ICPC Arraigns Ebonyi Accountant-General’s Office Staff Over Alleged N61m Money Laundering
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a staff member of the Ebonyi State Office of the Accountant-General, Obasi Nicholas Sunday, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki over an alleged N61 million money laundering scheme.
The defendant was brought before Justice H. I. O. Oshomah of Federal High Court 1, Abakaliki, on a two-count charge marked FHC/A1/6C/25.
According to the prosecution, Obasi, who is a signatory to the Ebonyi State Government Shopping Mall Account domiciled with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), allegedly carried out structured cash withdrawals and deposits aimed at evading statutory reporting requirements.
The ICPC alleged that in August 2020, the defendant withdrew a total of N61,000,000 from the government account in six tranches of N10 million each and an additional N1 million, purportedly to avoid triggering mandatory financial reporting thresholds.
The Commission further alleged that within the same period, he deposited N60,941,725 into the UBA account of one Ikechukwu Obiukwu, identified as a contractor to the Ebonyi State Government. The deposits were allegedly made in structured instalments of N10 million and N941,725 to evade reporting obligations under the law.
The offences are said to contravene Section 19(1)(c) and are punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Agbili Ezenwa Kingsley, requested a date for the commencement of trial, while defence counsel, Mr. Michael Ngwu, moved a bail application on behalf of the defendant. The prosecution did not oppose the application.
The court subsequently granted bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety, who must be the Accountant-General of the state. The surety is required to sign an undertaking to produce the defendant in court, with two recent passport photographs attached. The defendant is also to sign a similar undertaking to attend all court proceedings.
The matter was adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.
