EFCC: How Ex-Minister Wakil, others shared N450m 2015 polls bribe

A Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday, March 14, heard how a former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil, and others shared N450 million meant to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election in the state.

The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had on June 18, 2019, re-arraigned Wakil alongside Garba Abacha, Ibrahim Shehu Birma, Dr. Abubakar Ali Kullima, and Engr. Muhammad Baba Kachalla.

They were alleged to have received N450 million from the $115 million disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

Count one of the charges read: “That you, Hon. Muhammad Wakil, Garba Abacha, 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 among 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, 2011 (as amended).”

They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

At the resumed trial on Tuesday, the counsel for the prosecution, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, disclosed how N450 million was signed and collected in cash from Fidelity Bank by Wakil alongside the second defendant, Garba Abacha.

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According to Umar, the money was disbursed across the country in which the sum of N450 million was signed and collected in cash via  Fidelity Bank, Maiduguri Branch, by Wakil and Garba in order to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential poll.

“We commenced investigation by inviting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials who reported,” he added.

Asked whether the first and second defendants were invited, the witness explained that Wakil, when invited by the EFCC, confirmed that he signed and collected in cash N450 million alongside the second defendant for disbursement in accordance with a template sent to him by PDP in Abuja.

Dauda told the court that the Wakil availed the EFCC with the template sent from the PDP headquarters for the disbursement of the money.

On how the money was shared, Dauda informed the court that Abacha accompanied his principal, Wakil, and witnessed the disbursement of the funds.

“The third defendant was invited by Wakil and collected the sum of N120,340,000.00 on behalf of Southern Borno.

“The fourth defendant who was also invited by Wakil signed and collected the sum of N88, 620,000.00 on behalf of Northern Borno, while the fifth defendant signed and collected the sum of N140,860,000.00 for Borno Central.

“They all signed and collected the said amounts in cash at the residence of Wakil,” Dauda stated.

The presiding judge, Justice J.K. Dagat, therefore adjourned the case till June 14, 2023, for continuation of trial.

The Star