By Calista Oyeoba / Posted December 30, 2024
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has accused Nigerian businessman Akindele Akintoye on charges bordering money laundering and contract fraud.
According to the EFCC, Akintoye allegedly collected $35 million USD, from the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to build a 2000 barrel per day refinery, jetty, gas plant, data centre, and tank farm at Brass Free Trade Zone, Okpoama community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
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However, the businessman allegedly diverted the funds into his own companies, said the charge.
Akintoye pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge. The EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, requested that Akintoye be remanded in a correctional centre.
The defence counsel, Emmanuel Esadio, applied for bail, citing Akintoye’s health issues and the need for easy access to legal counsel.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered Akintoye’s be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till December 31, 2024, for a hearing on the bail application.
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Justice Nwite emphasized the importance of allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application, noting that the law requires 48 hours before a bail application can be considered.
“A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and temporarily arrest an individual pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” the EFCC stated.