The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday amended the money laundering charge brought against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dele Belgore and a former Minister for National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Belgore, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain who contested the governorship election in Kwara State in 2015 and the former Minister, who served during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration were re-arraigned on Monday on a five count charge before Justice R.M. Aikawa.
Though the initial counts was also five but the difference between it and the new charge is that the name of former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke is now mentioned and she is said to be at large.
In the five count charges, Diezani was alleged to have conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act.
The trio were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorized by law, without going through the financial institutions.
Belgore and Sulaiman were also alleged to have paid the sum of N50 million to one Sheriff Shagaya, without going through the banks.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, are contrary to Sections 18(a)15(2)(d),1(a), 16(d) and punishable under sections 15(3) and 4, 16 (2)(b), and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
Both Belgoreand Sulaiman once again pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After their plea were taken, the EFCC called its first witness, Timothy Olaobaju, a banker, who told the court that sometime in April 2014, his Managing Director gave them directives that certain individuals and companies will be sending money into some account, and that the purpose of such monies was not disclosed.
Olaobaju also told Justice Anka, while being led in evidence by the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, that during the period the monies which amounted to $115,010, million USD, were paid into the account.
The witness testified that in March 27, 2015, there was instruction from the former Petroleum Minister to the bank that the monies which was in USD be converted to Naira and be paid to some beneficiaries which includes Belgore (SAN) and Prof. Sulaiman, and that the Minister’s instructions were fully complied with.
He further told the court that both Belgore (SAN) and Sulaiman, who are not customers to the bank received the sum of N450 million and filled the receipt of payment form to acknowledge receipt.
The form filled by the accused persons were tendered and admitted as exhibits 1 and 1a.
Olaobaju also informed the court no cheque was issued while releasing the money, and that the the accused persons signed the form on March 26, 2015 and collected the money on March 27, 2015.
However, lawyers to the accused persons, which includes; Mr. B. O. Shofunde, Mr. Charles Edosanwa, Mr. Seni Adio, and lawyer to Sulaiman, Chief O Ayanlaja, Ladi Rotimi-Williams, and Olatunde Busari, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) declined to cross-examination the witness, they instead pleaded with the court for an adjournment to allow them prepare for the task.
Based on the development, the court adjourned the matter till today (Tuesday), for cross-examination of the witness, and continuation of trial.
