Alleged N3.5bn fraud: Court remands Saraki’s aide in prison

Justice Babs Kuewumi sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered that Gbenga Makanjuola Peters, an aide to Senate President Bukola Saraki, should be remanded in prison over an alleged N3.5 billion fraud and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had earlier arraigned Makanjuola (Deputy Chief of Staff […]

Justice Babs Kuewumi sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered that Gbenga Makanjuola Peters, an aide to Senate President Bukola Saraki, should be remanded in prison over an alleged N3.5 billion fraud and money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had earlier arraigned Makanjuola (Deputy Chief of Staff to Senate President) alongside a firm, Melrose General Services Limited; one Obiorah Amobi (a staff of Melrose General Service Limited) and Kolawole Shittu (Casheir to Senate             President) before the Federal High Court in Lagos. Robert Chidozie Mbonu, another suspect is said to be on the run.

In the 11-count criminal charge, the EFCC alleged that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2016 in connivance with Robert Mbonu.

Kolawole Shittu was alleged to have made cash payment of $50m dollars to Gbenga Makanjuola without going through financial institution.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants “took control of N3.5bn that was transferred from the Nigeria Governors Forum’s account into an Access Bank Plc account number 0005892453, operated by Melrose General Services Limited.”

The EFCC averred that the suspects “reasonably ought to have known that the said fund represented the proceeds of unlawful activities, to wit, conspiracy, stealing and fraud.”

The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Ekene Iheanacho, said the defendants acted contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and are liable to being punished under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

The judge ordered that they be remanded in the prison custody till October 9, when he would rule on their bail applications.