The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria and its director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for alleged money laundering offences involving N582,430,250.
In a statement, the anti-graft agency said it arraigned the company and its director on a six-count amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025, noting that Mr Dmitry was at large.
The anti-graft agency accused the company and its director of failure to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering single transfers made from the company’s account between March and July 2024, as required under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The transfers include N147,515,050.00 in March 2024, N156,026,860.00 in April 2024, N121,425,200 in May 2024 and N127,338,190 in July 2024, all paid to UDATSON NIGERIA. Others are N15,124,950 paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024, and N15,000,000 paid to one Christopher Azogu in June 2024,” the EFCC stated.
The lead counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, told the court that the offences are punishable under sections 11(3), 19(2)(b) and 22 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
After the charges were read, the company’s acting managing director, Ime Monday Inyang, pleaded not guilty to all six counts on its behalf.
The company’s counsel also asked the court to quash the charges, claiming the company was innocent.
The judge adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027, for the trial to begin.