Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Governor Fayose Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele in Kuje Prison.
The judge remanded Agbele till Thursday, August 4, when he will rule on his bail application.
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Agbele today, August 3, on 11 counts of money laundering involving the sum of N1,219,000,000 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira).
The money is believed to be part of N4,685,723,000 (Four Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty-five Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-three Thousand Naira) allegedly transferred unlawfully from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Others suspects arraigned alongside Agbele were a former minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Lt. A. O Adewale and Olalekan Ogunseye – all are said to be on the run.
Three companies – Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, De Privateer Limited and Spotless Investment Limited, were also arraigned with the accused.
Agbele pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.
Counsel to the accused person, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) urged the court to grant Agbele bail on self-recognition, adding that the accused person had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC.
But the prosecuting counsel, Johnson Ojogbane, asked the court to remand the accused in prison throughout the trial period, adding that the judge should rather grant an order of accelerated hearing.
Justice Dimgba fixed Thursday for ruling on the bail application.
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