The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today withdrew the detention order
against Honourable Aliyu Ahman Pategi who stood surety for Ms Jumoke Akinjide,
a former Minister of State, Ministry of Federal Capital Territory under President
Goodluck Jonathan, after she turned herself in at the Ikoyi office of the
Commission in Lagos.
Aliyu,
a Federal lawmaker representing Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency of Kwara
State was on Friday remanded in EFCC custody by a Lagos State Magistrate Court,
Igbosere for failing to produce the suspect when needed by investigators and
her failure to appear before a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan for three
proceedings. Jumoke, who has been evading arraignment in the Federal High
Court Ibadan, presided by Justice Ayo Emmanuel, is facing a 24 count charge of
Money Laundering in Suit No.FHC/1B/26C/2017. The court had threatened to
dismiss the matter if the prosecution could not produce her in court at the
next adjourned date, 22nd June 2017. This prompted the prosecution to drag the
surety before the Lagos State Magistrate Court to show cause why the N650
million bond will not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Patigi,
however regained his freedom as information reached the court through his
counsel that Ms Akinjide had presented herself to the EFCC. This was confirmed
by EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo. "I have just confirmed from operatives of
the EFCC that Oloye Jumoke Akinjide has turned herself in at the Ikoyi Office.
Since it was inability of the 2nd respondent to produce her that triggered our
application, we would therefore in the interest of justice, apply that the suit
be struck out in view of success of 2nd respondent to secure the appearance of
1st respondent", Oyedepo said.
Upon
submissions of both parties, presiding Chief Magistrate Afolashade Botoku
struck out the EFCC application.
Jumoke
Akinjide, alongside Oyo State PDP Chairman Yinka Taiwo are being accused by
EFCC of fraudulently receiving the sum of N650 million from former Petroleum
Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke out of the $115 million doled out by the former
minister, allegedly to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election. The said sum was alleged to be gratification
received by Mrs. Alison-Madueke from various oil marketers such as Northern
Belt Oil and Gas Company, Actus Integrated Investment Limited, Midwestern Oil
and Gas Company Limited and Adesanya Leno Olaitab.
Based on
evidence of her alleged involvement in the crime, Ms. Akinjide was invited to
the EFCC office in Lagos on 9 August, 2016 and wrote a statement after which
Mr. Pategi entered a bail bond of N650million to be forfeited should Ms.
Akinjide jumps administrative bail.
The
suspect who however presented herself to the Commission today after months of
hide and seek, is currently cooling her
heels in EFCC custody pursuant to arraignment on June 22.
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