A Bureau De Change (BDC) Operator, Ayuba Tanko on Wednesday testified in the in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Governor of Anambra, Mr Willie Obiano.
The BDC operator said between April and December 2017, a
total sum of N416 million was paid into a company’s account he used by proxy.
Ayuba testified before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High
Court in Abuja while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN.
Ayuba, who is the 5th prosecution witness (PW-5), said the
N416 million which was received in tranches, was given back as $1.137 million
equivalent.
“I am a trader. I trade in forex exchange. I trade in USDs,
Euros and pounce sterling
“I do source for customers and I do exchange and collect
commission,” he said.
The PW-5 said he used two companies – Sauki Bureau De Change
and Zigaziga Trading and Company Ltd – for his business.
He said he was invited by the EFCC, through its
Investigation Department, in 2023 and was questioned about Zigaziga Trading and
Company Ltd’s account domiciled in one of the commercial banks.
When the senior lawyer asked him how much he received at the
period, the witness said: “Between April 2017 to December 2017, the total money
I received at that period was N416 million.
“And I gave a dollar equivalent as $1,137,000.00,” he said.
Ayuba said besides this transaction, he did not do any other
business with the Anambra government under Obiano.
Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, during cross
examination, asked the PW-5 if he had ever had any dealing with the ex-governor
directly, Ayuba said: “I did not deal directly with the defendant.”
The prosecution counsel also called three bankers, who gave
their testimonies in the alleged money laundering charge.
After the four witnesses testified and were cross examined
by Ikpeazu, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Feb. 24, Feb. 25 and Feb.
26, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com