Alison-Madueke collected N23bn from three oil marketer - EFCC

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- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission investigator, Usman Zakari, has made some revelations against the former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke

- Zakari alleged that the former minster received the sum of N23 billion from three oil marketers

- The investigator was testifying before Justice Muslim Hassan in the trial of former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, March 9 heard that a former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly collected N23 billion ($115.01 million) from three oil marketers ahead of the 2015 general election.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Usman Zakari, she allegedly distributed the money to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs and others, Vanguard reports.

NAIJ.com noted that Zakari was testifying before Justice Muslim Hassan in the trial of former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide.

She was charged alongside a former senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district, Ayo Adeseun; a PDP leader in Oyo state, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti and Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large.

They were both accused by the EFCC of conspiring to directly take possession of N650 million, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

According to Zakari, the second prosecution witness, Akinjide and others received N650 million cash in March 2015 at the Dugbe branch of a bank in Ibadan on Alison-Madueke’s instructions. Zakari stated that the money was part of N23 billion which the former oil minister kept in the bank.

The witness stated that the N23billion was the naira equivalent of $115.01million which Mrs Alison-Madueke allegedly collected from three oil marketers, including Lano Adesanya, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

According to Zakari, the commission received a “Category A intelligence” about a meeting at Alison-Madueke’s house in December 2014 with the bank’s managing director and some oil marketers.

Zakari stated that Alison-Madueke told the bank chief that the oil marketers would bring hard currencies to the bank, and that he should keep the money until further directives, adding that Autus Integrated Limited took $17.8million to the bank; Northern Belt Oil and Gas lodged $60million; while Mid-Western Oil Services Limited paid $9.5million.

The witness said: “An individual, Lano Adesanya, brought the sum of $1.8million. Our findings further revealed that the three oil marketers made payment of the sum of $89million and some fractions.

“Investigations further revealed that the then petroleum minister’s aides made available $25million and some fractions in suitcase."

Zakari stated that Alison-Madueke directed the bank to convert the dollars to naira, which was complied with, after which she allegedly directed that the defendants be paid.

He said: "They signed for the money and took it to the residence of the first defendant (Akinjide). The defendants made cash payment of N650million without going through any financial institution, an amount which was more than the amount authorised by law to be paid in cash."

According to Zakari, Akinjide and Adeseun “admitted making cash payments in that amount".

The case was adjourned till March 23 by the presiding judge, Justice Hassan.

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the embattled former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, reportedly pleaded with a Federal High Court sitting Lagos to order the attorney-general of the federation to ensure her return to Nigeria.

The former minister said she was ready to stand in court and defend a criminal charge linked to her relating to an alleged laundering of N450 million.

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