By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Dele Belgore, before Justice Mohammed Aikawa of Federal High Court Lagos for alleged money laundering.
Belgore was arraigned along with a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Suleiman, on a five-count charge.
EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of the N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.
According to the anti-graft agency, the accused persons committed the alleged offence on March 27, 2015 contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act.
The suspects were accused of conspiring to make cash payment to the tune of N450 million, which exceeded the amount authorised by law without going through financial institution.
The alleged offence is contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
In the other counts, they were accused of making cash payment of N450 million to one Sheriff Shagaya without going through financial institution.
According to the prosecution, the said sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and is contrary to Section 1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
After listening the charge levied against them, Belgore and Suleiman pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Belgore’s counsel, Mr Ebun Shofunde (SAN), prayed the court to grant the first accused bail on self-recognition.
“Given his antecedents, I am asking that bail be on self-recognisance because he has always made himself available while on administrative bail.
“He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2001. He is not a threat and not likely to jump bail given his standing. He has also been a lawyer since 1985,” the counsel submitted.
In the same vein, Sulieman’s counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), also prayed the court to grant the former minister bail on self-recognition.
“He is a renowned educationist, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Abuja. He has served this country as a minister in 2014. He has been involved in teaching and research for the past 30 years. He has graduated more than 10,000 students for the past 30 years.
“He voluntarily submitted himself to EFCC and never contravened the terms of his administrative bail. I urge your lordship to grant him bail on self-recognition,” Ayorinde submitted.
After the defence counsel’s submission, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail applications.
“We leave bail at your lordship’s discretion and pray that your lordship should impose conditions that will compel their attendance for trial,” he said.
Ruling, Justice Aikawa granted the defendants bail on self-recognition.
He said that since the prosecution did not oppose the application, and considering the defendants’ standing in the society, “they will not likely jump bail.
“However, their international passports must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court and can only be released on court order,” the judge ruled.
The case was adjourned till February 23 for trial.
m race is scheduled for February 11.
