Justice Babatunde Quadri of the
Federal High Court, Abuja, directed the final forfeiture of $300,000 by Li Yan
Pin, a Chinese citizen, to the Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday, 11 May
2020.
Federal High Court, Abuja, directed the final forfeiture of $300,000 by Li Yan
Pin, a Chinese citizen, to the Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday, 11 May
2020.
The judge had previously ordered a
temporary forfeiture of the money after an expatriate complaint by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
temporary forfeiture of the money after an expatriate complaint by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yan Pin was brought to court on
charges of money laundering brought against him by the EFCC after intelligence
had led to his arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for
failing to report the amount in his possession as he attempted to board a
flight to China on the Dubai route.
charges of money laundering brought against him by the EFCC after intelligence
had led to his arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for
failing to report the amount in his possession as he attempted to board a
flight to China on the Dubai route.
Justice Qudri acknowledged in his
judgment that the prosecution proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and
found the defendant guilty of the charges under Section 2, sub-section (5) of
the Money Laundering Prohibition Act , 2011, as amended in 2012.
judgment that the prosecution proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and
found the defendant guilty of the charges under Section 2, sub-section (5) of
the Money Laundering Prohibition Act , 2011, as amended in 2012.
The defense counsel in its response
pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, as the convict, he said
had invested his resources to the development of Nigeria, and currently facing
difficult health challenges.
pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, as the convict, he said
had invested his resources to the development of Nigeria, and currently facing
difficult health challenges.
He also noted that his client has no
previous criminal record.
previous criminal record.
Although demanding that the balance be
forfeited to the Federal Government, Justice Quadri rescued the prisoner from
prison on the ground that he had already applied for medical leave over
suspected COVID 19 symptoms, including recurrent headache, insomnia and
exhaustion.
forfeited to the Federal Government, Justice Quadri rescued the prisoner from
prison on the ground that he had already applied for medical leave over
suspected COVID 19 symptoms, including recurrent headache, insomnia and
exhaustion.
