Court convicts INEC official over N23bn Diezani loot

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yisa Olarenwaju Adedoyin, has been convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris.

Adedoyin was arraigned alongside two other INEC officials, Christian Nwosu, Tijani Bashir and a former minister of petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke over alleged money laundering.

He was convicted on the basis of a plea bargain arrangement he reached with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants on March 27, 2015, conspired among themselves to directly take possession of over N500m, which formed parts of proceeds of unlawful act.

The plea bargain, dated May 2, 2017, stated that upon conviction Adedoyin, shall forfeit parcel of land worth N23m and situated at Taoheed road, Bufo-Osho village, Ilorin South local government area, Kwara State.

The plea bargain also stated that a fine of N10m shall be imposed on him.

In sentencing the INEC official, Justice Idris said the court adopts the plea bargain agreement as its judgment.

Prior to the re-arraignment, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo said Adedoyin had indicated his intention to change his plea from not guilty to guilty and also reached a plea bargain with the commission.