The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Kwara state in the last general election, Muhammed Dele Belgore (SAN), and Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, a professor of Political Science and International Relations, before a Federal High Court, on a five-count charge of laundering N470 million.
It was alleged that Belgore and Prof. Abubakar, who was Nigeria Minister of National Planning in 2014, on or about March 27, 2015, conspired and directly took possession of N450 million, which they reasonably knew to be proceed of crimes.
Offences alleged to have been committed by the duo 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.
They pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
After their pleas were taken, EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that in view of the pleas of the two accused persons they have put themselves up for trial, pursuant to Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He therefore urged the court to fix a date for trial.
However, Belgore’s lawyers, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) leading two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Seni Adio, Ladi Rotimi-Williams, and six other lawyers told the court that they have filed a summon for bail, and such have been served on the prosecution.
Shofunde (SAN) urged the court to admit Belgore to bail on self-recognition, on the ground that he is a senior lawyer, who has been a lawyer since 1985, and became a SAN in 2001 and therefore, will not be a flight risk.
In the same vein, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), lawyer to Professor Abubakar, leading Mr. Olatunde Busari, SAN, while urging the court to grant him bail on self-recognition, said they have a summon for bail dated February 8, 2017, filed before the court, and such has been served on the prosecution.
Ayorinde described Professor Abubakar as an educationist and a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2014, a researcher and teacher of over 20 years, who currently lectures at the University of Abuja and therefore cannot be a flight risk.
In response, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, did not oppose their bail application but urged the court to grant them bail in terms that will make them attend trials.
Ruling on the bail applications, the Presiding Judge Muhammed Aikawa, granted them bail on self-recognition.
The judge ordered that the defendants’ international traveling passport which is in the custody of the anti-graft agency be transferred to the court and be deposited with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.
He adjourned the case till 23 February 2017.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Muhammed Dele Belgore and Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, on or about the 27th day of March, 2015, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to directly take possession of the N450, 000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act.
Count two reads: “That you, Muhammed Dele Belgore, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly took possession of the sum of N450,000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira ) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act.
Count three reads: “That you, Muhammed Dele Belgore, and Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: making cash payment of the sum of N450,000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law without going through financial institution and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b),16(2)(b) of the same Act.
Count four reads: “That you, Muhammed Dele Belgore, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through financial institution, made cash payment in the sum of N450, 000, 000.00 (Four hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.