Alleged N450m Fraud: Belgore SAN, Abubakar Opens Defence

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Dele Belgore and a former minister of national planning Professor Sulaimon Abubakar have opened their defence before Justices Rilwan Aikawa sitting at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N450 M money laundering case, casefile reports Justice Rilwan Aikawa had earlier dismissed the no case application filed by the duo. Belgore and Sulaiman were alleged of collecting N450million from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, as alleged bribe to influence the outcome of the 2015 general elections in favor of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. They were accused of handling the huge sum of money without going through any financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. Counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that they acted contrary to sections 1(a), 16(d), 15(2)(d) and18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act. At the resumed hearing yesterday, Belgore’s counsel L. O. Akangbe argued that the prosecution was suppressing evidence in that the prosecution has not produced all the statements that his client made during the investigation. He argued that it is his client’s constitutional right to have all the statements given to him to enable him prepare his defence and the court should direct them to produce the statements. The prosecution argued that they do not have the statement but Akangbe replied that the matter is a serious one and should not end there simply because the prosecution says they don’t have them. Adding that the court should look into the matter and call evidence to resolve the matter. Prof Abubakar Sulaiman the 2nd defendant and Minister for National Planning under Jonathan’s administration, who was unpresented by counsel told the court that he does know why his lawyers are not in court . The proceedings still went on and the Judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, told him to inform his lawyers of the next date of the proceedings. According to Belgore on 27 Jan 2017 he made more than one statement but the prosecution has only produced one of them. The case was adjourned to 23 May for ruling. Court adjourned till 23 and 24th May for ruling on the application and possible continuation of hearing.]]>