The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned Mr. Samusideen Babafemi Sarumi, for allegedly laundered the sum of N209 million.
Sarumi is the Chief Executive Officer of 606 Auto Limited, 606 Music Limited and Splash Off Entertainment Limited. Sarumi was arraigned alongside one other suspect who is still at large. They were arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor, of Federal High Court, Lagos.
They were arraigned on a three count-charges of felony to commit money laundering. EFCC in a charge sheet marked FHC/L/144c/19 said the accused persons committed the offenses between 2016 and 2018.
EFCC said the defendant allegedly took possession of eight vehicles valued N135 million, which he reasonably known to form part of the proceeds of an organized criminal group. He was also alleged to have taken possession of a boat valued at N104 million, which he reasonably known to form part of the proceeds of an organized criminal group.
The prosecutor, M. K. Hussain said the offence contravened sections 18(a) and 15(2)(d)(6) and punishable under sections 15(3) the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application and said same has been served on the prosecution. The prosecutor, Mr. Hussain, admitted being served with the application.
After hearing of the bail application, justice Obiozor, granted the defendant bail application in the sum of N100 million with one surety in the like sum. Justice Obiozor also ordered that the surety must be a landed property owner within Lagos, with evidence of three years tax payment. The court also ruled that the defendant must deposit his international passport with the Court’ Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) who will also conduct verification of the bail terms.
Justice Obiozor adjourned the matter till January 27 and February 4, 6, 10 and 11, 2020, for trial, he also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Services custody pending the fulfillment of the bail condition.
The defendant, It would be recalled, was formerly arraigned in a charge marked FHC/L/374c/19, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke led-court on November 4, for laundering the sum of N207 million for some fraud syndicate whose name were in the list released by United State of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Those he allegedly laundered the money for include Omojadesola Shittu Allison, Abiola Kayode Ayorinde also known as ABK, Bartholomew Oluchukwu Ezeudoko and Amobi Uchenna E. He was also alleged to have committed the offense between year 2016 and 2018.
