Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, Kenneth Kobani has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Also arraigned by the anti graft agency is the State Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Samuel Okpoko.
Both men, Kobani and Okpoko were arraigned before Justice B. Bilikisu of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only.
Specifically, the defendants were docked for collecting the sum of N750,000,000.00 from the Garrison branch of Fidelity Bank Plc, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on the eve of the 2015 general elections.
The money is part of the infamous $115million Diezani Alison-Madueke scam, involving several politicians and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Kobani allegedly collected N50,000,000 (Fifty Million) out of the fund while Okpoko allegedly collected the remaining N700,000,000 (Seven Hundred Million Naira).
According to the charge sheet obtained by DAILY POST, count one of the charge read: “That you Samuel Johnson Okpoko on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire and aid other persons yet to be charged, to acquire and take possession and control of the sum of Seven Hundred Million Naira (N700,000,000.00) from Fidelity Bank location Garrison, Port Harcourt, reasonably knowing and or ought to have known that such fund or property forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under section 15( 3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended.”
Count two of the charge read: “That you Kenneth Kobani on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire and aid other persons yet to be charged, to acquire and take possession and control of the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50, 000,000.00) from Fidelity Bank location Garrison, Port Harcourt, reasonably knowing and or ought to have known that such fund or property forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under section 15( 3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended.”
DAILY POST reports that both men pleaded not guilty when the charges were ready to them.
Prosecution counsel, C.A. Okoli told the court that he was ready for trial and prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.
However, defence counsel, C.A. Okala, SAN, prayed for the bail of the defendants.
Justice B. Bilikisu admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of Fifty Million Naira and a surety each in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 4th to 8th June, 2018 for trial.
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