The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office on January 17, 2019 arraigned one Afolabi Ridwan before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and possession of documents containing false pretence.
One of the counts reads: “That you Afolabi Ridwan, (Joseph Ahmedu and others at large) in 2018 within jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, conspired to directly take possession from persons unknown residing outside Nigeria of monies, which to your knowledge were proceeds of unlawful acts and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (2)(d) and (3) of the 2012 Act”.
He pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges preferred against him.
Prosecuting counsel, Harrison Ibekwute, thereafter, applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.
However, counsel for the defendant, Austin Fajugbagbe, informed the court that he had an application for the bail of his client.
While adjourning to Mach 11, 2019 for “commencement of trial”, Justice Ajoku fixed January 25, 2019 for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at Agodi Prison.