Laundering $2m: EFCC arrests Atiku’s lawyer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Uyi Giwa-Osagie, a legal adviser of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, over alleged money laundering.

Osagie was arrested after he honoured an invitation of the anti-graft agency in Lagos state on Thursday.

The agency has filed charges over alleged money laundering to the tune of $2 million against Giwa-Osagie.

According to the charge sheet, Osagie made a payment of $2 million without going through any financial institution.

The EFCC said the amount which exceeded what is authorised by law, was meant for the 2019 general election.

Atiku contested the presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Giwa-Osagie was arrested in the buildup to the 2019 elections.

Here are some of the counts levelled against the lawyer:

Count one

That you UYIEKPEN GlWA-OSAGIE and ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE, sometimes in February, 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an offence to wit: making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution which sum exceeded the ‘ amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Count two

That you UYIEKPEN GIWA-OSAGIE on or before the 12th day of February,2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured ERHUNSE GIWAOSAGIE to make cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.