The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned one Abdulrasheed Baba Ahmed before Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Kaduna on two counts bordering on Money Laundering and Retention of Proceeds of a Criminal Conduct valued at N190, 444, 000.
The accused, Abdulrasheed, who was the then Director Finance and Administration, Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State, allegedly in March 2015 collected the sum from the Ali Akilu Road branch of Fidelity Bank which also formed part of the Federal Government’s funds diverted by the Former Minister of Finance Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke.
Count one reads “that you Rasheed Baba Ahmed, the Former Director of Finance Ministry of Justice Kaduna Division of this Honourable Court did directly take possession of the aggregate sum of N190,444,000 only which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: Bribery and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2012 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Same Act.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lead prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi then asked for a date for commencement of trial while praying the accused be remanded in prison custody.
In his ruling, Justice Shuaibu refused an oral application for bail of the accused insisting that a formal application be filed before the Court.
He directed that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
The case was thereafter adjourned to the 6th of June, 2018 for hearing of bail application.
