The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June
22, 2017, arraigned a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide and one Olanrewaju Otiti before Justice
J.O Abdul-Malik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State
on an amended 12-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune
of N650 million.
While Akinjide and Otiti are facing trial on counts one to 12 of the
amended charge, the third accused person, Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun,
who failed to appear in court today, is facing trial on counts one to
24.
The accused allegedly received the money from a former Minister of
Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke in the build- up to the 2015
general election.
The money was part of the $115m allegedly disbursed by Alison-Madueke to
influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
During today’s proceedings, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, counsel to the first
defendant, Akinjide; Michael F. Lana, counsel for the second defendant,
as well as Adeniyi Ishola, counsel for the third defendant, filed four
applications asking the court to strike out of the charges against the
first defendant, while also challenging the validity of the amended
charge brought by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.
Counsels to the first and second defendants told the court that there
was no charge before the court, arguing that there was no application by
the prosecution counsel, stating and informing parties on the amendment
of the originated charge brought against their clients.
Ayorinde told the court that the amended charge brought by the
prosecution did not have a "seal" of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
He, therefore, prayed the court not to take the pleas of the defendants.
However, Oyedepo objected to the applications, saying that the amended
charge before the court was duly filed and served on the defendants.
In a short ruling, Justice Abdul- Malik held that the original charge be
substituted with the amended charge and ordered the first and third
defendants to take their pleas.
Not satisfied, the two defence counsels withdrew their appearances for the defendants and angrily walked out of the court.
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, 000, 000.00 (Six
Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have
known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act".
Another charge reads:
“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, 000, 000. 00 (Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law without going through financial institution and you thereby committed an offence.”
However, when the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the State informed the court that the first and third
defendants had initiated a plea bargain discussion with the prosecution
and asked for a short adjournment to enable the parties to perfect the
negotiation.
We have entered a plea bargain before today's proceedings and we intend
to consider their applications as regards the agreement of the plea
bargain.
“ I pray the court for a short date to perfect the arrangement of the plea bargain and in the likely event where their applications are not granted, I humbly ask for a trial date," Oyedepo said.
He also pleaded with the court to remand the first and third defendants in the EFCC custody.
Counsel to the third defendant, Otiti, filed and served an application
for bail and urged the court to grant his client bail on
self-recognizance.
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