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Tag: Ayodele Oke

  • JUST IN: Senate okays Oke, Are, Dalhatu for appointment as ambassadors

    JUST IN: Senate okays Oke, Are, Dalhatu for appointment as ambassadors

    The Senate on Tuesday approved the nomination of three ambassadorial nominees—Ayodele Oke, Colonel Kayode Are (rtd), and Amin Dalhatu for appointment as envoys.

    The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs presented by its chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, during plenary.

    Oke, a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London; Are, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); and Dalhatu, Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to South Korea, were unanimously endorsed by lawmakers when the Senate President Godswill Akpabio put their nomination to a voice vote.

    In his comment, Akpabio urged the ambassadors-designate to bring to bear their wealth of experience in their new roles.

  • Court issues Bench warrant for ex-NIA DG Oke, wife

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the arrest of former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ambassador Ayodele Oke and his wife Folasade.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued a bench warrant for the couple’s arrest and detention following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to that effect.

    Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo told Justice Aneke that the defendants could not be found so as to be served with a money laundering charge filed against them.

    He said the couple also refused to answer phone calls from EFCC operatives.

    Moving the application, Oyedepo also urged the court to declare the defendants wanted.

    He said: “The defendants are not in court and not represented. They are yet to be served with the charge.

    “In the course of investigation, they provided an address in their statements. We have gone to that address but we didn’t find them. Their security confirmed they live there.

    “We also made repeated calls to their numbers, but they chose not to pick our calls.

    “In view of these, I urge your lordship to grant us a warrant of arrest of the defendants for the purpose of compelling their attendance in court.

    “Section 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) empowers your lordship to do so. We’re ready to produce them if we obtain the order.”

    Oyedepo said the suspects, who had no legal representation, could not claim ignorant of the charge as the case had been in the news since it was initiated.

    Read Also: We have warrant to arrest Melaye- Police

    “We pray for an additional order declaring them wanted,” the lawyer prayed.

    Ruling, Justice Aneke held that the application was meritorious in view of the prosecutions explanations.

    “Consequent upon the difficulties encountered by the prosecution in having them appear before the honourable court to stand their trial, I am convinced that the application is not without merit.

    “In the circumstances, I hereby accordingly issue an order of warrant of arrest against the first defendant in accordance with Section 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.”

    Justice Aneke, however, refused the prayer to declare them wanted.

    He said they would only be declared wanted if EFCC does not succeed in executing the bench warrant after trying.

    Oke and his wife were charged in connection with the $43, 449, 947, 000 found in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers in Ikoyi Lagos.

    Justice Muslim Hassan had on June 6, 2017, granted a final forfeiture order of the funds.

    EFCC said the Okes, on or about April 12, 2017 in Lagos, concealed $43, 449, 947, 000, property of the Federal Government in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    It said they reasonably ought to have known that the sum formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust.

    The commission said the couple, between August 25 and September 2, 2015 in Lagos, indirectly used $1, 658, 000, property of the Federal Government, to acquire the flat.

    They were also accused of directly retaining $160, 777, 136.85, property of the Federal Government, between August 25 and September 2, 2015 in Lagos.

    EFCC said they “reasonably ought to have known” that the sum “formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust”.

    In the fourth and final count, the prosecution said Oke and his wife, within the same period, “directly converted $160, 777, 136.85, property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to your own use”.

    The alleged offence in all the counts, EFCC said, are contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until March 18 for report of compliance.

  • EFCC unable to serve ex-NIA DG Oke, wife with charge

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that it was unable to serve former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ambassador Ayodele Oke and his wife Folasade with the money laundering charge filed against them.

    Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo told Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke that the defendants where still outside the court’s jurisdiction.

    “We are having issues with service of the charge,” Oyedepo said.

    According to him, the commission made unsuccessful efforts to reach Oke and his wife.

    Read Also: Ex-NIA DG, Oke, wife’s whereabouts unknown as arraignment fails

    “We have gone to their known addresses but could not find them to be able to serve them with the charge,” Oyedepo said.

    He noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) empowers the judge to make an order compelling the defendants’ appearance.

    But, Justice Aneke said he could not make any such order because the case was not yet properly before him.

    “I’ve not seen your file. It’s when I see the file that I can determine the urgency of any application.

    “I can’t exercise my discretion without seeing the efforts you’ve made on paper,” the judge said.

    He asked Oyedepo to return in 24 hours with the necessary processes.

    The defendants’ whereabouts is unknown, with reports saying they had left the country.

    Oke and his wife were charged in connection with the $43, 449, 947, 000 found in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers in Ikoyi Lagos.

    Justice Muslim Hassan had on June 6, 2017, granted a final forfeiture order of the funds since no one appeared before the court to claim them.

    The four-count charge against the couple was signed by Oyedepo, Nnaemeka Omewa and Idris Abubakar Mohammed.

    EFCC in the Proof of Evidence revealed how Flat 7B was bought for $1, 658,000 (N596, 880,000)

    It said one Alhaji Shehu Usman Anka will give evidence of the receipt of the sum of $1, 658,000 from the wife of the ex-NIA boss.

