The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Abdullahi Babalele who is a son in-law to former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, in the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar.
Mr Babalele was arraigned on Wednesday Morning before Justice Nicholas Oweibo at a Federal High Court in Lagos, on a 2 count charge of alleged money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to the 2 counts.
Following a request made by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome(SAN), Justice Oweibo has ordered that Babalele be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application, tomorrow, Thursday.
According to the charge signed on behalf of the EFCC by its prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, Babalele committed the offence in February, 2019.
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 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 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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