Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Four Suspects in Katsina

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on October 24, 2013 arraigned the quartet of Bashir Abdullahi, Abdulrashid Ousman, Salisu Ousman and Sani Jibiya before Justice Babagana Ashigar of the Federal High Court Katsina on a 3-count charge of Money Laundering.
The accused persons were arrested by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service on their way to Niger Republic with N15, 160,000 (Fifteen Million One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) cash.
The charges read, “That you Bashir Abdullahi, Abdulrashid Usman, Salisu Usman, and Sani Jibiya sometime in January 2013 in Jibia within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit Money Laundering and thereby commit an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 11 2011 and punishable under section 2(5) of the same Act as amended by the Money Laundering (prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012
“That you Bashir Abdullahi, Abdulrashid Usman, Salisu Usman, and Sani Jibiya in Jibiya within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court made a cash transaction in the sum N15, 160, 000 (Fifteen Million One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only) without going through a financial institution and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(a)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and punishable under section of the same Act as amended by the Money Laundering (Amendment) Act 2012.
“That you Bashi Abdullahi, Abdulrashid Ousman, Salisu Ousman and Sani Jibia sometime in January 8, 2013 while transporting cash in the sum of N15, 160, 000 (Fifteen Million One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only) from Nigeria to Niger Republic failed to declare to the Nigeria Customs Service as required under section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012”.
The four accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecuting counsel, Farouq Abdallah consequently asked for a date for the commencement of trial.
However, the defense counsel, Shafi’I Bara’u prayed the court to admit his clients to bail.

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