The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned Abdullahi Babalele, the son-in-law to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, over alleged money laundering charges.
The EFCC accused Babalele of allegedly laundering about $140,000, in the build-up to the last general elections.
The defendant was first arraigned on August 14, during the court’s vacation before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who sat as a vacation judge.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
However, following a re-assignment of the case file to a new judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, the defendant was re-arraigned yesterday.
He also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Aneke granted his request to continue on the earlier bail conditions granted him by Justice Oweibo.
Meanwhile, after his re-arraignment, Babalele applied to the court for a release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
But the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application arguing that there was no proof that his condition could not be treated in Nigeria.
Justice Aneke adjourned until October 11 for ruling on the application
In the charge, EFCC accused the defendant of “procuring one Mohammed to make a cash payment of the sum of $140,000, without going through any financial institution.”
The prosecution said the money exceeded the threshold stipulated by the Money laundering Act
He said that the defendant made committed the offence on February 20.
The offences contravene the provisions of Section 16(2) and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
