Rasaq Abolaji Mumini, a 56-year-old vehicle salesman, and Mrs. Lawal Olawande Mariam have been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their alleged roles in the unapproved sale of confiscated property and the fraudulent acquisition of funds.
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The defendants were charged on Monday, February 5, before Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court, which is located in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, according to a statement made public on Tuesday.
The allegations against them are related to the purported sale of a four-bedroom flat that the EFCC had attached and was located at Dubere in Ogbomosho, Surulere Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Count one of the charges alleges that the defendants, without due authorization, sold the property to Mrs. Felicia Adeyemi for the sum of N13,500,000.00, despite it being subject to attachment by the EFCC, contravening Section 32 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that the second defendant, Lawal Olawande Mariam, wife of the property owner, Mr. Adebayo Abiodun, sought assistance from Mumini to remove the EFCC inscription on the property. It was marked by the EFCC after being acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
Further investigations uncovered that Mumini obtained N3.05 million from Mrs. Mariam under pretense, claiming it was needed to remove the EFCC inscription on the apartment.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to their remand in EFCC custody by Justice Olawoyin. The court adjourned the hearing of their bail applications until Monday, February 12, 2024.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
