The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons why they have not invited former Nigeria president, Goodluck Jonathan, for questioning.
EFCC is investigating officer Shehu Shuaibu.
And on Thursday, Shuaibu told a Federal High Court in Lagos that the N4.6bn allegedly transferred into a Joint Trust account was used to finance Jonathan’s 2015 presidential campaign.
Shuaibu stated this while testifying before Justice Daniel Osiagor. This is in the trial of former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode. And two others over alleged money laundering and other fraud-related offences.
During cross-examination by Usman’s counsel, Mr Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), they did not invite Jonathan throughout their investigation.
The witness admitted that the first defendant, Usman, was the Director of Finance for President Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation. While the second defendant, Fani-Kayode, was the Director, Media and Publicity of the organisation.
Jonathan did not expend the money
Asked why he did not invite Jonathan to confirm or deny if the money paid into the Joint Trust account was expended for his campaign or not, he said, “No, we did not invite him, since the President was not the one that expended the money.”
When asked whether those that transferred money into the joint trust account were arrested and prosecuted.
He said, “To the best of my knowledge, I do not know whether those that transferred money into the joint trust account were charged in court or not. I am not a lawyer, and would not know why they have not been charged before the court.”
The witness further disclosed that the money was paid from the State House to the NEA Account. Before it was transferred into the joint trust account.
He noted that the money was paid by the Permanent Secretary, State House, Nebolisa Emodi. And that he was invited for interrogation by his team but not charged to court.
Justice Osiagor adjourned the case till today (Friday) for the continuation of the trial.
Jonathan tells Atiku, Obi, Tinubu how to campaign
Jonathan has urged presidential candidates in the 2023 elections to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid violence.
He spoke at the signing of the first National Peace Accord on the 2023 general elections.
Present at the event were Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other presidential candidates. Except Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who was represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Jonathan said, “We are at a critical stage in our national life. Where we have no choice but to promote national cohesion, love and hope in order to make the desired progress.
“We cannot afford to continue to play politics of bitterness and division along ethnic and religious lines. This is because such kind of politics portends great danger to our unity, growth and the sustenance of our democracy.
“We have to be mindful of the destructive impact of hate speech, fake news and mindless propaganda, especially in a clime where the fabric of unity and stability still needs to be strengthened.
“I charge the candidates, their promoters and supporters to exercise restraint and seek to run their campaigns based on issues that affect our people.
“They should, by all means, avoid needless attacks on personalities, and use of abusive language for those are the elements that cause chaos and crisis during elections.’’
