‘I authorised release of N950m to Wali, Mansur at night’, EFCC witness tells court

A former banker with a commercial institution in Kano, Mr. Saheed Adeluola Eloekere, yesterday testified before a Federal High Court sitting in Kano, to have authorized release of N950million to former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali and Engr. Mansur Ahmed, following a directive issued from the Lagos headquarters of the bank.

Besides, Mr. Saheed who was presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as second witness further told the court that the transaction carried out at night did not follow due process since the senders and receivers did not operate any form of account with the bank.

According to the second witness, “Due to the large volume of the money, the Bank requested for cash withdrawal from CBN Kano branch and the money was released. Amb. Wali and Engr. Mansur collected the money after signing relevant documents.”

Former Ministers of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau (first defendant); Foreign Affairs, Amb. Wali (Second defendant); and Engr. Mansur (third defendant) are standing trial for criminal charges involving N950million filed by the EFCC.

In the originating summon, EFCC charged the defendants of taken possession and control of the sum of N950 million sent by the former Minister of Petroleum Mrs. Deizani Allison-Madueke, the sum which, the anti-graft agency claimed was part of unlawful monies in her possession. They are subsequently being charged for committing an offense contrary to section 15 (1) of Money Laundering act and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same act.

During cross examination, a lead investigator with EFCC who also served as first witness, Mahmud Tukur had earlier told Justice Lewis Allagoa, that first defendant (Shekarau) benefited N25 million naira out of the N950 million for the purpose of campaign for PDP presidential candidate.

Justice Lewis Allagoa has adjourned the case to 10th and 11th, April, 2019 for continuation of hearing proceeding.