JUST IN: Atiku’s Son In-law Remanded In EFCC’s Custody Over Money Laundering

Abdullahi Babalele, a son in-law to Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, in the 2019 general elections, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Babalele was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court on a 2 count charge of alleged money laundering.

According to the charge signed on behalf of the EFCC by its prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, Babalele committed the offence in February, 2019.

“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.

“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,” the charges read.

The Atiku son in-law, who pleaded not guilty to the 2 count charge, was ordered by the Court to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application on Thursday, following a request made by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).