The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected the plea bargain offer of a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Jumoke Akinjide.
According to the anti-graft commission’s lawyer, Nnemeke Omenwa, the agency would instead proceed with the trial.
At the last sitting of the court on February 6, the EFCC had admitted to the court that it had recovered the N650m allegedly laundered by Ms Akinjide and two others.
The Commission had, however, emphasised that the case before the court was not merely about the funds but was rather about the nature of the funds and the manner the defendants handled them.
The case consequently proceeded to trial on Thursday with the first prosecution witness already giving evidence.
Proceeds Of Unlawful Activities
On January 16, the anti-graft agency had arraigned the former minister and two others for allegedly receiving N650m cash from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.
The EFCC claimed that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities, adding that Akinjide and the others handled the N650m cash without going through any financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Those charged along with Akinjide are Senator Ayo Adeseun and Mr Olanrewaju Otiti.
The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the 24 counts filed against them.
