The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arraigned the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Telecom Satellites Limited (TStv), Bright Echefu, and three others on nine-count money laundering charge.
Others arraigned alongside Mr Echefu before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, include the Executive Director of TStv, Felix Igboanuga; TStv and Briechberg Investment Ltd as 2nd to 4th defendants respectively.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Upon their non-guilty plea, EFCC’s counsel, Tahir Sylvanus, prayed for an order remanding Messrs Echefu and Igboanuga in a correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Mr Sylvanus hinged his application on the grounds that it took almost a year after filing the charge before the defendants could be arraigned.
The lawyer, who said Messrs Echefu and Igboanuga were a flight risk, alleged that the duo refused to turn up for arraignment after being admitted to administrative bail and the charge filed on 9 June 2023.
He, therefore, asked for a speedy trial of the matter.
But Eyitayo Fatogun, who appeared for the defendants, informed the court that a bail application had been filed on his clients’ behalf in October 2023.
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