EFCC arraigns contractor over alleged N2.4bn contract scam

The money was paid from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),has arraigned one Olugbenga Obadina before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for alleged criminal breach of trust and laundering N2.4 billion.

Joined in the suit is Almond Projects Limited, a company owned by the defendant.

Obadina was arraigned on an eight-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering to the tune of N2.4billion.

According to the prosecution, Odadina allegedly collected N2. 417 billion paid into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015.

The money was paid from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.

The offence, according to the prosecution, was contrary to Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

The prosecution also alleged that Obadina in April 2014 in Abuja, directly took possession of N648 million paid into the account of Almond Projects Ltd.

Obadina also in February 2015, directly took possession of N510 million paid into the account of Almond Projects, from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The prosecution further alleged that the transactions were done without contract awards.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Upon his plea, EFCC counsel, Aso Larry Peters, asked for a date for trial and urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

The accused counsel, Chris Uche, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, as he had a pending application to that effect, which had been served on the prosecution.

Presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, ordered that the accused be remanded in Kuje Prison.

He adjourned the case till July 18, for ruling on bail application.