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Money laundering

May 9, 2025

FRN vs Sarah Reng Ochekpe (Former Minister of Water Resources) & 2 others

Humans

Sarah Reng Ochekpe
& 2 others

Money bag

N450,000,000.00
Amount allegedly laundered

Money bag

Case Summary
The accused were alleged to have received the said sum out of the N23,000,000,000.00 brought to Fidelity Bank Plc through cash and wire transfer by some oil companies and a Former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, to influence electorates and the outcome of 2015 Presidential Election.

Calendar

1,492
Day(s) case tried in court

Gavel

Case Update
The trial judge, while delivering judgement, sentenced the defendants after finding them guilty of charges of conspiracy and money laundering. The judge convicted the defendants on a count of conspiracy to accept cash payment above the threshold under the anti-money laundering law and sentenced them to three years imprisonment with an option of N2 million fine each. The judge also convicted and sentenced the defendants to three years imprisonment with an option of N2 million fine each on count two. The sentences are to run consecutively. The court, however, discharged and acquitted the defendants on the third count of retention of funds.

Court house

Hon. Justice Musa Haruna Kurya
Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau

Legislation

ACJA/ACJL Compliance - violated

Case Information
Sarah Reng Ochekpe & 2 others
Presiding Judge & Designated Court
Hon. Justice Musa Haruna Kurya, Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau
Nature and Number of Charges
3-count charge bordering on money laundering, conspiracy and retention of funds.
Date of 1st Arraignment
Jan 22, 2018
Summary of Case
The accused were alleged to have received the said sum out of the N23,000,000,000.00 brought to Fidelity Bank Plc through cash and wire transfer by some oil companies and a Former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, to influence electorates and the outcome of 2015 Presidential Election.
Defendant(s) and Plea entered on Arraignment
1. Sarah Reng Ochekpe (Former Minister of Water Resources) – Not guilty
2. Sunday Leo – Not guilty
3. Raymond Dabo – Not guilty
Defence Counsel(s)
1. S. G.Odeh (Lawyer)
Prosecuting Agency
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Prosecutor(s)
1. A. Y. Muntaka (Lawyer)
Status of Case
Decided
Decision
Convicted
Length of Trial
1,492 day(s)
ACJA/ACJL Compliance
Violated
Court Decision
The trial judge, while delivering judgement, sentenced the defendants after finding them guilty of charges of conspiracy and money laundering. The judge convicted the defendants on a count of conspiracy to accept cash payment above the threshold under the anti-money laundering law and sentenced them to three years imprisonment with an option of N2 million fine each. The judge also convicted and sentenced the defendants to three years imprisonment with an option of N2 million fine each on count two. The sentences are to run consecutively. The court, however, discharged and acquitted the defendants on the third count of retention of funds.