$2.29m Froperty: Ohakim Fails To Stop His Trial, You Have A Case To Answer – Court

A Federal High Court in Abuja has told a former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, to open his defence to charges of money laundering instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as he has a case to answer.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola made the order in a ruling on yesterday after dismissing the no-case submission filed by the former governor, who claimed that the evidence established no prima facie case against him.

The EFCC on July 8, 2015, arraigned Ohakim, on three counts of money laundering.The prosecution accused him of purchasing a property at 60 Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot 1098, Cadastral Zone A04,  Asokoro District, Abuja, with cash payment of $2.29m.

The offence is contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 15(1)(d) of the same law.

Ohakim was also accused of attempting to conceal the ownership of the property by entering into an agreement as a tenant in the property. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 14(1b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

He was likewise accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by the EFCC to do so in January, 2014, thereby committing an offence under Section 27(b) and (c) of the EFCC Act and punishable under the same section.