THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Maiduguri Zonal Command has finalized its investigation against a former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil, and four others yesterday, June 14, 2023.
After introducing three witnesses, the prosecution concluded its case before Justice K. Dagat of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Wakil was re-arrested along with Garba Abatcha, Ibrahim Shehu Birma, Dr. Abubakar Ali Kullima, and Engr. Muhammad Baba Kachalla on a seven-count accusation of criminal conspiracy to commit money laundering in the amount of N450,000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Million Naira).
They were accused of receiving the $ 115 million from a former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in order to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
Count one of the charges read: “That you, Hon. Muhammad Wakil, Garba Abatcha, Ibrahim Shehu Birma, Dr. Abubakar Ali Kullima and Engr. Muhammad Baba Kachalla on or about the 26th day of March, 2015 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did agree amongst yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit: conspiracy to commit money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022 (as amended).”
They entered a “not guilty” plea to the allegations.
Before closing its case today, the prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed who appeared alongside S.O Saka, Faruku Muhammad, A.D Aliyu, V.O Ekanem and A.A Ayanshola tendered some documents including the statements of the defendants, evidence of payment received by the three Senatorial districts, a draft from the first defendant and a response letter from Fidelity Bank detailing the means of identification of the first and second defendants, which were admitted as exhibits.
Following then, Justice Dagat adjourned the case until October 3, 4, and 5, 2023, for the defendants to present their case.
