A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Edetanlen Okhiria was on Tuesday remanded after he was arraigned on charges bordering on alleged money laundering involving $385,000 and N165.5 million.
Edetanle was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Ikeja Special Offences Court on a seven-count charge bordering on abuse of office, money laundering and unlawful enrichment by a public official.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Leading the prosecution, EFCC counsel, Mr Abba Muhammad (SAN), told the court that in one of the counts, the defendant, while serving as managing director of the corporation between 2016 and 2024 in Lagos, abused his office.
He alleged that Okhiria violated the Public Procurement Act, 2007, in the award of contracts to contractors of the corporation, with the intent of obtaining undue advantage for himself.
The prosecution further stated that between May 29 and Sept. 11, 2024, in Lagos, the defendant engaged in acts of money laundering while still in office.
It alleged that he transferred a sum of $205,000 from his domiciliary account maintained with Access Bank Plc.
According to the anti-graft agency, the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities and were transferred to the bank account of one Mr Ehimen Okhiria, domiciled with ABN AMRO Bank, Netherlands.
The commission also alleged in another count that between Oct. 21 and Nov. 21, 2024, in Lagos, Okhiria engaged in further money laundering.
It said he transferred a cumulative sum of $385,000 and N165.5 million from his domiciliary account with Access Bank Plc to the bank account of Okhiria, also domiciled with ABN AMRO Bank, Netherlands.
The prosecution said the alleged offences contravened Sections 332(1) and 332(3), 73(1), and 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The EFCC thereafter requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
Earlier, defence counsel, Mr Adebowale Kamoru, informed the court that he had just received the charge and prayed for a short adjournment for arraignment.
The court denied the application and ordered that the defendant’s plea be taken.
Kamoru subsequently requested a brief adjournment to enable him file a bail application.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case until May 13 for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a maximum correctional facility pending the determination of his bail application.
NAN
