A Lagos-based woman, Adeyinka Bilikis Gbadamosi has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after pleading guilty to a charge of currency racketeering leveled against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Gatekeepers News reports that Bilikis was arrested on April 27, 2024, while hawking Naira notes at 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the EFCC.
She was arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
The one count charge against her reads: “That you, Adeyinka Bilikis Gbadamosi, on the 27th of April, 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, engaged in hawking the total sum of N897,900 (Eight Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira) in N200 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 688101 and N500 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 315501 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007.”
Balikis pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to her. Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie called on Olagunju Abdul Malik, an operative of the EFCC, to present the facts of the case.
Abdulmalik informed the court that the defendant was arrested on April 27, 2024, while hawking Naira notes at 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission.
He further states that the sum of N897,900 was recovered from her at the point of arrest.
Abdulmalik added, “Upon her arrest by operatives, she was duly cautioned and she volunteered her statements.”
“In her statement, she confessed she was into currency racketeering and hawking of Naira notes.”
Okezie then sought to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s statements and the money recovered from her.
Justice Aneke accepted and marked them as exhibits, leading to the defendant’s conviction.
The defendant’s counsel, A.A. Olawipo, prayed to the court for a non-custodial sentence or the option of a fine. Justice Aneke therefore sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment, with an option of a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000).
Additionally, the judge ordered that the N897,900 recovered from the defendant be forfeited to the Federal Government.
