Efcc Detains Former Finance Minister Over Deziani’s $115m Election Cash

SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Wednesday said it has taken into custody a former Minister of Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, over his alleged involvement in the $115m (N23bn) election slush cash that was distributed by Fidelity Bank Plc at the behest of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC said in a statement that the ex-minister, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, allegedly diverted N450m out of the money allegedly meant for the bribery of election officials and influencing the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

“The EFCC has detained the former Minister finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, over his involvement in 23bn bribery poll. Amb. Yuguda in his statement admitted collecting a total of N450m in his capacity as a senior executive of the PDP chieftain in his state.”

Yuguda had been arrested by the EFCC last year after he allegedly received suspicious payments from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who has been embroiled in the scam.

Yuguda allegedly received N1.5bn from the former NSA's office through an unnamed company, for unstated purpose.

He also alleged received N1.275bn from Stallion Group during the campaign for the last general election.

Another N775m was also allegedly paid to him from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation for unstated purpose before the general elections last year.