The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has re-arraigned a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, before Justice Nicholas I. Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, Lagos State.
Iwu was rearraigned on a four-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1,203, 000,000.00( One Billion, Two Hundred and Three Million Naira).
Disclaimer: infonte9ja.com shall not be liable to Opinions, Articles or Features that doesn't emanate from any of its staff and management. We also wish to reiterate that such personal or sponsored opinion, article or feature does not reflect the views of the publishers of infonet9ja.com, but the writer's
For publication of your news content, articles, videos or any other news worthy materials, please send to infonetnews9ja@gmail.com | For Advert and other info, you can call 09061217047 or send a WhatsApp Message to 09061217047
The former INEC boss was initially arraigned on August 8, 2019 before Justice Chuka Obiozor, a vacation Judge, but the matter was re-assigned to Justice Oweibo for trial.
The former INEC is alleged to have between December 2014 and March 2015, aided the concealment of the sum of N1, 203, 00,000.00(One Billion, Two Hundred and Three Million Naira) in the account of Bio-resources Institute of Nigeria (number 1018603119) domiciled in the United Bank for Africa( UBA) Plc.
Count 2 of the charge reads: “That you, Professor Maurice Mmaduakolam Iwu, between December 2014 and March 27, 2015, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, procured Bio-resources Institute of Nigeria(BION) Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N1, 203,00,000.00( One Billion, Two Hundred and Three Million Naira) in Bio-resources Institute of Nigeria, (BION) Limited’s Account No. 1018603119 domiciled in the United Bank for Africa Plc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act, to wit: fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18 (c), 15(2) (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended, and punishable under Section (5) (3) of the same Act.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Bilkisu Buhari asked the court for a trial date.
The defence counsel, A.A Usman, however, informed the court that the defendant has been enjoying the bail granted him by Justice Obiozor upon his first arraignment. He, therefore, urged the court to allow the defendant to continue with the bail terms granted by Justice Obiozor.
Usman also informed the court that he had filed a motion challenging its jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Justice Oweibo adjourned the matter to November 25, 2019, for the hearing of the motion.
