Former National Planning minister, Belgore arraigned over money laundering
A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman and a Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Muhammed Dele Belgore were on Wednesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged money laundering amounting to N470 million. The two defendants were docked on a five count-charge before Justice Muhammed Aikawa. The Economic and Financial […]
A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman and a Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Muhammed Dele Belgore were on Wednesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged money laundering amounting to N470 million.
The two defendants were docked on a five count-charge before Justice Muhammed Aikawa.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that Belgore and Suleiman on or about March 27, 2015, conspired and directly take possession of N450 million, which they reasonably knew to be proceed of crimes.
The duo were also alleged to have on March 27, 2015, transferred the sum of N50 million to one Sheriff Shagaya, without going through financial institutions.
The alleged offences, according to the anti-graft commission 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.
But the defendants however pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
After their arraignment, the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that in view of the pleas of the defendants, they have put themselves up for trial, and pursuant to Section 273 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), he urged the court for a for a trial.
Belgore’s lawyers led by Mr. E. O. Shotunde (SAN) leading other two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Sheni Adio, Ladi Rotimi-Williams, informed the court that they have filed a summon for bail, and such have been served on the prosecution.
He urged the court to admit their client’s bail on self-recognisance, on the ground that he is a Senior lawyer, who been a lawyer since 1985, and became a SAN in 2001.
In the same vein, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), lawyer to Pro. Abubakar, also urged court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance.
He informed the court that his client is an educationist and a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2014, a Researcher and Teacher of over 20 years, who is currently lecturing at the University of Abuja.
In response, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, said he leave the issue of bail to the court’s discretion but urged that the defendants should be granted bail in terms that will make them to attend trials.
Ruling on the bail applications, Justice Aikawa, admitted bail to the two defendants on self-recognition.
The judge however ordered that the defendants’ international travelling passports which are in the custody of the anti-graft agency be transferred to court and be deposited with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).
The trial of the two defendants has been adjourned till February 23, 2017.