N450m fraud: EFCC re-arraigns Belgore, Suleiman for money laundering

For the third time in a row, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dele Belgore and a former Minister for National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The two defendants who were alleged to have laundered the sum of N450 million however pleaded not guilty to all the nine counts.

At yesterday’s proceedings, the anti-graft agency also closed its case against the defendants after the second prosecution witness, Usman Zakari concluded his testimony.

EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that the anti-graft agency had decided to rest its case after calling two witnesses and tendering a number of exhibits.

The lawyer said the anti-graft agency believed it had already established its allegations against Belgore and Suleiman.

But, the defence lawyers, Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), informed the court that they would be filing a no-case submission applications on behalf of their clients.

Belgore, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain who contested the governorship election in Kwara State in 2015 and the former Minister, who served during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, had earlier been arraigned on a five count amended charge before they were on Tuesday re-arraigned on a nine count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.

The EFCC alleged in the new charge that the two defendants in 2014, on or about March 27, 2015, conspired among themselves and directly take possession of N450 million, which they reasonably knew to be proceed of crimes.

The two defendants were also alleged to have on March 27, 2015, transferred the sum of N50 million to some politicians and security officers in Kwara state,without going through financial institutions.

The alleged offences, according to the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, are contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(d),1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3), 4 and 16(2)(b)of the same Act.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa, has adjourned the matter till January 16, 2018 to hear the applications.

Peter Fowoyo