EFCC: Atiku’s son-in-law re-arraigned In Court

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, re-arraigned Abdullahi Babalele, said to be son-in-law to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, over alleged money laundering charges.

The EFCC accused Babalele of allegedly laundering about 140,000 dollars, in the build-up to the last general elections.

The defendant was first arraigned on August 14, during the court’s vacation before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who sat as a vacation judge.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum. However, following a re-assignment of the case file to a new judge, Justice Cjukwujekwu Aneke, the defendant was re-arraigned on Tuesday. He also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Aneke granted his request to continue on the earlier bail conditions granted him by Justice Oweibo. Meanwhile, after his re-arraignment, Babalele applied to the court for a release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

READ ALSO: EFCC QUIZZES ATIKU’S SON-IN-LAW FOR ALLEGEDLY LAUNDERING €150M

But the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo who appeared with A.O Mohammed, opposed the application, arguing that there was no proof that his condition could not be treated in Nigeria.

Justice Aneke has, however, adjourned until Oct. 11 for ruling on the bail application.

In the charge, EFCC accused the defendant of “procuring one Mohammed to make a cash payment of the sum of 140,000 dollars, without going through any financial institution.”

The prosecution said that the money exceeded the threshold stipulated by the Money laundering Act He said that the defendant committed the offense on Feb. 20.

The offenses contradict the provisions of Section 16(2) and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. Related