6th October, 2011
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till next month the trial of Diamond Bank Plc and two of its managers, Lasisi Abayomi and Hillary Ojukwu, alleged to have aided a suspected drug baron and his company to open an account without proper verification.
In a four-count criminal charge number FHC/L/429c/08 filed before the court by the NDLEA, Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba, it was alleged that Dimond Bank Plc, being a financial institution, Lasisi Abayomi and Hillary Ojukwu being employees of the bank, a financial institution, in August 2006, within the jurisdiction of the court failed to verify the true identity of their customers to with: Oni Oil and Gas Limited, Chief Anozie akani and Mrs. Lizzy Chinyere, before opening account number 021201006203 entering into other fiduciary relationship with the company and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 3 and punishable under section 15 (2) (b) of the money laundering act 2004.
It was further alleged that Hillary Ojukwu being an employee of Diamond Bank Plc, a financial institution, between August and December, 2006, aided Oni Oil and Gas Limited and Chief Anozie Ikanna and Lizzy Chinyere to convert various sums of money (amount yet to be determined) being money derived directly or indirectly from a crime to with illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 17 (a) and punishable under section 4 (a) of the money laundering act 2004.
The NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rapheal Hunukaye, has lined up seven witnesses to prosecute the case.