The Nation Newspaper

Tag: alleged bribery

  • Alleged bribery: House remains committed to protecting democratic institutions

    Alleged bribery: House remains committed to protecting democratic institutions

    The House of Representatives said on Saturday that it remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of democratic institutions.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Akintunde Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), the House asked Nigerians to rely on verified facts and not be misled by recycled claims aimed at discrediting Nigerian institutions and public officials.

    Rotimi was reacting by allegations by an official of Binance that three members of the House, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial crimes demanded bribe to facilitate their release from detention.

    The House Committee on Financial Crimes was investigating a petition by a civil society group against Binance when the government cracked down on them.

    The statement reads: “The House of Representatives has taken note of recent media reports concerning bribery allegations made by a Binance official. Given the gravity of these claims, it is necessary to state the institutional position of the House.

    “As an independent arm of government, the House upholds due process, the rule of law, and constitutional oversight. These allegations, which have been previously circulated last year, are directed at individual members, not the institution itself.

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    “The Honourable Members named have assured the House Leadership that they never had any such dealings as reported. One of the members has already instituted legal action to clear his name, while others affected have been encouraged to do the same in pursuit of justice and the protection of their reputations.

    “It is also important to highlight that, with the active involvement of both the Nigerian and United States governments, this matter has evolved into a government-to-government engagement.

    “Notably, in the course of high-level diplomatic discussions, the Federal Government of Nigeria has prioritized national interest over external commercial pressure, including rejecting financial settlement offers from Binance. These facts raise serious questions about the credibility and intent of the allegations being peddled.

    “As the matter is now before a court of competent jurisdiction and remains the subject of ongoing diplomatic engagements, the House will refrain from further comment in line with established parliamentary, judicial, and diplomatic principles.

    “The House of Representatives urges the public to rely on verified facts and not be misled by recycled claims aimed at discrediting Nigerian institutions and public officials. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”

  • Alleged bribery: INEC chiefs get N300m bail

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted bail to three Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials attached to Osun State, following their arraignment for alleged money laundering and bribery.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor granted them bail for N100million each with one surety. The sureties, said the judge, must have landed property within Lagos and must present three-year tax clearance.

    The judge, who sat temporarily during the ongoing annual long vacation, gave the case file to the chief judge for assignment to a substantive judge for trial when the court resumes next month.

    The defendants, who had been in Ikoyi Prison since their arraignment on August 1, will remain there until they meet their bail terms.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Gbadegun Abiodun, Oladipo Oladapo and Afolabi Albert on five counts of conspiracy to receive millions of naira in cash without going through a financial institution.

    EFCC said the trio, on March 30, 2015, conspired to accept cash payment of N177.3million without going through a financial institution.

    The commission said the offence of accepting cash payment exceeding N5million violates Section 18 and is punishable under Section 16 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended by the Act No 2, 2012.

    Abiodun, Oladapo and others at large were said to have used N22million in April 2015, which they allegedly obtained through forgery, thereby violating Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Act.

    In Count Four, EFCC said Oladapo and others at large took possession of N3million in cash from Abiodun when he “reasonably ought to have known that the said N3million was proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: bribery.”

    The prosecution further alleged that Oladapo and the others, who are unnamed, also took possession of N10million through the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of Bacole Multiconcerns Unversal Limited, operated by him.

    EFCC, through its prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ekene Iheanacho and G. C. Akaogu, said Oladapo reasonably ought to have known that the money was paid as bribe.

    The alleged offence violates Section 18 (c) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering Act.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to each of the counts.

  • Alleged bribery: Court summons Rickey Tarfa’s witnesses

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere yesterday summoned defence witnesses in the alleged bribery trial of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rickey Tarfa.

    The court signed a subpoena for their appearance following an application by Tarfa through his counsel Mr Abiodun Owonikoko.

    The witnesses, who were not identified, are required to appear before Justice Adedayo Akintoye on the next adjourned date, March 22.

    Tarfa was due to open his defence yesterday following the dismissal of his no-case submission last February 9.

    In that ruling, Justice Akintoye found as unmeritorious the Learned Silk’s claim for N520 million from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as damages for malicious prosecution.

    The judge ordered the defendant to open his case on the next adjourned date.

    But proceedings stalled yesterday when Owonikoko told the judge that the witnesses declined involvement in the case unless by an official invitation.

    Owonikoko said the subpoena had just been signed. He prayed the court to adjourn so that the witnesses could be served.

    EFCC Counsel Nnemeka Omewa did not object.

    The anti-graft agency arraigned Tarfa on March 10, 2016 on a 27-count charge which was subsequently amended to 26 counts.

    He was accused of alleged willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer, by lying about his age.

    The agency also alleged, among others, that the lawyer offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Nganjiwa in order to compromise the judge.

    Tarfa pleaded not guilty.

  • Alleged bribery: EFCC closes case against Rickey Tarfa

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed its case against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Rickey Tarfa for alleged bribery and unlawful obstruction of public officers.

    Prosecution counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo yesterday told Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere that the anti-graft agency had exhausted its six witnesses.

