AYO ESAN, ABUJA
THE Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, arraigned three suspects – Badamasi Sule, Mohammed Mohammed and Shehu Usman Ala (now at large) – before Justice A.I. Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
They were arraigned for allegedly counterfeiting seven $100 notes (One Hundred United States Dollars), totaling $700 (Seven Hundred Dollars).
The three suspects were arraigned on a 12-count charge, bordering on currency counterfeiting and intention to commit fraud.
One of the charges read, “That you Badamasi Sule, Mohammed Mohammed and one Alhaji Shehu Usman Ala (now at large), sometime in January 2020, at Abacha Estate, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abuja, committed felony to wit: had in your possession without lawful authority, seven pieces of United States (one hundred dollar bill) with serial no.HJ61755205A series 2009, knowing the same to be counterfeit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5(1)(b) and punishable under Section 5 of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provision), Act Cap C35, Volume 4; of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,”
They pleaded “not guilty”, prompting prosecution counsel, Fatima M. Mustapha, to ask the court for a trial date.
Justice Chikere adjourned the matter till December 14, 2020, for hearing and granted them leave to continue to enjoy the administrative bail, earlier granted to them by the EFCC.
