The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an Abuja based businessman, Babatunde Morakinyo alongside his company, Renocon Properties Development Limited, before a Lagos Federal High Court, for allegedly laundered the sum of about $2.3million and N46 million respectively.
Both Babatunde and his company were arraigned on six counts charge offences bordering on conspiracy and money laundering, before the court presided over Justice Rilwan Aikawa.
Arraigning the defendants, the prosecutor, Mr. Ebuka Okongwu, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between December 2013 and April 2014, in Abuja and Lagos.
Mr. Okongwu told the court that the businessman while operating as Non Financial Designated Institution (NDFI) received the sum of $1 million each from Amni International Petroleum Development Limited and Lybott Capital Limited and the sum of $290, 703, from Xtract Energy Services Limited and laundered same for them through his bank.
He also told the court that the businessman used his company, Renocon Properties Development Limited, to allegedly laundered the sum of N46 million for one Hauwa Musa Shahu, while also accused to have made single transfer of N30 million.
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He was accused of carrying out the transactions without report to the EFCC in writing, as specified under sections 5(1)(a) and 10 (1)(b) of the Money Laundering.
The offences according to the prosecutor, are contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under sections 10 (3), 16(2) (b), and 19 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended).
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Upon the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked for a trial date and urges the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS).
Responding to the prosecutor’s request, lawyer to the defendant, Mr. Okechukwu Edeze, pleaded with the court for a very short date, to enable him file his client bail application.
Mr. Edeze told the court that he was only briefed of his arraignment on Saturday evening and flew in from Abuja on Sunday. He therefore pleaded with the court for short adjournment to enable him properly bring his bail application before the court.
Justice Aikawa, while conceded to the defendant’s lawyer’s request, adjourned till tomorrow for hearing of the bail application, while adjourned till October 15, for trial.
