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Former NNPC GMD, Gbenga Komolafe Narrates How He gave $70M Under Deziani’s Instruction
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, former Group General Manager in charge of Crude Oil Marketing, Gbenga Komolafe, has narrated to a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, how he delivered 12 padlocked bags containing $70 million to an Abuja-based banker on the instruction of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The trial judge in the matter is Justice Muslim Hassan.
Komolafe, who is an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecution witness in the going trial of a former Executive Director, an old generation bank, Dauda Lawal, further claimed that he delivered money to the Abuja banker, one Charles, in the front of Dume Supermarket in Abuja.
Lawal is being prosecuted before the court on money laundering charges.
The former bank boss was alleged to have handled $25 million out of a total of $153 million, which Mrs. Alison-Madueke allegedly doled out to influence the 2015 general election.
The ex-NNPC GM, while being led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said he personally delivered the cash loaded in bags to the Abuja banker, one Charles, in the front of Dume Supermarket in Abuja.
Komolafe told the court: “As I can remember, shortly before the 2015 elections, it was the norm for heads of subsidiaries (of the NNPC) to be invited for undisclosed briefing of activities of their departments to the minister.
“At the end of such briefings, the then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke, gave me a GSM number in respect of one Charles, whom I had never met, with a clear instruction that I should convey 12 padlocked bags to the said Charles.
“The source, the content and the purpose of the bags were not disclosed to me. Thereafter, I called the said Charles, who equally confirmed to me that he had been briefed about the message. I delivered the bags to Charles.
“Much later, the EFCC invited me for interrogation on the issue and I made a statement to that effect. Charles equally confirmed at the EFCC that he received the 12 padlocked bags and the bags contained the sum of $70 million.”
Asked by the prosecutor to describe the kind of relationship he and others had with Diezani, the witness said: “We had a command-and-obey relationship and also took an oath of office to obey directives and authority.”
Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, the witness said he had never met Lawal before.
The court adjourned till July 21, 22 and 23 for the continuation of trial.
A recent viral moment has unexpectedly stirred the political waters for Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu’s 2027 gubernatorial bid in Oyo State. Here’s how it unfolded—and the fallout that followed:
An audio featuring Ibadan socialite, Chief Akinade Fijabi and an unidentified young man surfaced online.
In the audio, Fijabi, an Ibadan high Chief and singer, Wasiu Ayinde’s closest ally bared his thoughts on political bearings in Oyo State and centred it round the Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The audio quickly gained traction, sparking laughter and debate across social media platforms in Oyo and beyond.
The audio briefly overshadowed Adelabu’s image and critics seized the moment to question his ability, business sense and highlight potential vulnerabilities in managing grassroots affairs.
Even before the audio, Adelabu’s return to APC and flirtation with a 2027 run had unsettled internal party dynamics. The audio gave fuel to factions already uneasy about his rapid elevation and perceived attempt at imposition.
APC hardliners and youth groups, who’ve openly criticized the party’s handling of aspirants like Adelabu, echoed that the viral moment underscores deeper frustration about favoritism .
Adelabu’s allies are downplaying the audio, arguing that public interactions reflect openness and a grassroots presence and qualities essential for statewide appeal. They’ve also pointed to his achievements, including boosting national grid capacity, as evidence of credible leadership .
Fijabi in the audio also shed some lights based on what he termed ‘reliable information’ on Governor Makinde’s Presidential ambition, claiming it was a plot to collapse the PDP in Oyo State for President Tinubu with an agreement that the Governor would be granted the request to install a successor.
The clip audio shifted part of the conversation from Adelabu’s technocratic record to his public persona. Analysts say managing optics now matters more than ever for his brand.
Late Governor Ajimobi’s first child, Bisola is dead!
News filtered in early Thursday, March 27, 2025 that Bisola,42 died after a brief illness in the United Kingdom.
The late woman before her death was the special adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
Married to Kolapo Kola-Daisi, their marriage is blessed with three children.
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