Reports just coming in has it that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has yet again arrested two close persons to PDP’s presidential candidate in the last presidential election Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
They are the legal adviser to Mr. Abubakar, Mr. Uyi Giwa Osagie and Abdullahi Babalele, the former vice-president’s son-in-law.
According to the report, they were taken into custody on Thursday evening according to multiple source abreast with the incidence.
The report has it that they were arrested after honouring an EFCC invitation in Lagos, sources said.
According to Premium Times, the commission is set to arraign Mr. Giwa-Osagie for alleged money laundering.
Top on the list of charges against Mr. Giwa-Osagie is that sometimes in February 2019 in Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of the Court, he allegedly conspired along with Erhuse Giwa-Osagie to commit an offence which included making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, the sum which exceeded the amount authorized by Law and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
Other charges are:
COUNT 2
That you UYIEKPEN GIWA-OSAGIE on or before the 12‘” day of February,2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured ERHUNSE GIWAOSAGIE to make cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million 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(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
COUNT 3
That you ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE sometimes in February, 2019 In Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court made the payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1(a). & 16(1).(d) of the Money Laundering(Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and Punishable under section 16 of the Same Act.
He was reportedly arrested after a bureau de change operative allegedly identified him as the owner of $2 million found in its possession. The commission alleged the money was to be used for the 2019 elections.
The duo denied the allegations, and many say it as politically-motivated, especially as it was coming during the tight presidential election contest.
Sources close to Premium Times reveal this might be a continuation of the earlier probe although no official comment or confirmation has emanated from the EFCC.
Source: Premium Times
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