The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Tuesday, arraigned Okorie Sylvernus Sunday on a four -count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and counterfeiting scam before the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He was arrested by the Nigerian Customs with $299,000 cash at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.
After Okorie took his plea before the Honourable court, Justice Dipeolu ordered his remand.
It would be recalled that the Customs commander in Lagos Airport handed over the suspects to the EFCC through the Lagos zonal commander11, Mohammed Ghali, Friday.
The EFCC had arraigned the defendant before the court on four count charge bordering on money laundry, and unlawful importation of counterfeit foreign currencies, preferred against him.
EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Chineye Okezie, told the court that the defendant concealed the $299,000,the $250 and €100 Euros, counterfeit foreign currencies in Relaxer containers to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Okezie told the court that Okorie committed the alleged offences on March 19, 2025.
She said the incident took place at the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecutor also told the court that Okorie without lawful authority imported into Nigeria five pieces of counterfeit $50, totaling $250, with serial numbers, MB67951730 D, MB93612802 A, MB67957416 D, MB67957308 D, and MB121997428 C, knowing same to be counterfeit.
The prosecutor said the offences committed contravened Sections 3 (5), of the money laundry (prevention and prohibition) Act, 2022 and 3(1)(a), 5 (1)(b)and (2), of the counterfeit currency (Special Provisions) Act, law of the Federal of Nigeria 2004.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Following the arraignment, the prosecutor urged the court to remand Okorie in prison custody.
Defence counsel, Uche Okoronkwo, urged the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody.
Earlier, when the case was called at 3 p.m., the defendant’s counsel Okonkwo told the court that he had not had the opportunity to discuss with his client and that he had not seen the proof of evidence in order to advise the defendant on what he should plead.