Graft-accused ex-top cop Jackie Selebi has denied ever taking R30 000 from convicted drug lord Glenn Agliotti to host a dinner to garner votes for election as Interpol head.

Defence lawyer Jaap Cilliers told the High Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday that Selebi would rather have foregone the chance to be Interpol head than accept money.

"The accused absolutely refused to have such a dinner and said he would rather not be elected than to have a dinner. He refused to lobby in anyway."

Agliotti has testified that in August/September 2004 he allegedly gave Selebi R30 000 to fund a dinner in Paris to "lobby" for election as Interpol head.

However, Cilliers pointed out that the date on a cheque stub identified by the Scorpions as being for the dinner payment was made about a year after the Interpol election took place.

Selebi served as Interpol president from 2004 until January 12, 2008, but resigned after being suspended over the graft allegations.

Selebi is facing two counts of corruption and defeating the ends of justice related to payments of at least R1,2-million he allegedly received from Agliotti, slain mining magnate Brett Kebble and ex-Hyundai boss Billy Rautenbach.

Last month, Interpol secretary-general Ronald Noble criticised the slow prosecution of Selebi.

"I've never seen happening what is happening in South Africa," Noble told reporters at a Southern African Police Conference in Johannesburg.

"If they have a case against him, charge him... give him the dignity he deserves.

"Mr Selebi is an honourable man," said Noble.