Money laundering allegation: Court grants crimes commission order to freeze Lagos State Speaker’s bank accounts
The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order to freeze three bank accounts belonging to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudasiru Obasa.
Penpushing reports that, the commission had filed a matter, with suit number; FHC/L/CS/1069/2020, at the court and sought an ex-parte order to freeze Obasa’s three bank accounts with the Standard Chartered Bank.
The agency sought the order pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the allegations of diversion of funds, abuse of office and money laundering levelled against him, while the account details as contained in the order include a United States Dollar account with number, 001852963; current account (0018552956) and a savings account (5002349821).
The commission said it filed the matter “Pursuant to section 44 (2) (K) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and section 26, 29, and 34 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable court.”
Penpushing further reports that, the embattled Obasa has in the last few months been enmeshed in controversies over allegations of his involvement in contract scandals, money laundering, among others.
The Speaker, however, denied the allegations, and when contacted on the court order, the Head Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren as at the time of filing this reports said he has not been briefed about the development.