    The trial began in March 2016.

    Responding, Tarfa’s counsel, Mr. Jelili Owonikoko (SAN), sought an adjournment to enable the defence analyse its case before taking its next step.

    Consequently, Justice Akintoye adjourned till November 16, to hear from the defence.

    The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10, 2016 on a 27-count charge which was subsequently amended to 26 counts.

    He was accused of alleged willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer.

    The agency also alleged, among others, that the lawyer offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Lagos to compromise the judge.

    It claimed that Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to Justice Nganjiwa between June 27, 2012 and December 23, 2014.

    Tarfa pleaded not guilty.

     

     

  • Alleged bribery: Prosecution’s absence stalls Rickey Tarfa’s trial

    A Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, yesterday adjourned till today the trial of Chief Rickey Tarfa (SAN) for alleged bribery and unlawful obstruction of public officers.
    Justice Adedayo Akintoye made the order following the absence of prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    Tarfa is standing trial on a 27-count charge of, among others, age falsification and offering gratification to a public officer, for which he was arraigned by the anti-graft agency.
    At the last adjournment on February 28, the court rejected Oyedepo’s proposal of trial on three dates, two of which fell on a Good Friday and a Saturday.
    It adjourned till noon yesterday for continuation of trial.
    But at the commencement of proceedings, Defence counsel Oluyele Delana and Abiodun Owonikoko, both SANs, observed there was no representation from the EFCC.
    Owonikoko said: “I am taken aback by the prosecution’s absence. No letter was given to the defence to explain their absence.
    “I can confirm that yesterday, I was in court with Mr. Oyedepo for another matter and there was nothing to indicate that he would not be in court. Since that time, I have been to Kaduna and back.
    “It is not fair on the defendant.”
    Justice Akintoye noted the agency’s absence and gave Oyedepo till today to explain his absence.
    “I have recorded their absence. So that they don’t waste our time, we have tomorrow to continue and for them to tell us why,” the judge said.
    The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10, 2016 on a 27-count charge, which was subsequently amended to 26 counts.
    He was accused of alleged wilful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer.
    The agency also alleged, among others, that the lawyer offered N5.3 million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, to allegedly compromise the judge.
    It claimed Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to Justice Nganjiwa between June 27, 2012 and December 23, 2014.
    Tarfa pleaded not guilty.

  • Alleged bribery: Court strikes out fundamental rights suit by Obla

    Alleged bribery: Court strikes out fundamental rights suit by Obla

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday struck out an application by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, seeking enforcement of his rights against alleged unlawful detention.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred a 30-count charge against Obla and a judge of the Federal High Court, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    The charges bordered on conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice.

    Obla and Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had been in the EFCC detention pending the conclusion of its investigations.

    Obla had, through his counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) ,brought an application, praying the court to declare as unlawful, his continued detention in custody, as well as the seizure of his mobile phones.

    Adedipe had argued that the action of the anti-graft agency constituted an infringement on his client’s rights to personal liberty and ownership of property.

    He had prayed the court to issue an order, declaring Obla’s continued detention in the EFCC custody as unlawful and a gross infringement on his rights.

    Obla in addition is claiming the sum of N1 billion against the EFCC as damages for the alleged infringement.

    Delivering judgment yesterday in the matter, Justice Mohammed Idris held that a fundamental right cannot in any way be construed as meaning an absolute right, since it can be curtailed.

    Justice Idris further held: “I cannot find my way clear in holding that the detention of the applicant is not in conformity with the provisions of the law.

    “It is not in dispute that the mobile phone of the applicant was listed as one of the exhibits which the respondents intend to tender in the charge number LD/367/C/16.

    “There is doubt that the relies sought does not have direct bearing with the case at the Lagos High Court, and so, this court should not make an order that will strike at the heart of the charge.

    “This is a case in which the court should not make any such orders, as this court and the Lagos State high court are courts of concurrent jurisdiction.

    “To make any order which will have effects on the pending charge will be to lend a helping hand in causing confusion in our courts.

    “In the circumstance, I cannot find my way clear in granting any of the relies sought.

    “On the whole, I find that this application cannot succeed, and it is hereby struck out.”

    Earlier in his argument on the application, Adedipe had told the court that the applicant, who was also a one time prosecutor for the EFCC, was invited to the commission on November 8 when he was unduly detained till date.

    He submitted that the detention of Obla from November 8 till when the EFCC obtained a magisterial order for further detention was a gross violation of his rights to personal liberty.

    But counsel for the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s processes for lack of merit.

    Oyedepo had argued that the steps taken by the EFCC were allowed by law in the dispensation of its duties.

    According to him, intelligence report showed that the applicant had a company known as Obla & Co Ltd, from which a sum of N5 million was transferred to Hon. Justice Ajumogobia via a company known as Nigel and Colive Limited.

    He also told the  court that intelligence reports revealed that Ajumogobia was discovered to be  a sole signatory to Nigel and Colive Limited.

    He said that the said sum of N5 million was transferred to the judge, during the pendency of a case before her court with suit numbered FHC/L/CS/482/10.

