How INEC Officials Shared Diezani’s N265 Million Bribe – EFCC

How INEC Officials Shared Diezani’s N265 Million Bribe – EFCC

A witness in the bribery case against some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Thursday told a court how the accused shared N264.8 million allegedly paid by a former Petroleum Ministry, Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 election.

Usman Zakari, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC told A Federal High Court in Lagos how the INEC officials, Christian Nwosu, Yisa Adedoyin and TiJani Bashir shared the bribe money.

Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted following a plea bargain. The EFCC claimed that N23 billion was paid in all to INEC officials and some influential Nigerians.

According to the Vanguard, Zakari told the court that sometime in 2016, the commission received intelligence report that Allison-Madueke, gave gratification to the tune of $115 million during the 2015 elections.

He said following the intelligence, the commission started investigations and soon got hold of the receipts for the bribe money.

He said the investigations revealed that first accused (Nwosu) who was the Administrator of INEC in Kwara State at the time, signed for N264.8 million. He said the receipt also had the signature of Adedoyin.

Zakari said after obtaining the receipt of the payment, the EFCC invited the accused for questioning.

“After our interview with the accused at the commission he revealed that he benefited N30 million, while Adedoyin benefitted N70million and they both promised to return the money. Nwosu later made a payment of N4 million, and when he reported later to the commission, he paid the balance of N1 million and submitted title document of landed properties acquired.”