N650m fraud: EFCC rejects ex-FCT minister, Akinjide’s plea bargain

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has rejected the
option of a plea bargain which a former Minister of State for the
Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, is seeking.

Akinjide was charged with an alleged fraud of N650m, but she had
indicated her intention to enter into a plea bargain with the
anti-graft agency.

Her lawyer, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), told the Federal High Court
in Lagos on Tuesday that arrangement was being made for a refund of
the N650m.

The EFCC had, on January 16, 2018, arraigned Akinjide and two
others for allegedly receiving N650m cash from a former Minister of
Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the build-up
to the 2015 general elections.

The anti-graft agency claimed that the funds were proceeds of
unlawful activities, adding that Akinjide and others handled the
N650m cash without going through any financial institution,
contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)
Act.

Those charged along with Akinjide were Senator Ayo Adeseun and
Olanrewaju Otiti. The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the 24
charges filed against them.

The court had fixed Tuesday (today) for commencement of trial.
But when the case was called on Tuesday, Akinjide’s lawyer,
Ayorinde, told the presiding judge, Justice Muslim Hassan, that his
client intended to explore an amicable settlement of the case with
the EFCC.

He said he had discussed his client’s intention with the counsel
for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, and pleaded that an adjournment
be granted to allow the parties to discuss.

He said, “This matter is principally about the campaign funds of
the 2015 elections in Oyo State and the people in the dock now were
the principal hands that handled the funds.

“Consequently, the PDP in Oyo State has taken a decision to
refund the total sum N650m.

“In the light of the above, before the trial commences
full-blown, we are imploring the court to allow parties to explore
possible amicable settlement.”

The EFCC prosecutor, Oyedepo, confirmed that Ayorinde had
approached him for settlement. He, however, emphasised that the
case before the court was not merely about the funds, as the EFCC
had already recovered the N650m.

He said the case before the court was rather about the nature of
the funds and the manner the defendants handled them.

Oyedepo said, “I confirm that the learned Senior Advocate had a
brief discussion with me and the prosecuting team this morning.

“I will just like to straighten the issue by saying that the
matter before the court is not principally about the campaign
funds. If it is about the PDP (campaign) funds, Your Lordship will
not find us before this court.

“The allegation is that the defendants dealt with proceeds of
unlawful activities.

“I also confirm that the commission has recovered the sum of
N650m, not from the chieftains and principal members of the PDP but
from the first defendant (Akinjide).

“Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act
allows parties to discuss. So, in view of the fact that the learned
Senior Advocate applied for discussion pursuant to Section 270, we
will not be objecting to his application for a short adjournment to
enable us to discuss settlement in line with the Act.”

Oyedepo urged the court to note that the prosecution was ready
to open its case as it had a witness in court.

Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Michale Lana and Akinola
Oladeji, respectively, said though they were not privy to the
arrangment for settlement, they would not oppose the prayer for an
adjournment.

Consequently, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter till February
22 to allow the parties to discuss “in line with Section 270 of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which allows parties to
explore plea bargain.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has rejected the
option of a plea bargain which a former Minister of State for the
Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, is seeking.

Akinjide was charged with an alleged fraud of N650m, but she had
indicated her intention to enter into a plea bargain with the
anti-graft agency.

Her lawyer, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), told the Federal High Court
in Lagos on Tuesday that arrangement was being made for a refund of
the N650m.

The EFCC had, on January 16, 2018, arraigned Akinjide and two
others for allegedly receiving N650m cash from a former Minister of
Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the build-up
to the 2015 general elections.

The anti-graft agency claimed that the funds were proceeds of
unlawful activities, adding that Akinjide and others handled the
N650m cash without going through any financial institution,
contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)
Act.

Those charged along with Akinjide were Senator Ayo Adeseun and
Olanrewaju Otiti. The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the 24
charges filed against them.

The court had fixed Tuesday (today) for commencement of trial.
But when the case was called on Tuesday, Akinjide’s lawyer,
Ayorinde, told the presiding judge, Justice Muslim Hassan, that his
client intended to explore an amicable settlement of the case with
the EFCC.

He said he had discussed his client’s intention with the counsel
for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, and pleaded that an adjournment
be granted to allow the parties to discuss.

He said, “This matter is principally about the campaign funds of
the 2015 elections in Oyo State and the people in the dock now were
the principal hands that handled the funds.

“Consequently, the PDP in Oyo State has taken a decision to
refund the total sum N650m.

“In the light of the above, before the trial commences
full-blown, we are imploring the court to allow parties to explore
possible amicable settlement.”

The EFCC prosecutor, Oyedepo, confirmed that Ayorinde had
approached him for settlement. He, however, emphasised that the
case before the court was not merely about the funds, as the EFCC
had already recovered the N650m.

He said the case before the court was rather about the nature of
the funds and the manner the defendants handled them.

Oyedepo said, “I confirm that the learned Senior Advocate had a
brief discussion with me and the prosecuting team this morning.

“I will just like to straighten the issue by saying that the
matter before the court is not principally about the campaign
funds. If it is about the PDP (campaign) funds, Your Lordship will
not find us before this court.

“The allegation is that the defendants dealt with proceeds of
unlawful activities.

“I also confirm that the commission has recovered the sum of
N650m, not from the chieftains and principal members of the PDP but
from the first defendant (Akinjide).

“Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act
allows parties to discuss. So, in view of the fact that the learned
Senior Advocate applied for discussion pursuant to Section 270, we
will not be objecting to his application for a short adjournment to
enable us to discuss settlement in line with the Act.”

Oyedepo urged the court to note that the prosecution was ready
to open its case as it had a witness in court.

Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Michale Lana and Akinola
Oladeji, respectively, said though they were not privy to the
arrangment for settlement, they would not oppose the prayer for an
adjournment.

Consequently, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter till February
22 to allow the parties to discuss “in line with Section 270 of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which allows parties to
explore plea bargain.”