A former Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Ope Saraki, was on Tuesday arraigned for Money Laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).
Saraki, a cousin to the immediate past Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, was arraigned before Justice Babangana Ashigara of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin on a one-count charge of money laundering.
The EFCC alleged that the politician received the sum of N11m from one Kunle Adimula while serving as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kwara State which is contrary to money laundering prohibition act of 2011.
The charge read: “That you, Ope Saraki, sometime in February 2019, whilst being the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kwara State on Sustainable Development Goals at Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did received cash payment of #11,180,000.00 (Eleven million, one hundred and eighty thousand naira) from one Kunle Adimula, an employee of Kwara State Government, which sum exceeded the cash payable to an individual and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 and 16 of the money laundering (prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16 of the same Act.”
Saraki pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecution counsel, Sesan Ola, thereby applied for a trial date to call witnesses and prove the case.
Defence lawyers, led by Dr Joshua Olatoke (SAN), did not oppose the request for a trial date but prayed the court to use its discretion in granting bail to the defendant pending the hearing and final determination of the case.
Ruling on the application, Justice Ashigar granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must must reside in the jurisdiction of the court
He also ordered the defendant to submit his travel documents to the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, while he remains in the custody of the EFCC till he perfects his bail conditions.
Further hearing has been adjourned till May 15, 2020.