    He argued that the mere transfer of the said sum to the Judge during the pendency of a case before her clearly showed a mindset to unduly gratify.

    He had urged the court to hold that there existed a reasonable cause for suspicion by the commission.

  • Kashamu: Appeal Court disbands panel over alleged bribery

    Kashamu: Appeal Court disbands panel over alleged bribery

    •PDP, APC react

    President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa has disbanded the three-man panel sitting on National Assembly’s election petitions in Ogun State.

    She has ordered the reconstitution of a fresh panel.

    This followed a bribery allegation against the panel members by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    The Clerk of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, broke the news yesterday to reporters, who came to the court for the beginning of hearing in an appeal filed by the PDP and Kashamu over the tribunal’s judgment in Abeokuta.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Tobi Ebiowei, in Abeokuta on October 9, annulled Kashamu’s election.

    He ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in 110 polling units of Kashamu’s Ogun East Senatorial District within the next 90 days.

    Reacting to the disbandment, the counsel to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ajibola Oluyede, said they were satisfied with the appellate court’s decision.

    He said the allegation against the panel could not be swept under the carpet, adding that whenever there was an accusation against a panel, they should be removed.

    “The original panel has been disbanded and we were notified that a new panel has been constituted. They will resume soon,” he said.

    Similarly, the Chairman of Ogun State PDP, Mr. Adebayo Dayo, described the action as a victory to his party and fairness by the judiciary.

    “What has happen today here is that the judiciary is trying to be fair to all concerned. We discovered that some people want to manipulate the panel,” he said.

    But the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Ogun East, Dapo Abiodun, expressed shock over the disbandment.

    He described the bribery allegation by the PDP as laughable and outrageous.

    “We thought the appeal was going to be heard today, but we were surprised that the panel has been disbanded. The clock is ticking and we have a time line of 60 days for the appeal to be heard and it remains 10 to 12 days before it will lapsed.

    “If one party thinks they will not get justice because of some false accusation or the other, and the judiciary, in its wisdom, thinks that by disbanding the panel is the best, then we believe in their decision and we shall abide with them,” he said.

    Abiodun vowed that he would continue to pursue justice to recover his stolen mandate.

     

  • Diezani, brothers to face trial for alleged bribery

    Diezani, brothers to face trial for alleged bribery

    UK court okays seizure of £27,000

    •Hardley Petroleum Solutions Limited
    (Believed to be used for money laundering)
    •Company registered in Manchester 27/06/2013
    •Company dissolved in Manchester 10/02/2015
    •Company didn’t file any account when operating
    •Directors: Ugonna Madueke, Abu Fari, Somye
    Agama and Abiye Agama

    Former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke is to be arraigned in London with her brothers for alleged bribery and money laundering, it was learnt yesterday.

    Investigations by our correspondent in the United Kingdom showed that she was arrested with her brothers Abiye Agama and Somye Agama.

    They are directors of Hadley Petroleum Solutions Limited, a company the authorities believe to have been used for money laundering. The other directors are Ugonna Madueke and Abu Fari.

    The company was registered in June 2013 in Manchester, but was dissolved less than two years later in February this year without filing any account.

    Abiye, 33, a point man of the firm, is a computer engineer and manager. He was a director in 11 other companies. He resigned from seven of them.

    The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) last week arrested Mrs Alison-Madueke and five others as part of the investigation into allegations of bribery and money laundering. They were granted bail.

    It could not be ascertained why the former minister was not arraigned.

    But she had previously denied any wrongdoing when it was alleged that $20 billon of oil money had gone missing when she was in office between 2010 and 2015

    However, a London (Westminster Magistrate’s Court) on Marylebone Road yesterday approved the seizure of $41,000 (£27,000) cash from her.

    The seizure of the cash followed an application brought by the NCA under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the UK.

    The court ruled that the money can be held for six months.

    There was confusion earlier in the day that Mrs Alison-Madueke had appeared in court. However, it turned to be incorrect. She was not taken to court and had not been charged with any offence.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to curb corruption, saying “mind-boggling” sums were stolen during the Jonathan administration.

    The NCA leads UK law enforcement’s fight to cut serious and organised crime. It has national and international reach and the mandate and powers to work in partnership with other law enforcement organisations to bring the full weight of the law to bear on serious and organised criminals.

    The Proceeds of Crime Act says “The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) sets out the legislative scheme for the recovery of criminal assets with criminal confiscation being the most commonly used power.

    “Confiscation occurs after a conviction has taken place. Other means of recovering the proceeds of crime which do not require a conviction are provided for in the Act, namely civil recovery, cash seizure and taxation powers.

    “The aim of the asset recovery schemes in POCA is to deny criminals the use of their assets, recover the proceeds of crime and disrupt and deter criminality.

    “Since 2010, more than £746 million of criminal assets has been seized (to 2013/14) across all four methods of recovery – a record amount.

    “Over the same period, assets worth more than £2.5 billion have been frozen denying criminals access to these resources and £93 million has been returned to victims,” said a factsheet.