The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on Friday re-arraigned Martins Oluwafemi Thomas, a former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, before Justice Ayokunle Faji sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on an amended seven-count charge of money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.00.
Also docked along the EX-NHIS boss is one Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change operator.
Thomas was alleged to have conspired with his wife, Funmi, to make a cash payment of $2.1 million to one Ibitoye Bamidele at their residence on 20, Lagos University Teaching Hospital Road, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Sidi was also said to have lied to an EFCC investigator, Afeez Mustapha, that he was the owner of the money that the first defendant and his wife transacted with.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
However, counsel to the first and second defendants Collins Ogbonna and C.A Samson prayed the court to allow their clients to continue the bail earlier granted when they were first arraigned in 2016 before justice Saliu Saidu.
Justice Ayokunle Faji while ruling on the bail application, granted the defendant’s prayer to continue on the existing bail and adjourned further proceeding to 19th 20th and 21st of March for continuations of trial.
The judge also ordered the prosecution to inform Nigerian immigration about the pendency of this case which warrant the defendant’s international passport to be deposited in court.
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