NDLEA arraigns Diamond bank managers on money laundering charges

Two Diamond Bank Plc managers, Lasisi Abayomi and Hillary Ojukwu were on Wednesday arraigned at the Federal High Court for money laundering charges by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

It was gathered that they were charged along with the bank, Oni Oil and Gas Ltd and Mrs Lizzy Chinyere Ikenua.
The prosecution counsel Augustine Nwagu said the defendants had in August 2006 failed to verify the true identities of its customer Oni Oil and Gas, the late Chief Onoche Ikenua snd Mrs. Ikenua before opening an account in their favour.

Besides, the bank was accused of failing to report the suspicious transaction to the Financial Intelligence Unit.

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NDLEA said Ojukwu, between August and December 2006, aided Oni Oil and Gas, the late Ikenua and Mrs Ikenua to convert various sums of money derived directly or indirectly from illicit traffic in narcotic drugs.

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 17(a) and punishable under Section 14(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004″.

In the charge which reads in part, the NDLEA said: “That you Diamond Bank Plc, a financial institution, between the months of August 2006 to October at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court failed to report suspicious transactions on account no. 0212010006203 in the name of Oni oil and Gas Ltd and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 6(9) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola granted them bail for N1million each with one surety in the like sum and adjourned
until June 27 for trial.

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