness, Mr Usman Zakari, an investigating officer with the EFCC.

    In continuation of his evidence, the witness told the court that his investigations revealed that there were no banking instruments to justify the claims by the accused that the money came from the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    Oyedepo asked: “You said that the first and second accused persons and one Mr Yinka Taiwo signed a receipt of payment for N650 million, what steps did you take as regards the signatories?

    In response, the witness told the court that the second accused was arrested, and then he confirmed that the details in the receipt were his and that he signed it for the payment of N650 million.

    The witness further said that the first accused, in the presence of her counsel, made statements in relation to the charge and also confirmed that she had signed for the payment of the N650 million.

    On how the confirmation was done, the witness said: “The confirmation by the first and second accused persons was made while their statements were taken”.

    He told the court that on Dec. 15, 2016, the first accused had provide a document stating how the N650 million was disbursed without the use of a financial institution.

    The witness said the first accused volunteered statements in his presence.

    Oyedepo then applied to the court to tender the said statement, having laid proper foundation for case.

    At this point, defence counsel raised objection and submitted that the statements were made under duress and inducement and requested for a trial-within-trial to determine how the statements were extracted.

    Counsel to the second accused, Mr Micheal Lana, told the court that the statement of the second accused was also made under duress and inducement.

    He urged the court to allow the prosecution to tender the statement of the second accused so that the trial-within-trial would be taken together.

    Mr Akinola Oladeji, counsel to the third accused, also agreed with the submission of Lana, adding that the third accused was even threatened with incarceration.

    In response, Oyedepo submitted that the counsel to the accused persons could not request for a trial-within-trial as the accused persons had denied every admission of guilt in their statements.

    He added that the statements were not confessional statements as the provision of the Evidence Act in relation to trial-within-trial was only for confessional statements.

    Justice Hassan, in a short ruling, ordered a trial-within-trial.

    He held that the court could not determine if the statements were confessional statements or not since they were not before it.

    Earlier, counsel to the first accused, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde ( SAN ), had raised an objection to the oral evidence of the second prosecution witness on the grounds that it was a hearsay evidence.

    The court, however, overruled the objection and held that the evidence was by no means a hearsay.

    “I do not want to be misunderstood; all that I am saying is that the evidence of PW2 is admissible only as to what he carried out in the course of his investigation.

    “The velocity or weight to be attached to that evidence can only be determined at the conclusion of the trial.”

    The case has been adjourned until April 23 and April 24 for continuation of trial.

    NAN

  • 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) Thursday 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 along 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 N650million, 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 had adjourned to enable parties conclude the settlement talks after Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) reported that the N650million had been returned.

    Thursday, 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 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 short 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 N650million 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 Chief Ayorinde that she made three statements at the EFCC, which were also tendered in evidence.

    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.

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

  • Ex-FCT minister Akinjide holds plea bargain talks with EFCC

    Ex-FCT minister Akinjide holds plea bargain talks with EFCC

    A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday she was holding plea bargain talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Akinjide is standing trial alongside a former Senator from Oyo Central, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, for laundering N650 million.

    EFCC said they allegedly received the money former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Trial was billed to resume on Tuesday, with EFCC set to call its witness, but Akinjide’s lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), said the N650million had been returned to the Federal Government as part of the plea bargain.

    He said: “My lord, the charge before this court is essentially in relation to the PDP campaign funds for the 2015 elections in Oyo.

    “Before trial commenced, the defendants who were chieftains of the PDP in Oyo at the time, acting on the collective decision of the party, decided to refund the monies mentioned in the charge.

    “In the light of the above, before the trial commences full-blown, we are imploring the court to allow parties to explore possible amicable settlement.

    “I have had a talk with the lead counsel for the prosecution, and so, going forward, we think it wise not to subject this matter to further adjudication, so as not to waste the time and resources of the court.

    “In that light, I have suggested that all counsel meet, so as to look at a way forward on this charge, especially considering the fact that the monies complained of, has already been refunded.

    “My application, therefore, is that this court adjourns further hearing, pending the outcome of discussion by counsel.”

    Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed that the money had been returned, adding that the case was not only about the money but the fact that the defendants allegedly dealt “with proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    He added that the N650 million was recovered from Akinjide and not from chieftains or principal members of the PDP.

     

     

  • EFCC arraigns ex- FCT minister for money laundering

    EFCC arraigns ex- FCT minister for money laundering

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly laundering N650million.

    Akinjide was charged alongside Senator Ayo Adeseun, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Olanrewaju Otiti and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was said to be at large.

    The defendants are standing trial on a 24-count charge of money laundering before Justice Muslim Hassan.

    They were accused of conspiring to obtain the N650million from Mrs. Alison-Madueke, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

    According to the EFCC, they reasonably ought to have known “that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.”

    Akinjide, who was earlier arraigned for money laundering was granted bail on the same offence on June 22 last year by the Ibadan, Oyo division of the court, but the case was transferred to Lagos at her instance.

    At Tuesday’s proceeding, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the agency had an amended 24-count charge and urged the court to admit same as their charge in the suit.

     

  • Alleged N650m campaign fund fraud: Jumoke Akinjide, two others get bail

    Alleged N650m campaign fund fraud: Jumoke Akinjide, two others get bail

    THE former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, who was detained in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody for alleged N650 million fraud on 2015 campaign fund yesterday got her freedom.

    Ms Akinjide was freed by a Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on self-recognition.

    Other defendants in the suit – Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun and Chief Mrs Olarenwaju Otiti – were also granted bail with conditions.

    The court said they must meet the bail conditions before 5 p.m or remain in EFCC custody.

    The three accused are facing a 24-count charge at the Federal High Court.

    The fourth accused and former Minister of Petroleum under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, is said to be on the run.

    One of the 24-count charges reads: “That you, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (still at large), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Senator A. Y. O. Ademola Adeseun and Chief Olarenwaju Otiti on or about  March 26, 2015 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court directly took possession of the sum of N650 million which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and you hereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amended) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and 4 of the same Act.

    At the resumed hearing, lawyer to Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Chief Richard Ogunwole (SAN), moved an application of urgency, dated June 23.

    The lawyer sought to bail the accused on self-recognition since she reportedly had no criminal record.

    He said the first defendant (Oloye Akinjide) was a renowned legal practitioner who had contributed to the development of legal profession/Ogunwole prayed the court to grant her bail.

    She said: “As at the time she was invited to appear before the court, she was on a medical trip to Germany and the medical report before the court showed that she actually went for medical treatment.

    “She is a philanthropist per excellence and she has contributed to legal development in this country. And since there is no counter-affidavit, she has promised to comply with the terms of the court. She has no criminal background except laurels. There is a guarantee that she will never jump bail.”

    Counsel to Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun, Mr Ola Adeosun, prayed the court to grant the accused a bail in liberal terms, pending the determination of the matter.

    Adeosun averred that Adeseun is a distinguished politician, former chairman of a local government and a senator without a criminal record.