By Editor.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Nigeria will on Thursday August 15 hear the bail application filed by Mr Abdulahi Babalele, a son-inlaw to former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in 2019 general elections.
Babalele is also the Finance Director of Atiku Group of Companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday (today) arraigned Babalele before Justice Oweibo on two counts charge bordering on money laundering.
After hearing the charge preferred against him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo in his submission, asked for a trial date in view of the plea of the defendant.
Counsel to Babalele, Chief Mike Ozekhome informed the court that the
defendant had filed an application for bail which was served to the
prosecution.
Oyedepo admitted receipt of the process but said that he will respond to it and serve his counter affidavit to defence counsel.
In view of the development, parties agreed to come back on Thursday for the court to hear snd determine the application.
Consequently, Justice Oweibo adjourned the matter till Thursday for hearing of bail application and ordered the defendant to remain in the EFCC custody.
In the two counts charge, Abdulahi Babalele was alleged to have on or
about the 20th day of February, 2019, in Nigeria within the
jurisdiction of the court, procured and aided one Bashir Mohammed to
make cash payment of the sum of USD140,000 without going through
financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law
and thereby committed offences contrary to Sections 18 (c) and 18 (a) of
the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, and punishable under Section
16 (2) (b) of the same Act.
