The Electrical Dealers Association members were said to have converted the group’s money for their personal use and comfort.
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Three members, including a self-appointed member of Lagos Island Electrical Dealers Association, were on Monday arraigned by the Police before Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over stealing and conversion of N24,922,900 belonging to the Association to themselves.
The three defendants are Emeka Okoli (a self-appointed member of the board) 56 years, Joseph Onyeanu (55) and Benjamin Echebiri (51).
They were alleged to have converted the aforementioned total sum derived directly from participation in an organised crime of stealing with the aim of either concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the money.
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When the men were called to the dock to take their plea, the defence counsel told the court of an application to defer arraignment as there are ongoing attempts to resolve the issue with the Association and possible withdrawal of the charge.
After arguments by prosecution and defence counsel on the issue, in his bench ruling, the judge gave the defence three days to file their written address on whether the case will be closed or proceed.
The judge held that notwithstanding the application and the written address to be filed, the defendants will still take their plea.
On this note, the charge preferred against the defendants was read to them.
Count 1: ” That you Emeka Okoli (m), Joseph Onyeanu (m), Benjamin Echebiri (m) and others still at large, sometimes in July, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; conversion of the sun of Ten million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira (N10,961,450) derived directly from participation in an organised crime of stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Count 2.” That you Emeka Okoli (m) Joseph Onyeanu (m) Benjamin Echebiri (m) and others still at large, sometimes in July 2020 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did convert the sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) property of Lagos Island Electrical Dealers Association, derived directly from participation in the crime of stealing with the aim of either concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the property and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 15(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011
Count 3. “That you Emeka Okoli (m) Joseph Onyeanu (m) Benjamin Echebiri (m) and others still at large, sometimes between July 2020 to December 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did convert the sum of Three Million,Five Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira, property of Lagos Island Electrical Dealers Association and being derived directly from the crime of stealing with the aim of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the property and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.
Count 4.”That you Emeka Okoli m Joseph Onyeanu m Benjamin Echebiri m and others still at large sometimes in August, 2020, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did convert the sum of Seven Million, Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Thousand Naira (N7,389,000), property of Lagos Island Electrical Dealers Association and being property derived directly from the crime of stealing with the aim of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the property and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 15 1 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.
After listening to the charge preferred against them, the three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.
The police prosecutor Mr Emmanuel Jackson asked the Court to fix a date for commencement of trial in view of the plea of the defendants.
At this point, the defence counsel submitted that she has filed an application dated June 16, 2023 and filed same day for the bail of the defendants and had served the prosecution.
The prosecution did not however oppose the application, saying that the defendants are not flight risks as they came to court on their own.
Ruling on the bail application which was not opposed by prosecution, the court granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety each.
The judge ordered the defendants to produce/deposit their authentic identity card of the Association , evidence of residence in Lagos and evidence of tax payments.
Court registrar to verify the documents.
The matter was adjourned to July 18 for hearing of the written address on whether the the case will continue or not. The defendants are to be in remand until they perfect the bail conditions.
