The Punch reports that NDLEA has also filed 23 counts against Ukatu and his six companies including Fruitroprics Industries Limited, Mallinson and Partners Limited, NISPO Porcelain Company Limited, MBL Multi-links Services Limited, NISPO Oil and Gas Limited and Urban Space Services Limited- before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Nigeria's anti-narcotic agency, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized the sum of N20 billion found in 103 bank accounts that reportedly belong to the billionaire drug baron, Mallinson Ukatu.
The Punch reports that NDLEA has also filed 23 counts against Ukatu and his six companies including Fruitroprics Industries Limited, Mallinson and Partners Limited, NISPO Porcelain Company Limited, MBL Multi-links Services Limited, NISPO Oil and Gas Limited and Urban Space Services Limited- before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Ukatu, who is a Lagos-based socialite and businessman was arrested in April this year for being behind the N3 billion Tramadol deal allegedly involving the embattled, disgraced and suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
The charges against Ukatu dated August 4, 2022, were signed by the Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, J. Sunday, J. Obi, Bridget Viasimah, J. Aernan and the Prosecuting Counsel, Mike Kassa, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Following Ukatu’s arrest and arraignment, the NDLEA obtained an interim seizure of 25 properties belonging to him.
The billionaire drug baron was accused of using Fruitropics Industries Limited’s United Bank for Africa account no. 1006588563 to illegally convert N123.8 million which is deemed to be proceeds of an unlawful act, contrary to section 15(2)(b) and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).
He was further accused of using Mallinson and Partners Limited’s UBA account no. 1001228653 between January 1, 2018 and September 23, 2021 to convert N1.447 billion which were described as proceeds of crime, in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).
“That you, Ukatu Mallinson, male, adult and Mallinson & Partners Limited, a corporate body registered in Nigeria, between July 25, 2017 and October 14, 2021 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court using Mallinson & Partners Limited’s Access Bank account no. 0004974284 converted the sum of $347, 755 knowingly or reasonably ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(b) and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended),” count six against Ukatu read.
The NDLEA also accused the billionaire socialite of using Multi-Links Service Limited’s Access Bank account no. 0720857089 to convert N52.4 million between January 1, 2017 and October 14, 2021.
“That you, Ukatu Mallinson, male, adult and Mallinson & Partners Limited, a corporate body registered in Nigeria, between January 2, 2019 and October 14, 2021 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court using Mallinson & Partners Limited’s Access Bank Plc account no. 0006750241 converted the sum of N10.875bn knowingly or reasonably ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended),’’ The Punch quoted count 13 against Ukatu.
He was also accused of having between January 7, 2018 and October 14, 2021, used Access Bank Plc’s account no. 0006744778 operated by Mallinson and Partners to convert N7.201bn, contrary to the money laundering laws.
Also, the Nigerian government complained that Ukatu laundered $643, 024.67 using Access Bank’s account no. 0021354930 belonging to Mallinson and Partners Limited, which according to the government allegedly occurred between February 6, 2019 and October 14, 2021.
He was further accused of laundering $260, 268.25 in Access Bank Plc’s account no. 0076058733 which belonged to NISPO Porcelain Company Limited between January 1, 2017 and October 14, 2021.