How Herbert Wigwe’s Access Bank allegedly launder billion for drug baron, Mallinson Ukatu
Lagos based embattled businessman, Mallinson Ukatu, has being in the Ikoyi Custodial Center on drug-related charges, has had N20 billion seized from 103 bank accounts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Additionally, the anti-drug agency charged the socialite and his six businesses with 23 counts before the Federal High Court of Abuja: Fruitroprics Industries Limited, Mallinson and Partners Limited, NISPO Porcelain Company Limited, MBL Multi-links Services Limited, NISPO Oil and Gas Limited, and Urban Space Services Limited.
The narcotics agency further charged the businessman with converting N52.4 million between January 1, 2017, and October 14, 2021 using the Access Bank account number 0720857089 belonging to Multi-Links Service Limited.
Count 13 read, “That you, Ukatu Mallinson, male, adult and Mallinson & Partners Limited, a corporate body registered in Nigeria, between January 2, 2019 and October 14, 2021 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court using Mallinson & Partners Limited’s Access Bank Plc account no. 0006750241 converted the sum of N10.875bn knowingly or reasonably ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).’’
Additionally, it was claimed that between January 7, 2018, and October 14, 2021, the accused converted N7.201 billion using Access Bank Plc’s account number 0006744778, which was run by Mallinson and Partners, in violation of money laundering regulations.
The FG further claimed that the first defendant used the Mallinson and Partners Limited account number 0021354930 at Access Bank to launder $643, 024.67.
Between February 6, 2019, and October 14, 2021, this is said to have taken place.
The businessman was also charged with laundering $260,268.25 from NISPO Porcelain Company Limited’s account number 0076058733 at Access Bank Plc between January 1, 2017, and October 14, 2021.
The prosecutor further disclosed that between January 2, 2019 and October 14, 2021, Ukatu laundered N895.6m 727.49 in Access Bank account no. 0053720969 run by Mallinson & Partners Limited.