EFCC arraign ex-minister, SAN to court over alleged N500 million money laundering

- EFCC arraigned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and ex minister to court

- They were both accused of laundering the sum of N500 million

- The justice in charge adjourned the case and ordered the accused to submit their International passports

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today, February 8, arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dele Belgore, and former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman to court over an allegation of money laundering.

The duo appeared before Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly laundering the sum of N500 million.

EFCC arraign ex-minister, SAN to court over alleged N500 million money laundering

EFCC alleged that both Belgore, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara state and Sulaiman, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Abuja connived to commit the crime on March 27, 2015.

According to Punch, Belogore and Sulaiman were accused of violating sections 1(a), 16(d), 15(2)(d) and18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

The prosecution said they are liable to be punished under sections 15(3)(4), and 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Both pleaded not guilty when there charges were read to them.

Justice Aikawa ordered both defendants to submit their passports to the deputy chief registrar of the court, stressing that the passports could only be released to them on the order of the court.

He adjourned till February 23, 2017 for commencement of trial.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) allegedly re-arrested a former governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema.

Operatives of the EFCC were said to have barricaded the main exit of the court and asked Shema to come down from his car and join them in their vehicle.

It reportedly took over an hour during the standoff before some of their men (EFCC) entered his car and move along with them in their convoy.