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Tag: Andrew Yakubu

Yakubu didn’t declare $9.7m, £74,000 found in his house – EFCC

A Federal High Court in Abuja heard on Thursday that former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, did not declare the $9,772,800 and £74,000 recovered from his Kaduna home by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Officials of the Kano Zonal office of the EFCC had last year reported that they recovered the money from a house located at Sabo-Tasha area of Kaduna State.

Testifying at the resumed hearing in Yakubu’s trial, a detective with the EFCC, Sambo Muazu, told the court that he took statement from the defendant, following which he (Yakubu) filled an EFCC assets declaration form.

Muazu, led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Ben Ikani, said the ex-NNPC chief did not declare the recovered money among the assets he declared in the assets declaration form.

The witness also told the court why EFCC investigated some contracts signed while Yakubu was the GMD of NNPC.

Muazu said: “In 2015, we commenced investigation into two categories of contracts which were awarded by NNPC and its subsidiaries.

“The first category relates to Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) between NNPC’s subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited (AEDCL). The contract was signed between NPDC and AEDCL.

“The first SAA was on Oil Mining Lease (OML) 26, 30, 34, 40 and 42. The second SAA was on OML 60, 61, 62, and 63.

“The investigation was sequel to intelligence report received by the EFCC relating to suspicious fund transfers from AEDCL’s account in Nigeria to a sister company called Atlantic Energy Holdings (AEH)

“Also, additional transfers from Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited (AEBDL) to the same Atlantic Energy Holdings. The AHL’s accounts are based in Switzerland.

“There were also transfers from Atlantic Energy Holdings account in Switzerland to the Nigerian accounts of the two sister companies – AEDCL and AEBDL.

“It was on the basis of these suspicious transactions that we commenced investigation.

“In the course of investigation, it became necessary to seek clarification from Engr. Andrew Yakubu. He was accordingly invited, and we interacted with him. And thereafter, we reduced the interaction into writing.

“The two SAA were executed between the end of 2011 to 2014 April, during which Engr. Andrew Yakubu was the Group Managing Director of NNPC. He was in office from June 2012 to August 2014.

“After our interaction and his statement recorded, he declared his assets sometime between July and August 2015.

“The EFCC has a standard assets declaration form. A copy of that form was given to Engr. Andrew Yakubu. He filled the form, declaring his assets.

“He was asked to declare his assets based on the allegations that the company Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept was allowed to lift crude oil worth over $1billion without fulfilling the necessary obligations on their path.

“It was on this basis that investigation was conducted and thereafter, some individuals were charged to court.”

May 10, 2018
Andrew Yakubu’s $9.7m stands forfeited to FG—Appeal Court

The Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano, which ordered the interim forfeiture of the $9.7million cash found in a house in Kaduna belonging to former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Engineer Andrew Yakubu.

On 3 February, 2017, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stormed the house and uncovered the sum and another £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pounds Sterling) stashed in a fireproof safe.

The money according to Yakubu, were gifts from well wishers.

However the Commission suspected that the money was a proceed of crime and that prompted the EFCC to secure an interim forfeiture from the Federal High Court on the money.

Yakubu through his counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) approached the Federal High Court in Kano asking the court to revoke the order.

The Federal High Court Kano presided over by Justice Z.B Abubakar on 10 May, 2017 dismissed the application of Yakubu and affirmed the order of interim forfeiture it granted on the 13th February, 2017.

Yakubu being dissatisfied with decision of the Federal High Court, approached the court of appeal in a bid to reverse the interim forfeiture order and get his money back.

The appeal was filed on the 22nd of May, 2017 while the Commission filed its response which was subsequently adopted on the 29th of January 2018 and matter was then adjourned to today for judgment.

The appeal was brought on grounds of jurisdiction, misrepresentation of fact by EFCC that the money was suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities.

He further argued that Section 29 of the EFCC Establishment Act is null and void while at the same time submitted that, Section 28 of the EFCC Act offends the provision of Section 44 (2)(k). In Section 43 of the EFCC Establishment Act.

Counsel to the plaintiff argued that the Attorney General of the Federation did not make regulations and guidelines consequently, all forfeiture made shall be null and void.

However, the respondents in their reply contended that the ruling of the lower court validating its order was not perverse and that sections 28 and 29 of EFCC Act are valid and operational notwithstanding the alleged failure of the AGF to make regulations for their operations.

In yesterday’s ruling, Justice Obietonbara Daniel Kalio who headed the panel of the three judges of the appeal court resolved all the issues in favour of EFCC.

April 28, 2018
Court grants ex-NNPC GMD Yakubu three weeks medical leave

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday granted the former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, leave to travel abroad to continue his medical treatment.

Yakubu was arraigned on a six-count charge of money laundering and false asset declaration.

Justice Mohammed said since the prosecution counsel, Prince Ben Ikani, did not object to the application made by defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN), he will grant the defendant leave to travel abroad.

