NIGERIAN MINISTER, EVANGELIST, PDP CHAIRMAN ARRAIGNS OVER N450MILLION FRAUD

The prosecuting counsel, A. Y. Manchata, told the court that sometimes in 2015, the sum of N450 million was transferred from the account of then former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison Diezeni-Madueke, to the account of one of the defendants, who allegedly withdrew and laundered it.

However, the defence counsel, Sunday Odey, while challenging the allegations of the EFCC, applied for the bail of the three accused persons, who he described as “people of high integrity.’’

“My Lord, since my clients have pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge, I hereby apply for their bail on self-recognition, the counsel prayed.

But in contrary to the defence prayer, the EFCC Counsel A. Y. Manchata, objected to the bail application, insisting that the accused should be remanded in prison considering the weight of the offence, and in swift response defence counsel countered Manchata’s position, stating that he would stand as surety and produce the trio at the next adjourned date of the case.

In his ruling, after listening to the arguments of the two lawyers, Justice Musa Kurya granted them bail on self-recognition and adjourned the case to February. 13 and 14 for hearing.