The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an agent to the fraud suspects named by the United State’s Federal Investigation Bureau, FBI, Sarumi Babafemi, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged N207.1 million fraud.
Sarumi who is an Auto dealer and Music Manager was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, by alongside his three companies; 606 Autos Limited, 606 Music Limited and Splash Off Entertainment Limited.
The defendant and his companies were charged on a five count-charge of transferring the said sums which were obtained under false pretence, to his principals.
EFCC alleged that the defendant had used Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and other new generation banks, to carry out the illicit act.
EFCC also alleged that the Sarumi and his companies between 2015 and 2018 transferred the sum of N25 million and N50 million to the dou of Bartholomew Oluchukwu Ezeudoko and Amobi Uchenna E.
The offences according to the EFCC Head of Legal Department, Mr. Anzelem Ozioko, are contrary to 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011(As Amended) and Punishable under section 15(3) of the Act.
The defendant and his companies pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Ozioko, urges the court to remand Sarumi in prison custody, till the determination of the charge against him and his companies.
But Sarumi legal team led by Mr. Muiz Banire, SAN, urged the court to grant their client bail in the most liberal term.
The defence team told the court that the charge had been formerly struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
Responding, Ozioko urged the court not to grant the bail application as the defendant is ‘a flight risk’, who will not come for his trial, and may likely interfere with investigation if he is grated bail.
After taken argument on the defendant’s bail application, the judge adjourned November 4, for ruling.
