Chinese Arraigned For Attempting To Smuggle N108m Outside Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has brought a Chinese national, Li Yanping, to trial in front of Babatunde Quadri, a judge of a federal court in Abuja, for hiding $ 300,000 (€ 108 million) he was trying to get to Dubai.  The EFCC stated in a statement that Yanping did not inform Nigerian customs officials as required by Article 2 (3) of the 2011 Money Laundering Act (as amended by Law no. ° 1 of 2012).  The accused was arrested by the Presidential Task Force on Cross-Border Cash Movement on 15 March 2018 for failing to disclose the sum when attempting to board a flight from the Emirate, EK 8786 en route to Dubai. It was turned over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.  According to the prosecution, "You, Li Yanping, on or about March 15, 2018, at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja, under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, you had in your possession a sum of 300 $ 000 during your trip. the authorization to travel to Dubai and did not declare the said sum of $ 300,000 to Nigerian Customs officials in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 (3) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 ( as amended by the Act). No. 1 of 2012), thereby committing an offense punishable under Section 2 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012). "
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, counsel for the EFCC, Ene Emonye, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending trial.

Yanping’s counsel, Chinedu Eze, however, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail.

While moving the application brought under sections 35(1)  and (4) and 36 (5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution and sections 158, 162, 163 & 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Eze urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client by releasing him on bail pending trial.

Justice Quadri granted the accused bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, according to him, must not be below salary grade level 12 in any of the federal ministries or parastatals, and must have traceable addresses.

He added that the sureties must comply with bail bonds accompanied with their passports.

“The defendant is to be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until the perfection of his bail conditions,” the judge said.

The case was adjourned till April 17, 2018 for hearing.

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