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Tag: arraigns

  • EFCC arraigns Fayose for alleged N1.2b, $5m theft

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million stolen funds.

    He was arraigned before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun on an 11-count charge of violating the Money Laundering Act.

    He was charged with his company Spotless Limited.

    EFCC said Fayose and his associate Abiodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1, 219, 000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 governorship campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4).

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from then Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

    The commission said Fayose benefited from N4.65billion slush funds allocated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) during the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.

    EFCC listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses who will testify in the trial.

    Obanikoro, EFCC said, will testify on how he transmitted the money to Fayose “during and before the Ekiti governorship election in 2014 around June 2014”.

    The commission said Obanikoro had asked Fayose for an account to transfer the money.

    Fayose was said to have sourced for an account belonging to Slyvan Mcnamara Limited domiciled in a new generation bank and forwarded it to Dasuki.

    The EFCC said N200million was transferred to the account on June 5, 2014, followed by N2billion on June 16, 2014.

    According to the commission, Fayose said N1.2 billion of the money should be made available in cash while the balance should be converted into the dollar, instructions that EFCC said were carried out by Obanikoro.

    EFCC said about N1billion was converted to dollar and personally handed to Fayose. The balance of N1.2 billion was later withdrawn in cash and flown to Akure where Obanikoro handed it over to Agbele.

    Fayose was also accused of retaining stolen N300million in his fixed deposit bank account and allegedly deposited stolen N317million in a bank account belonging to Spotless Investment Limited, a company controlled by him and members of his family.

    In count five, Fayose allegedly took control of N305million between June 26 and August 27, 2014 in Lagos, keeping it in his bank account, when he ought to have known that the money “formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    The prosecution said Fayose, between June 18 and 23, 2014, “did procure De-Privateer Limited and one Abiodun Agbele to retain in their an aggregate sum of N719, 490, 000.00 on your behalf, which sum formed parts of proceed of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    Fayose and Spotless Ltd were accused of buying a property on Plot 1504, Yedsema Street, Maitama, Abuja from one Rabi Kundili, with stolen N270million.

    He was also alleged to have acquired chalets 3 and 4, 6 and 9 of the property at Plot 100, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos in the name of JJ Technical Service between November 12, 2014 and August 20, 2015, with an aggregate sum of N1, 151, 711, 573.

    The sum, EFCC said, was proceeds of criminal breach of trust/stealing, an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    Fayoso also allegedly bought a property known as No. 44, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja for N200million in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji, between April 23 and 30, 2015, as well as a property known as Plot 1504 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N270million in the name of Spotless Investment.

    EFCC said he bought the properties using part of the stolen funds.

    In the last count, EFCC said Fayose, on or about January 30, 2015, did procure Still Earth Limited to retain in another bank account the sum of N132.5million.

    The sum, said the prosecution, “formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, to wit: gratification which you received from Samchase Nigeria Limited.”

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    Fayose pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge.

    A court official read the counts and asked Fayose: “Are you guilty or not guilty?”

    He responded to each of them: “I am not guilty”.

    The former governor arrived at the court premises at about 8.30 am, accompanied by EFCC officials and armed police officers.

    He was all smiles as he stepped out of the white Hiace bus that conveyed him to the court.

    Fayose sat in the bus for about 20 minutes before he was asked to disembark.

    Armed policemen followed and barricaded him as he was led to the court from the bus driven inside the court premises.

    As reporters scrambled to take his photographs, he smiled and told the security aides to allow the journalists do their job.

    “Just wait for me to sit down so you can take finer shots. Afterall, they have to sell,” Fayose said jovially.

    Fayose, smiling in the courtroom, was calm. He wore a pair of jeans and a checkered light blue and red shirt with a pair of black shoes and a pair of glasses.

    Among those who accompanied Fayose to court was former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, who said he was in court “to show solidarity”.

    Fani-Kayode, in green native attire, with a pink shawl and cap to match, said Fayose’s trial was a continuation of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s persecution of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

    Fayose’s lawyer, former Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), said he filed a bail application.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said he needed time to respond.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned the bail hearing until tomorrow.

    She ordered that Fayose be remanded in EFCC custody.

