How I Released N450 Million Campaign Fund To Sarah Ochekpe And Others-Witness

Yakubu Busari

 

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau state capital has adjourned to tomorrow for the continuation of hearing and taking of more witnesses on money laundering and corrupt practice charges brought in by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Former Minister of Water Resources, Ag Chairman PDP and Jang campaign coordinator.

 

The Principal Witness of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, PW1 who is Head of Operation and Processing of Fidelity Bank Plateau State Branch, Mrs. Annette Gyem confirmed how she released N450 million to the former Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochepke and former People Democratic Party Acting Chairman, Hon Raymond Dabo including the national coordinator to Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 general polls.

 

Mrs. Annette Gyem told the court on Thursday during her cross-examination by the defense counsel, Barr. Sunday Oyawole, she said the funds were meant for customers.

 

“My superior who is my Divisional Head instructed me to make the said N450 million available to the former minister, Ag Chairman and the National coordinator of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Evangelist Lyons Sunday of which I delivered to them the money as instructed by my boss “, She added.

 

However, when the defense counsel Barr Sunday Oyawole presented exhibits one and two to the witness for cross-examination, the PW1 asked her if the Fidelity Bank is a commercial bank that is used in maintaining customers account, she said yes my lord.

 

According to him, Mrs. Annette Gyem who claim to have received instruction from the Divisional Head to pay the beneficiary the sum of N450 million  as commercial bank that maintain accounts with Central Bank when the money was deposited into the CBN account, the money was also transferred into the account of Fidelity Bank and then remitted it to the three beneficiaries.

 

The defense counsel pointed out that considering the exhibits one and two which was signed by one Ogundele, It was addressed to the head of operations EFCC which the documents contained appendix 1, appendix 2 and he asked to identify the receipt of payment to the 3 individuals which was acknowledged by Sarah Ochepke.

 

She was able to identify the mode of payment which was marked appendix 3 as exhibit, she said the N450 million came through the divisional head Mr. Mathew Uzobe to be disbursed to the beneficiaries which are to be paid by the Jos branch office and they took delivery of them as instructed.