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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has charged one Obasi Nicholas Sunday before the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, over alleged crimes relating to money laundering.
The defendant appeared in court on Thursday before Justice H. I. O. Oshomah from the Federal High Court 1, Abakaliki, He is facing two charges brought by the Commission under Case Number FHC/A1/6C/25.
Obasi, who works at the Office of the Accountant-General in Ebonyi State and signed the agreement for the Ebonyi State Government Shopping account, is accused of carrying out planned cash transactions to avoid having to report them as required.
According to ICPC, the defendant is accused of taking out a total of N61,000,000.00 (Sixty-One Million Naira) in cash from a government account in August 2020.
This was allegedly done in six separate withdrawals of N10,000,000.00 each, plus an extra N1,000,000.00.
The Commission also said that during the same time, the defendant put N60,941,725.00 in cash into the account of Ikechukwu Obiukwu, who is a contractor for the Ebonyi State Government.
“The money was given in parts, first N10,000,000.00 and then N941,725.00, and the purpose was to avoid following the legal rules about reporting such transactions.
“The actions violate Section 19(1)(c) and can be punished under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
When the defendant was brought before the court, he said he was not guilty of both charges. Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Agbili Ezenwa Kingsley then requested a date to start the trial, while the defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Michael Ngwu filed a motion for bail on his client’s behalf, and the Prosecution did not object to it.
“The defendant is to put up a bond of N10 million naira as security for bail. 2. A surety, who has to be the Accountant-General of the state. 3. The Surety needs to sign a document promising that he will bring the defendant to court along with two recent passport photos attached. 4. The defendant needs to sign a promise that they will always be in court and have two recent passport photos attached to it.”
The case was then put off until March 24th and 25th, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.
ICPC arraigns Ebonyi Accountant-General’s office staff over N61m money laundering allegation
