The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a staff member of the Office of the Accountant-General of Ebonyi State, Obasi Nicholas Sunday, over an alleged N61 million money laundering offence.

Obasi was docked before Federal High Court 1 sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, presided over by Justice H. I. O. Oshomah, on a two-count charge marked FHC/AI/6C/25.

According to the Commission, the defendant, who is a signatory to the Ebonyi State Government Shopping Mall Account domiciled with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), allegedly engaged in structured cash transactions designed to evade mandatory reporting requirements.

The ICPC alleged that in August 2020, Obasi withdrew a total sum of N61 million from the government account in six tranches of N10 million each and an additional N1 million, with the intent of circumventing statutory reporting obligations.

The Commission further claimed that within the same period, the defendant made a cash deposit of N60,941,725 into the UBA account of one Ikechukwu Obiukwu, a contractor to the Ebonyi State Government.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, the ICPC reiterated its commitment to enforcing compliance with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.

The deposits were allegedly made in structured instalments of N10 million and N941,725, also to avoid triggering reporting requirements.

The offences are said to contravene Section 19(1)(c) and are punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Counsel to the ICPC, Mr Agbili Ezenwa Kingsley, applied for a date for the commencement of trial, while defence counsel, Mr Michael Ngwu, moved a bail application on behalf of his client.

The prosecution did not oppose the application. Justice Oshomah subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety, who must be the Accountant-General of the state.

The surety is required to sign an undertaking to produce the defendant in court and attach two recent passport photographs, while the defendant must also sign a similar undertaking.

The case was adjourned to 24 and 25 March 2026 for the commencement of hearing. (TRIBUNE)

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