The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Pastor Kelechi Vitalis Anozie and three others, who are currently at large, before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a seven count charge bordering on money laundering.
Anozie, who is on the America Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Wanted List, was arrested by the EFCC operatives at Owerri, the Imo State capital on March 10, 2022, following actionable intelligence received by the anti-graft agency.
The defendant was alleged to have defrauded one F.F who lives in Illinois the sum of $135,800, and $47,000 from another American based in North Carolina.
The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, made the disclosure via a statement made available to The Star on Monday.
One of the counts read: “That you Pastor Kelechi Viralis Anozie, Mr Azubuike Ifeanyi Bright (Now at large), Mrs Amarachi Blessing Iri (Now at large) and Mr Kelechi Patrick Iro (Now at large) sometime between 2017 and 2019, at Owerri within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria conspired among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: use and taking possession of fund that forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering, (Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Punishable under section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Anozie pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
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This prompted the prosecution counsel, Michael Ani, to ask the court for a date for the commencement of trial.
However, the defence counsel, E. Adams, prayed the court to grant his client bail.
The defendant was granted bail in the sum of N10 million and one surety in like sum.
The court ordered that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction and own a property, while he must also swear to an affidavit of means.
The defendant was also ordered to deposit his international passport and passport photographs with the court.
The case was, therefore, adjourned until Friday June 10, 2022, for trial.
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