EFCC arraigns Atiku’s lawyer, son-in-law for money laundering

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.