EFCC provides bank account allegedly used by former NDDC director in receiving bribe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has submitted a bank account with which it claims former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director of Projects, Tuoyo Omatsuli, received N3.6 billion bribe.

EFCC witness, Peter Adegoke, a banker, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Lagos, that a Fidelity bank account was used to transfer funds.

Omatsuli is standing trial for allegedly receiving N3.6 billion bribe from a contractor, Starline Consultancy Services.

He was charged alongside Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos on 45 counts.

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According to the EFCC, Omatsuli bought over Francis Momoh and Building Associates to utilise a total sum of N3.6 billion paid by Starline Consultancy Services.

It also accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise the illegal origin of a total sum of N3, 645,000,000, being proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and gratification.”

The alleged offence, which EFCC said was committed between August 2014 and September 2015, contravened Sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3) and 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

Meanwhile, Adegoke has testified that the funds were transferred from the NDDC to Starline Consultancy Services between 2014 and 2016.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Ekene Iheanacho, the witness said the funds were transferred to the firm’s Fidelity Bank account.

Adegoke said he had been with Fidelity Bank for over ten years and is presently a compliance officer, his duties include processing requests by anti-graft agencies such as EFCC.

The witness affirmed that he received a letter from EFCC on July 12, 2016, requesting the account opening documents and statement of account of Starline Counsultancy Services.

“We provided the documents as requested,” he said.

Adegoke said Ibinabo Michael West was the account’s signatory.

The account statement and opening package were admitted in evidence.

Under cross-examination, the witness said he did not see Omatsuli’s name in any of the documents.

The trial continues Friday, April 12.

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