EFCC arraigns contractor over alleged $.6m money laundering

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Group Managing Director of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, Egwuche Chinyere Gladys, before the Federal High Court in Enugu over an alleged $600,000 money laundering offence.

She was arraigned alongside her company before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the defendant allegedly accepted a total of $600,000 in cash payments in 12 tranches between March 13 and April 11, 2023, as part payment for a 180220TPH Granite Stone Crushing Line sold to Patan Nigeria Limited and Reinforce Global Resources Limited (JV).

The anti-graft agency alleged that each payment of $50,000 exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N10million and was received outside a financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the charges stated that on March 13, 2023, in Abakaliki, the defendants accepted a cash payment of $50,000 as part payment for the equipment sold to the two companies, an offence punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts. Following the plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II), Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant pending trial.

Defence counsel, Roy Nwaeze (SAN), however, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and urged the court to grant his client bail.

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200million with two sureties in like sum. The court ruled that each surety must own property within its jurisdiction.

The judge also ordered the defendant to surrender her international passport to the court registrar and directed the EFCC to verify the sureties’ addresses within seven days. The case was adjourned until November 11, 2026, for trial.