Four officials of the Kwara government have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court for alleged money laundering.

The officials, Abubakar Ishiak, a permanent secretary; Shina Mudasir Akorede, director of administration and finance; Rasaq Momonu, controller, finance and account, and Hafees Yusuf, cashier, were arraigned before Justice Babangana Ashigar of a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, the capital of the state.

A statement by the EFCC said that they were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.

One of the charges read that on February 14, 2019 at Ilorin, Kwara state, within the jurisdiction of the court, the defendants made a cash payment of N20,300,000 to organisation through its chief executive officer, Jimoh Sarafadeen Kolade.

The charge said the money was allegedly transferred for services rendered to Kwara state ‘Government House’, but that it “exceeded the limitation of N10 million payable to a body corporate and thereby committed an offence” contrary to the laws of the country.

The report said the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges making the prosecuting counsel, Christopher Mschelia, to ask the court for a date so that trial could commence.