EFCC links Alison-Madueke in trial of ex-minister, SAN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has named former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke in the ongoing trial of the former gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) and the former Minister of Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum, conspired with the accused to take possession of proceeds of crime.

At the resumed trial of the two accused persons, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of a five-count amended charge, where the name of the former Petroleum Minister was conspicuously mentioned, and urges the court to allow the amended charge be read to Belgore and Sulaiman, for their pleas to be retaken.

The application was not opposed by counsel to the accused. Consequently, the court granted the application.

In the charges, Alison-Madueke 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.

They were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorised 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.

However, counsel to the first accused person, which includes Mr. Ebun Shofunde, Mr. Charles Edosanwa, Mr. Seni Adio, and counsel to Sulaiman, Chief O Ayanlaja, Ladi Rotimi-Williams, and Olatunde Busari, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), pleaded with the court for adjournment for the cross-examination of the witness.

Consequently, the court adjourned the matter till Tuesday (today) for cross-examination of the witness and continuation of trial.