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Some of the money found

The judge ordered that Yakubu’s international passport be released to him.

At the hearing of the application, counsel to Yakubu informed the court of the motion seeking permission to allow the defendant to travel abroad to attend to his failing health.

Raji asked the court to permit the release of the defendant’s international passport so that if the application is granted, he would be able to travel for the proposed treatment.

RELATED POSTS: ‘How we discovered $9.8M, £74,000 in Ex-GMD Yakubu’s home’

In his ruling, the judge said:”The defendant must come back to the country after three weeks to continue his trial.

“One of the sureties must depose to an affidavit to be liable.”

Justice Mohammed adjourned till July 6 for the continuation of trial.

May 25, 2017
Court dismisses ex-NNPC GMD’s bid to recover forfeited $9m

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday dismissed an application filed by a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, to recover $9.8m forfeited to the federal Government in February.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) discovered the $9.8 million during raids on the ex- NNPC chief’s house in January.

Yakubu had filed the application in a bid to overturn the interim order of forfeiture of the fund granted the EFCC in February.

May 10, 2017
Court strikes out ex-NNPC boss, Yakubu’s N1b suit against EFCC, AGF

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1billlion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

Yakubu had sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over his detention by the former in relation to the about N3billion cash allegedly recovered in his Kaduna home.

The ex-NNPC boss has since been arraigned on a charge filed by the EFCC and has been granted bail.

Yakubu’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe told the court today that, in view of the intervening circumstances, from when the case was filed and now, his client has decided to discontinue with the case.

Adedipe noted that since his client has been properly charged to court and bail granted to him, “We considered it necessary to discontinue this action.

“With a view to securing an order of striking out, we have filed a motion this morning, seeking the court’s leave to discontinue the case. We have served on parties,” Adedipe said.

Lawyers to EFCC and AGF, Mrs. Rita Ogar and T. D. Agbe confirmed being served with Yakubu’s motion. They did not oppose it.

Ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed struck out the case in view of the non-opposition by the respondents.

March 28, 2017
Court dismisses Yakubu’s suit against EFCC, AGF

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

Yakubu had sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over his detention in relation to the N3 billion cash allegedly recovered from his Kaduna home.

The ex-NNPC GMD has since been arraigned by the EFCC.

Yakubu’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, told the court on Tuesday that due to the intervening circumstances, from when the case was filed and now, his client has decided to discontinue the case.

Adedipe noted that since his client has been properly charged to court and granted bail, they considered it necessary to discontinue the case.

“With a view to securing an order striking out the case, we have filed a motion this morning, seeking the court’s leave to discontinue the case. We have served on the parties,” the counsel said.

Lawyers to EFCC and AGF, Mrs. Rita Ogar and T. D. Agbe, confirmed being served with Yakubu’s motion.

March 28, 2017
Ex-NNPC boss, Yakubu gets bail at N300m

Former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu has been granted bail at N300million.

Yakubu, has been in custody at the Kuje prison since he was arraigned on March 16 before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a 6-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is charged with false assets declaration, money laundering and fraud in relation with the about N3billion cash allegedly recovered in his house in Kaduna.

Ruling on a Yakubu’s bail application, Justice Ahmed Mohammed said he was convinced that Yakubu could not jump bail by virtue of his conduct in honouring the invitation of the EFCC even when he was outside the country.

The judge said if Yakubu wanted to escape trial, as alleged by the EFCC, he would not have voluntarily returned to honour the commission’s invitation, a claim the EFCC did not deny.

Justice Mohammed said the prosecution’s opposition to the bail application was based on speculation and apprehension. The judge proceeded to grant Yabubu bail at N300m with two sureties in the same amount.

The sureties, the judge said, must own properties within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which must worth the bail amount.

He refused to grant the prayer releasing Yakubu’s international passport and the one seeking to compel the EFCC to release Yakubu’s international passports still in its custody. The judge said he cannot grant such prayers at the moment in the case.

He ordered Yakubu to remain in prison custody until he meets the bail conditions.

Justice Mohammed adjourned to May 9 for trial.

March 21, 2017
Seized funds: Court remands ex-NNPC GMD in prison

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday remanded ‎ the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, in Kuje prison pending ruling on his bail application.

The court will rule on the ex-NNPC chief’s bail application March 21.

Yakubu, who is standing trial on a six-count charge of fraud and false declaration of assets, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives recovered about N3billion in the former NNPC chief’s Kaduna home last month.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed ordered that Yakubu be remanded in prison listening to his bail application.

The accused counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), in his application, urged the court to grant his client’s vail on ‎self-recognisance.

But EFCC’s lead prosecuting counsel, Ben Ikani, opposed the bail application.

The prosecutor, however, urged the judge to impose stringent conditions if he eventually decides to grant bail to the defendant.

