Two jailed over N362m laundering charges involving Diezani

A High Court in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, has sentenced two men to 21 years each over N362 million allegedly given by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, to influence voting in the 2015 general elections.

Justice Nathan Musa of High Court 1 who gave the judgement on Thursday, ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to produce Allison-Madueke before him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged the three: Ibrahim Mohammed Umar (1st defendant), Sahabo Iya Hamman (2nd defendant) and Allison-Madueke (3rd defendant) to court for allegedly laundering the N362 million.

In his submission of the three count charges, Justice Nathan said, “The defendants together with one Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke are being charged for the offences under the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.

“The 3rd defendant in her desire to influence election in favour of then President Goodluck Jonathan authorised the release of N362 million public money through Fidelity Bank to the 1st and 2nd defendants to corrupt election officials.”

The defendants were convicted on three counts: “Conspiracy to corrupt public officers, contrary and punishable under section 26 (1)(c) and (d) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.

“Corruptly procure monetary benefit, contrary to and punishable under Section 9 (1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.

“Receive for yourself monetary benefit contrary to and punishable under section 10(a) (I) and (ii) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences 2000.”

ustice Nathan convicted Umar and Hamman on the three counts and sentenced them to seven years on each, but indicated that the sentences would run concurrently, which comes to seven years.

• The Nation