The case of a former Minister of
the Federal Capital Territory,
Jumoke Akinjide, has been
transferred to the Federal High
Court in Lagos.
It has been re-assigned to Justice
Muslim Hassan.
Akinjide was charged along with
former Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-
Madueke, who is said to be at
large.
Others named in the charge are
Senator Ayo Adeseun and a
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
stalwart Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.
They were accused of conspiring
to directly take possession of
N650million, which they
reasonably ought to have known
forms part of the proceeds of an
unlawful act.
They were arraigned last June
before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik
in Ibadan.
It was learnt that the Acting Chief
Judge, Justice Adamu Kafarati,
moved the case to Lagos at
Akinjide’s instance.
The former minister was granted
bail on self-recognition when she
was arraigned in Ibadan. She
was also asked to submit her
international passport.
Prosecuting counsel Mr Rotimi
Oyedepo confirmed to our
correspondent yesterday that the
former minister would be tried in
Lagos.
“Yes, we have been served with a
Hearing Notice by the Federal
High Court, Lagos Division, that
the case is coming up before
Justice Hassan next week,” he
said.
The defendants allegedly
received the money from Mrs
Alison-Madueke in the build- up
to the 2015 general election.
It was said to be part of the $115
million allegedly disbursed by
Mrs. Alison-Madueke to influence
the outcome of the 2015
presidential election.
One of the charges reads: “That
you, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke
(still at large), Oloye Jumoke
Akinjide, Senator Ayo Ademola
Adeseun and Chief Olarenwaju
Otiti on or about the 26th day of
March, 2015, in Nigeria within
the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court conspired
amongst yourselves to directly
take possession of the N650
million which sum you
reasonably ought to have known
forms part of the proceeds of an
unlawful act.
“That you, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide,
Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun
and Chief Olanrewaju Otiti on or
about the 26th day of March,
2015 in Nigeria, within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court did conspire amongst
yourselves to commit an offence,
to wit: making cash payment of
the sum of N650 million which
sum exceeded the amount
authorized by Law without going
through financial institution and
you thereby committed an
offence.”
The defendants pleaded not
guilty.
It was learnt that Akinjide held
plea bargain talks with the EFCC.
The case may come up before
Justice Hassan on Tuesday.

Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/diezani-cash-ex-minister-akinjide-face-trial-lagos/

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