The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal re-arraigned former Vice President Abubakar Atiku’s son-in-law, Abdullahi Babalele, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $140,000.00.
A press statement by tne commission’s spokesperson, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said Babalele, allegedly persuaded one a Bureau de Change( BDC) operator Mohammed Bashir to make a cash payment of $140,000 without going through any financial institution, an offence contrary to Section 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
He said the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him and in view of his plea, the Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of the existing bail earlier granted the defendant and applied for the commencement of the trial.
However, Counsel to the Defendant, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), informed the court about an application before the court for the release of the international passport of the defendant.
Ozekhome also told the court that he had attached some medical reports showing that the defendant was ill and that he would need to undergo treatment abroad as the health issues are life-threatening.
Oyedepo opposed the application and urged the court to go through the medical report, even as he noted that there was no existing appointment to see any doctor abroad.
“The report showed that the defendant has no issue of trauma, diabetes, high blood pressure or otherwise.,” he further noted.
He, therefore, urged the court to refuse the application, stating thst there was no material evidence before the court to show that the defendant is in distress.
Justice Aneke adjourned the case till October 11,f or ruling on the bail application.
