Mar.13, 2010, 13:10 CET

Two Nigerian men were accused in court today with having conducted a money laundering operation in Malta earlier this month.

Osita Anagboso Oli, who resides in Germany, and Austine Eze, who lives in Birkirkara, pleaded not guilty to committing the crime earlier this month. Mr Oli was also charged with failing to declare €31,000 to Customs officials at the airport when he tried to leave Malta on Wednesday. Mr Eze was charged with complicity in committing a crime.

The prosecution said that Mr Oli picked up the laundered money from Mr Eze in Malta. But Mr Oli’s claimed the money was his and there was nothing illegal about it.

Both men were remanded in custody.