By Innocent Anaba
LAGOS—The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos alongside his Personal Assistant, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended 20 count charge of money laundering.

The accused persons were initially charged before Justice John Tsoho, who personally withdrew from the matter, after he said he had no intension of continuing with the case, though he gave no reason.

The case was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Okechukwu Okeke. At the hearing in the matter, EFCC’s council reminded the court of the existence of the charge and asked that it should be read to the accused persons.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail on self recognition while the Clark of the Lagos Assembly, Segun Habiru stood as surety for Atoyebi.

The matter was consequently adjourned till March 26 and 27 for trial.

The charge alleged that Ikuforiji and Atoyebi conspired among themselves between April 2010 and July 2011 to do an illegal act by accepting various cash payments amounting in the aggregate of N273 million from the Assembly without going through a financial institution.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Sections 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.