The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, January 14, arraigned a female lawyer, Anumati Stella Ojevwe before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, following her alleged involvement in N105million money laundering.
Anumati is alleged to have received N105million from SA-FX Global investment.
One of the 14-count charges reads in part; “That you Anumati Stella Ojevwe (f) on or about October 27, 2020 at Delta State, directly took possession or control of the sum of N20million deposited by a cheque number 00000064 belonging to SA-FX Global) into your bank account number 2150009622 domiciled in Ecobank which funds you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of unlawful act of Smart Alban Ike to wit: obtaining by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the action of Anumati is contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
When the charge was read to Anumati, she pleaded not guilty when to the offence preferred against her.
In view of her not guilty plea, the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, K.Y. Bello urged the court to fix a date for trial and to remand Anumati at a Correctional Facility.
But efforts by the defence lawyer to secure bail for his client orally was opposed by Bello.
Justice Abang later ordered the defence lawyer to file a formal bail application and adjourned the matter till January 30 2022 for further hearing on the matter
The judge also directed that Anumati should be remanded at the Correctional Facility in Sapele, Delta State.
