ICPC witness: Momoh, ex-PPMC MD, didn’t ‘launder’ $700m

Jane Asuquo, a witness of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has told a federal high court in Abuja that Haruna Momoh, former managing director of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), did not launder $700 million of the agency.

Under cross-examination on Friday by Ade Adedeji, a senior advocate of Nigeria and counsel to 1st, 5th and 6th defendants in the suit, Asuquo who is an investigative officer with ICPC said the commission cannot categorically state how much money was allegedly stolen by Haruna.

The witness said she took over the matter in 2018 after it was reassigned.

Asked if the ICPC was able to confirm in its investigation that $700 million disappeared from the coffers of the PPMC, Asuquo, said: “We were able to confirm the fact that the 1st defendant (Haruna) laundered huge amount of money but not the exact sum.”

“As an investigator, we received petitions and our duty is to look into the veracity of the petitions,” she said.

“However, investigations revealed that a huge sum though not up to that was fleeced from the account of PPMC.”

Unsatisfied with Asuquo’s response, Adedeji asked again: “From your investigation, did you find $700 million missing?”

“No, my lord,” the witness said.

Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the ICPC, however, raised an objection to the question.

He said the witness’ response was forced out of her mouth by the manner with which Adedeji asked the question.

“The witness did not manufacture that allegation,” he said.

“As an investigator, her duty is to do fact finding when they received the petitions, and when she was asked, she said they did an investigation but the amount was not up to that.”

Previously giving evidence-in-chief in July 2020, Asuquo alleged that the ex-PPMC MD used his wife, Ochuko, to launder the $700 million between 2012 and 2015 when he was piloting the agency’s affairs.

Ochuko was arraigned before Taiwo Taiwo, presiding judge, on March 9, 2020.

She was arraigned alongside Blessing Azuka-Ngozi, Stanbic-IBTC Bank Plc, Energopol Nigeria Limited, Blaid Construction Limited and Blaid Farms Limited on a 22-count charge.

The charges have however been reduced to 13 counts.

Momoh, on the other hand, is said to be at large.