The Economic and Financial
Commission, (EFCC) has re-arraigned Abdullahi Babalele, a son-in-law of the
former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic
Party, in the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar.
Babalele was re-arraigned before
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on a 2 count charge bordering on allegations of money
laundering.
According to the charge signed on
behalf of the EFCC by its prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, Mr Babalele committed the
offence in February 2019.
When the charges were read to
him, Babalele pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN)
argued his application seeking the permission of the court for the release of
his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical
treatment.
The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi
Oyedepo, raised objections to the request insisting that there was no materials
placed before the court to warrant the application being granted.
Mr Oyedepo also insisted that
there is no evidence that the defendant cannot be treated in the country.
He asked the court to dismiss the
application and instead order for an accelerated trial.
Justice Aneke has fixed Oct 11
for his ruling.
Mr Babalele was first arraigned
before Justice Nicolas Oweibo during the court’s annual vacation and was
granted bail in the sum of N20m.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo admitted
Babalele to bail in the sum of N20million with one surety in like sum.
The judge said the surety must be
resident in Lagos and must produce evidence of means through an affidavit.
Babalele was also directed to
deposit his passport, which has been with the EFCC, with the court.
The two counts against Abdullahi
reads;
COUNT 1: That you Abdullahi
Babalele on or about the 20th day of February 2019 in Nigeria within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. procured Bashir Mohammed to make a cash
payment of the sum of $140,000. 00 (One Hundred and Forty Thousand United State
Dollars) without going through a financial institution, which sum exceeded the
amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to
Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and
punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
Count 2: That you Abdullahi
Babalele on or about the 20th day of February 2019 in Nigeria within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, aided Bashir Mohammed to make a cash
payment of the sum of $140,000. 00 (One Hundred and Forty Thousand United State
Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the
amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to
Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and
punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
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