Saraki’s Cousin, Ex Kwara Commissioner re-arraigned for money laundering, contract scam
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Ope Saraki, a cousin to former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, and a former Commissioner for Information in Kwara State, Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye, on charges bordering on abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
The duo were re-arraigned on Monday on separate charges before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin.
It would be recalled that the case, which first started on May 13, 2015 before Justice A. O. Faji of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, suffered several setbacks as a result of transfer of the trial judges.
Ope Saraki, while being the Senior Special Assistant on Millennium Development Goals, allegedly received a cash payment of N11,180,000.00 (Eleven Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) from one Kunle Adimula, a sum which exceeded the cash amount payable to an individual, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(a) and 16(1) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2) (b) of the same Act.
Similarly, Moronfoye while being the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals, also allegedly committed procurement fraud by means of unlawful influence in the award of two contracts involving renovation of Ijagbo Primary Health Centre and supply of medical equipment to two hospitals in Kwara State. The alleged offence contravenes Section 58(4) and punishable under Section 58(5)(a) and (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
The two defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre pending trial.
But, Sulyman Abaya and Joshua Olatoke (SAN) representing Ope Saraki and Moronfoye respectively, urged the court to allow their clients to continue with the terms and conditions of the bail earlier granted them by the court.
Justice Sani after listening to the submissions by the counsel admitted the defendants to bail on the terms earlier granted them by the first trial judge, having not breached the terms.
Justice Sani adjourned the case to February 16, 2022 for commencement of trial for Ope Saraki and February 22, 2022 for Moronfoye.