The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned the former Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bature Umar Masari, on an amended 22-count charge of alleged money laundering before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
Masari is alleged to have been involved in a case of money laundering and gratification involving the sum of N119,507,080 (One Hundred and Nineteen million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand, Eighty Naira).
The prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court about the amended 22-count charge filed on May 17, 2019, and requested the charges to be read to the defendant for him to take his plea.
After the charges were read, Masari pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges.
The prosecution counsel subsequently applied for a trial date.
The defence counsel, Okechukwu Edeze, mentioned that the case was originally before Justice Okong Abang before he got elevated to the Court of Appeal.
He requested the court to allow his client to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted by Justice Abang.
The prosecution counsel did not oppose the bail application but urged the court to ensure that the sureties were available and still willing to stand for the defendant.
After hearing all the arguments, Justice Egwuatu released the defendant to his counsel as prayed and adjourned the matter till July 16, 2024, for the commencement of trial.
