Skip to main content

EFCC drops corruption charges against Diezani, Again


EFCC drops corruption charges against Diezani, others

YESTERDAY AT 10:37 AM | PULSE NIGERIA | DAMILARE FAMUYIWA
The fund allegedly concealed by Diezani, and others, was said to be collection from oil companies and allegedly to fund the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Goodluck Jonathan. [Daily Post]
The fund allegedly concealed by Diezani, and others, was said to be collection from oil companies and allegedly to fund the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Goodluck Jonathan. [Daily Post]

The EFCC had in a 14-count charge accused Diezani, bank executives and NNPC officials of conspiring to conceal $153 million in Fidelity bank.

If a report by Daily Trust is anything to go by, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has dropped all 14 count charges against Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC was also said to have dropped the charges against Ben Otti, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Stanley Lawson, Lanre Adesanya, and Dauda Lawal, all of whom are former officials of commercial banks and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Since 2015, Diezani has been dogged by a series of corruption allegations, including the alleged diversion and distribution of N23 billion.

A source who's familiar with the $153 million transaction, said Dauda Lawal, who's a former Executive Director of First Bank, had no contact with Diezani and was only acting on the instruction of a customer. [Sahara Reporters]
A source who's familiar with the $153 million transaction, said Dauda Lawal, who's a former Executive Director of First Bank, had no contact with Diezani and was only acting on the instruction of a customer. [Sahara Reporters]

The former minister has also been holed up in the United Kingdom, where she faces a separate probe for alleged bribery, corruption and money laundering.

From then till date, the EFCC has obtained court rulings that have ordered the forfeiture of properties and funds linked to the former minister.

At the resumed hearing of the matter before Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court Lagos on November 5, 2019, the anti-graft agency through its lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo dropped the corruption charges against most of the accused persons, including Diezani, through an amended four-count charge.

The amended charges which border on money laundering, now only seeks to prosecute a former Executive Director of First Bank Plc, alongside Diezani and Ben, who served as Group Executive Director of finance at the NNPC.

Madueke and Ben Otti have both reportedly been at large since the beginning of the matter which was first filed in Court on November 28, 2018.

Similarly, Nnamdi, Stanley, and Lanre, all did not make any appearance in court and have not been arraigned.

In what appeared like a twist at the resumed hearing of the matter, a source close to Dauda, who noted that the former Executive Director of First Bank did not fail to appear in court in all adjourned dates of the matter, was shocked that all other accused persons have been exonerated.

The matter before the court

The EFCC had in the 14 count-charge accused the bank executives and the NNPC officials of conspiring to conceal $153 million in Fidelity bank, which they ought to have known were proceeds of corruption punishable under the Money Laundering Act.

In 2015, the EFCC discovered that the $153 million was deposited, to allegedly fund the presidential second term campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The matter was investigated by the EFCC and the bankers were alleged to have conspired with Diezani and other NNPC officials to conceal and distribute parts of the fund.

Lawal who was an Executive Director of First bank, was accused of assisting Diezani to purchase a property, Merdien Hotel Ogeyi Palace in Port Harcourt, when he received $25 million from Fidelity Bank and deposited the same amount with Sterling Bank, allegedly on the instruction of Stanley.

The source who's familiar with the transaction, stated it is pathetic that Dauda, who had no contact with Diezani and was only acting on the instruction of a customer can be charged for conspiracy, while those who were alleged to be directly linked to the funds have been exonerated.

Although, when contacted for comments, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said he is not aware of the matter.



Join the "Sabi"  clique

Don't miss a thing , get the latest updates to fuel your conversation daily


DAMILARE FAMUYIWA

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

WhatsApp: +2349055172167
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

MOST POPULAR


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Richest Pastors In Africa And Their Net Worth In 2019

Popular pastors are increasingly becoming Richest Pastors in Africa making headlines with open flamboyance and unreserved suaveness being an integral part of them.Many ask who might be the Richest Pastors in Africa today so a list of wealthiest African pastors, known for ranking on top and with a huge attendance in each service. These are servants of God, with a mission to spread the gospel of Christ through ministry. But in doing so some have emerged with rich investments and living a luxurious life. Below is a list of top 10 richest pastors in Africa! 1. Bishop David Oyedepo – $150 million Bishop David Oyedepo He is Africa’s number one richest pastor. Founder of Living Faith World Outreach Ministry. This Ministry started in 1981 and has become the largest church on the continent 2. Pastor E.A Adeboye – $130 million  Pastor E.A Adeboye He is one of the Nigerian Pastors with private jet, he is second among the richest pastors in Nigeria. His net worth reaches astonishing 130 millio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cardinal Ouellet says three out of 10 priests refuse to be a bishop

Cardinal Ouellet says three out of 10 priests refuse to be a bishop Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for the Bishop, states that proportion of priests declining to be bishops has tripled in 10 years Wearing the mitre is not what all priests want. On the contrary, more and more of them refuse the episcopal ordination when offered to them. According to Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops responsible for appointment and management of bishops, about three out of 10 priests refuse when asked to be a bishop. This proportion has tripled in a decade, says the Quebec cardinal. "Perhaps it is because they do not feel capable, lack faith, have difficulties in their lives and prefer not to risk harming the Church," the prefect explained to Spanish Catholic newspaper  Vida Nueva. "It is for various reasons that are respectable," he continues, clubbing this phenomenon with the "general crisis of faith." Nevertheless, the numb...
Post a Comment
Read more

N28million Worth Of Marijuana Seized By NDLEA In Ondo

N28million Worth Of Marijuana Seized By NDLEA In Ondo The Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday said it had seized a total of 14.3 tonnes of Indian hemp in the state. The Federal Government agency also stated that two persons Ohimai Ayodele and Ojeagbese Asabiya have been arrested in connection with the crime. The commander of the NDLEA in the state, Mr. Haruna Gagara, stated this while speaking with journalists at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital. According to him, the joint task force of the agency in Ondo, Edo and Osun states, in collaboration with the men of the Nigeria Army, went for the operation last week and were able to recover bulks of cannabis in some towns and villages at the boundary of Edo and Ondo states. Dagara noted that all the cannabis seized in the area had been destroyed and burnt, adding that the development was part of the outcome of the ‘Operation Thunder Strike IV,’ which launched in the state last ...
Post a Comment
Read more