The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Plc and its director, Zavyalov Dmitry, over alleged money laundering offences involving N582.43 million.
The defendants were arraigned on Monday before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count amended charge bordering on failure to report large financial transactions to the relevant anti-money laundering authority.
According to the EFCC, the company and Dmitry allegedly failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) transfers made from the company’s account between March and July 2024, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency said the transactions included N147.52 million paid to UDATSON Nigeria in March 2024 and N156.03 million transferred to the same company in April.
Another N121.43 million was allegedly paid to UDATSON Nigeria in May, while N127.34 million was transferred to the company in July 2024.
The EFCC also listed N15.12 million allegedly paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024 and N15 million paid to Christopher Azogu in June of the same year.
The commission said the alleged offences contravened provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, which prescribe penalties for failure to report qualifying transactions.
Dmitry was listed as being at large.
At Monday’s proceedings, ALSCON’s Acting Managing Director, Ime Monday Inyang, pleaded not guilty to all six counts on behalf of the company after the charges were read in court.
The company’s counsel had urged the court to quash the charges, maintaining that the company was innocent of the allegations.
However, following the plea, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case until January 27, 2027, for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment marks the latest stage in the EFCC’s prosecution of the company over the alleged failure to comply with statutory financial reporting requirements.
