₦airaland Forum

A UK court has mentioned President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and oil businessman Kolawole Aluko during proceedings in the corruption trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The names were raised as prosecutors presented documents and digital records before the Southwark Crown Court in London. The materials were introduced as part of evidence in the ongoing case against Alison-Madueke.

Prosecutors told the court that the evidence includes transcripts of audio recordings, WhatsApp messages, emails, and written correspondence. These items were said to have been recovered during searches carried out by the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police at properties linked to the former minister.

The prosecution said the documents revealed several allegations connected to individuals within Nigeria’s political and business circles. They stressed that the materials were being tendered in support of their case and would be examined by the court.

During the hearing, oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde was mentioned in relation to claims that associates of businessman Kola Aluko benefited from their closeness to him. Ayinde was described as a known ally of President Tinubu.

The court also heard about a dispute involving Ayinde and billionaire businessman Femi Otedola. Prosecutors referred to a letter allegedly written to former President Muhammadu Buhari, in which Ayinde raised fears about her personal safety following the disagreement.

Another issue brought before the court involved Dumebi Kachikwu, a politician and businessman. Prosecutors alleged that he acted as a middleman in financial dealings connected to his brother, Ibe Kachikwu, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The court was told that large sums of money were moved through these arrangements. These included claims of luxury spending, such as the purchase of an expensive wristwatch from Harrods and payments linked to medical bills.

Prosecutors also referred to correspondence written by Festus Keyamo, now Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. At the time, he acted as a lawyer in the matter. The letter reportedly described some of the payments as being related to land transactions.

Further evidence presented included records of telephone communications said to involve President Tinubu and former Vice President Osinbajo. Prosecutors also mentioned meeting records connected to Osinbajo’s former chief of staff, Adeola Ipaye. Parts of these communications were said to have been transcribed.

The prosecution maintained that all the documents and recordings formed part of its evidentiary case and would support the charges against Alison-Madueke.

Alison-Madueke is standing trial on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. She has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Earlier in the trial, jurors were told that the former minister lived a lavish lifestyle while in the United Kingdom. The court heard that she used a personal shopper service at Harrods, which is reserved for customers who spend more than £10,000 each year.

Prosecutors claimed that over £2 million was spent on her behalf at the luxury store. Some of the purchases were allegedly made using cards linked to Kolawole Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited.

The court also heard that about £4.6 million was used to renovate properties in London and Buckinghamshire said to be connected to her.

Aluko, who was named in the Panama Papers, has previously faced investigations over claims that he helped move millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks for Alison-Madueke. Prosecutors said he held oil contracts with state-owned companies while seeking additional deals.

Meanwhile, Alison-Madueke’s physical appearance in court has drawn attention. She was seen leaving the court without a walking stick on Thursday, accompanied by a driver or bodyguard. This contrasted with earlier days when she arrived with a walking aid.

She was also recorded leaving the court briskly and without assistance on Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, she had been observed using a walking stick when entering and exiting the court premises.

Prosecutors earlier told the court that Alison-Madueke accepted £100,000 in cash while in office, along with other benefits. These allegedly included private jet flights, chauffeur-driven cars, and luxury items from brands such as Louis Vuitton and Harrods.

The trial continues as the defence is expected to respond to the evidence presented by the prosecution

Putinofrussia:
What did they mention Tinubu and Osinbajo for?
That Tinubu is president and Osinbajo was a former vice president?
What kind of journalism is this?

Kemetian:
This is the same PDP that wants to come back and rule, in the name of ADC or whatever stupid name they are calling themselves now with Atiku and Obi.

Putinofrussia:
What did they mention Tinubu and Osinbajo for?
That Tinubu is president and Osinbajo was a former vice president?
What kind of journalism is this?

Putinofrussia:
What did they mention Tinubu and Osinbajo for?
That Tinubu is president and Osinbajo was a former vice president?
What kind of journalism is this?

Kemetian:
This is the same PDP that wants to come back and rule, in the name of ADC or whatever stupid name they are calling themselves now with Atiku and Obi.

Dogalmighty17:
Why mention Tinubu or Osibanjo's names when the report is silent on how they are involved with the Deizianni fraud?

Nackzy:
Our President go dodge this one

Kemetian:
This is the same PDP that wants to come back and rule, in the name of ADC or whatever stupid name they are calling themselves now with Atiku and Obi.

Jokerman:
Oh, if na Obi dem mention, you for dey foam for mouth.

We Obi supporters know whom we support

Princedapace:
What Buhari men did will shock U more.

chisomkachy:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the alleged money laundering suit it filed at the Federal High Court against Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

Naija News understands that the anti-graft did not give any particular reason for its application for withdrawal.

Following the application to withdraw, Justice Nicholas Oweibo discharged the ‘lien/Post No Debit’ placed on Obasa’s three accounts in Standard Chartered Bank.

The accounts are (US Dollars) 0001852063; (Current) 0001852056 and (Saving) 5002309624.

The judge also set aside the ex-parte orders he made on September 15, 2020, which led to the freezing of the accounts.

Recall that the court on September 15, 2020, granted an interim order freezing Obasa’s accounts following the EFCC’s application in a suit marked FHC/LCS/1064/2020.

The agency had said it was investigating the Speaker for the alleged offences of conspiracy, diversion of funds, abuse of office and money laundering.

But Justice Oweibo, on August 16, 2023, heard the application to unfreeze the accounts in his chamber.

During the hearing, the EFCC was represented by Mr. Sulaiman I. Sulaiman, while Obasa was represented by Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).

The EFCC lawyer told the court that the application to unfreeze the accounts was pursuant to Section 44(2)(K) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 26, 29 and 34 (1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

Section 44 of the Constitution concerns constitutional rights to property.

Justice Oweibo held: “It is hereby ordered that an order is hereby granted to the respondent/applicant setting aside the ex-parte orders of this court made on the 15th day of September 2020 upon the ex-parte motion of the Applicant/ Respondent in relation the funds of the Respondent/Applicant domiciled in the accounts stated in the following schedule:

“ACCOUNT NAME, FINANCIAL ACCOUNT INSTITUTIONS, TYPE OF ACCOUNT, 1. Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa, Standard Chartered, (US Dollars) 0001852063 2. Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa, Standard Chartered (Current) 0001852056 3. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Standard Chartered (Saving) 5002309624.

“Issued at Lagos, under the seal of this Honourable Court and by the hands of the Presiding Judge this 16th day of August 2023.”

https://dailytimesng.com/obasa-efcc-withdraws-suit/

Previous Threads:
https://www.nairaland.com/5877642/obasa-64-bank-accounts-linked#89878603

https://wap.nairaland.com/6167844/lagos-assembly-speaker-obasa-efcc#94728150

https://www.nairaland.com/6168612/obasa-court-orders-efcc-freeze#94741534

johngwain:
Na wah, everything concerning tulumbu is just wayo, scam, stealing, nothing about him wey dey ever dey straight, which kind human being be this

FLASHBACK: Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola narrating the life of Tinubu years ago. #Ayederu (Counterfeit)pic.twitter.com/xr40gXe9Qx

— ayemojubar 🫆 (@ayemojubar) June 26, 2022

Kemetian:
This is the same PDP that wants to come back and rule, in the name of ADC or whatever stupid name they are calling themselves now with Atiku and Obi.