Money laundering: Bi-Courtney boss, Babalakin to appear in court on Thursday

The Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Mr Wale Babalakin, will on Thursday appear before a Lagos court over charges that he helped former governor of Delta State, James Ibori launder N2 billion.

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja had on Monday  grilled Babalakin over his involvement in the scam.

The businessman who is the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, faces up to a 27-count charge. A part of this include: using Bi-Courtney construction group, Stabilini, Renix Nigeria Limited to facilitate fund transfers into Ibori’s accounts in Mauritius. This was carried out in conjunction with one Alex Okoh.

The EFCC noted that between May and December 2006, more than 20 transfers worth millions of dollars were made to a company, Erin Aviation, for the supply of a Challenger Jet Aircraft.

Only a week ago, the Federal Government cancelled Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney’s reconstruction and concessionaire contract of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Also another company belonging to him, lost another huge road contract in Ondo State few days ago.

Dr. Babalakin, a lawyer, was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2002. He was conferred with the National Honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008, a year after he was appointed as the Honorary Special Adviser on Legal Matters to late President Musa Yar’dua.

#featured