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Tag: bribe

  • 2015 poll: ‘Diezani gave N264m cash to bribe INEC officials’

    2015 poll: ‘Diezani gave N264m cash to bribe INEC officials’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos was told yesterday that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adegoyin, received N264million from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly to change the result of the 2015 general election.

    A prosecution witness, Timothy Olaobaju, said the money was paid to Nwosu and Adedoyin in cash.

    He was testifying while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo in the trial of Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir before Justice Idris.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused them of receiving gratification from the former minister.

    Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Olaobaju, who was his bank’s head of operations in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said he paid the Nwosu and Adedoyin the cash based on Mrs Alison-Madueke’s instructions.

    “I was the Head of Operations for Ilorin Branch. I had cause to meet Nwosu and Adedoyin. Sometime in 2015, there was a meeting between our Managing Director and the former Petroleum Minister during which she explained that some companies and individuals would come to the bank to pay some money into some accounts.

    “The companies were Northern Belt Ltd, Actus Integrated Ltd, Midwestern Company and one Mr Leno Laitan. In addition, she said certain individuals would bring some cash to be kept for her.

    “A total sum of $89million was paid into the accounts. Cash sums of $25million was brought, totalling $114million. The money was kept in the bank pending her instruction as agreed.

    “On March 26, 2014, we got instruction that the money should be converted to naira. After it was converted, it was about N23billion. There was a list of beneficiaries that was sent, to be paid across the 36 states of the federation, including Kwara. I handled the transactions in my branch,” the witness.

    He said the defendants came to his office to collect the cash payment, and that he only acted on instruction.

    “There was an instruction that Nwosu and Adedoyin be paid N264,880,000. The instruction came from the head office based on instruction from Mrs Alison-Madueke and they were paid. They signed a receipt of payment for the money they collected,” Olaobaju said.

    Olaobaju said after the defendants were paid, they left with the cash and did not pay it into any account.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel Obinna Okereke and Nelson Imoh, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the payment.

    “The only instruction we had was that they should bring means of identification and should be paid. They even waited for the money to be released to them. We did not know the purpose of the payment,” he said.

    Olaobaju said he did not hand over the money to Bashir, and never met Mrs Alison-Madueke; nor was he at the meeting where she gave the instructions.

    “The instruction we received was through our Divisional Head of Operations who reports to the MD,” he added.

    Justice Idris adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

  • 2015 polls: Kwara police, army, SSS, INEC, others shared in $115m ‘Diezani bribe’, says witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard how several individuals and public officials shared in an alleged bribe of $115 million paid by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, to compromise the 2015 general election.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) named the officials yesterday during the trial of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Dele Belgore, before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

    In two documents it tendered before the court, the anti-graft agency said the individuals and public officials benefited from N450 million and N155,220,000 out of the $115 million (about N36 billion) Diezani cash.

    The disbursements, which the EFCC claimed were bribes, were contained in a document titled, “Security and transportation per state”, and another one titled, “Kwara State”.

    According to the first document, the Resident Assistant Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Kwara State at the time got N1 million cash and the Commissioner of Police (COP) in Kwara State at the time received N10 million cash. The Deputy COP in charge of Operations got N2 million cash.

    Also, the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of operations and administration in Kwara State, received N1 million cash each.

    The document also showed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State for the 2015 general elections got N10 million cash. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State at the time received N5 million cash.

    The document added that INEC’s Head of Department, Operations and “his boys” were given N5 million. Other officers received and shared N2 million among themselves.

    Also listed as beneficiaries of the alleged bribe in the state were the “OC Mopol” and “his men”, who got N7 million, “2iC Mopol” and men in the state, who got N10 million; the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and his men, who got N2.5 million.

    The military in Kwara State was bribed with N50 million, according to the document, while other security agencies including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) got N20 million..

    An EFCC investigator, Usman Zakari, who brought the document, told the court that it was recovered from Belgore.

    Belgore is accused of collecting N450 million from Diezani and distributing same to beneficiaries in Kwara State.

