By Deborah Nnamdi
The Enugu State Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two bankers before a Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State for allegedly selling newly minted N500,000 to customers.
According to a statement by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the defendants were arrested on November 15, 2024, at their workplace on 18 Okpara Avenue, Enugu State, based on actionable intelligence linking them to the sale of Naira mints in the Enugu State metropolis.
The accused, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye were brought before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar on a count charge bordering on currency racketeering.
Oyewale disclosed that the defendants allegedly sold N500,000 mints in N200 denominations to one Husseini Ibrahim.
The charge states: “That you, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, sometime in October 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did sell a total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) mints in Two Hundred Naira Notes (N200) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria to one Husseini Ibrahim, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”
Okoronkwo pleaded guilty to the charge, while Onyinye pleaded not guilty.
In response, the EFCC’s counsel and Chief Superintendent, Rotimi Ajobiewe, requested a short date for the court to review the case concerning the first defendant.
C. N. Agama, the counsel for the second defendant, sought the court’s remand.
In his ruling, Justice Umar adjourned the matter to January 15, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application for Onyinye and the sentencing of Okoronkwo.
