Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court
sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Mbonu Somto to one
year imprisonment for money laundering.
Somto was arraigned on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 on a
one-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $5000 ( Five
Thousand United States Dollars) brought against him by the Lagos Zonal
Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The charge reads: “That you, Mbonu Somto, on or about
the 19th May, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, concealed
and disguised the origin of $5000 (Five thousand United States Dollars), which
sum forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 18 (2) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money
Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the offence.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, M.B. Isah
tendered the defendant’s statements and items recovered from him as
evidence.
They were admitted and marked as exhibits.
He, thereafter, prayed the court to convict him as
charged and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Aneke convicted Somto and sentenced him to one
year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N500,000(Five Hundred Thousand
Naira).
His iPhone device and bank draft valued at N400,000
(Four Hundred Thousand Naira) were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government
of Nigeria.
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