Oladimeji Ramon
The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee on Monday arraigned two Bureau de Change operators for allegedly laundering $1.6m, mentioned to be proceeds of smuggling.
The defendants – Chris Ogbonna, Sulaiman Jibbo – had been arraigned alongside two corporations – Kur and Sule Nigeria Enterprises; and Sunchrist Trans Nigeria Restricted – on 5 counts earlier than Justice Ayokunle Faji.
The anti-graft company mentioned they must have fairly recognized that the $1.6m, which they allegedly faraway from jurisdiction someday in 2017, “shaped components of proceeds of illegal exercise, to wit: smuggling”.
Ogbonna and Sunchrist Trans Nigeria Restricted had been additionally accused of transferring a complete of N607.2m, being proceeds of smuggling, to Kur and Sule Enterprises.
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Jibbo, on his half, was accused of creating a money fee of $52,287 to 1 Fredrick, “which sum exceeded the quantity authorised by legislation”.
The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Kufre Uduak, informed the courtroom that the defendants acted opposite to sections 18(c), 15(2), 1(a), and 16(1) of the Cash Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and so they had been liable to punishment beneath sections 15(3) and 16(2)(b) of the identical legislation.
The defendants, nonetheless, pleaded not responsible to the costs.
Following a bail software by their counsel, Chuks Nwana, Justice Faji admitted every of them to bail within the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum.
Amongst different circumstances, the decide barred the defendants from travelling outdoors the nation, with an order that the EFCC ought to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service about them.
The decide gave them 10 days to fulfill the bail circumstances, failing which they might be remanded within the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Companies.
He adjourned until July 10 for report of compliance with the bail circumstances.
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