12th July, 2012
A Lagos housewife, Omolayo Iphigenia Adeniyi, alleged to have been aiding her husband, Adegboyega Abayomi Adeniji, who holds dual nationality of Nigeria and Britain to conceal the genuine nature of resources derived directly or indirectly from drug trafficking has been arraigned before a federal high court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
In a four-count criminal amended charge number FHC/L/244c/2012 preferred against the accused housewife by the NDLEA, it was alleged that Omolayo Iphigenia Adeniyi between 2006 and 2009 collaborated with Adegboyega Abayomi and Adekunle Adeniyi both at large to conceal the genuine nature of resources derived directly or indirectly from drug trafficking by Adegboyegba Ayobami Adeniyi by floating two companies, Potential Four Limited and Potential Four Petroleum Limited and opened two separate accounts for the two companies in a commercial bank.
The anti-drug agency also alleged that the accused housewife retained the proceeds of the illicit drug trafficking by her husband in her bank accounts through the inflow of various sums of money from Potential Four Limited Company, knowing that Adegboyega Ayobami Adeniji was engaged in illicit drug trafficking.
The accused was also alleged to have used the proceeds of the illegal drug trade to acquire the following assets and properties, plot J71 Road 3 Close 9, Victoria Garden City, Lagos, 3 Bedroom apartment at Alcore Items Wright Estate, Yaba, Lagos, a petrol station located at AX 19 Tundun Wada Barkin Ruwa Junction, Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, Kaduna, a petrol station located at Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Four plots of land acquired at N13 million located at Bogije Village, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, shop 1-337 and 10339 at Ikota Shopping Complex, Lagos, Mercedes Benz 450, 2010 model car for the sum of N15 million in the name of Louisa Adeniji and Olivia Adeniji her under aged children of seven and six years respectively.
Sometime in September, 2011, the accused was alleged to have converted four plots of land located at Bogije village, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, a proceed of illicit drug trafficking by selling same to one Ajayi Alaba Shaibu for the sum of N16 million.
All related drug offences alleged to have been committed by the accused housewife are contrary to and punishable under sections 15 (1) (a ) 17 (a ) 17 (b) of the Money laundering Act 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty and her counsel filed and argued her bail, urging the court to grant her bail.
The NDLEA did not file any objection. She was granted bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety who must be resident in Lagos. The surety must also swear to an affidavit of means with two recent passports photograph.
The case has been adjourned till 23 October this year.