The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today October 18th, 2018 re-arraigned the trio of Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano State; Aminu Bashir Wali and Mansur Ahmed before Justice A.L Allagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano on a 6-count charge of Conspiracy and Money Laundering to the tune of N950,000,000 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only).
The defendants allegedly collected the sum of N950,000,000, part of the $115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Dollars) allegedly distributed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Madueke for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the 2015 general election.
It was further alleged that the said money was shared among the PDP Chieftains without going through a financial institution, in violation of provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
One of the charge read that “You Ibrahim Shekarau, Aminu Bashir Wali on or about the 27th March, 2015 within the Kano Judicial division of the Federal High Court , retain, took possession and control of the cash sum of N950,000,000 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act of Diezani Alison Madueke to wit: gratification, commits an offence contrary to Section of 15 (1) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act”.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
Prosecution counsel Jonson Ojogbane requested a date for trial in view of the plea of the defendants.
Counsel for the defendants J.S Okutepa SAN pleaded with the court to allow the defendants to continue with the bail earlier granted them by the court and following no objection from the prosecution, Justice Allagoa granted the prayer of Okutepa and sustain the bail of the defendants.
The case was subsequently adjourned to 19th, 20th and 21st of November, 2018 for commencement of trial.
Shekarau’s re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar who initially arraigned him on May 24th, 2018 to another division of the Federal High Court.