EFCC names Diezani in Alleged N450m fraud

Mrs. DIEZANI ALISON MADUEKE

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has named former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. DIEZANI ALISON MADUEKE in the five count amended charge made against a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. MOHAMMED BELGORE and a former minister of Planning, Professor ABUBAKAR SULAIMON.

At the resumed trial of the Federal High Court in Lagos, the EFCC Prosecutor, ROTIMI OYEDEPO asked the court to allow the amended charge be read for a fresh plea to be taken.

In the charges, Mrs. ALISON MADUEKE, who is said to be at large, allegedly conspired with Mr. BELGORE and Professor SULAIMON sometime in March 2015 to directly take possession of the sum of 450 million Naira which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

The two defendants pleaded not guilty.

The EFCC swiftly called its first witness, one TIMOTHY OLAOBAJU, a banker, who testified that the list of beneficiaries included the two defendants who received 450 million naira cash and subsequently filled a receipt to acknowledge payment.

Lawyer to the defendants made a case for an adjournment to enable them adequately prepare for the cross-examination of the witness.

The prosecution conceded to a short adjournment and the court held that the cross-examination and continuation of trial will continue today.