N1.4b fraud: EFCC arraigns Kogi Assembly candidate, two others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Monday brought three men before the Federal High Court, Lagos in connection with an alleged N1,403,343,400.00 hacking fraud.

The first to third defendants are Ismaila Yousuf Atumeyi, Ngene Joshua Dominic and Abdulmalik Salau.

Atumeyi is the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for Ankpa 11 Constituency.

The EFCC, through its counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, preferred an 18-count charge bordering on concealment of proceeds of fraud, money laundering and cybercrime against the defendants before Justice Tijjani Ringim.

Oyedepo told the court in a charge numbered FHC/L/651C/2022, that the defendants committed the alleged offences between August and October, 2022 in Lagos.

He said they conspired to “directly conceal” the N1.4billion in the account of Fav Oil and Gas Limited, “which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (a), 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

The defendants were accused of laundering the sum in tranches of N100million, $480,000, N12.5million, N7million, N9million, N7m, N12m, N8m, $140,000 and N326,400,000.

Specifically, they were alleged to have acquired a N12.5m black Mercedes Benz C300, N7m BMW 3 Series, N9million Black Range Rover, N7m Toyota Hilux 2014 upgraded to 2021, N12m Black BMW SURXI 2016 and N8m White Toyota Hilux 2010 and N10million White Toyota Hilux.

The court also heard that they allegedly directly transferred N80million to FRANK MAYA INTERGRATED VENTURES, acquired a property known as NO.8, GRACE CRESCENT, EFAB QUEENS ESTATE, GWARIMPA, Abuja, concealed $140,000 and N326,400,000 in a Black Escalade SUV.

Oyedepo, who prayed for accelerated hearing of the case, said the anti-graft agency intends to call six witnesses against the defendants.

Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

After taking bail applications by their counsel, Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, and counter arguments by Oyedepo, Justice Ringim adjourned till Tuesday for ruling.