EFCC Arrests Atiku's Lawyer

Mr Uyi Giwa-Osagie, a legal adviser of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has been arrested by he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering. Osagie was arrested after he honoured an invitation of the anti-graft agency in Lagos state on Thursday.

The agency has filed charges over alleged money laundering to the tune of $2 million against Giwa-Osagie. According to the charge sheet, Osagie made a payment of $2 million without going through any financial institution.

The EFCC said the amount which exceeded what is authorised by law, was meant for the 2019 general election. EFCC first arrested Giwa-Osagie in February at the height of the campaigns.

The arrest and subsequent detention of Giwa-Osagie were in some quarters described as a political witch hunt, aggressive intimidation and harassment of opposition actors. The anti-graft agency is accusing the Senior Advocate of Nigeria of laundering $2million ahead of the last general elections. According to the agency, Giwa-Osagie took possession of the said $2 million without going through a financial institution.

EFCC said the sum exceeded the amount authorised by law to be transacted in cash. The agency’s three-count charge was signed by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, and was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the lawyer and his brother, Erhunse Giwa-Osagie.