Again: EFCC Arraigns Alleged Fraud Syndicate’s Agent, 606 Auto Boss, For Laundering N209m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again, arraigned alleged agent of fraud syndicate, Mr. Samusideen Babafemi Sarumi, for allegedly laundered the sum of N209 million.

Samusideen was arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor, of Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday, on a three count-charge of felony to commit money laundering.

The EFCC in a charge marked FHC/L/144c/19, alleged that Samusideen, who the Chief Executive Officer of 606 Auto Limited, 606 Music Limited and Splash Off Entertainment Limited and one Saeed Hammoud Hussain, said to be at large, committed the offence between 2016 and 2018.

In perfecting the act, the EFCC alleged the defendant took possession of eight vehicles valued N135 million, which he reasonably known to forms part of the proceeds of an organised criminal group.

He was also alleged to have took possession of a boat valued N104 million, which he reasonably known to forms part of the proceeds of an organised criminal group.

The offences according to the prosecutor, M. K. Hussain, contravened sections 18(a) and15(2)(d)(6) and punishable under sections 15(3) the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Mr. Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application and said same has been served on the prosecution.
The prosecutor, Mr. Hussain, admitted being served with the application. The position, which gave way for court to hear the application.

Following the hearing of both parties on the application, justice Obiozor, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100 million with one surety in the like sum.

Justice Obiozor also ordered that the surety must be a landed property owner with Lagos, with evidence of three years tax and that the defendant to deposit his international passport with the Court’ Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) who will also conduct verification of the bail terms.

Justice Obiozor, while adjourned the matter till January 27 and February 4, 6, 10 and 11, 2020, for trial, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) formerly Nigerian Prison Services.

Charges Against the defendant reads:
“That you Samusideen Babafemi Saruml and Saeed Hammoud Hussain (now at large) sometimes between 2016 to 2018 In Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed a felony to wit: money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the some Act. 

“That you, Samusideen Babafemi Sarumi and Saeed Hammoud Hussain (now at large) sometimes between 2016 to 2018 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court took possession of property to wit: Eight (8) vehicles valued at N135,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Thirty Five Million Naira Only) which you reasonably ought to have known that the said vehicles forms port of the proceeds of an organised criminal group and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and (6) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. 

“That you, Samusideen Babafemi Sarumi and Saeed Hammoud Hussein (now at large) sometimes between 2016 to 2018 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court took possession of a boot valued at N104,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Four Million Naira Only) which you reasonably ought to have known that the said boat forms part of the proceeds of an organised criminal group and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) and (6) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the some Act”. 

It would be recalled that the defendant was formerly arraigned in the charge marked FHC/L/374c/19, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke led-court on November 4, for laundering the sum of N207 million for some fraud syndicate whose name were in the list released by United State of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Among those said the defendant laundered the money for are: Omojadesola Shittu Allison, Abiola Kayode Ayorind also known as ABK, Bartholomew Oluchukwu Ezeudoko and Amobi Uchenna E.

He was also alleged to have committed the offence between year 2016 and 2018