The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday dismissed a no-case submission filed by a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State Mr Christian Nwosu.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him for allegedly accepting gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (“still at large”).

He was re-arraigned along with Tijani Bashir before Justice Mohammed Idris.

They were charged with another INEC official Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.

Nwosu had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results, but he changed his plea to not guilty.

He claimed he was induced by EFCC to plead guilty at first, but he pleaded not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

EFCC said they allegedly conspired to directly take possession of N264, 880.000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

They also allegedly made cash payment of N70, 050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeds the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.

Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164, 880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.

Bashir was also charged with indirectly retaining N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

The prosecution said he indirectly concealed the N30million.

The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

EFCC had earlier closed its case before the amendment of the charge.

Ruling, Justice Idris held that in view of the evidence presented by the EFCC, the defendants have some clarifications to make.

“The extrajudicial statements made to EFCC by these defendants raise a lot of questions which they must be called upon to answer

“Accordingly, this application lacks merit and it is hereby dsmissed.

“The defendants are hereby ordered open their defence,” Justice Idris held.

Oyedepo said he was ready for trial to proceed immediately, but defence counsel Mr Victor Opara pleaded for an adjournment to enable him assembles his witnesses.

Justice Idris adjourned until August 23 and 24 for defence.

• Excerpted from The Nation report

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