Shekarau back in court over N900m money laundering charges

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Ibrahim Shekarau

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Thursday adjourned the case of alleged money laundering against former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau.

Mr Shekarau was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside former external affairs minister Aminu Wali and one Mansur Ahmad on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N950 million.

When the case came up for hearing, the judge, Lewis Allagoa, who just assumed duty at the court, adjourned the trial till November 19, 20, and 21.

The judge replaced Justice Zainab Bage who was transferred.

Counsel to the EFCC, Johnson Ojogbane, had earlier told the court that the defendants, between March 26 and 27, 2015, conspired among themselves and received the said amount without going through financial institutions.

He said that the money was issued to the defendants by the People’s Democratic Party and former petroleum minister Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act 2011 as amended and punishable under section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act and Section 15(1) of money laundering Act.

The trio had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Before the adjournment, the defence counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN) prayed that the court to extend the bail granted to his clients by the former judge in line with Section 163 of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.
The judge acceded to the request to extend the bail before adjourning to November 19, 20, and 21 for continuation of the trial.

NAN recalls that Mr Bage had granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100 million each, with two reliable sureties in like sum.