AISHA ABUBAKAR
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, arraigned Husaini Auwal before Justice J.O Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged illegal financial transactions to the tune of N998.4m in the Federal capital territory, Abuja.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the defendant, Auwal, was arraigned on a six-count charge of suspicious transaction, conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining money by false pretence.
One of the counts read, “That you, Husaini Mohammed Auwal, being the Managing Director of Humak Global Business Link on or between 2016 and 2017 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did carry on, other financial business, to wit: bureau de change business without a valid licence issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria contrary to Sections 57 and 59 (5) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020″.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, Deborah Eteh, asked the Court for a trial date since the defendant pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The prosecutor also asked the Court to grant the order for the defendant to be remanded in custody in a correctional facility for the trial.
The defence counsel however, called the attention of the Court to an existing bail application and prayed the Court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Abdulmalik, adjourned the matter till 23rd February, 2024, for hearing on the bail application to determine whether Husaini Mohammed Auwal should be granted bail or not. The Court also adjourned the matter till 21st March, 2024, for trial.
The Court also ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC`s custody till the adjourned date to determine consideration to grant him bail or not for the alleged offence.