Alleged 2.5bn Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Ogun Assembly Speaker

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, arraigned the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Ogun Assembly Speaker, Oluomo, Two Others Arraigned

Oluomo was arraigned alongside two other persons before Justice Daniel Osiagor on an 11-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and stealing.

They have all pleaded not guilty.

The 11-count charge was filed by the commission few days ago by the EFFC’s Lagos Head of Legal Monitoring Unit, Rotimi Oyedepo, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Count 1 of the charge read, “That you Oluomo Taiwo, Oladayo Samuel, Adeyemo Adedeji Taiwo and Adeyanju Amoke (now at large) sometimes in 2019 in Abeokuta within the jurisdiction of this court conspired amongst yourselves to use the total sum of N2.475bn which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: stealing from the treasury of Ogun State House of Assembly. You thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

The anti-graft agency had also said it intends to call at least 10 witnesses to testify and tender documents and exhibits.

The witnesses include Adamu Yusuf, Otitoju Kolawale, Yazid Bawa, Anyanwu Bright, Adekunbi Mojibola, Munkaila Huzaifa, and Idowu Olarenwaju.

Others are representatives of Ashkash Nigeria limited, representatives of Obasanjo Holdings Limited (managers of NNPC Mega Station) and representatives of Gateway Bank limited.

It was also gathered that the commission would follow up on the case with an application in Abeokuta for the case to be heard this week at the Federal High Court in Lagos by a vacation judge.

Recall that Kanyi Daily had reported that Oluomo was arrested by operatives of the anti-graft agency at the Murtala Mohammed international airport in Lagos.