The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has rejected an offer for an out-of-court settlement by a
former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, who was accused
of money laundering.
Akinjide was charged alongside
former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (who is
said to be at large), a former Senator Ayo Adeseun and a People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.
They were accused of conspiring
to directly take possession of N650 million, which they reasonably ought to
have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and without going
through a financial institution.
Justice Muslim Hassan had
adjourned to enable parties conclude the settlement talks after Akinjide’s
lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) reported that the N650 million had been
returned.
Yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer Nnaemeka
Omenwa, who stood in for Rotimi Oyedepo, said he was instructed to turn down
the proposal.
“I have instruction to reject the
proposal as it’s not in line with the provisions of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Based on that, we’re ready to go on with the
trial, subject to your Lordship’s overriding convenience,” he said.
But defence counsel Ayorinde and
Michael Lana (for second defendant) accused Oyedepo of a breach of agreement.
Ayorinde said the defendants made
a proposal to the prosecution in line with Section 14 of the EFCC Act.
“For the purposes of your
Lordship’s record and because of the public interest that this case seems to
unnecessarily attract, our proposal was made in accordance with established
laws and there is no fixation on Section 270 of the ACJA.
“We’re very confident that this
case is a sham and we’ll defend it vigorously. It’s political and we’ll show
that it’s unnecessary and a waste of time and resources of the court,” Ayorinde
said.
Lana accused EFCC of breaching an
agreement reached by parties with regards to the settlement, saying it amounted
to a “betrayal”.
“Their refusal to consider the
terms of settlement is to say the least a betrayal of trust by a lawyer. A
representation was made to us that we should withdraw a civil suit we filed.
Oyedepo is the first defendant in the suit.
“He made a proposal to us which
we believed. On the day of the first arraignment in Ibadan, Oyedepo and Chief
Ayorinde informed the court that they had agreed to settle. But the judge
decided that the defendants should be arraigned while the talks continued.
“We withdrew the suit and the
money they requested was paid. That’s why we were surprised when we received a
hearing notice. A lawyer’s words should be sacrosanct. That’s an abuse of
office. Oyedepo was the initiator of the settlement. That’s like 419. We’re
highly disappointed with Oyedepo,” Lana said.
But, Omenwa denied that the case
was politically motivated, adding that there was no proof to support the claims
against Oyedepo.
“The EFCC is not a political party.
We’re an independent organisation and are not out to witch-hunt anybody.
“There is no documentary evidence
that they had any such agreement with Oyedepo that they should withdraw their
suit. There’s no evidence before my Lord,” he said.
In his ruling, Justice Hassan
said since settlement talks had “broken down,” EFCC was at liberty to call its
witness.
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