EFCC arraigns one for alleged currency racketeering in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, arraigned one Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

Ifeanyi was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on currency racketeering and operating a bureau de change business without an appropriate licence.

Count two of the charge read: “That you, Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, sometime in February 2024, at Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, hawked the total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000. 00) mints in Five Hundred Naira (500) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act”.

He pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him. Given his plea, Christiana Chioma Igwe, counsel to the EFCC prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

However, defence counsel, U. E. Ibekwe informed the court about a pending bail application. He attempted to move the said application but was vehemently opposed by Igwe because “the prosecution was just served this morning and we need time to respond my Lord. It is not ripe for hearing my Lord.”

After listening to both sides, Justice  Umar adjourned the matter to June 4, 2024, for a hearing of bail application while the defendant was remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

Ifeanyi was arrested on February 9, 2024, by members of the Special Task Force of the commission following credible intelligence linking him to currency racketeering.

Investigations revealed that Ifeanyi used his shop, located at 98 Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State to hawk new Naira notes.

He was arrested at his shop with Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,0. 00) mints in Five Hundred Naira (500) denomination.