Bright Echefu, managing director and chief executive officer (MD/CEO) of Telecom Satellites Limited (TStv) and three others, have been arraigned on nine counts of money laundering.
Others arraigned alongside Echefu before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, include Felix Igboanuga, the executive director of TStv; TStv and Briechberg Investment Ltd as 2nd to 4th defendants respectively.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Upon their non-guilty plea, EFCC’s counsel, Tahir Sylvanus, SAN, prayed for an order remanding Echefu and Igboanuga in a correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Sylvanus hinged his application on the grounds that it took almost a year after filing the charge before the defendants could be arraigned.
The lawyer, who said Echefu and Igboanuga were flight risk, alleged that the duo refused to turn up for arraignment after being admitted to administrative bail and the charge filed on June 9, 2023.
He, therefore, asked for a speedy trial of the matter.
But Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN, who appeared for the defendants, informed the court that a bail application had been filed on his clients’ behalf in October 2023.
He urged the court to admit them to bail, pledging that the defendants were ready to stand their trial.
But Sylvanus disagreed with Fatogun.
The prosecution lawyer said a counter affidavit was filed on October 16, 2023 in opposition to their bail plea.
He said though the court had a discretionary power to grant bail, the antecedent of the defendants had proven that they were flight risk.
Justice Ekwo then asked if the defendants were earlier granted administrative bail and Sylvanus responded in affirmative.
The judge consequently admitted Echefu and Igboanuga on the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted by the anti-graft agency.
He ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court registrar and not to travel outside the court jurisdiction without the prior leave of the court.
Justice Ekwo, however, threatened to revoke their bail if they failed to show up in court for their trial.
The judge, who adjourned the matter until June 15, June 16 and June 17 for trial commencement, threatened that Echefu and Igboanuga would remain in remand until their trial lasted if their bail is revoked.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defendants were alleged to have, on or about May 18, 2020, committed the money laundering offence, including tax evasion, unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deducted from the salaries of 165 staff.
The offence is said to be contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act.
In count five, Echefu, being the MD of Briechberg Investment Ltd on or about May 18, 2020 in Abuja, with intent to defraud, was alleged to have obtained the sum of N150 million from Mr Turaki Kabiru Tanimu, SAN, MD of Kalsiyam Farm.
In count six, Echefu, the TStv MD was also alleged to have defrauded Tanimu, MD of Kalsiyam Global and also former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, the sum of N380 million.
[Source: Eagle Online]
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