N1.6bn traced to me was for church project – Goodluck Jonathan’s ex-aide, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa

On Monday, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, an ex-aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan, told a federal judge in Lagos that the N1.6 billion traced to him by EFCC was money donated for a church building project in Otuoke, Jonathan’s hometown. 

Premiumtimes reports that Dudafa said the money was part of a N6 billion realised from a launching for the building of St. Stephen’s Youth Development Centre. .The launching, which held in Lagos on March 16, 2013, was organised by Jonathan as the grand patron of the Anglican Communion.

“About N6 billion was realised from the event. Several persons made various donations in cash and in pledges at the event while the chief launcher, Prince Arthur Eze, donated $10 million (about N1.8 billion).

When Prince Eze started redeeming his pledge in piece-meal, the former president directed that I should get somebody in the private sector that will be able to keep the fund.

I then brought in a friend, Somprie Omiebi, who later opened an account with a bank in Bayelsa. The naira denominated account was opened to receive Prince Eze’s money.
Anytime Prince Eze brought any money, the former president will direct that I link up with a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator who will remit the money directly to the account opened by Somprie Omiebi.”

Dudafa, alongside Joseph Iwejuo, is facing a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6 billion.

The EFCC alleged that the accused persons between June 2013 and June 2015, used different companies to fraudulently launder the said money. The accused and about five other companies are also facing a N5.1 billion fraud charge.