The Federal High Court sitting in Jos yesterday granted bail to former Minister of Water Resources Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe over alleged laundering of N450 million in 2015.
Others arraigned with Ochekpe on a two-count charge of money laundering and conspiracy include the former acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau state, Raymond Dabo and the state campaign coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan, Leo-Sunday Jatau.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its prosecuting counsel, A. Y. Manchata, alleged that in 2015, N450 million was transferred from a Fidelity Bank account from the office of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison Diezeni-Madueke, to the account of one of the defendants which he said was later alleged to have been withdrawn and laundered.
The counsel to the defendants, Sunday Odey however told the court that all three accused persons had filed for bail application and requested the court to grant his clients bail based on self recognition.
Prosecuting counsel, A.Y Manchata did not object to the request and the presiding judge, Musa Kurya granted the defendants bail following their formal application before adjourning the case to 13th and 14th February, 2018 for hearing.
