EFCC re-arraigns 4 men over alleged purchase of forged dollars

Four men accused of purchasing and possessing forged U.S. dollars were re-arraigned before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday.

The defendants – Mark Obisean, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare, and Goodluck Bazunu – faced an amended 11-count charge related to the purchase and conspiracy to purchase forged bank notes. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The EFCC counsel, Mr. Nwandu Ukoha, requested a trial date to allow for the prosecution to present its witnesses and relevant documents to prove the case.

Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, counsel for the first defendant, presented a bail application on behalf of his client, who he argued was not a flight risk. However, no formal bail applications were presented for the other defendants.

Justice Ismail Ijelu granted the first defendant bail of N20 million with two sureties in like sum, while ordering the remaining defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility until a bail application is filed and heard.

The trial is scheduled for April 3.