Court Jails Man One Year for $5000 Money Laundering in Lagos

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Mbonu Somto to one year imprisonment for money laundering. 

Somto was arraigned on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 on a one-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $5000 ( Five Thousand United States Dollars) brought against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge reads: “That you, Mbonu Somto, on or about the 19th May, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, concealed and disguised the origin of $5000 (Five thousand United States Dollars), which sum forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the offence. 

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, M.B. Isah tendered the defendant’s statements and items recovered from him as evidence. 

They were admitted and marked as exhibits. 

He, thereafter, prayed the court to convict him as charged and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Aneke convicted Somto and sentenced him to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N500,000. 

His iPhone device and bank draft valued at N400,000 were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.