Cubana Manager Arrested by EFCC for Alleged $164,000 Money Laundering

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed charges against Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe, a manager with the Cubana Group, for alleged fraud. On August 24, he and a person named Precious Omonkhoa Ofure were charged in front of Justice O.A. Fadipe of the Special Offenses Court in Ikeja, Lagos State. After receiving reliable information concerning Ndukwe, also known as Cubana Prime Minister, and Omonkhoa's involvement in the fraudulent activities, EFCC agents from the Lagos Zonal Command detained them. The amount of $164, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Sixty-four Thousand Dollars) as well as laptop and iPhone mobile devices were retrieved from them.

The charge sheet reads: "That you, Precious Omonkhoa Ofure and Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe, conspired among yourselves and laundered an aggregate sum of $164,000 which form part of $256,314 fraudulently obtained by false pretense from one Elena Bogomaz, a Canadian Citizen, sometime in 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and, with the assistance of a Bureau De Change Operator, converted the fraudulent funds into dollars, which were then credited into the bank accounts of Casa Cubana Estate Limited and Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe, respectively, for the purchase of two and landed properties, breaking Section 330 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011.''

During the arraignment, Ndukwe "pleaded not guilty," but his co-defendant "pleaded guilty." Therefore, after reviewing the evidence, the prosecution's M.K. Bashir requested that Ofure be given the appropriate punishment. Fadipe concluded that Ofure was guilty and sentenced him to death. On two counts of conspiracy and money laundering, he was given a sentence of three years in jail, with the possibility of an additional punishment of N2,000,000.00 and 100 hours of community service. The forfeiture of all the items taken from the offender was also mandated by the court. However, Justice Fadipe released him on bail in the amount of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira), with two sureties in the same amount. Ndukwe was also remanded in custody by the judge awaiting the fulfillment of his bail requirements. To be continued until October 28, 2022.

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