Two women are facing trial over alleged concealment of N14 million, said to be proceeds of drug trafficking, which they used to build a shopping complex in Badagry, Lagos.
Juliet Richard and Ihuoma Keogene were arraigned on Thursday, November 6 at the Federal High Court, Lagos by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a three-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering through First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
Prosecutor Mattew Ewah alleged that the accused
• Conspired with one Richard Ejikeme and one Patrick Nwadike, who are currently on trial in Switzerland over drug related offences, to conceal the N14 million in November last year.
• Laundered the amount through FCMB with knowledge that it was the proceeds of drug trafficking.
• Collaborated with one Richard Ikechukwu and withdrew N8 million from the amount without giving proper account of it.
• Procured the services of one Nathaniel Okeke to use the proceeds of drug trafficking to build a 12-room store complex in Badagry, Lagos.
The offences contravene Sections 15 (a) (b), 15 (b) and 17 (b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their counsel, Benson Ndakara, sought their bail with a bail application and affidavits.
But Ewah opposed bail with a counter-affidavit and urged the court to remand them in prison custody.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered them remanded in Kirikiri prison and adjourned the case until November 14 for ruling on the bail application.