FG slams 90-count charge on Akoh, Peace Corps commandant

The federal government has filed a 90-count criminal charge against Dickson Akoh, commandant of the Nigerian Peace Corps, and the organisation’s trustees.

According to NAN, Dickson and peace corps trustees were accused of money laundering and obtaining money under false pretense – an offence known as “419”.

On February 28, the police raided the headquarters of the corps in Jabi, Abuja, and arrested Akoh and over 40 of peace corps members.

The police alleged that “terrorist affiliates have infiltrated the corps to destroy the existing peace currently being enjoyed in the country”.

But according to the charges filed against Akor by the office of the attorney general of the federation (AGF), Akoh and the trustees were accused of money laundering, unauthorised wearing of uniforms, display of flags, operating as private guard without licence, among others.

The case has been assigned to Gabriel Kolawole, a judge of the federal high court Abuja, who is also hearing the fundamental rights enforcement suit by Akor and some members of his group against the police.

In count 1 to 32, Akoh and peace corps incorporated trustees are accused of converting money derived directly from extortion, contrary to section 15(1)(a)(ii) of the money laundering (prohibition) act 2011 and punishable under the same section of the act.

In count 33 to 42, they are accused of transferring money derived directly from extortion contrary to section 15(1)(a)(ii) of the money laundering (prohibition) act 2011 and punishable under the same section of the act.

In count 43 to 75, they are accused of “obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, Cap A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

They are also accused in count 76 to 85 of “laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity contrary to Section 7(1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, Cap A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

The defendants are, in count 86, accused of “organising and training of members of Peace Corps of Nigeria as quasi-military organisation contrary to Section 6(1)(a) of the Public Order Act, P42 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

In count 87, they are accused of violating “provisions relating to wearing of uniforms contrary to Section 7(4)(a) of the Public Order Act, P42 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

In count 88, they are charged with “unauthorised display of flags contrary to Section 7(4)(b) of the Public Order Act, P42 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

In count 89, they are charged with “operating as private guard without licence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 32(1) of the Act.

And in count 90, they are charged with “unauthorised wearing of uniforms and other identification marks contrary to Section 24(1) of the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 32(1) of the Act”.