EFCC Asks Court To Physically Inspect Cash ‘Recovered’ From NNPC’s Ex-GMD Lodged At Kano CBN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to physically inspect 9, 772, 800 dollars (9.7 million dollars) and 74, 000 pounds lodged at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kano branch, which, according to it, was recovered from the residence of the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Andrew Yakubu, in 2017.

EFCC made the request in a motion on notice filed by its lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in the non declaration of assets and money laundering suit against Yakubu.

Recall that in February 3 2017, operatives of the EFCC had invaded Yakubu’s Kaduna residence and was said to have found the cash.

But Yakubu had testified during court proceedings that the monies were given to him by friends and well wishers during festivities.

But on Thursday, Abubakar, in his motion, prayed the court to go to the financial institution in Kano and inspect the cash so as to determine if they were proceeds of crime or not.

The motion partly reads:

“An Order of this Honourable Court for the Court to move to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kano branch for the purpose of inspection of the cash sums of US$9,772,800 (nine million, seven hundred and seventy two thousand, eight hundred United States dollars) and £74,000 (seventy four thousand, British pound sterling) the respective subjects of counts 3 and 4 of the charge, kept in the custody of the CBN, Kano branch by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the instance of the Complainant/Applicant.

“An Order of this Honourable Court for continuation of the current criminal proceedings in this Charge at the office of
the CBN, Kano Branch during the inspection being soughtunder relief No: 1(a) above.

“Finding out the nature, condition and packaging of the cash sums of USS9,772,800 (nine million, seven hundred and seventy two thousand, eight hundred United States dollars) and £74,000 (seventy four thousand, British pound sterling) will be relevant and in the determination of counts 3 and 4 presently pending before the Court and thereby meeting the justice of the case and the overall interest of justice.

“The Defendant/Respondent as the first Defence Witness (DW1) stated under cross examination (still on going) that he was not aware that some of the dollars are sealed in cellophane packs of freshly mint 1000 (one thousand) pieces of USS100 dollar bills; thereby making each sealed pack to consist of USS100,000.000 (one hundred thousand United States dollars).”

Meanwhile, counsel for the defendant, Ahmed Raji SAN, urged the court to discountenance the motion.

After hearing their arguments, Justice Mohammed adjourned till February 17 for ruling on the motion.