"Okupe did not commit any crime." - Shuiabu Salisu, ONSA Director of Finance and Admin

The ongoing corruption trial of Dr. Doyin Okupe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appears to have suffered a major setback. The star prosucution witness admitted that Okupe did not commit any crime by receiving money from the office of the NSA, because the payments were made from the budget of the office of National Security Adviser.

The prosecution witness, Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu who is the Director of Finance and Admin in the office National Security Adviser told the court today under cross-examination that he made monthly payments of N10m to the office Senior Special Assistant to President on Media for 'special services' from the budget of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA). Shuaibu who admitted that the payments were not made directly to Dr. Doyin Okupe; also  added that the former presidential spokesman has committed no crime by receiving the sundry payments released to his office.

Shauibu also admitted that the Finance Department in the Office of National Security Adviser is exmepted from following Civil Service rules and regulations. He therefore asserted that payments made to individuals and Departments under the presidency do not require receipts or to be retired. 

Shuaibu also confirmed that all payments released to Okupe's office were only made after verbal instructions from the National Security Adviser. Although, Shauibu told the court that he was not aware of whatever specific purpose the payments were meant for since he never attended any any of the meetings between the National Security Adviser and Dr. Okupe. 

In the cause of further cross-examination of Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu by Barr. Tolu Babaleye, the counsel to Okupe, he 

agreed in view of the evidence provided that the funds were released to the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and not personally to Dr. Okupe; as indicated in the payment vouchers.

The case has however been adjourned to Friday, 28th June, 2019.