N43.4m Contract Scam: Ex-Minister Knows Fate, February 25

The Federal High Court recently in Abuja reserved February 25, 2013 to deliver ruling on a no-case submission, filed by a former Minister of Works and Housing, Hassan Lawal, on a N43.4 million fraud.

Justice Adamu Bello gave the date after counsel to the parties had argued the motion filed by Mr Ibrahim Ishiaku (SAN) counsel to Lawal.

Lawal is standing trial on allegation of misappropriation of funds meant for the rehabilitation of the Guto-Bagana Bridge across River Benue.

Adesanya Adewale, an ex-staff of a bank, who allegedly assisted Lawal to launder the money, is also standing trial.

Ishiaku insisted that the deposits were genuine transactions made by his client as payment for a housing loan procured from the bank.

He, therefore, urged the court to rule that Lawal had no case to answer, saying that the charge did not link him directly or indirectly to the allegation.

“My lord, this is a mere allegation which to me was brought about by the new political leaning of my client. In fact, Lawal did not launder any money or misappropriate monies made for the contract he supervised.”

Mr Shittu Wahab, Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the court that the accused used Adewale, an ex-staff of a bank to launder the money.

He explained that the action contravened the Money Laundering Act 2004.

Wahab said the anti-graft body had charged the ex-minister and Adewale for illegally moving monies that were not traceable to any source.