Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Suspect Arrested With $578,000 in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, arraigned Okorie Sylvernus Sunday on a four -count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and counterfeiting scam before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi , Lagos.

Justice Dipeolu ordered the remand of Okorie who was arrested by the Nigerian custom with $299,000 cash at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos

The judge made the remand after Okorie took his plea.

It would be recalled that the custom commander in Airport lagos handed over the suspects to the EFCC through the Lagos Zonal Commander 11 Mohammed Ghali on Friday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned the defendant before on four
counts charge bordering on money laundry, and unlawful importation of counterfeit foreign currencies, preferred against him.

EFCC’s prosecution counsel Chineye Okezie, told the court that the defendant concealed the $299,000, $250 and €100 Euros, counterfeit foreign currencies in Relaxer containers to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

Okezie told the court that Okorie committed the alleged offences on March 19, 2025.

She said the incident took place the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The prosecutor also told the court that Okorie without lawful authority imported into Nigeria five pieces of counterfeit $50, totaling $250, with serial numbers, MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C, knowing same to be counterfeit.

She said that the defendant unlawfully had in his possession five pieces of counterfeit $50 totaling $250, with serial numbers, MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C, knowing same to be counterfeit.

According to the prosecutor the offences committed contravened Sections 3 (5), of the money laundry (prevention and prohibition) Act, 2022 and 3(1)(a), 5 (1)(b)and (2), of the counterfeit currency (Special Provisions) Act, law of the Federal of Nigeria 2004.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Following the arraignment the prosecutor, urged the court to remand Okorie in prison custody.

Defence counsel, Uche Okoronkwo urged court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody.

Consequently Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case till March 26, 2025, for trial.

Earlier when the case was called at 3pm, the defendant’s counsel, Okonkwo, told the court that he had not had the opportunity to discuss with his client and that he had not seen the proof of evidence in other to advise the defendant on what he should plead.

Okonkwo then urged the court to arraign Okorie on Wednesday (March 26, 2025), adding that he was served the charge sheet at 10:30am.

But the prosecution counsel, Okezie, said that the charge was served on the defendant since 9am and that the defence counsel has ample time to discuss with his client.

She then asked the court to arraign the defendant today (Tuesday), adding that they had their witness around and that it was already 3:25pm.

After listening to both counsel submissions, Justice Dipeolu stood the arraignment down till 4pm, for the arraignment of the defendant.