EFCC Accuses Banker Of Using Son’s Account To Launder Proceeds Of Crime
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday accused Iwejuo Nna Joseph, who is facing a N1.6bn fraud charge alongside ex-President Goolduck Jonathan’s former aide, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, of allegedly concealing funds through his son’s account.
Joseph, a banker with Heritage Bank Plc, and Dudafa were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 11, 2016 on a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6 billion.
While being cross-examined by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Joseph told the court that his son was born on December 28, 2006 and that he opened an account for him soon after.
The accused person also admitted that he deposited various sums, such as N9.5million on January 22, 2014.
Joseph further confirmed depositing N5million to the son’s account on February 3, 2014, among others.
When he was asked by Oyedepo where the money came from, the defendant said it must have been from an account of a company owned by his family, Ebiwise Resources.
He said N9million, for instance was transferred from the son’s account to Ebiwise’s account, which he said he and his wife jointly operate.
Joseph said his company once got a contract to construct a Sport Academy building from the Bayelsa State government.
“We submitted an application for the job. There are so many buildings and they allocated one to us,” he said.
He said the company was paid N41million for the contract, insisting that it was Bayelsa State that transferred the money.
When asked if he disclosed to his bank that he was also a government contractor, Joseph said he did not.
“I did not disclose it because it was not necessary,” he said, adding that his colleagues knew about the family business.
Joseph said he was even encouraged by his bank to open bank accounts for his family members as a young marketer.
Oyedepo pointed out to the defendant that he placed N200million in a fixed deposit account on October 21, 2013, but Joseph said “didn’t know”.
The EFCC lawyer then drew Joseph’s attention to the fact that his salary was N309,000 per month as at then.
But the defendant said he could not remember exactly how much he earned in a year as, according to him, the monthly package varied.
Joseph said he had been on suspension since EFCC began investigating his account.
“I am not aware that the bank has dismissed me, but I have not been going to work because of investigation into this account.
“Since I arrived EFCC on May 10, 2015, I have not been paid,” he said.
Earlier while being led in evidence by his counsel, Ige Asemudara, Joseph denied the allegations.
He said he was denied food for two days while in EFCC custody and was kept incommunicado.
He also claimed that the statements he wrote were not voluntary, but were dictated to him.
“All the statements I made were without a lawyer,” he said.
Denying the allegations, he said: “They are not true. They’re false, with the intention to intimidate and humiliate me. I urge the court to discharge and acquit me,” he said.
EFCC said the defendants used different companies to launder the money between June 2013 and June 2015.
The case has been adjourned till Wednesday.