Diezani ordered bank to pay out N450m to Belgore, others, witness tells court

A prosecution witness has told a Federal High Court in Lagos how former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke paid N450 million to former national planning minister Abubakar Sulaiman and Mohammed Belgore, a former governorship candidate in Kwara.

Both men are standing trial for laundering the N450 million.

The money came from $115 million stashed in a bank account, paid in by different individuals and companies according to the directive of the bank director, the witness Timothy Olaobaju, told the court.

Olaobaju, explained that in March 27, 2015, there was instruction from the Alison-Madueke to the bank that the $115m be converted to naira and paid to some beneficiaries including the two defendants Sulaiman and Belgore.

Both men filled receipt of payment forms, which have now been admitted as exhibits in court.

Belgore and Sulaiman were also alleged to have paid the sum of N50 million to one Sheriff Shagaya, without going through the banks.

The case continues tomorrow for cross-examination of the witness.