Kaduna: Council Cashier Arraigned over Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, November 5, 2012 arraigned one Aminu Ya’u before Justice Evelyn N. Anyadike of Federal High Court, Kaduna , on a 2 count charge for offences bordering on Money Laundering.
The accused, a former Cashier with Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, allegedly used his position to pay himself multiple monthly salaries into several accounts, and then moved the funds to other accounts to disguise their origin.
The first of the two count charge reads: “that you Aminu Ya’u on or about 30^th December, 2011 at Giwa in Kaduna State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court withdrew from Ecobank account of Aminu Ya’u the sum of N2,400,000.00 (Two Million and four hundred thousand naira ) derived directly from an illegal act with the aim of disguising the illicit origin of the funds and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, and punishable under section 15(1)(b) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.
The second count reads: “that you Aminu Ya’u on or about 30^th December, 2011 at Giwa in Kaduna State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court deposited into the Unity Bank account of Aminu Ya’u the sum ofN2,050,000.00 (Two Million and fifty thousand naira ) derived directly from an illegal act with the aim of disguising the illicit origin of the funds and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(1)(a) of0 the Money Laundering( Prohibition) Act 2011, and punishable under section 15(1)(b) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. The defence counsel Unus Ustaz Usman (SAN) urged the court to grant the accused bail. The Justice Anyadike granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000.00 (Five hundred thousand naira) with two sureties in the like sum. One of the sureties must own of a landed property and must deposit proof of ownership with the court.
The matter was adjourned to November 22, 20012 for trial.