The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Port Harcourt Zonal Office, on Monday, November 4, 2019 arraigned the trio of Charity Nneoma Ukonu, Udeachara Uche and Idika Kalu before Justice E.N Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, on 11-count charges bordering on money laundering, stealing and diversion of funds to the tune of N6,260,321.08 contrary to Section 18(a) and Punishable under Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 (as amended).

Specifically, the three defendants, being employees of Abia State Government and members of Abia State Salary Verification Committee, allegedly defrauded and stole money from the funds designated for salaries by the State Government to the tune of N6,260,321.08.

Count one and eight of the charges read: “That you Charity Nneoma Ukonu, Udeachara Uche, Idika Kalu and others sometime in year 2015 at Umuahia within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to do unlawful act to wit: money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(a) and punishable under Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 (as amended).

“That you Udeachara Uche whilst a member of the Abia State Salary Enhancement and Audit Committee between July to December, 2017 at Umuahia within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly took possession of the cumulative sum of N1,667,892.43 (One Million Six Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Two Naira, Forty Three Kobo) transferred from the account of the Abia State Government into the account of your son, Chidiebere Udeachara, a minor and which sum you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the count charges preferred against them.

In view of their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Cosmas Ogwu prayed the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a Correctional Centre.

However, counsel to the defendants, Dan Uruakpa informed the court of an application for the bail of his clients. The application was opposed by the prosecution.

Justice Anyadike ordered that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional Centre while the case was adjourned to November 11, 2019 for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial.