Saraki’s Former Aide, Gbenga Makanjuola, Acquitted Of Money Laundering Charges, Says ‘God Has Vindicated Me’  

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Gbenga Makanjuola , has been acquitted of money laundering charges.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in October 2018 , preferred charges against Hon Gbenga Makanjuola, and two others and accused them of involvement in N3.5 billion fraud.

They were consequently arraigned in the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Makanjuola was arraigned alongside a firm, Melrose General Services Limited; and Obiorah Amobi.

In the charges, the EFCC had alleged that they committed the offence sometime in December 2016 in connivance with one Robert Mbonu,  who was said to be at large.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants ‘took control of N3.5bn that was transferred from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s bank  account into an Access Bank Plc account number 0005892453, operated by Melrose General Services Limited.

Recall also that Justice  Akintoye Aluko of the  Federal High Court ,  Lagos had however later cleared GCA Energy Limited, an oil and gas exploration service company, of any wrongdoing  in the  alleged N3.5 billion Paris loan scam.

The court had  also struck out the suit filed against  Makanjuola and two others.

The judge had ruled in favour of  the preliminary objection raised by the defendants and struck out the charges on the grounds that they are  invalid and incompetent

The former federal lawmaker, who served  as Saraki’s Deputy Chief of Staff during his tenure as Senate President,  was however rearraigned alongside others  in March  2019. 

In January, 2021, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, refiled the criminal charges against Hon Makanjuola and three others at  the Federal High Court, Abuja and in May 2024, they were rearraigned after the  charges  bordering on conspiracy, accepting cash payments beyond the threshold, and stealing were amended for the third time. 

The defendants, again, pleaded not guilty, and their counsels made applications for their bail, which were granted.

Team@orientactualmags.com  learned that Justice Peter Odo Lifu  of the  Federal High Court , Abuja,  declared Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu acquitted of the money laundering and fraud charges on Thursday.

Hon Makanjuola and Shittu had served as  Dr Bukola Saraki’s aides during his tenure as President of the 8th senate.

Reacting to the favourable court ruling on Thursday night, Hon Gbenga Makanjuola, who was the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 Kwara state gubernatorial election,  expressed gratitude to God Almighty who has vindicated him.

‘To God be the glory, I have been vindicated.

It’s been a tough journey for me for almost eight years, but at the end of the day, I just want to thank God for seeing me through.

The court confirmed that with the Supreme Court judgment, the criminal charges cannot proceed again, and that’s the end of it’ he said.

Hon. Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu were represented by two  Senior Advocates; Mr. Paul Erokoro SAN, and Mr Ojukwu, SAN  while the third defendant was represented by Mr. Wale Adewumi Esq . 

‘Well, that will be at the appropriate time, but not at the moment, because I just want to reflect and enjoy this moment now by thanking God for this’ he quipped, when asked how his name got involved in the case in the first place-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you