N805m money laundering: Court remands Sen Nwaoboshi, others in prison

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North) in Ikoyi Prison.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Senator Nwaoboshi before Justice Idris on a two-count charge of alleged involvement in N805million money laundering.

Other defendants in the charge are two companies – Golden Touch Construction Projects Ltd, and Summing Electricals Ltd.

In the charge, the anti-graft agency accused Senator Nwaoboshi of purchasing Guinea House, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos at the sum of N805million knowing that N322million out of the sum is from proceed of fraud.

In a similar vein, the Commission pointed accusing fingers at Summing Electricals Ltd of aiding and abetting Senator Nwaoboshi to commit money laundering.

Senator Nwaoboshi who arrived at the court premises at about 8:24am amidst security details from the commission, wore grey trouser with a white shirt and black suit.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Some members of his constituency and sympathizers numbering about 200 were also on ground to give him their moral support.

Lawyer to the EFCC, Mr M. S. Abubakar, told the court that in view of the pleas of the accused , a date for trial should be given.

But, Dr. V. J. O. Azinge, who appeared for Nwaoboshi, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.

Abubakar ,however, opposed the application and said that the application was not yet ripe for hearing considering the fact that the commission was served with the application on Tuesday.

“The prosecution is currently filling its processes at the registry of the court,” he told the court.

In her response, Azinge insisted that the prosecution was served with the application on April 23, but refused service.

Azinge added that the bailiff of the court attempted service at the EFCC’s office but same was refused and the bailiff deposed to an affidavit of service.

She said: “The court does not wait for the indolent neither does equity … the charge has been lingering and the defence is prepared to proceed; the court can stand down the case to enable prosecution file its papers.”

The prosecuting lawyer argued that he was not aware that service was refused by the commission.

According to him, from the charge, it is clear that such service ought to have been served at the Abuja office of the commission and not Lagos.

Abubakar said that even if service was properly effected, same was still not ripe for hearing as the rules provide for two clear days.

He submitted that the prosecution was also ready to proceed with trial, but said the court could stand down the case, if the defence so wish.

Justice Idris stood down the case until 11am to hear the applications.

In the charge No: FHC/L/117C/2018, the EFCC alleged that the accused committed the offences between May and June 2014 in Lagos.

Nwaoboshi was said to have acquired a property described as Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa Lagos, for the sum of N805 million when he reasonably ought to have known that N322 million out of the purchase sum formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

The sum was said to have been transferred to the vendors by order of Suiming Electrical Ltd.

Suiming Electrical was said to have on May 14, 2014, aided Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch to commit money laundering.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(2), (d) , 15 (3) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 201.

Having listened to argument on the bail application by Azinge and the opposing view by Abubakar, Justice Idris remanded Senator Nwaoboshi in Ikoyi Prison and adjourned his ruling on the bail application till Friday.