Abuja, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) don finally land big palaver for the managing director (MD) of SunTrust Bank Ltd, Halima Buba, plus the executive director (ED) and chief compliance officer, Innocent Mbagwu. Dem don appear before Justice Emeka Nwite for federal high court for Abuja on money laundering wahala wey reach $12 million. Echoke!
The EFCC dey come after dem on six different charges, wey dey show say Buba and Mbagwu no dey follow correct money-breaching law patterns (abi wetin I go call am?). As per di allegation, dem carry cash do anyhow without passing am through any legit financial institution. Na serious matter o.
For one serious charge wey dey shell, on March 10, 2025, for Abuja, dem say Buba and Mbagwu help one Femi Gbamgboye to carry $3 million cash give Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma and im pals – and all dis without following the law. E go shock you say this thing no happen just once. Dem also carry $3 million again on March 13, 2025, for Lagos, this time to one Mukhtar Miko wey dey run with Chiroma (is it just me or dis drama dey sweet like Nollywood?).
But wait o, dem no gree plead guilty – Buba and Mbagwu say dem dey innocent straight. After dem talk, the lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, don dey set everything sharp-sharp for trial, even ask for accelerated hearing. But no be so e go be, as defence lawyer, J.J. Usman, dey call for bail instead. E no easy to dey in this kind jam!
But as dem dey argue, Oyedepo argue back say how person wey no dey arrest fit dey shout for bail from dem corner? E clear say dia bail application na wahala. Na so Justice Nwite talk say make dem each drop N100 million for bail, plus one surety wey get land for Abuja.
Now, na wey dem dey keep dem for correctional facility until dem fit settle dia bail palava. Court don set new date for July 17-18 make di trial fit waka again (I fit bet say dem go set record if dis gbaladun continue!).
