The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 16th March, 2017 arraigned Ojinnaka Emmanuel and Nwoke Juventus Uchenna before Justice Dugbo Oghoghrie of the Federal High Court Enugu on a three-count charge of conspiracy, under declaration of currency and
Procurement fraud.
The accused persons were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu during a routine check of outward passengers of Ethiopian Airline to China.
Ojinnaka, the first accused procured the second accused, Nwoke to transport in cash to China, the sum of $167,900,000 ( One Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars) which were undeclared before the Nigerian Customs Service operatives at the airport.
Nwoke had earlier declared the sum of $10,000 (Ten Thousand U.S Dollars) as the only amount in his possession before the undeclared sum was found on him.
The accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them; and the Prosecution Counsel, Bar. Mainforce Adaka informed the court of his readiness to proceed with trial.
But the defence counsel Bar. I.U Chukwudebere opposed the issue of a trial as he argued that the business of the court for the day was not hearing of the matter.
However, the court adjourned the case to 10th of May 2017 for the hearing of bail application and trial.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Ojinnaka Emmanuel C. and Nwoke Juventus Uchenna on or about 12th day of December 2015, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria conspired to do an illegal act; namely while transporting in cash the sum ($167,900) One Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand ,Nine Hundred United State Dollars only from Nigeria to China, falsely declared to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of ($10,000) Ten Thousand United Stated dollars only, instead of ($167 ,900) One hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred United State Dollars only and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) and punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as Amended by section 2 of the money Laundry Prohibiting Act 2012”.
