EFCC set to arraign Atiku’s lawyer over alleged fraud

There are indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign Mr. Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie, a lawyer to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in court next week.

Giwa-Osagie is alleged of laundering $2m in the build-up to the last general elections.

According to information gathered, he allegedly handled the $2m cash without going through a financial institution during the election period.

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A charge sheet made available to our correspondent, on Friday, said Giwa-Osagie allegedly committed the offense with his brother, Erhunse Giwa-Osagie, by making cash payment of $2m on February 12, 2019, without going through a financial institution.

Following this, EFCC has filed three counts against him before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The legal counsel to the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, who signed the charge sheet, said the amount involved in the case exceeded the threshold stipulated by the anti-money laundering law.

Oyedepo further said Giwa-Osagie and brothers acted contrary to Sections 18(a) and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and therefore were liable to be punished under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

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