Three men face trial over alleged counterfeiting of $290k USD
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Three men Adekunle Akinsinde Alabi, Bakare Taofeek Ajibola And Olawepo Segun Ayinde were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged counterfeiting of the sum of $290,000.00 USD.
They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts charge bothering on conspiracy, offering for sale, dealing and possession of $290, 000, 00. counterfeit notes
After reading the charge to them, the EFCC prosecutor, Emeka Akaogu, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences in Lagos, on January 20, 2023.
He told the court that the offences committed by the three men, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 6(2)(b) and 5(1}(b) and punishable under Section 4(1) and 5(1}(b)of Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges after listening to the it.
In view of their not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked for trial date, while also urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charges against them.
But the defendants’ Counsel Mr. I. Chiaha, told the court that his clients have opted to plea bargain. He therefore asked the court for a short time for him to finalize the plea bargain arrangement. He further pleaded with the court to remand his clients in the EFCC custody, on the ground that the first and second defendants are battling with serious health challenges.
However, the prosecutor told the court that he was unaware of the defendants’ health issues.
After hearing the submissions of counsel, Justice Oweibo ordered the defendants to be remanded in the EFCC custody for two weeks, and be moved to the facility of the NCoS if they are unable to complete and bring the application for the plea bargain arrangement before the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till June 26, for trial.
The charges against the defendants read:
“That you, Adekunle Akinsinde Alabi, Bakare Taofeek Ajibola and Olawepo Segun Ayinde on/or about the 20th January, 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to deal in counterfeit currency, to wit, offer for sale the sum of $290,000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand USD) counterfeit currency, contrary to Section 6(2)(b) and punishable under Section 4(1) of Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Adekunle Akinsinde Alabi, Bakare Taofeek Ajibola And Olawepo Segun Ayinde on/or about the 20th January, 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dealt in counterfeit currency, to wit; offer for sale of the sum of $290, 000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand USD) counterfeit currency, contrary to and punishable under Section 4(1) of Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004
“That you, Adekunle Akinsinde Alabi, Bakare Taofeek Ajibola And Olawepo Segun Ayinde on/ or about the 20th January, 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to be in possession of counterfeit currency, to wit: possession of the sum of $290, 000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand USD) counterfeit currency, contrary to Section 6(2)(b) and punishable under Section 5(1)(b) of Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Adekunle Akinsinde Alabi, Bakare Taofeek Ajibola and Olawepo Segun Ayinde on/ or about the 20th January, 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your in possession the sum of $290, 000 USD (Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand US Dollars) counterfeit currency, contrary to and punishable under Section 5(1)(b) of Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
