The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom
north-east, for alleged money laundering.
The commission arraigned him on a
six-count charge for allegedly taking possession of six vehicles worth N204
million when he was a finance commissioner in the state.
He was said to have collected one
of the vehicles from Jide Omokore, an associate of Diezani Alison Madueke,
former minister of petroleum.
Omokore reportedly had dealings
with the state when he offered Bassey the vehicle.
One of the counts against him
read: “That you, Albert Bassey, whilst being the Commissioner for Finance, Akwa
Ibom State and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour
Coordinating Committee, IMDLCC sometime in December 2012, within the jurisdiction
of this Honourable Court, indirectly took possession of a vehicle (Infinity QX
56 BP) valued at N45,000,000.00 at the instance of one Olajide Jones Omokore
(whose companies had contracts with Akwa Ibom State Government at that material
time), when you reasonably ought to have known that the said vehicle formed
part of proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: corruption) and you thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering
(Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the
same Act.”
But at the court on Monday, the
senator pleaded “not guilty” to the counts when they were read out to him.
Thereafter, Mohammed Abubakar,
EFCC counsel, prayed for a date, to enable the prosecution prove it against the
senator.
On his part, Solomon Umoh,
counsel to Bassey informed the court on an application for his client’s bail.
After listening to counsels, A.
A. Okeke, the judge, granted the senator bail in the sum of N20 million.
Okeke said the senator should be
held in EFCC custody until he meets his bail conditions.
The judge also withdrew the bench
warrant issued against the defendant.
The matter was adjourned till
July 2 and 3.
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