By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday docked two businessmen, Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on alleged offences of conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N458, 396, 967.50 million.
The businessmen were docked before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on an eight count-charge.
The EFCC prosecutors, Hannatu Kofarnaisa and R. B. Abdulrasheed told the court that the two defendants had on December 24, 2021, conspired among themselves to commit the alleged offences.
Specifically, it was stated in the charge filed by the prosecutors that the two defendants, retained proceeds of unlawful activity, in the sum of N458, 396, 967. 50 million, in Nahuche Merchandizing Company’s account number 0528706999, domiciled with GTBank, maintained by them.
According to the charge, the defendants under false pretence issued an online Zenith Bank’s receipt dated January 31, 2024, and credited an account number 9627863225 domiciled with Providus Bank with the sum of N66 million.
The prosecutors informed the court that the offences committed by the two men, were contrary to Sections 18 (a) and 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (2) (d) of the same Act. And Section 5 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
After hearing the charge preferred against them, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge.
Meanwhile, in view of the ‘not guilty’ plea of the defendants, their counsel Nureni Jimoh (SAN) and Obinna Amechi, pleaded with the court to admit their clients to bail.
Counsel to the first defendant, Jimoh (SAN) informed the court that his client, Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim, has been granted bail by a High Court in Abuja. The counsel added that the same court had ordered the EFCC to produce his client in court, but these were not complied with by the agency.
He further informed the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecution.
Making his submission for his cluent, Counsel to the second defendant, Amechi, informed the court he was just being briefed, and needs a short date.
Responding, EFCC prosecutors told the court that they are still within time to respond to the defendants’ bail applications. They added that the defendants were admitted to administrative bail, but were unable to meet the conditions.
Meanwhile, Justice Ogundare has adjourned the matter to Monday June 3, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.
The charge reads :
“That you Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed on the 24th December, 2021 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: retention of the total sum of N458,396,967.50 (Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira Fifty Kobo) in an account nominated by you, Nahuche Merchandizing Company domiciled with GTB account no 0528706999, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention ) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (2) (d) of the same Act.
“That you Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed on the 24th December, 2021 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly retained the total sum of N458, 396, 967.50 (Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira Fifty Kobo) in an account nominated by you Nahuche Merchandizing Company domiciled with GTB account no 0528706999, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of your unlawful act to wit: fraud contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed on the 24th December, 2021 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, under the false pretense that Zenith Bank online receipt dated 31st January, 2024 credited an account number 9627863225 domiciled with Providus Bank with the sum of N66, 000, 000.00 (Sixty Six Million Naira), and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
