ICPC Arraigns Ebonyi Accountant for Alleged ₦61m Money Laundering

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The ICPC has arraigned Obasi Sunday, an official in the Ebonyi State Accountant-General’s Office, before a Federal High Court in Abakaliki. 

Sunday, a signatory to the state’s shopping mall account, faces two counts of money laundering involving approximately ₦61 million.

The commission alleges that in August 2020, Sunday made six tranches of ₦10 million withdrawals plus an additional ₦1 million from the government account. These structured transactions were reportedly intended to bypass mandatory financial reporting thresholds set by regulatory authorities.

During the same period, Sunday allegedly deposited ₦60,941,725 into the account of Ikechukwu Obiukwu, a government contractor. These funds were also moved in structured installments to evade statutory detection, a tactic the ICPC identifies as a breach of anti-money laundering laws.

Highlighting the legal basis for the trial, ICPC spokesman John Odey stated, “The offences are said to be contrary to Section 19(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Sunday pleaded not guilty before Justice H. Oshomah. Following a bail application, the court granted him bail set at ₦10 million, requiring the state’s Accountant-General to serve as his surety and guarantee his presence during the trial.

The defendant must provide recent passport photographs and sign a formal undertaking to appear for all future proceedings. The court has adjourned the matter to March 24 and 25, 2026, for the formal commencement of the hearing.