A contractor, Olugbenga Obadina has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Obadina was sued alongside his firm, Almond Projects Limited on an eight-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering to the tune of N2.4b.
The prosecution alleged that Odadina received N2. 417 billion paid into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015.
The money according to the prosecution was paid from the Office of the National Security Adviser, under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.
The offence, according to the prosecution, contravened Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
The prosecution also alleged that Obadina in April 2014 in Abuja, directly took possession of N648 million paid into the account of Almond Projects Ltd.
Obadina also in February 2015, directly took possession of N510 million paid into the account of Almond Projects, from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, all without contract awards.
However, Obadina pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Following the not guilty plea, EFCC counsel, Aso Larry Peters, requested for a trial date while urging the court to remand the accused in prison custody.
Chris Uche, counsel to the accused person prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, as he had a pending application to that effect, which had been served on the prosecution.
Presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, ordered the accused to be remanded in Kuje prison till July 18 when his application for bail would be ruled on.
NAN
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