Former Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Chairman Dr. Ngozi Olojeme has escaped overseas to avoid prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the commission said yesterday.
Olojeme has two cases with EFCC, including alleged diversion of $48,485,127 from the N62.3billion in NSITF accounts between 2009 and 2015.
She is also being investigated for allegedly defrauding a businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, of $2.8million and N240million.
She had borrowed the $2.8million and N240million to contest the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) gubernatorial ticket as an aspirant in Delta State in 2014.
The account from which she collected the N240million had no Bank Verification Number (BVN). She was operating 50 accounts with different names in various banks and links with five companies.
The companies are: Able -Jes Nigeria Ltd; Juliand Nig. Ltd; Majesty Mining and Construction Company Ltd; and Fresh Energy Limited.
According to EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu, who briefed reporters in Abuja yesterday to mark his third anniversary in office, the ex-NSITF boss jumped bail because she has multiple passports.
Olojeme, who was Deputy Chairman, Finance Committee of 2015 PDP/ Jonathan Campaign Committee, had acquired a Ghana International Passport No. H2619481 in the name of Amartey Doris and one Ghana International Driving Licence permit with number IDP 0008462 in the name of Amartey Doris, both carrying her pictures.
Magu said: “The woman is no longer in the country. She escaped because she had multiple passports. I think she has another citizenship. Olojeme escaped but we are on the case. We are working on it; we are on it.”
”But we were proactive. We seized some properties from her in Benin, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja.”
The EFCC has already arraigned a former Managing Director of NSITF, Umar Munir Abubakar, and four others for alleged diversion of N18billion.
The cash was said to be contribution from the Federal Government as take-off grants and Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The others are Henry Ekhasomi Sambo, Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe, Richard U. Uche and Aderemi Adegboyega
Magu also said the EFCC secured a court order to seize 37 out of 38 houses allegedly traced to Mrs. Olojeme.
The seizure followed an Interim Forfeiture Order by Justice A. I. Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
On former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Magu said:
”There is no court trial. She was being investigated even before I assumed office. So, it has taken so long and it is very unreasonable that she is not being tried there.
“So, we are tired of waiting and that was why I said if you cannot prosecute her, bring her and we will prosecute her. There is no prosecution going on in the UK.
“We are involved in the investigation in this country and outside the country, including America and London. I have been there. We have worked and sat together. We cannot wait endlessly. I think three years and above is sufficient for you to take her to court. There is no court process against her in the UK. Nobody is prosecuting her there.”
Concerning ongoing probe of Malabu Oil Block, Magu said: “Very soon, next week or so, the prosecutors from Italy will be here. We are determined to see the end of it.”
On a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal , Magu said:
“It is work in progress. We are doing something; you will soon see.”
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