The Port Harcourt Area Command (EFCC) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has indicted oil magnate Azubuike Uzoma before Justice Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for allegedly illegally trafficking in petroleum products. did. The song costs N24,310,000 (24,310,000 Naira).
He was indicted on October 25, 2023 on three counts related to money laundering and illegal trafficking in petroleum products.
One of the complaints reads: “You, Azubuike Uzoma (trading under the name and style of ALVIN D INTERNATIONAL), from time to time in June 2022, possessed within the jurisdiction of this honorable court the sum of N23,310,000.00 ( N23,000,000) from Keystone Bank Limited, you should have known that the funds were part of the proceeds of an illegal activity, namely the illegal trade in petroleum products, which would violate the Money Laundering Act. committed an offense contrary to section 18(2)(d).”
He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
The Public Prosecution Counsel, Abdulrahman Abubakar, took into account his plea and prayed the court to fix the trial date and remand the defendant to a correctional facility. The defendant's lawyer, CJ Nmerem, did not object to the prosecution's prayers but asked the court to grant his client bail so he could prepare for trial.
Thereafter, Justice Mohammed granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) with two sureties of the same amount. One of the sureties must be a civil servant of her grade 14 or above in the Rivers State Government and the other one must be a family member of the defendant. The surety must deposit two recent passport photos with the court and have a verifiable address.
The judge adjourned the matter until January 22, 2024, for the start of the trial.
Mr. Azubuike’s case began when operatives of the commission arrested him in Ndoni community in Oneruga Local Government Area of Rivers State on suspicion of illegal trafficking in petroleum products and money laundering.
Investigation revealed that the accused was involved in a fraudulent petroleum business by duping customers into paying several sums of money for the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Warri warehouse. He did not deliver the product or return the customer's money to the customer.
