Former Water Resources Minister, Two Orders Receive Unconditional Bail Over N450 Million Laundering

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Yakubu Busari

The Federal High sitting in Jos, the Plateau state capital on the trial of the former minister Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, the former PDP chairman Mr. Raymond Dabo and the DG campaign plateau state of Goodluck /Sambo in 2015 elections were granted unconditional bail by Justice Musa Haruna Kurya on self-recognition and the case was adjourned to February 13th, 14th, 2018 for continuation of hearing.

It was a fresh Drama in Plateau state on Monday as Economic and Financial Crime Commission arraigned, the Former Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, Ex-Chairman of People Democratic Party ,(PDP) ,Hon Raymond Dabo and State Coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan ,Evangelist Lyon’s Sunday Jatau on two count charges each.

In a suit filed by Federal Government of Nigeria Vs Sarah Ochekpe, Raymond Dabo and Lyon Sunday Jatau, the prosecution counsel, Barrister A Yusuf Muchaka told the court the two count charges dated the 13th December 2017 with affidavits of completion of thorough investigation by Olayaika Rotimi an operative with EFCC in compliance with administration of criminal justice.

He relied on section 379, subsection 1 of the criminal act, A, B filed with the list of witnesses statement, witness under section 379 subsection 1 A, page 3 and was also filed with written documents attached as administration of criminal justice.

According to the prosecution counsel, Muchaka the motion was served on the 18/01/2018 applied to tender same before the honourable court as endorsement issue evidence is also attached.

He urged the court to accept the two count charges.

The Prosecution counsel application was granted by Justice, Musa Haruna Kurya when the registrar of the court reads their charges each, accused of money laundering of receiving cash of N450 million through Mrs. Diezani A.Maduke which is up at large.

The court registrar read the act of money laundering which is punishable under section 379, the Justice Musa Haruna Kurya ask them each whether they understood the charges, and they all said, “yes My Lord “.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges, the total amount of N450 million cash payment to Fidelity Bank PLC by Mrs. Diezani Maduke as funds meant for 2015 reelection bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan was allegedly diverted for personal use.

However, concealing that they are not guilty, the prosecution counsel said he relying on section 396 subsection 3 of administration of justice act which opened for trial on day to day until the final determination on the matter seeking for the first adjournment between 2 to 3 which is subject to the Judge’s convenient.

The defense counsel, Barrister Sunny Gabriel Odey also presented his applications for bail for the three defendants which were moved.

The court adjourned hearing into the substantial suit to commence on 13th, 14th February 2018.

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