Senator’s absence stalls money laundering trial

The absence of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) yesterday stalled his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him last October 5 before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

This followed the elevation of the previous judge handling the matter, Justice Mohammed Idris, to the Court of Appeal.

The EFCC re-arraigned Nwaoboshi along with Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited and Suiming Electricals for alleged N322 million fraud.

Two witnesses – Prince Kpokpogiri and Murtala Abubakar – had testified before Justice Idris before whom Nwaoboshi was arraigned on April 25.

Trial could not go on yesterday as the prosecution said it was informed that the defendant would not be available.

The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects purchased a 12-storey property called Guinea House on Marine Road in Apapa, Lagos State, for N805 million between May and June 2014.

The anti-graft agency claimed that N322 million out of the N805 million was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act, to wit: fraud”.

The EFCC alleged that the N322 million was transferred to the property’s vendor on the order of Suiming Electricals, which was accused of aiding Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects to commit money laundering on or about May 14, 2014.

According to EFCC, Nwaoboshi, a former Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, got a contract through Bilderberg Enterprises Limited to supply new construction equipment to the state’s Direct Labour Agency at N1,580,000,000.

The company allegedly imported and supplied used construction equipment rather than brand new ones, despite receiving full payment.

EFCC said Nwaoboshi, with the proceeds, bought the 12-floor building from Delta State government at N805 million in the name of Golden Touch Construction Projects.

The commission said the aenator had “no visible legitimate business venture to generate the amount spent to purchase the said property”.

The alleged offence contravenes sections 15(2)(d) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3). Justice Aneke adjourned till May 28 and 30 for continuation of trial.