There was serious anxiety at the Federal High Court Lagos on Wednesday March 26 when a businessman Okorie Sylvernus Sunday who was to retake his plea on criminal charge of money laundering and importation of counterfeit hard currency collapsed in the dock and was rushed to the Court’s clinic for medical attention.
The defendant was brought before Justice Deinde Dipeolu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arraignment on 4-counts charge bordering on Money laundering and importation of counterfeit hard currency.
Mid-way into his case, the defendant began to feel dizzy and eventually collapsed. He was quickly rushed to the court clinic and efforts by the court’s clinic to revive him for over one hour proved abortive. Consequently he was evacuated to the General Hospital, Lagos for further medical attention.
At the resumption of the case after about 2 hours, the judge said, “the matter is stood down until the defendant recovers from his state of health”
Okorie Sylvernus Sunday had been arraigned on Tuesday March 25 before Justice Dipeolu on four counts charge bothering on alleged failure to declare the sum of $299,000, and being in possession of $250 counterfeit and €100 Euros.
He had pleaded not guilty to the four counts after listening to the charge preferred against him.
The prosecutor Chinenye C . Okezie Esq. prayed the court to fix trial date and also remand the defendant in the Nigerian Correctional Centre.
But Uche Okoronkwo Esq. counsel to the defendant urged the court to allow the defendant stay with the EFCC.
The EFCC prosecutor opposed the submission of the defence, saying that she was acting on instruction.
Finally, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre Ikoyi pending the conclusion of the trial. The judge also said that the case will be given accelerated hearing.
According to the charge filed by EFCC prosecution counsel Chineye Okezie, the defendant had concealed the $299,000, the $250 and €100 Euros, counterfeit foreign currencies in Relaxer containers to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Okezie told the court that Okorie committed the alleged offences on March 19, 2025.
She said the incident took place at the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
The prosecutor also told the court that Okorie without lawful authority imported into Nigeria five pieces of counterfeit $50, totaling $250, with serial numbers, MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C, knowing same to be counterfeit.
She said that the defendant unlawfully had in his possession five pieces of counterfeit $50 totaling $250, with serial numbers, MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C, knowing same to be counterfeit.
According to the prosecutor the offences committed contravened Sections 3 (5), of the money laundry (prevention and prohibition) Act, 2022 and 3(1)(a), 5 (1)(b)and (2), of the counterfeit currency (Special Provisions) Act, law of the Federal of Nigeria 2004.
Following the arraignment the prosecutor, urged the court to remand Okorie in prison custody.
Consequently Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case till March 26, 2025, for trial.
More Stories
Myanmar earthquake death toll jumps to 1,644, could reach 10,000
Governor Diri bans planned hosting of Wike anywhere in Bayelsa
Fubara debunks claim by ex-Rivers Head of Service that he ordered destruction of Assembly complex, other assets