NDLEA freezes N20b in 103 bank accounts used for money laundering
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some N20 billion lodged in 103 bank accounts of Mallinson Ukatu, a Lagos socialite and businessman held in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for alleged drug dealing, has been frozen by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The NDLEA has filed 23 charges against him and his six companies – Fruitroprics Industries Limited, Mallinson and Partners Limited, NISPO Porcelain Company Limited, MBL Multi-links Services Limited, NISPO Oil and Gas Limited, and Urban Space Services Limited.
The charge sheet, dated 4 August 2022 and filed at the Abuja Federal High Court, was signed on behalf of the federal Attorney General by Prosecution and Legal Services Director J. Sunday; Prosecuting Counsel Mike Kassa; J. Obi; Bridget Viasimah; and J. Aernan.
The drug buster had earlier obtained an interim seizure of 25 properties belonging to Ukatu who was arrested for allegedly importing N3 billion tramadol.
According to reporting by The PUNCH, the charge sheet alleged Ukatu:
Used account number 1006588563 belonging to Fruitropics Industries in United Bank for Africa (UBA) to convert N123.8 million proceeds of an unlawful act, contrary to Section 15(2)(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).
Used account number 1001228653 belonging to Mallinson and Partners in UBA to convert N1.447 billion proceeds of crime between 1 January 2018 and 23 September 2021.
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Count six:
“That you, Ukatu Mallinson, male, adult and Mallinson & Partners Limited, a corporate body registered in Nigeria, between July 25, 2017 and October 14, 2021 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court using Mallinson & Partners Limited’s Access Bank account no. 0004974284 converted the sum of $347, 755 knowingly or reasonably ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(b) and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).”
Used account number 0720857089 belonging to Multi-Links Service in Access Bank to convert N52.4 million between 1 January 2017 and 14 October 2021.
Count 13:
“That you, Ukatu Mallinson, male, adult and Mallinson & Partners Limited, a corporate body registered in Nigeria, between January 2, 2019 and October 14, 2021 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court using Mallinson & Partners Limited’s Access Bank Plc account no. 0006750241 converted the sum of N10.875bn knowingly or reasonably ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).’’
Other charges
The charge sheet also alleged Ukatu:
Used account number 0006744778 belonging to Mallinson and Partners in Access Bank to convert N7.201 billion between 7 January 2018 and 14 October 2021.
Used account number 0021354930 belonging to Mallinson and Partners in Access Bank to launder $643,024.67 between 6 February 2019 and 14 October 2021.
Used account number 0076058733 belonging to NISPO Porcelain Company to in Access Bank launder $260,268.25 between 7 January 2017 and 14 October 2021.
Used account number 0053720969 belonging to Mallinson & Partners in Access Bank to launder N895.6 million between 2 January 2019 and 14 October 2021.