March 16, 2017
Ex-NNPC GMD rebuffs EFCC over $9.7m donors’ list

•Commission relocates Yakubu to Abuja from Kano
•No law says he should submit list of givers, says counsel

Detained former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu is refusing to tell the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) those he claimed gave him the $9.7million cash seized from his house in Kaduna

However, the anti-graft agency has relocated Yakubu from Kano to Abuja ahead of his arraignment later this week.

His counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) said yesterday that there is no law requiring the suspect to disclose those who gave him the money.

Raji said the bulk of the cash was given to Yakubu during socials and as sympathy gift after he left office.

A court has already ordered that the $9.7million and £74,000 impounded from him be forfeited to the Federal Government for the meantime.

The EFCC has filed a six-count charge against him.

An EFCC source said yesterday that Yakubu had refused to list his benefactors to “enable us to crosscheck whether or not those affected did him any favour.”

“We suspected that the cash came in between 2012 and 2014 but Yakubu has refused to disclose the sources,” the source said.

“Maybe when his trial begins, he will open up in court. We believe he owes it a duty as a citizen to name those who showered the huge gifts on him.

“Apart from that, since the gifts allegedly came while in office, the constitution makes it mandatory for him to declare them and the sources.”

Section 6 (3) of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the constitution says: “A public officer shall only accept personal gifts or benefits from relatives or personal friends to such extent and on such occasions as are recognized by custom;

“Provided that any gift or donation to a public officer on any public or ceremonial occasion shall be treated as a gift to the appropriate institution represented by the public officer, and accordingly, the mere acceptance or receipt of any such gift shall not be treated as a contravention of this provision.”

But reacting, Mr. Raji, Yakubu’s counsel said: “There is no law that says that Andrew Yakubu must disclose the sources of the gifts. This is more so because he is no longer a public servant.

“It is like asking him to prove his innocence. Is there any money missing? He does not owe the EFCC any duty to submit the list of those who gave him gifts

“You can declare gifts if you are only a public servant. My client told me that the bulk of gifts came after he had left office during ceremonies, occasions and as sympathy gifts because of the way he was sacked.

“The burden of proof is on EFCC if any money is missing or any money has been stolen. Yakubu is no longer a public servant.”

The Nation gathered that Yakubu has been relocated from Kano to Abuja preparatory to his arraignment this week.

Another source added: “The ex-GMD has been moved from Kano to Abuja. We are set for his trial.”

“He will face trial for Advance Fee Fraud, money laundering, failure to declare over $9.7million gifts in Assets Form.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said a special operation conducted by operatives on February 3, 2017 yielded the recovery of a staggering $9,772,800 and another sum of £74,000 cash.

According to him the huge cash was hidden in a fire proof safe, adding: “the surprise raid of the facility was sequel to an intelligence which the commission received about suspected proceeds of crime believed to be hidden in the slums of Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna.

“On arrival at the facility, the caretaker of the house, one Bitrus Yakubu, a younger brother to Andrew Yakubu, disclosed that both the house and the safe where the money was found belong to his brother, Andrew Yakubu.

“When the safe was opened it was discovered that it contained the sum of $9,772,800 and £74,000 .

“On February 8, 2017, Andrew Yakubu reported to the Commission’s Zonal office in Kano and made statement wherein he admitted ownership of the recovered money, claiming it was gift from unnamed persons. He is currently assisting the investigation.”

March 12, 2017
Well-wishers gave me seized N3bn – Yakubu

A former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, on Tuesday said the about N3 billion ($9,772,800 and £74,000) recently recovered from his Kaduna home by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was part of gifts he got from “well-wishers” during ceremonies.

Yakubu, who failed to name any of the ceremonies, for which the supposed “gifts” were given and those behind them, said he got the gifts because of the goodwill he enjoyed among friends.

The ex-NNPC boss, who is now in the EFCC custody, made the claim in a court document filed on his behalf before the Federal High Court, Abuja, by one of his lawyers, Dolapo Kehinde.

He denied EFCC’s claim that the recovered funds were proceeds of crime, which he failed to declare as part of his assets.

The affidavit was in response to the counter affidavit filed by the EFCC against Yakubu’s N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit pending before the court.

Kehinde said: “In specific reply thereto, the applicant (Yakubu) states that the monies in respect of which the applicant is being held by the respondents are ‘gifts and goodwill by well-wishers and friends’ given to him ‘during celebrations and ceremonies’ and not proceeds of crime’ as alleged.’

“Furthermore, I know that there is no investigation or ‘finding’ whatsoever by the first respondent (EFCC) that has proven contrary.”

Kehinde said Yakubu did not receive the money as a public officer, but saved it for a period of five years.

He added: “The applicant (Yakubu) denies paragraphs 10 and 11 of the first respondent’s (EFCC’s) counter-affidavit.

“In reply thereto, the applicant states that the monies concerned were not given to him as a public servant or while he was a servant.

“The applicant humbly relies on Exhibit B hereof where he is quoted as saying: ‘These were periodic savings for over five years.

“The applicant (Yakubu) did not breach any provisions of the Independent Practices and other Related Offences Act or indeed any law.”

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March 7, 2017