Ogbulafor admits collecting N2m from co-accused

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Vincent Ogbulafor, on Thursday admitted collecting N2 million from Emeka Ebilah in the N107 million case instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.
The ICPC is prosecuting Ogbulafor, a former Minister of Special Duties, one Emeka Ebilah and Jude Nwokoro, on a 17-count charge of conspiracy and award of fictitious contracts valued N107 million.
The offence contravened Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ogbulafor told an Abuja High Court when he was cross examined by ICPC’s counsel, Marcus Abu, that the money was given to him after his tenure as Minister of Special Duties.
He said the Ebilah, who is the second accused person in the case, gave him the money as his contribution for his campaign as the National Secretary of the PDP.
The former PDP National chairman also admitted recommending the second accused as a member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee in July 2010 to the President.
He, however, denied appointing Ebilah as the secretary of the committee after its reconstitution.
Ogbulafor told the court that he was directed to reconstitute the NEIC by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in July 2010.
He further admitted knowing one Chris Nwoke, who lived in the United States of America, but does not know if he was the same person the investigating officer was talking about.
He said that he gave them the telephone number of Nwoke and also his home address in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls Ogbulafor’s no case submission was dismissed by the court.
Justice Ishaq Bello held that the prosecution established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant the trial.
The court adjourned the case to July 15, for continuation of cross examination.