Dudafa

By Akin Kuponiyi

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB), Compliance Officer, Kayode Temitope Olanrewaju, today, while being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecuting counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo told a Federal High Court, in Lagos south west Nigeria how Waripamo-owei Dudafa, former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, laundered the sum of N250.7 million in his account between 2013 and 2015.

Dudafa alongside Joseph Iwuejo and four companies are being tried before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on alleged N5.1 billion Fraud.

At the resumed trial of the accused persons, Kayode, who is the third prosecution witness, told the court that his bank received a letter from EFCC requesting for the account opening packages of DJakes Fast-food and Resturant, which Dudafa, his wife, Preye, and his son, Dudafa Junior were directors, and that of one Florence Itekesi.

Kayode also told the court how the total sum of N63.2 million, in the installment of N3.2 million, N20 million in three tranches were deposited into the account of D Jakes Fast-food and Resturant on March 18, 2013.

The prosecution witness also stated that the Fast-food account with the banks also received the sum of N20 million, N79.2 million from 313 Bureau De Change and one Abubakar Murtala Bashir, on January 23 and 26, 2015. While adding that N88 million was paid into the account by Danbazau Global Limited and Bambura Global Company,the sum of N20.3 million was also paid into the Fast-food account by Dambazua Global Limited on January 30, 2015.

Under cross-examination by the lawyers to the accused persons, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole leading Sunday Abumere and five other lawyers the witness told the court that the Fast-food’s account are domiciled at the Yenogoa branch of the bank, and it was opened in the year 2007.

He also stated that there were inflow of cash into the account when it was opened but may not know if it had been dormant before it was reactivated.

Another compliance officer, Mr. Adeniyi Tunde, who was called to testify in the matter also testified how the two accused persons run the accounts which he said was contrary to the banking regulations.

The matter has been adjourned till December 8, for continuation a of trial.

The two accused were arraigned before the court on 23 count-charge bordering on alleged,conspiracy and laundering of N5.1 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and granted bail by the court.

In the charge, the EFCC alleged that Dudafa, and Joseph Nna, who also claimed to be Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah, had between June 11, 2013, and June 2015, used different companies to fraudulently steal the sum of N5.1billion.

Some of the companies alleged to have been used in committing the alleged offences includes;Seagate Property Development & Investment Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited; Iwejuo Joseph Nna and Pluto LUTO Property and Investment Company Limited; Iwejuo Joseph Nna and Rotate Interlink Services Limited.

Others include; Ibejige Services Limited; DE Jakes Fast Food & Restaurant Nigeria Limited; and Ebiwise Resources.

The count one of the charge read in parts; “that you,Warpamo Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, and Iwejuo Joseph Nna (a.k.a. Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah), on or about the 11th day of June, 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Concealing the proceeds of crime in the sum of N 1, 667,162,800.00 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, One Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a) of the same Act.”

Another count reads; “That you, Warpamo Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, on April 27, 2016 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court failed to furnish any information in relation to your interest in Ibijige Services Limited as required in page 12 of the Declaration of Assets Form and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 27 (3) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes commission.

The offences alleged to have been committed by the accused persons 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.