Businessman remanded by court for alleged money laundering, importation of counterfeit currencies
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
One businessman Sunday Okorie has been remanded by court at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for allegedly failing to declare $299,000 and for being in possession of counterfeit $250 and €100 when accosted by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Judge Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court made the order on Tuesday after Okorie took his plea upon his arraignment by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts involving money laundering and unlawful importation of counterfeit foreign currencies.
According to The PUNCH, EFCC prosecution counsel Chineye Okezie told the court that
- Okorie concealed $299,000, $250 and €100 counterfeit foreign currencies in relaxer containers to the Customs at MMIA on March 19.
- He without lawful authority imported five pieces of counterfeit $50, totalling $250 – with serial numbers MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C – knowing the same to be counterfeit.
- Unlawfully had in his possession five pieces of counterfeit $50 totalling $250 – with serial numbers MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C – knowing same to be counterfeit.
- The offences contravene Sections 3 (5), of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and 3(1)(a), 5 (1)(b)and (2), of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, Law of the Federal of Nigeria 2004.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges and the prosecutor urged the court to remand him in prison custody.
The court rejected a request by defence counsel Uche Okoronkwo to remand him in EFCC custody and adjourned the case until March 26 for trial.
Earlier, when the case was called at 3pm, Okoronkwo told the court that he had not had the opportunity to discuss with his client and had not seen the proof of evidence in order to advise him on what to plead.
He then urged the court to arraign Okorie on Wednesday adding that he was served the charge sheet at 10.30am on Tuesday.
The prosecution counsel countered that the charge was served on the defendant at 9am and the defence counsel had ample time to discuss with his client.
She asked the court to arraign the defendant on Tuesday, saying hey had their witness around and it was already 3.25pm.
The Judge stood the arraignment down until 4 pm for the arraignment on Tuesday.
Read also:
