The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, #EFCC Kaduna office today, May 31, 2018 arraigned one Abdulrasheed Baba Ahmed before Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Kaduna on a two count charge bodering on Money Laundering and Rentention of Proceeds of a Criminal Conduct valued at N190, 444, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Forty Four Thousand Naira) only.
The accused, AbdulRasheed, who was the then Director Finance and Administration, Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State, allegedly in March 2015 collected the above 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 Raheed 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 N 190,444,000.00 ( One Hundred and Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Forty Four Thousand Naira) 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 ammended) 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.
