Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) has been re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on money laundering related charges.
Adoke, who served during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, was arraigned with an Abuja businessman, Aliyu Abubakar on a seven-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/39/2017.
Six counts in the charge relate to Adoke while the remaining one was against Abubakar.
Both defendants were, in the charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleged to have committed the alleged offences, involving about N400m, in Abuja in September 2013.
Adoke was accused of among others, receiving the US dollar equivalent of N300m from Abubakar and paying the dollar equivalent of N367,318,800 to one Usman Mohammed Bello.
He was also accused of using N300m which was alleged to be part of the proceeds of unlawful activities, acts classified as offences under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
The ex-AGF was equally accused of making “structured cash payments in 22 tranches” amounting to N80m, and another of such structured payments in 13 tranches, estimated at N50m, into his Unity Bank account.
On his part, Abubakar was accused of making a payment of US dollar equivalent of N300m into Adoke’s account, in violation of the money laundering law.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by an official of the court.
Subsequently, lead prosecution lawyer, Bala Sanga said he would have applied for the remand of the defendants in prison but for the reality of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sanga, who noted that the prosecution was not served any bail application on behalf of any of the defendants, said he will not object should lawyers to the defendants apply for bail orally.
Former AGF, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who appeared for Adoke and another ex-AGF, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), who appeared for Abubakar, commended Sanga for his friendly gesture.
Agabi and Adoke noted that the case was transferred from Justice Binta Nyako’s court where the defendants were arraigned in February this year and granted bail.
They prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them, a request the new judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo acceded to.
Sanga later prayed the court for a short adjournment for the commencement of trial to enable the prosecution prove its case.
“We hope to open and close this case on time. Our witnesses are within jurisdiction, and we do not intend to call more than five witnesses,” Sanga said.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned till August 3 for the commencement of trial.
