Chinese National Pleas ‘Having COVID-19 Symptoms’ In Court, Gets Jail Term, Forfeits $300,000 To FG

A Chinese national, Li Yan Pin, under trial on Monday, got a jail term after filling an earlier plea that he has developed COVID-19 symptoms but had his alleged $300, 000 money laundering funds forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The forfeiture was ordered by Justice Babatunde Quadri of Federal High Court, Abuja, who however, spared the convict a jail term because he allegedly had symptoms of COVID-19.

The suspect has been under trial for money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

The judge had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the money following an exparte application filed by the anti-graft agency.

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the development in a statement, said, “Yan Pin stood trial for a money laundering charge, leveled against him by the EFCC over the said sum after intelligence led to his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for failing to declare the sum in his possession, as he attempted to board a flight to China en-route Dubai.

“Justice Qudri in his judgment noted that the prosecution has proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty of the charges, according to Section 2, sub-section (5) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended in 2012.

“The defense counsel in its response pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, as the convict, he said had invested his resources to the development of Nigeria, and currently facing difficult health challenges.

“He also noted that his client has no prior criminal conviction.

“While ordering that the said sum be forfeited to the Federal Government, Justice Quadri, saved the convict a jail term on the ground that he had earlier filed for a medical leave over alleged COVID 19 symptoms that included persistent headache, insomnia and fatigue”.