  • EFCC arraigns ex-banker for alleged N8.7m theft

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former banker, Ali Kareem, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N8.7 million from a customer.

    He allegedly conspired with others at large to impersonate a Union Bank customer, Alexander Cherembem, to fraudulently facilitate the withdrawal of funds from his account.

    Kareem was arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor on a three-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation and fraud.

    He was accused of processing a “request” for Union Mobile for the customer’s account without obtaining his proper identity.

    EFCC said Kareem impersonated the victim to facilitate the withdrawal of about N8.7 million from his account through the Union Mobile platform.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr. George Chia-yakua said the alleged offence contravenes sections 22, 22 (2) and 37 of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition Act, 2015.

    Kareem pleaded not guilty.

    Defence counsel Olatimihan Ogunbiyi said he filed a bail application.

    Justice Obiozor ordered the remand of Kareem in prison pending the hearing of his bail application.

    He adjourned till November 5.

  • ICPC arraigns ex-SMEDAN DG for alleged N184.5m fraud

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Director-General, Bature Umar Masari, on a 27-count charge of money laundering and embezzlement before a high court in Apo, Abuja.

    Masari was alleged to have fraudulently awarded constituency project contracts to the tune of N184.5 million.

    He was also accused of allegedly receiving N50 million on November 27, 2014 from one of the contractors and distributed part of the money to some other persons.

    This act contravene the provisions of Section 10(a) (1) punishable under Section10 (a) (11) of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act 2000.

    Part of the counts read: “That you Bature Umar Masari on or about November 13, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprise Development  of Nigeria received for yourself N2 million from Hamshakin Venture Limited, which was paid into your Guaranty Trust Bank Account  0022506116 on account of the constituency project contract awarded to the Hamshakin Ventures Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to section (10) (a) (1) and punishable under section10(a) (11) of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act 2000.

    “That you Bature Umar Masari on or about 13th November 13, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprise Development  of Nigeria received for yourself N2 million from Hamshakin Venture Limited which money was paid into your Guaranty Trust Bank Account  0022506116 on a company that was awarded constituency project contracts by SWEDAN and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act 2000.”

    After the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him, his lawyer, Mamadu Magaji (SAN) urged the court to grant the defendant bail.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr. Henry Emore did not oppose to the application for bail.

    “My lord it’s a bailable offence,” he said.

    After listening to both parties, Justice O. A. Adeniyi granted the defendant bail for N50 million with two sureties.

    He added that the two sureties must be in the civil service and at the level of director.

    Justice Adeniyi adjourned till November 26 and 29 for trial.

  • Fed Govt arraigns two for importing ‘explosive components’

    Fed Govt arraigns two for importing ‘explosive components’

    THE Federal Government has charged a firm, Elephant Group Limited and its Managing Director Tunji Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly importing fertiliser with explosives-making components.

    The prosecution said the defendants, last August 29 at 8, Etal Avenue, Off Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, committed an offence by importing 13,199.532mt of Urea Fertiliser.

    According to the charge, the product has a component for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and was under ban as at the time it was imported.

    The charged was filed by an Assistant Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation A. K. Alilu on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 47(1)(c) of the Custom and Excise Management Act Cap C. 45 Laws of the Federation 2004.

    Their arraignment was stalled yesterday due to the absence of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    The defendants are expected to take their pleas on November 28.

  • Man arraigned for reckless driving

    A 24-year-old man identified as James Eferetin, has been arraigned before an Evbouriaria Magistrates Court for recklessly driving on a Federal Highway.

    James was accused of driving one Nissan Vannette bus marked WWR 732 XA in a manner dangerous to the public.

    He pleaded not guilty to the one count charge preferred against him.

    Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Olatoye Oluwaseun, said the accused committed the offence on March 11, at about 11:00am, along Egun villiage, off Benin/Warri express way in Benin.

    He said the offence contravened section 6 (1) of the Federal Highway Act cap F13 Vol.6 laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 2004.

    Presiding Magistrates, Mrs C.E Oghuma, granted the accused bail in the sum of N80, 000 and surety in like sum who must be a residence within the Court jurisdiction.

    Oghuma adjourned the case till May 11, for hearing.

