Fidelity Bank CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo, In N58.2bn Money Laundering, Lobby To Evade Jail Term

Fidelity Bank Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo, is reportedly trying to evade prison term by lobbying the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a soft landing due to possible conviction for NGN58.2 billion money-laundering scandal.

AllNews recalls that Okonkwo was arrested alongside some top officials of Fidelity Bank, including Fidelity bank’s head of Operations, Martins Izuogbe. Although the officials have been released on administrative bail, the EFCC is still investigating Okonkwo.

How Okonkwo Allegedly Helped Diezani Alison-Madueke Launder Money

Okonkwo's money-laundering investigation is connected to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Okonkwo was accused by the EFCC of aiding Alison-Madueke after she approached him to help handle a large amount meant for electoral fraud for the 2015 election.

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Alison-Madueke reportedly requested Okonkwo's assistance to handle the cash earmarked for electoral officials and groups, Newsone reported. The fraudulent activities during the election period was discovered why EFCC was investigating officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The EFCC was probing the NGN675.1 million some officials of the electoral body received in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom States. This led the EFCC to Okonkwo, who was said to have been crucial in the handling of the Alison-Madueke money.

Alison-Madueke Son Play Middleman As Large Sums Came In

After she approached Okonkwo for his assistance, her son, Ugonna Madueke, became the middleman between Alison-Madueke and Fidelity Bank CEO. Following their conversation, companies began to deposit large sum into Fidelity Bank.

Auctus Integrated was the first company to deposit $17,884,000 into Fidelity Bank, Northern Belt Gas Company deposited $60 million, Midwestern Oil and Gas deposited $9.5 million, Leno Laitan Adesanya deposited $1.85 million.

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It was gathered that Okonkwo received $26 million in cash for his effort in the money laundering schemes.

Okonkwo Lobbying Government To Escape Harsh Sentence

For his role in the money-laundering scheme, the EFCC slammed a 14-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering in the federal high court. To evade the harsh sentence, it was gathered that Okonkwo lobbied a government official.

The Fidelity Bank CEO approached a top official in the Presidency to assist in pleading for a soft landing, however, his request was turned down by the anti-graft agency, which insists on jail term for Okonkwo if he's found guilty.