I Gave Former Kwara’s CP N10m In 2015, Says Jonathan’s Campaign Coordinator

I Gave Former Kwara’s CP N10m In 2015, Says Jonathan’s Campaign Coordinator

A former Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation coordinator in Kwara State Dele Belgore (SAN) on Monday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he gave N10 million to the then commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Garba Salihu, a day to the 2015 Presidential election.

The embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is standing trial over alleged N450 million fraud, also admitted before the court that the money did not pass through any financial institution.

Belgore, who is being tried alongside a former Minister for National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, were on November 28, 2017, re-arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  on an amended 9-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The EFCC alleged that the two politicians benefiting N450m from the sum of $115.01m, which the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, allegedly doled out to influence the 2015 general elections.

The two defendants were also alleged to have on March 27, 2015, transferred the sum of N50 million to some politicians and security officers in Kwara state, without going through financial institutions.

The alleged offences, according to the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, are contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(d),1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3), 4 and 16(2)(b)of the same Act.

They however pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

During Monday’s proceedings, Belgore admitted to have delivered N10 million to Commissioner of Police Garba Salihu on March 27,  2015 while being cross examined by the prosecutor, Oyedepo

Belgore admitted that the N 10 million he delivered to the police boss was part of the N 450 million he allegedly collected from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Earlier while being cross examined by the counsel to the second accused person, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), the senior lawyer insisted that  the N450 million which was set aside as campaign fund for the re-election of former President Jonathan in 2015 was from series of fund raising activities done by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He also denied claims that the money was from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

Belgore who denied all the nine count charges pressed on him, said throughout his tenure as the campaign coordinator of the re-election bid of former President Jonathan in Kwara state, he had no dealings with Mrs. Diezani and that he was not aware that the N450 million he signed for in 2015 came from her.

But when he was confronted with his extra judicial statement to the EFCC, Belgore admitted that he gave money to the police boss without going through financial institution.

“I delivered N10 million to the then Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Garba Salihu on March 27,  2015. And the money was part of N450 million sent to Kwara State. I did not use any financial institution instrument to withdraw the money and there is no bank’s record to show for it because I deliver it “, he said.

When Oyedepo asked him if he was a PDP leader in Kwara State, Belgore answered yes but when asked again whether Kwara State PDP has any bank account he replied that he didn’t know whether the party is operating any bank account.

He also admitted that there was no written instruction to the bank where he took possession of N450 million he claimed was sent from their party’s headquarters in Abuja.

The judge has fixed further hearing in the matter till May 15.

In the 9-count charge, the EFCC alleged that Mrs. Diezani (said to be at large) conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act.

The trio were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorized by law, without going through the financial institutions.

Belgore, Sulaiman and Madueke were also alleged to have paid the sum of N50 million to one, Sheriff Shagaya, without going through the banks.

They were equally accused of paying the sum of N10 million to one, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, Resident Electoral Commissioners, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kwara State, without going through any financial institution.

The EFCC also alleged that the trio paid N10 million to CP Garba Salihu, in violation of Sections 1(a), 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.