OF THE the $182million Halliburton bribe, $5 million was allocated to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to finance the 2003 general elections; it was learnt at the weekend. But it could not be ascertained how the cash disappeared after it was handed over to Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s personal assistant, by construction giant Julius Berger Nigeria Limited. The suspects, facing a nine-count charge, are: Ibrahim Aliyu, Mohammed Gidado Bakari, Urban Shelter Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited, Sherwood Petroleum Limited and Tri-Star Investment Limited.

Adeyanju has been arraigned over the allegation. Six other Nigerians are on trial over the scandal.

The document is dated December 17.

Members of the prosecution team, who presented the document to the court, are the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, J.B. Daudu (SAN); E.C. Ukala (SAN); Damien D. Dodo (SAN) and G.O Obla.

Jefftrey Tesler, who distributed the bribe, approached a former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, in London on his readiness to assist the PDP to win the 2003 poll.

The report reads: "Obaseki was introduced to Jeffrey Tesler by (the late) Aret Adams, a former GMD of NNPC, in London in 2000.

"Obaseki mentioned Tesler’s willingness to support financially the political process in Nigeria to Stockhauser, then Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, during a golf game and wanted to know whether Stochauser was making the same offer.

"He later introduced the topic to Stochauser, based on requests made by Bodunde Adeyanju, an Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, for funds to help PDP finance its campaign activities.

"In 2002 during one of his visits to London, Obaseki and Stochauser met Tesler and agreed that funds could be routed through Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc for the PDP.

"In 2002/2003, Obaseki introduced Adeyanju to JBN officials after he approached him to assist in raising funds for the PDP, which Adeyanju claimed was facing financial crises.

"In August 2002, the first fund transfer of $1million was made into JBN’s Union Bank account and four subsequent transfers of $1million each were made into the same account between January and April 2003, the total mount of which was $5million.

"After the funds were received by JBN Plc, Obaseki, Hans George Christ, Commercial Director of JBN and Adeyanju met at Obaseki’s room at Hilton Hotel, Abuja where the first tranche of $1m was delivered in cash to Adeyanju.

The Nation has stumbled on the report of the Halliburton Investigative Panel attached to the evidence submitted to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for the prosecution of six Nigerian suspects. It contains the alleged involvement of the ruling party.





"Two subsequent deliveries of funds from Tesler through JBN MD, with Obaseki’s knowledge, to Adeyanju were also made.

"Hans Christ personally delivered the last tranche of $1million in cash to Obaseki and Adeyanju after converting it to naira.

"Adeyanju admitted collecting $5million from one Chris, the Commercial Director of JBN Plc, and used the money to finance the PDP campaign during the 2003 elections.

"He received the cash in three tranches and handed over some of the funds to a former Minister, Lawal Batagarawa.

"Investigations further revealed that Adeyanju had over N40million lodged in his personal and company accounts with GTB and Skye Bank Plc."

The panel, highlighted the controversy over the $5million donation as it claimed that Batagarawa denied receiving any Halliburton bribe sum from Adeyanju.

The report goes on: "In his statement, Batagarawa said that funds for the President’s campaign activities were provided for by some prominent members of the PDP.

"Investigations revealed that no evidence exist to prove that $5million was actually given to him by Adeyanju for disbursement to the party hierarchy during the 2003 campaign.

"Batagarawa stated categorically that he received between N25million and N30million from both Adeyanju and a former Special Assistant (Domestic Affairs) to the ex-President, Dr. Andy Uba, while on two occasions, monies were collected by his orderly."

In a Statement of Facts from the US District Court (Southern District of Texas Houston Division) also filed in court by the Federal Government, it was confirmed　 that about $1m in Pilot’s briefcase was handed over to an NNPC official in Abuja.

The extracts say: "In or about August 2002, an employee of the subcontractor, using funds that Consulting Company A had wire transferred to the Subcontractor, delivered a pilot’s brief case containing $1million in 100 dollar bills to the NNPC official at a hotel in Abuja, Nigeria for the benefit of a political party in Nigeria.

"In or about April 2003, an employee of the subcontractor, using funds that Consulting Company A had wire transferred to the Subcontractor, delivered a vehicle containing Nigerian currency valued at approximately $500,000 to the hotel of the NNPC official in Abuja, Nigeria for the benefit of a political party in Nigeria, leaving the vehicle in the hotel parking lot, until the NNPC official had caused the money to be removed."

As at press time, it was gathered that Obaseki and Batagarawa might not face trial because no cash was traced to them.

It was also learnt that since both Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Adeyanju had admitted in writing to have exchanged bribe cash, Obaseki and some JBN officials may end up serving as prosecution witnesses.

A highly-placed source in the prosecution team added: "Do not forget that JBN admitted guilt and paid $26million fines. At worst, its officials could only serve as witnesses against Adeyanju and six others.

"The truth is that Obaseki did not collect a kobo from the br