Two Businessmen, Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed, were today, arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, on alleged charges of conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence the sum of N458, 396, 967.50 million.
The two Businessmen were arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on an eight count-charge.
The EFCC’s prosecutors, Hannatu Kofarnaisa and R. B. Abdulrasheed, informed the court that the two defendants on December 24, 2021, conspired among themselves to commit the alleged offences.
The prosecutors in particular told the court that the two defendants, retained proceeds of unlawful activity, in the sum of N458, 396, 967. 50 million, in Nahuche Merchandizing Company’s account number 0528706999, domiciled with GTBank, nominated by them.
The prosecutors also told told the court that the defendants under the false pretence issued an online Zenith Bank’s receipt dated January 31, 2024, and credited an account number 9627863225 domiciled with Providus Bank with the sum of N66 million.
The prosecutors informed the court that the offences committed by the two men, were contrary to 18 (a) and 15(2)(d) and of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (2) (d) of the same Act.
And section 5 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
The two defendants, pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge.
Following the defendants not guilty plea, their lawyers, Nureni Jimoh (SAN) and Obinna Ameachi, pleaded with to admit their clients to bail.
In particular, lawyer to the first defendant, Jimoh (SAN) informed the court that his client, Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim, has been granted bail by a High Court in Abuja. Adding that the same court had ordered the EFCC to produce his client in court, but this were not complied with by the agency.
He also informed the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecution.
But lawyer to the second defendant, Ameachi, informed the court he was just being briefed, and he needs a short date.
The EFCC prosecutors in their responses, told the court that they are still within time to respond to the defendants’ bail applications. And that the defendants were admitted to administrative bail, but were unable to meet the conditions.
Meanwhile, Justice Ogundare has adjourned to Monday, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.
“That you Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed on the 24th December, 2021 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: retention of the total sum of N458,396,967.50 (Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira Fifty Kobo) in an account nominated by you, Nahuche Merchandizing Company domiciled with GTB account no 0528706999, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, contrary to section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention )Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (2) (d) of the same Act.
“That you Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed on the 24th December, 2021 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly retained the total sum of N458, 396, 967.50 (Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira Fifty Kobo) in an account nominated by you Nahuche Merchandizing Company domiciled with GTB account no 0528706999, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of your unlawful act to wit: fraud contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2011as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you Ibrahim Habib Ibrahim and Hussaini Ahmed Muhammed on the 24th December, 2021 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, under the false pretense that Zenith Bank online receipt dated 31st January, 2024 credited an account number 9627863225 domiciled with Providus Bank with the sum of N66, 000, 000.00 (Sixty Six Million Naira), and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
