The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission , ICPC, has arraigned a civil servant, one Mr Oseni Adeolu Olayinka, on a three-count money laundering charge.
The accused, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, was arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday.
The anti-graft agency accused Olayinka of acquiring millions of naira by including his wife and son on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) portal of the Ministry between 2023/2024 and receiving salaries through his wife’s and son’s accounts.
Olayinka however pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to him.
His counsel, Paul Asimiakeokha moved an application for him to be granted bail on very liberal terms which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, C.K. Igwedibia.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Egwuatu committed the defendant to a N5m bond with a surety who must be a civil servant not less than grade level 12 in the federal civil service.
Furthermore, the judge said that the surety must provide his/her employment and promotion letters and must have a landed property in Abuja and the same must be verified.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the matter to the 29th of April for the commencement of trial.
