EFCC Arraigns China-Bound Bizmen Over $167,900 Money Laundering Case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned two China-bound businessmen,
Ojinnaka Emmanuel and Nwoke Juventus Uchenna at the Federal High Court, in Enugu presided over by Jusice Dugbo Oghoghrie, on a three-count charge of Conspiracy, Under-declaration of currency and Procurement.

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The accused persons were arrested during a routine check of outward passengers, of Ethiopian Airline to China, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. The accused pleaded not guilty to charges levelled against them.

According to the court, Ojinnaka procured Nwoke the sum of $167,900 ( One Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand ,Nine Hundred US Dollars) in cash, to transport to China.

Nwoke had earlier declared the sum of $10,000 (Ten Thousand U.S Dollars) as the only amount in his possession before the undeclared sum was found on him. Mr. Mainforce Adaka, who is the prosecuting counsel on the case,  informed the court that he was ready with his case, and that his witness was in court, but the defence counsel Mr. I.U Chukwudebere, however opposed the commencement of trial, stating that the business of the court for the day was not hearing of the matter.

The court finally adjourned the case to 10th May 2017 for the hearing of bail application of the defendant.

One of the count reads: “That you Ojinnaka Emmanuel C. and Nwoke Juventus Uchenna on or about 12th day of December 2015, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria conspired to do an illegal act; namely while transporting in cash the sum ($167,900) One Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred United State Dollars only from Nigeria to China, falsely declared to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of ($10,000) Ten Thousand United Stated dollars only, instead of ($167 ,900).”

 One hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred United State Dollars only and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) and punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as Amended by section 2 of the money Laundry Prohibiting Act 2012.