By Editor.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo on Wednesday adjourned till Thursday hearing on bail applications filed by the legal adviser to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie (SAN) and second defendant Erhunse Giwa-Osagie who were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering of USD 2 million.
The two defendants had pleaded not guilty after hearing the three counts charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.
In his submission, the prosecution counsel prayed the court to fix a trial date in view of the plea of the defendants while also asking the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.
Responding Ahmed Raji (SAN) counsel to first defendant Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie told the court that he had filed bail application for the two defendants, adding that the prosecution has been served but yet to reply. He urged the court to hear the application on Thursday (today) since it is a bailable offence while the defendants remain in EFCC custody.
Meanwhile he informed the court that the defendants have been in EFCC custody since their arrest and the public holiday stretched their detention.
Second defendant’s counsel Norrison Quakers (SAN) aligned with counsel to Uyiekpen.
In his response, Oyedepo said that he received the process a while ago but added that he would try as much as possible to respond and serve the defence.
He agreed with the defence that the application be taken on today.
In his ruling, Justice Oweibo adjourned till Thursday for hearing of the application and ordered the defendants to remain in custody of EFCC pending the hearing of their application.
The Charge:
“That you UYIEKPEN GlWA-OSAGIE and ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE, sometimes in February, 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an offence to wit: making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution which sum exceeded the ‘ amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”
“That you UYIEKPEN GIWA-OSAGIE on or before the 12‘” day of February,2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured ERHUNSE GIWAOSAGIE to make cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”
“That you ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE. sometimes in February, 2019 In Nigena
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court made cmh payment of the
sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) wrthout gomg
through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized
by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1(a).
& 16(1).(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as
Amended) and Punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”
