Stories by Vivian Okejeme
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), will on 22 January, 2018, arraign former Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla and eight companies on a five-count money laundering charge brought against him before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The prosecution agency will be arraigning Otunla alongside eight companies- Gold Reef Industries Limited, Lambster Nigeria Limited, G.C Electronic Limited, Sinmilak Nigeria Limited, Wehsac Farms Limited, Shepherded Field Global Resources Limited and Stellavera Development Company Limited.
When the matter came up, counsel to Otunla, Mr. Adeola Adeife, informed the court that his client was critically down with an undisclosed illness.
In the charge sheet, the prosecution alleged that the former AGF, between June and August 2013, illegally diverted N2billion from the account of the Office of the National Security, ONSA, domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on the guise that it was payment for the supply of security equipment.
EFCC insisted that the offences were contrary to section 15(2) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act, unlawful activity of the then NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd.
The offence, according to the anti-graft agency is contrary to section 15(2) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that the N2billion was transferred from ONSA account and disbursed into the accounts of several other companies, including one to which one Otunba Ade Adelakun, now at large, is a signatory to.
Also, the agency alleged that a former Director, Special Duties in ONSA, and a signatory to the accounts of Helpline Organisation, Col. Bello Fadile, who was said to be at large, was also a beneficiary of the part of the proceeds of the alleged crime.
The trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, adjourned till January 22, 2018 for arraignment.
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