March 2, 2022
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, urged Justice D. U. Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to issue a warrant of arrest against Giovanni Beccarelli, Valentina Fontoli and Dimitri Duca, directors and shareholders of Marqott Nigeria Limited, who are currently at large.
In a statement by the EFCC, prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga, informed the court that the application which was filed in February 4, 2022 is pursuant to “Section 3, 35, 36 and 37 of ACJA 2015.”
Justice Okorowo however reserved ruling on the application till March 15.
Marqott Nigeria Limited, an accomplice in the $9.6billion Gas Supply and Processing Agreement, between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Process and Industrial Development, P&ID, Limited is facing prosecution by the EFCC on money laundering charges.
At today’s hearing, Sanga informed the court that he has an additional witness present in court
The witness, Temitokpe Olubunmi Erinomo, a staff of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, while being led in evidence, told the court that on September 11, 2020 they received a letter from EFCC
“The letter sought to know the compliance status of Marqott in respect of Money Laundering provisions.”
“After looking at our records and conducting the compliance examination, I found out that Marqott had not declared its business activities to the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry as at the date of receipt of the EFCC letter. I also found out that Marqott Nigeria Limited had no statutory record with the Federal ministry of trade and industry and neither have they made any report to the EFCC.”
Explaining the money laundering threat which the company poses to Nigeria, the witness told the court that “my review and understanding of Money laundering shows that consulting services and construction companies are being used in carrying out money laundering activities by criminal elements. Marqott Nigeria Limited carries out the same activities and shows similar characteristics
“I also found out that Babcook Electrical Ltd and ICIL, which are associated companies of P&ID have sent money to Marqott. I found out that the associated companies of P&ID that I mentioned are currently standing trial in Nigeria for money laundering,” he said.
The judge adjourned the matter till March 23, 2022.
