The defendants, Elvis Osazee Eghile, Egharevba MaryJane Osarieyekemwen, Precious Omonigho Irbhogbe, Aghatise Kelvin Uhuenkpoewen, Nweke Nnamdi Emmanuel, Obinyan Esther, Egharevba Emmanuel Osagioduwa and Emmanuel Obinyan Osenonome, were arraigned on a 12-count charge.
The PSFU disclosed this in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Ovie Kenneth Ewhubare, on Wednesday.
According to the police, the investigation followed a petition to the Commissioner of Police concerning the alleged fraudulent disbursement of N710m placed under Post-No-Debit restrictions across eight designated bank accounts.
The police alleged that Osenonome, a banker and Senior Relationship Officer, conspired with Egharevba Emmanuel to obtain the cooperation and personal identification details of other individuals, which were allegedly used to open accounts suspected of facilitating money laundering.
A forensic analysis conducted by the Corporate and Public Accounts Fraud Section of the PSFU reportedly traced substantial movements of the suspected proceeds to accounts linked to individuals allegedly connected to the principal suspect.
Those identified included Nweke Nnamdi Emmanuel, Obinyan Ebehiemen Doris, a sibling of Osenonome, Egharevba Emmanuel Osagioduwa and Esther Olohitare Obinyan, who is reportedly Osenonome’s wife.
The police further alleged that forged or disputed proof-of-funds, indemnity and Post-No-Debit documents were used to facilitate the transactions.
Investigators also reportedly traced assets suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of the alleged fraud.
The assets included a 2020 Lexus RX 350 valued at N25m, two Toyota Camry vehicles worth N8m each and a plot of land in Magodo Phase I, Lagos, reportedly purchased for N40m.
The investigation also allegedly revealed that some of the suspected proceeds were used to settle personal financial obligations, fund gambling activities and invest N40m in CIBEX trading.
Part of the money was also allegedly used to establish and operate a spa and beauty business, which the police said was furnished with about N60m.
The Commissioner of Police, PSFU, CP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to conducting thorough, professional and evidence-based investigations, particularly into complex financial transactions and suspected abuses of banking procedures.
He said the unit would continue to pursue financial crimes through lawful investigative processes and ensure that relevant evidence was properly obtained, documented and presented before a competent court.