  • EFCC arraigns ex-NIMASA D-G on fresh N2.6b ‘theft’, fraud charges

    EFCC arraigns ex-NIMASA D-G on fresh N2.6b ‘theft’, fraud charges

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, on a new charge of converting N2.6billion.

    He was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2million.

    Akpobolokemi was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies, namely, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

    In a 22-count charge, they were accused of converting a total of N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 this year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    Akpobolokemi and nine others, including two companies, were earlier arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu of the same court on Thursday.

    They were accused of conspiring among themselves to convert N3.4billion belonging to NIMASA. They had also pleaded not guilty.

    In the November 23 charge signed by Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Iseoluwa, EFCC said Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Nwakuche and Juan conspired to convert and converted N437.7million between December 23, 2013 and March 13, 2014 in Lagos.

    The money, which the agency said belongs to NIMASA, “was derived from stealing”.

    The alleged offences contravene Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    They were also accused of converting N525,000,000 on November 6, 2014 and N402,480,000 between February 5, 2014 and March 13, 2014.

    The defendants were also accused of inducing the Federal Government to approve and deliver to NIMASA the sum of N795,200,000 under the false pretence that the sum represented the cost for the implementation of the International Ship and Ports Security Code in Nigeria Ports.

    The offence, EFCC said, flouted Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Act.

    The prosecution also alleged the defendants “did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of the sum of N176,000,000, property of NIMASA,” among others.

    After pleading not guilty to all the counts, prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Iseoluwa, urged the court to remand the accused person in prison, adding that EFCC was ready for trial.

    But defence counsel, Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), said he had a bail application on the defendants’ behalf. He prayed the court to grant the defendants bail.

    Ruling, Justice Buba granted them bail in the sum of N50million, with one surety each in like sum.

    The surety, he said, must have a landed property in Lagos and must present evidence of current tax clearance.

    The judge said the defendants must deposit their international passports with the court and must not travel outside Nigeria without permission.

    Justice Buba said the trial would be held day-to-day until judgment, saying he would not tolerate any delays by any of the parties.

    He adjourned till Monday for commencement of trial.

  • EFCC arraigns ex-NIMASA DG for alleged N3.4b theft

    EFCC arraigns ex-NIMASA DG for alleged N3.4b theft

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    He was arraigned with nine others, including two companies, before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    They were accused of conspiring to convert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA.

    The commission said the money “was derived from stealing”.

    EFCC said the alleged offence contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition/Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    The others are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services Limited.

    According to the November 20 charge, signed by Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Iseoluwa, the accused persons converted the money between December 2013 and July 15 this year.

    In count one, the defendants allegedly “conspired among themselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of N1,151,214,000.00, property of NIMASA, money derived from stealing…”

    EFCC said on December 23, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N861.5 million. On July 7 and 15 this year, they allegedly converted N235.4 million.

    Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Nwakuche and Al-Kenzo were accused of converting N60 million, which they “derived from stealing.”

    On December 24, 2013, Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Alari, Bob-Nabena, and Grace Subai, said to be at large, allegedly converted N20 million, property of NIMASA.

    Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Enisuoh, Fredrick and Peniel Engineering were accused of converting N138.5 million on January 3, 2014 and on March 27, 2014.

    Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Juan and Nwakuche allegedly converted N65 million on July 10, 2014; as well as N86 million and N80 million on the same day.

    On May 28, last year, they allegedly converted N65 million, and on December 19, last year, they were accused of converting N65 million.

    Between July 7 and December 14, 2014, EFCC said they converted N261.3 million, among other amounts in the 30-count , all of which amounted to N3,407,629,000.

    They pleaded not guilty to all counts.

    After taking their pleas, Akpobolokemi’s lawyer Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) and other defence counsel said they had bail applications.

    Nwobike urged the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms.

    Justice Saidu granted Akpobolokemi bail for N100 million with two sureties in like sum.

    One of the sureties must be his relative and must own a landed property in the highbrow Lekki, Ikoyi or Victoria Island, the judge ruled.

    The second surety must be a senior civil servant not below the level of director at the federal or state level.

    The other defendants were granted bail in the sum of N50 million each, with two sureties.

    One of the sureties, Justice Saidu said, must also be a relative and must own landed property in Lagos, while the other must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 16.

