The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe, a manager with Cubana Group.
Ndukwe was arraigned alongside Precious Omonkhoa Ofure before Justice O. A. Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
The suspects were charged on two counts of conspiracy to launder and money laundering.
Ndukwe, a.k.a. Cubana Prime Minister and Ofure were arrested following intelligence about their involvement in fraud
The sum of $164,000, iPhone mobile devices and laptop computers were recovered from them.
The money was part of $256,314 obtained by false pretense from one Elena Bogomaz, a Canadian Citizen.
The funds were converted to United States dollars through a Bureau De Change Operator then credited into the bank accounts of Ndukwe and Casa Cubana Estate Limited.
Casa Cubana Estate, under the Cubana Group, is owned by popular socialite Obinna Iyiegbu better known as Obi Cubana.
The transfer was for the purchase of two landed properties. The offence contrary to Section 330 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
During their arraignment, Ndukwe “pleaded not guilty”, while Ofure, arrested late last year, pleaded “guilty” to the charge.
The prosecution counsel, M. K. Bashir reviewed the facts of the case and prayed that Ofure be sentenced accordingly.
Justice Fadipe found Ofure guilty and sentenced him to three years imprisonment on the two counts.
Ofure was given an option of N2million fine and 100 hours of community service. The convict forfeits all items recovered from him.
Counsel to Udukwe, Chuks Arubalaeze, told the court about an application for bail on behalf of his client.
Justice Fadipe granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5million with two sureties in like sum.
Udukwe has been sent to a correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail condition. The case resumes on October 28, 2022.