    The anti-graft agency also said that the agency got about $289, 202, 382.00 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    It added that one Benjamin Kiksenenso will give evidence of how he was instructed to go to the CBN to collect the $289, 202, 382.00.

    The charges against the ex-NIA boss are:

    “That you, Amb. Ayodele Oke, Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke on or about the 12th day of April 2017 in Lagos concealed the sum of $43, 449, 947, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court indirectly used the sum of $1, 658, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to acquire Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly retained $160, 777, 136. 85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly converted $160, 777, 136. 85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to your own use which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    Justice Aneke adjourned until Thursday.

  • $43.4m Ikoyigate cash: Ex-NIA boss, wife’s trial begins Friday

    …EFCC: Flat bought for N596.8m

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) will on Friday arraign a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency(NIA), Amb. Ayodele Oke and his wife, Mrs. Folasade Oke before a Federal High Court in Lagos in connection with $43, 449, 947, 000 intercepted in a flat.

    The cash was allegedly said to have been concealed in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers in Ikoyi Lagos.

    A judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Muslim Hassan, had on June 6, 2017 granted a final forfeiture order of the funds since no one appeared before the court to claim them.

    Although Oke had denied the allegation of concealment, the EFCC is proceeding ahead with his trial alongside his wife.

    The four-count charge against the couple was signed by prosecuting lawyers including Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa; Nnaemeka Omewa and Idris Abubakar Mohammed.

    For the first time, the EFCC in the Proof of Evidence revealed how Flat 7B was bought for $1, 658,000 (N596, 880,000)

    Read Also: EFCC may probe ex-TETFUND boss’ tenure

    It said one Alh. Shehu Usman Anka will give evidence of the receipt of the sum of $1, 658,000 from the wife of the ex-NIA boss.

    The anti-graft agency also said the agency got about $289, 202, 382.00 from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).

    It said one Benjamin Kiksenenso “ will give evidence of how he was instructed to go to the CBN to collect the $289, 202, 382.00.

    The charges against the ex-NIA boss and his wife read:

    “That you, Amb. Ayodele Oke, Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke on or about the 12th day of April 2017 in Lagos concealed the sum of $43, 449, 947, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court indirectly used the sum of $1, 658, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to acquire Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly retained $160, 777, 136. 85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly converted $160, 777, 136. 85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to your own use which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

  • FG files charges against Babachir Lawal, Oke, wife, others

    *Oke, wife to be arraigned in Lagos Friday
    *Lawal to be arraigned in Abuja

    The Federal Government has filed separate charges against former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke and his wife, Folashade.

    A 10-charge was filed against Lawal and five others before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which the defendants are charged with diversion of public funds.

    Another four-count charge filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos has Mr. Oke and his wife as the only defendants. They are charged in relation to the huge funds discovered in a private building in Ikoyi, Lagos last year.

    It was learnt that they will be arraigned on Friday before Justice Aneke.

    Detail shortly….

  • Ikoyigate: Reps to probe N13b discovered

    Ikoyigate: Reps to probe N13b discovered

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated its Committee on National Intelligence to investigate the source of the N13 billion discovered in a residential apartment at Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The House also mandated the committee to ascertain the owner of the money discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Gabriel Kolawole.

    Moving the motion, Kolawole said the call to unravel the true identity of the owner of the money was based on claims and counter claims as to the true ownership of the funds.

    He said that the development was having negative effects on the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government.

    “There is need for thorough investigation into the matter in order to ascertain the source of the money given the claims on its ownership, purpose and the damaging effects it is having on Federal Government’s anti-corruption drive,’’ Kolawole said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a three man presidential panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently investigating the matter.

    The Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Amb. Ayodele Oke had claimed that the money belongs to the agency and was approved by the previous administration for covert operation.

    In a new twist, Gov Nyesom Wike declared that the money found in the Ikoyi apartment belonged to the Rivers state government.

    Wike told newsmen that investigations by the Rivers State Government revealed that the money was proceeds from the sale of gas turbines by the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

  • Don lauds Buhari for suspending SGF, NIA chief

    A university teacher, Malam Bashir Yankunzu, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending two key functionaries in his administration over allegations of involvement in corrupt practices.

    On April 19, Buhari suspended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachair Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ayodele Oke.

    Lawal was suspended over corruption allegations in the award of contracts in the Presidential Initiative for the North East.

    Oke was suspended in connection with the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The suspension of the two principal officers appears to have given a clear signal on the renewed determination of the president to stamp out corruption in the country.

    Speaking in an interview with NAN on the development on Wednesday in Minna, Yankunzu described the suspension as necessary for the success of the government’s anti-graft campaign.

    He said the outcome of findings on the developments that led to the suspension, if made public, would strengthen belief that the anti-graft fight was devoid of sentiments and vendetta.

    “The Federal Government needs to put more effort in bringing relief to the masses and with this; Nigerians will surely stand for the government, irrespective of the situation.

    “I wish to call on Nigerians to avoid jumping into conclusions on the innocence or otherwise of whoever is under investigation before the outcome of such inquiries.

    “May Allah grant President Buhari good health and sincere advisers and helpers, who are competent in their duties.’’

    The don argued that the political will demonstrated by the president in suspending the two high-ranking officers had shown his resolve to crush corruption.