The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March
25, 2025, arraigned a suspect, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday arrested at the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs
Service, NCS, with $578,000( Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand United
States of America Dollars).
He was arraigned before
Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in
Ikoyi, Lagos.
He is facing trial over a four-count charge bordering
on alleged money laundering and counterfeit currency.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, on the 19th
day of March, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court,
failed to make a declaration of the sum of $299,000 (Two Hundred and Ninety
Nine Thousand United States Dollars), which you concealed in Relaxer containers
to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,
Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under
Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when
they were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie,
prayed the court for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre
and also asked for an accelerated hearing.
She also told the court that she had a witness in court and that she was ready
to proceed with the trial.
Counsel to the defendant, U. Okoronkwo, however, pleaded with the court to
remand the defendant in the EFCC custody. He also urged the
court for a short date to enable him to discuss with his client “on
the way forward.”
After listening to both parties, Justice Dipeolu adjourned
the matter till March 26, 2025 for commencement of trial and also
ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Correctional Centre.
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