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.
Justice Abdul-Malik adjourned the matter to
September 12, 2017, for hearing on the
substantive matter and to July 6, 2017, for
ruling on the bail application.
