EFCC Re-arraigns Ex-INEC Chiefs Over N264m Diezani Bribe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday re-arraigned two former official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tijani Bashiru and Christian Nwosu accused of receiving N264 million bribes from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general elections.
The INEC officials were re-arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a nine count charge of allegedly accepting gratification and fraud.
It will be recalled that Nwosu, who was a former Administrative Secretary of INEC in Kwara State, had pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from to rig the 2015 general election results, but he later change his plea.
Another official of the electoral body, Yisa Adedoyin was earlier convicted after pleading guilty to the former charge.
The anti-graft agency had accused Bashiru and Nwosu of allegedly conspiring to directly take possession of N264,880.000 which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act, which is gratification.
They also allegedly made cash payment of N70,050,000 to Yisa Adedoyin, which exceeded the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.
Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000 which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.
Bashir was also charged with indirectly retaining N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: criminal misappropriation.
The prosecution said he indirectly concealed the N30million.
The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015.
At Wednesday proceedings, the EFCC closed its case against the accused persons after its witnesses testified in the case.
The commission’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo said he would not call any further witness despite the amended charge.
Before the re-arraignment, Nwosu’s lawyer, Victor Opara had opposed the move on the basis that it would further delay the case.
He said the prosecution did not respond to his client’s no-case submission despite being served.
The lawyer had argued that the amendment would defeat the object of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which provides for speedy dispensation of cases.
But, Oyedepo argued that the law allows the prosecution to amend a charge at any time before judgment is delivered.
In his ruling, Justice Idris held that EFCC was at liberty to amend its charge at any time during proceedings.
“The law says ‘anytime before judgment’. It does not specify the time. I accept the amended charge,” the judge ruled.
After the re-arraignment, he allowed the defendants to remain on bail earlier granted them.
He adjourned until March 29 for adoption of written addresses in the no-case submission.
