ICPC Charges Ministry Officials with Money Laundering Offenses
By Chizoba Njaka
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has formally charged Mr. Oseni Adeolu Olayinka, an employee of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja, with three counts of money laundering.
In a press statement signed by Mr. Demola Bakare, Director, Public Enlightenment and Education, and the Spokesperson for the Commission, explaned that the defendant was formally arraigned before the Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the Federal High Court, Maitama, on Thursday in Abuja.
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/584/2024, the Commission alleged that Mr. Olayinka illicitly acquired millions of naira by fraudulently enrolling his wife and son in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) portal of the Ministry between 2023 and 2024, and thereafter corruptly received salaries through their bank accounts, thereby committing the offence of money laundering.
Count one of the indictment against Oseni Adeolu Olayinka, an Executive Officer at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, alleged that between January 2023 and April 2024, he indirectly acquired possession of ₦2,843,524.41 through his wife's Stanbic IBTC Bank account (number 0040450514), belonging to Mrs. Mngohol Christiana Agaku. It is asserted that he ought to have known that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities, specifically corruption, thereby violating Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.
Mr. Olayinka pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him. However his counsel, Mr. Paul Asimiakeokha, made an oral application for bail on liberal terms, which was unopposed by the prosecution counsel, Mr. C.K. Igwedibia.
In delivering his ruling on the bail application, Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦5,000,000 with a surety who must be a federal civil servant of not less than Grade Level 12.
Furthermore, the presiding judge stipulated that the surety must furnish the court with their employment and promotion letters, and must also possess a landed property within Abuja, which shall be subject to verification by the court.
The Honourable Court has adjourned the matter to the 29th day of April for the commencement of trial proceedings.