A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of a financial services manager and his associate in a correctional facility over an alleged $50,487 fraud case involving cross-border money laundering.
Defendants Arraigned on Multiple Charges
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday directed that Uche Anderson Chiekea, an agent network manager with Nomba Financial Services Limited, and his associate, Joy Oluchi Ani, be held in custody. The defendants were arraigned by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges related to an alleged fraud and money laundering scheme between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Details of the Alleged Offences
The prosecutor, Mr. Clifton Onovo, representing Mr. Stanley Afoaku, informed the court that the defendants allegedly conspired and committed the offences between February and May 2025. They are accused of collaborating with others still at large to move illicit funds across borders, violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the prosecution, the defendants converted and transferred $50,487, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities, with the intent to conceal their origin. The transactions were structured to evade detection within the financial system.
Abuse of Position and Unauthorised Actions
Chiekea was specifically accused of abusing his position within Nomba Financial Services by misappropriating funds entrusted to him and diverting $50,487 for personal use. He was further alleged to have manipulated the company's service fees and interest charges imposed on agents and customers without authorisation from the company or its banking partners, presenting the increased charges as legitimate.
Legal Framework and Charges
The alleged offences contravene multiple sections of Nigerian law, including:
- Sections 21 and 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022
- Sections 390(9) and 421 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria
- Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006
- Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge, which includes conspiracy, unlawful diversion of funds, alteration of approved financial terms, and money laundering. Following their plea, defence counsel Mr. E. J. Kachichukwu, leading two others, informed the court that bail applications had been filed and served on the prosecution.
The prosecutor confirmed receipt of the applications and stated he did not oppose them. Justice Lewis-Allagoa admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million, with one surety each in like sum. The surety must be a landed property owner within the court's jurisdiction.
However, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the perfection of their bail conditions. The matter has been adjourned to May 22 and May 25, 2026, for trial.