    The judge directed the defendants to surrender their international passports. The sureties’ addresses must be verified by the court’s deputy chief registrar, the judge added.

    Justice Saidu ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

    He adjourned to January 29 for trial.

  • DSS arraigns suspected killer of Sylva’s uncle

    DSS arraigns suspected killer of Sylva’s uncle

    The Bayelsa State Command of the Department of State Service (DSS) has arraigned a 27-year-old man, Forcebay Ebiene, for alleged abduction and killing of Chief Benson Ayerite Adigio-Eseni.

    The late Adigio-Eseni was a retired Major in the Army and an uncle to a former governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the December 5 election, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    Adigio-Eseni was allegedly killed by his captors, who also collected ransom from the deceased’s family.

    Ebiene was arraigned before Justice E. T. Okara of the Brass Division of the High Court, sitting in Yenagoa, on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.

    The offences, according to the DSS, are punishable under the state’s Anti-Kidnapping Laws, 2012.

    Justice Okara adjourned the matter till December 8.

    The judge directed that the suspect be remanded in the Federal Prison Okaka to enable him get a lawyer.

    Ebiene, who confessed to the crime, was arrested at Ahoada in Rivers State, where he was arrested as he attempted to access his bank account.

    DSS operatives had been on his trail.

    Ebiene said he got N800,000 from the ransom paid by the deceased’s family.

    The suspect said he did not know the victim was an uncle to the former governor and begged for forgiveness.

    He said: “I accept responsibility for my action but I am begging the family for forgiveness. Please, have mercy on me.”

  • DSS arraigns eight for murder of Bayelsa Assembly deputy clerk

    The Department of State Security (DSS), yesterday, arraigned eight persons for the murder of the Deputy Clerk of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Joephrey Nemina.

    The DSS, led by its new state Director, Mr. Ade Olusesan, began the prosecution of Timmy Owokoro, Tony Wilson, Omoyo Agidi and Etete Wisdom, at the state High Court 2 for the actual murder of Nemina.

    But Douglas Esegi, Peace Banjamin, Benike Tarila and Enyia Ben Karibo were arraigned in the same court on a three-count charge of illegal possession of firearms allegedly used in the gruesome murder of the victim.

    The offences were said to be contrary to Section 147 of the Criminal Code Laws of Bayelsa State, 2006 and Section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act, 2004.

    Esegi, Benjamin, Tarila and Karibo were said to be in illegal possession of locally-made six-round revolver pistol and locally-made single barrel long gun.

    Nemina was killed in April along Agudiama Road, Yenagoa, the state capital, at about 7:30pm.

    While some said he was caught up in a cross-fire between two rival cult groups, others said he was approached in front of his wife’s shop and shot by the gunmen.

    The victim was said to be full of life when he was killed near a supermarket owned by his wife.

    When the charges were read to the suspects before the court presided over by Justice Margareth Akpomiemie, they pleaded not guilty.

  • ICPC arraigns alleged fake medical doctor

    ICPC arraigns alleged fake medical doctor

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned one George Dawari Edward before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, for alleged impersonation.

    Dawari was arrested on June 5, 2015 on the strength of a petition

    that he claimed to be a medical doctor, and demanded the sum of N450,000 from a couple with a promise to procure 5-year visas to the United States for them and members of their family.

    During interrogation, the suspect was found to be neither a medical doctor nor did he work in the National Hospital Abuja as claimed.

    In a 9-count charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents and impersonation, the prosecuting counsel, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha of ICPC alleged in the charge sheet, that the accused person forged United States of America entry visas for himself and three other persons contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Caps.532 Laws of the FCT, Abuja 2006.

    Investigations also revealed that the accused impersonated a medical doctor, having in his possession a Medical Laboratory Coat with the name Dr. E.D. George, and attempted to administer intravenous drip on one Mrs. Patti Bassi under the guise of being a medical doctor, contrary and punishable under Section 132 of the Penal Code Caps.532 Laws of the FCT, Abuja, 2006.

    He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    His counsel, Henry Iheme, asked the court to grant his client bail, which was refused by the trial judge because the application for bail wasn’t properly made.

    The matter was then adjourned to September 30, 2015 for commencement of hearing.