EFCC tenders bank account as proof | Nairalaw

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday
tendered a bank account through which a former Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director of Projects, Mr
Tuoyo Omatsuli, was allegedly paid N3.6billion bribe.

The commission is trying Omatsuli at the Federal High Court in
Lagos for allegedly receiving N3.6billion bribe from a contractor,
Starline Consultancy Services.

He was charged with Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh
and Building Associates Limited before Justice Saliu Saidu on 45
counts.

EFCC said Omatsuli of procured Momoh and Building Associates to
utilise a total sum of N3.6 billion paid by Starline Consultancy
Services.

It accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise
the illegal origin of a total sum of N3, 645,000,000, being
proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and
gratification.”

The alleged offence, which EFCC said was committed between
August 2014 and September 2015, contravened Sections 15(1), 15(2),
15(3) and 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as
amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

Testifying on Thursday, a banker, Mr. Peter Adegoke, said the
funds were transferred from the NDDC to Starline Consultancy
Services between 2014 and 2016.

Led in evidence prosecuting counsel Mr Ekene Iheanacho, the
witness said the funds were transferred to the firm’s Fidelity Bank
account.

Adegoke said he had been with Fidelity Bank for over ten years
and is presently a compliance officer.

He said his duties include processing requests by anti-graft
agencies such as EFCC.

The witness said he received a letter from EFCC on July 12,
2016, requesting the account opening documents and statement of
account of Starline Counsultancy Services.

“We provided the documents as requested,” he said.

Adegoke said Ibinabo Michael West was the account’s
signatory.

The account statement and opening package were admitted in
evidence.

Under cross-examination, the witness said he did not see
Omatsuli’s name in any of the documents.

The trial continues Friday.