Former president’s aide, others charged over alleged N9.7b fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, charged a Special Assistant to former President Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, and four others over a USD$13.436,400 allegation of fraud.

Also charged before Justice AbdulAziz Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos, is a lawyer, Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, one Demola Bolodeoku, and five limited liability companies: Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services Limited.

The EFCC, in a 17-count charge marked FHC/337C/16, alleged that all the accused persons had between November 13, 2013 and May 28, 2015 conspired to conceal the sum of $13.436,400 million, which they knew was part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, through various banks in Nigeria.

They were alleged to have committed the fraud with one Sombre Omeibi, now at large, through account numbers 2110002269, 2110002238, 2110002245, 210002252, 2110002207, 2110002269 and 0122493290, domiciled in Skye Bank Plc.

The offences, according to the prosecution, are contrary to section 18(a) and 15(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.

The arraignment of the accused persons was, however, stalled due to the absence of Dudafa and representatives of the companies named.

When the matter was mentioned, EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, sought an adjournment to enable the anti-graft agency serve the charges on the other accused persons.