The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Command, has arraigned a former banker, Victor Joseph, and Ahmad Aliyu on charges of money laundering amounting to N110 million.
News About Nigeria gathered that the arraignment took place on Monday, and the defendants were brought before Justice N.E. Maha of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
According to a statement released by the EFCC on its official X handle on Tuesday, Joseph and Aliyu are accused of transferring N110 million fraudulently from the National Assembly office account.
The alleged fraudulent transfers occurred between March 27 and April 11, 2023, using fictitious transfer instructions.
The statement revealed, “Further investigations showed that the forged instructions were submitted at the UBA National Assembly Business office, Abuja Branch, for processing, and the funds were transferred to various beneficiaries in three banks.
“The money was traced from these three banks to several other beneficiaries who later returned the funds to Joseph that initiated the transactions.”
The defendants faced a five-count charge bordering on money laundering and pleaded not guilty during the court proceedings.
In response, the prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, requested a trial date.
The defence counsel for both defendants, Gbenga Ashowole and Nelem Orji, applied for bail, which will be considered during the next court session.
Justice Maha remanded the defendants at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until February 27, 2024, for the hearing of bail applications.
In July 2023, a former banker, Gift Igbinosun, 35, was arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly defrauding one John Nnamdi and one Obasogie Osagieduwa of over N14.9m under the pretence of helping them get new notes.
