The Federal High Court in Abuja, Monday, gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nod to dock Mr. Emeka Mba, former Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, on an amended 15-count criminal charge bordering on alleged N2.9billion fraud.
Mr Mba who has been through the eye of the storm in recent months is facing trial alongside the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Commission, Mr. Patrick Areh, one Mr. Basil Udotai and Babatunji Amure.
The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, has slated December 13 to take plea of the defendants. The trial which however could not proceed on Monday because of the inability of the EFCC to serve the 3rd and 4th defendants (Udotai and Amure) copies of the amended charge before the court.
EFCC lawyer, Mr. Maaji Dabi requested for five days adjournment to enable him to perfect the service process.
Some of the revised charges read: “That you Emeka Mba (While being the Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission), Patrick Areh (While being the Director finance and Accounts of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission), Basil Udotai (trading in the name and style of Technology Advisors) and Babatunji Amure (trading in the name and style of Divine Partners) on or about the 15th day of August 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit: laundering the sum of N2, 899, 723, 500.00 (Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety nine Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.
“That you Basil Udotai, trading in the name and style of Technology Advisors, on or about the 19th day of August, 2015, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did transfer the sum of N390, 000, 000. 00 (Three Hundred and Ninety Million Naira) from the Zenith Bank Plc Account number 1011923722 (in the name of Technology Advisors) into the Zenith Bank account of Kalaz Ventures (a Bureau De Change) for the benefit of Patrick Areh (while being the Director Finance and Accounts of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission) when you reasonably knew that the funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.
