PDP’s N950m campaign fund: Shekarau, others face money laundering charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Monday urged former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to defend himself against the alleged N950 million money laundry levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bashir Aminu Wali and former Director General of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign organisation in the 2015 election, Ahmed Mansur, were also accused of committing same.

The court, presided over by Justice Lewis Amburus Allagoa, said the “no case” submission by the accused persons was not cogent enough to make the court grant their request for the dismissal of the allegations against them.

According to the court, the prosecution does not need to tender “adequate evidence” to convince the court on the prima facie of the case.

Justice Lewis said having heard the submissions by the prosecution and counsel to the accused persons, the court noted that a case of prima facie had been established against Shekarau and the two others.

The EFCC had sued the trio on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and violation of anti-graft laws.

The anti-graft agency told the court that the accused persons, during the 2015 presidential elections, collected N950 million from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It said the money, which was collected in cash tranches, violated the provisions of anti-graft law.

The prosecution also alleged that Shekarau, in the company of the other accused persons, disbursed the money through channels that allegedly contravened the provisions of Nigeria’s Money Laundering Act.

Shekarau, Wali and Mansur denied the charges against them.

The accused persons prayed the court to admit their pleas for a “no case” submission.

The court also ordered the accused persons to return their international travelling documents that were earlier released to them on health grounds to be immediately transferred to the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Lewis adjourned the matter till November 18 and 19 when the accused persons will begin their defence.