EFCC files fresh money-laundering charges against Diezani

Former Petroleum Resourcdes Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, has been indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a new money-laundering case.

Three men, Christian Nwosu, Yisa Olanrewaju, and Tijani Bashir, who are staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also charged with Diezani. All three were present in court as the charges were read to them; Nwosu pled guilty while the two others pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In addition to his guilty plea, Nwosu also informed the court, through the prosecutor that he was prepared for a plea bargain with the EFCC. Nwosu volunteered to refund the sum of N5 million and a property he purchased for N25 million in Delta State.

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The trial judge, Mohammed Idris, adjourned the case till April 7, for sentencing and ordered that Nwosu be remanded at the EFCC custody.

Justice Idris also granted bail to Adedoyin and Bashir to the tune of N50 million each and ordered that their international passports be submitted to the court registrar to prevent them from jumping bail.

The prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, alleged that the three accused persons who were present at the trial committed a criminal offence on March 27, 2015 by accepting bribe from the former petroleum minister.

They were also accused of conspiracy to take possession of about N264 million which was subject to accepting bribe.