2 Diamond Bank Managers Face Money Laundering Charges

Diamond Bank Plc. and two of its managers, Lasisi Abayomi and Hillary Ojukwu, have been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos State on a six-count charge ofmoney laundering over dealings with their customers Oni Oil and Gas Ltd and Ms. Lizzy Chinyere Ikenua.
The charges were brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who accused the bank of cover-up in the shady accounts of Oni Oil and Gas Ltd, Onoche Ikenua, a deceased and suspected drug baron, and his wife, Lizzy Chinyere Ikenua,Sahara Reporters says

Prosecutor for NDLEA, Augustine Nwagu claimed the defendants, without due diligence, opened account number 0212010006203 in favor of the shady company and its owners as well as entered into other fiduciary relationships with them in 2006.

Mr. Nwagu alleged that the defendants violated Section 14 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 by converting various sums of money obtained directly or indirectly from illicit traffic in narcotic drugs.

The prosecution posits that Diamond Bank, “failed to report suspicious transactions on account no. 0212010006203 in the name of Oni Oil and Gas Ltd,” which puts them in breach of Section 6 (9) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun Ishola granted a one million naira bail to each of the defendants, in addition to one surety in like sum.