A former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory wants the N650 million fraud allegations levelled against her and two others to be settled out of court

JUMOKE Akinjide, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, who is facing trial for an alleged fraud of N650m, has opted to enter into a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Bolaji Ayonrinde, SAN, her lawyer, gave the indication before the federal high court in Lagos on Tuesday, February 6, saying that an arrangement had being made for the refund of the N650m.

He said he had discussed his client’s intention with Rotimi Oyedepo, the counsel for the EFCC, and pleaded that an adjournment be granted to allow the parties to discuss further.

Ayorinde said: “This matter is principally about the campaign funds of the 2015 elections in Oyo State and the people in the dock now were the principal hands that handled the funds, consequently, the PDP in Oyo State have unanimously taken a decision to refund the total sum N650m.

“In the light of the above, before the trial commences full-blown, we are imploring the court to allow parties to explore possible amicable settlement.”

Oyedepo, confirmed that Ayorinde had approached him for settlement. The counsel, however, said that the case before the court was not merely about the funds because the EFCC had already recovered the N650m.

He said the case before the court was rather about the nature of the funds and the manner the defendants handled them.

The EFCC had on January 16, 2018 arraigned Akinjide and two others for allegedly receiving N650m cash from Diezani Alison-Madueke,  a former minister of Petroleum Resources, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

The EFCC alleged that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities, adding that Akinjide and others handled the N650m cash without going through any financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

Charged along with Akinjide were Ayo Adeseun, a senator, and Olanrewaju Otiti.

The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the 24 count-charge filed against them.

The court had fixed Tuesday, February 6, for commencement of trial before Muslim Hassan.

– Feb. 6, 2018 @ 16:17 GMT |