Former Minister Sarah Ochekpe And Others Face Money Laundering Charges...

Sarah Ochekpe, Former water resources minister and two others on Monday appeared before a Jos Federal High Court over alleged money laundering involving N450 million.

Ochekpe, who was arraigned by the EFCC, appeared along with Mr Raymond Dabo, former PDP Chairman in Plateau, and Evangelist Leo-Sunday Jatau, Coordinator of the President Goodluck Jonathan campaign in 2015.


They all appeared to answer a two-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering. The charges were read to the accused standing trial before Justice Musa Kurya and they pleaded not guilty.


The Prosecuting counsel, Mr A. Y. Manchata, told the court that in 2015, 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.


But the defence Counsel, Mr Sunday Odey, who challenged the allegations of the EFCC, applied for the bail of the three accused persons 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.


Responding, the EFCC Counsel objected to the bail application, insisting that the accused should be remanded in Prison given the gravity of the offence.


Odey, however, countered Manchata’s position, and stated that he would stand as surety and produce the trio at the next adjourned date of the case.


The court granted them bail after listening to the arguments of the two lawyers, based on self recognition and adjourned the case to Feb. 13 and 14 for hearing.

(NAN)