EFCC arrests banker, wife over alleged $1.49 million money laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the help of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a former Assistant General Manager of a first-generation bank, Rowly Isioro and his wife, Ovuomarhoni Naomi Isioro, over their alleged involvement in money laundering to the tune of $1.49 million.

According to a statement signed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the couple’s arrest followed a petition received by the EFCC from the FBI, through the office of the Legal Attache of the US Consulate in Lagos.

The statement read: “Based on the couple’s confession, it all started when Naomi met one Michael Uziewe, who owns Global Investment Network, in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2016. Uziewe introduced her to a supposed foreign exchange business that saw the couple using their companies – Marhoni General Services Limited and Multaid Plus Limited – as a channel for illicit funds transfer.

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“According to their statement, Uziewe transferred funds via wire transfer and Naomi, under Uziewe’s instructions, disbursed the naira equivalent into several accounts in Nigeria.

“The nature of the transactions also showed that Naomi breached financial regulations. Instead of letting the transactions go through the financial system, she contracted the service of Bureau de Change operators to get the naira equivalents.

“Rowly, a banker with over 22 years’ experience has also been relieved of his appointment with the bank.”

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