FORMER minister for water resources, Serah Ocheme and two other public office holders from Plateau state were arraigned before the federal high court Jos following a suit by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The anti- grant agency is accusing the suspects of receiving and laundering the sum of N450 million which they allegedly received from former minister of petroleum resource Alison Dieseni-Madueke in 2015.

Alison Madueke was arraigned together with former acting chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau State Chapter Chief Raymond Dabo and Plateau state campaign coordinator of 2015 Goodluck Jonathan, Evangelist Leo-Sunday Jatau.

The trio were charged for money laundering and conspiracy for receiving the sum of N450 million through a Nigerian based commercial bank which was eventually laundered.

When the case was mentioned at the federal high court Jos yesterday, the three accused pleaded not guilty to charges.

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos the Plateau State capital however granted them bail on condition of self recognition.

After arguments by both the counsels of the parties, the counsel to the defendants,Barrister Sunday Odey said that all the three accused persons filed for the bail application and requested the court to grant his clients bail based on self recognition.

The Prosecuting counsel, A.Y Manchata didn’t object the request for the court to grant the bail.

The judge presiding the case, Justice Musa Kurya granted the defendants bail following their formal application before adjourning the case to 13th and 14th February, 2018 for hearing.   –  The Nation

– Jan. 23 2018 @ 08:05 GMT