Rivers SSG, politician docked for allegedly receiving N750 million Diezani's fund
- EFCC has arraigned Rivers SSG, Kenneth Kobani, and a politician, Samuel Okpoko, for allegedly receiving N750m from Diezani's slush fund
- The money was said to be part of the infamous $115 million Diezani Alison-Madueke cash allegedly deployed to bribe several politicians before 2015 elections
- Suspects, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the secretary to the Rivers state government, Kenneth Kobani, and a politician, Samuel Okpoko, before Justice B. Bilikisu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N750 million.
Premium Times reports that the defendants were docked for collecting N750 million from the Garrison branch of a new generation bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on the eve of the 2015 general elections.
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Legit.ng gathered that the money is part of the infamous $115 million Diezani Alison- Madueke cash allegedly deployed to bribe several politicians and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
It was gathered that Kobani allegedly collected N50 million while Okpoko allegedly collected the remaining N700 million.
The count one of the charge read: “That you Samuel Johnson Okposo on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire and aid other persons yet to be charged, to acquire and take possession and control of the sum of Seven Hundred Million Naira( N700,000,000.00) from a bank reasonably knowing and or ought to have known that such fund or property forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under section 15( 3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended”.
Count two of the charge read: “That you Kenneth Kobani on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire and aid other persons yet to be charged, to acquire and take possession and control of the sum of Fifty Million Naira( N50, 000,000.00) from a bank reasonably knowing and or ought to have known that such fund or property forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under section 15( 3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended.”
It was gathered that when the charges were read to them, they pleaded “not guilty.”
Prosecution counsel, C.A. Okoli, told the court that he was ready for trial and prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.
However, the lead defense counsel, C.A. Okala, sued for the bail of the defendants.
Justice B. Bilikisu admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N50 million and a surety each in like sum. She adjourned the matter to June 4 for trial.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that a prosecution witness, Annette Gyen, on Monday, April 16, revealed before a Jos Federal High Court how a former water resources minister, Sarah Ochekpe, and two others withdrew N450 million cash.
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Source: Legit.ng
