The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Plc and one of its directors, Zavyalov Dmitry, over alleged money laundering offences involving N582.43 million.
The anti-graft agency brought the company and its director before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday on a six-count amended charge bordering on alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Dmitry is said to be at large.
According to the EFCC, ALSCON, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), and its director allegedly failed to notify the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) of several single transfers made from the company’s account between March and July 2024, as required by law.
The commission alleged that the unreported transactions included N147.52 million transferred in March 2024, N156.03 million in April, N121.43 million in May and N127.34 million in July, all paid to UDATSON Nigeria.
Other transfers listed in the charge include N15.12 million paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024 and N15 million paid to Christopher Azogu in June 2024.
The EFCC told the court that the company and its director allegedly failed to report the transactions to SCUML, contrary to the provisions of Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Lead prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the offences are punishable under Sections 11(3), 19(2)(b) and 22 of the Act.
When the charges were read, ALSCON’s Acting Managing Director, Ime Monday Inyang, entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the company to all six counts.
Counsel to ALSCON urged the court to quash the charges, insisting that the company was innocent of the allegations.
Following the not guilty plea, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case until January 27, 2027, for the commencement of trial.