The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned four officials of the Kwara State Government before Justice Babangana Ashigar of a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The officials who were arraigned by the anti-graft agency include Abubakar Ishiak, a Permanent Secretary; Shina Mudasir Akorede, Director of Administration and Finance; Rasaq Momonu, Controller Finance and Account; and Hafees Yusuf, a Cashier.

One of the counts read:

“That you, Abubakar Ishiak, being the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Government House; Shina Mudasir Akorede, being the Director of Administration and Finance; Rasaq Momonu, being the Controller of Finance and Account, Kwara State Government House; and Hafees Yusuf, being the Cashier of Kwara State Government House on or about the 14th day of February 2019 at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did make a cash payment of ₦20,300,000 (Twenty Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only to one Energy Multi-Trade Unique Interbiz Limited through the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jimoh Sarafadeen Kolade for services rendered to Kwara State Government House, which cash sum exceeded the limitation of ₦10 million payable to a body corporate and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (b) and Punishable under section 16 of the same Act.”

The officials however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Based on their plea, the EFCC counsel, Christopher Mschelia prayed the court for a date for trial to commence as the EFCC was prepared to prove its case against the accused persons who he prayed the court to be remanded in prison.

The lead defence counsel, Abdulwahab Bamidele made an oral application for the bail of the defendants, but Mschelia urged the Court not to grant the request arguing that the substantive bail application was not ripe for hearing. Consequently, Justice Ashigar ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until the date set for the hearing of the case.