Alleged N1.6bn fraud: We follow due process in opening companies’ Accounts linked to Dudafa
A prosecution witness, Ademola Rasak Folorunsho, in the trial of former Senior Special Assistant, to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Emmanuel Waripamo Owei- Dudafa and one other, today told justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos, that his bank followed due process in the opening and operations of the accounts of five the companies linked to dudafa in an alleged N1.6bn fraud.
Folorunso while answering questions under cross-examination from Mr. Kolawole Salami, who holds the brief of Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN) counsel for Dudafa, also told the court that all the transactions carried out on the accounts of the companies were through electronic transfer and not by cash lodgement.
The witness added that Dudafa’s name did not appear as recipient of any money from the statement of accounts of the companies.
The witness while been cross-examined by Mr Ige Asemudara, counsel to the second defendant, Mr Iwejuo Joseph, said the companies’ accounts were not concealed either to the bank management, the Central Bank of Nigeria or any regulatory authority.
The witness who admitted that as operations manager, no transaction could go on in his branch without his knowledge, said all the documents required for the opening and operations of the accounts were duly provided by the owners.
When asked by Asemudara if he is aware of the BVN policy of the federal government, Folorunso stated that he could not state categorically when the policy was made compulsory, but said the BVN in the accounts did not have any link with Iwejuo.
Folorunso under further cross-examination said the major beneficiaries of the cash from the accounts were signatories to the accounts who are also directors of the companies and not Dudafa.
Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Idris has adjourned further hearing in the matter till tomorrow.
Dudafa and Iwejuo are currently facing trial over allegations of conspiring to conceal proceeds of crime.
They were on June 11, 2016, arraigned before the court by the EFCC on a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6 billion.
In the charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that the two accused persons, between June 2013 and June 2015, used different companies to fraudulently launder the money.
The five companies are: Seagate Property Development & Investment Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited and Pluto Property Limited Investment Company Limited and Rotate Interlink Services Limited.
The offences according to the EFCC are contrary to and punishable under sections 17(a), 18(c), and 27 (3) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
They, however, pleaded, not guilty to the charge.
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