    The EFCC said he handled the cash without going through any financial institution, contrary to sections 1(a), 16(d), 15(2)(d) and18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    According to the commission, the offence is punishable under sections 15(3)(4), and 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

    Standing trial along with Belgore for the offence is a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

    The SAN and the don were arraigned on charges of money laundering on February 8, 2017 and they pleaded not guilty.

    Zakari is the second witness to be called by the EFCC in its efforts to prove its case.

    Testifying before Justice Aikawa yesterday, the witness explained that Belgore volunteered the list to the EFCC when he was invited and interrogated by the anti-graft agency.

    The investigator noted that Belgore’s endorsement on the document, stating: “document supplied by me, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN).”

    The second document the EFCC said it recovered from Belgore, also showed beneficiaries of a sum of N155,220,000 and the breakdown of what they got.

    Among them were 15 electoral officers who each received, 250,000; 15 supervisors, who got N100,000 each; state Returning Officers who got N1m, among others.

    The two documents were tendered by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo. They were admitted in evidence as Exhibit 7 and 7A, against Belgore and Suleiman, as their lawyers, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Mr. Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), raised no objection.

    In his evidence, Zakari told the court that the EFCC’s findings showed that the money was disbursed in cash to the beneficiaries.

    “My lord, the mode of payment, as contained in Exhibit 7, is cash payment. The payments were not done through any financial institution,” Zakari said.

    Justice Aikawa also entertained Belgore’s application seeking the dismissal of the charges on the grounds that the EFCC failed to attach an affidavit showing that it had concluded investigation in the case before bringing the case to court.

    But in opposition, the EFCC lawyer argued that the current law governing criminal cases in the country, was the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    He argued that the ACJA did not list filing of the said affidavit as one of the conditions that must be fulfilled before a criminal charge could be filed in court, stressing that the provisions of the ACJA were superior to that of the Federal High Court Practice Direction.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned till July 7 for ruling.

  • Court adjourns Lawan, Otedola alleged bribery case till June 21

    Court adjourns Lawan, Otedola alleged bribery case till June 21

    An FCT High Court, Lugbe, on Wednesday adjourned until June 21 and June 22, an alleged bribery case involving Hon. Faroq Lawan and Femi Otedola.

    Justice Angela Otaluku of the FCT High Court granted the request of counsel to the defendant, Mr Mike Ozekhome in view of the application brought before it.

    “In view of this application, this case is further adjourned until June 21st and 22nd, 2017 for further hearing,” she said.

    Ozekhome said the request for adjournment was to enable him prepared and drill the witness in the next appearance, adding that there was need to diligently cross examine the witness in view of the case.

    Meanwhile, Ozekhome had earlier made an application to recall Prosecuting Witness Two (PW2) on the basis of his non-availability in the court the day he appeared in court because it was handled by a junior lawyer.

    “I was attending a case involving me and the EFCC, so I couldn’t make myself available.”

    However, the request was turned down because the witness could not be recalled to testify again.

    In a swift reaction, Ozekhome promised to take the case up to the Supreme Court to determine if a witness who had earlier testified in a case could be recalled.

    He said this was to strengthen the judicial system and allow justice to run its course.

    Mr Adegboyega Awomolo, the Prosecuting Counsel led Hon. Jagaban Jagaban, a member of the House of Representatives and a former Chairman, House Committee on Drug, Narcotics and Financial Crime in evidence against the defendant.

    He said that his relationship with Lawan was the same that exists among House of Representatives members, adding that he never had any other relationship with him.

    He said that his job as the committee Chairman on Drugs, Narcotic and Financial Crime was to supervise the activities of EFCC and NDLEA, adding that he also made budgets for them.

    “We are empowered by the constitution to investigate matters relating to our committee when reported and referred to the Federal Government for further investigation.

    He said that he did not collect any money from the defendant as claimed in his statement to the Police.

    Further cross examination in the case has been adjourned until June 21 and June 22.

     

  • Fayose slams Police for battering woman at checkpoint

    Fayose slams Police for battering woman at checkpoint

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has slammed the Police in Ekiti State for the brutalization of a woman, Mrs. Toyin Adeyeye by some policemen on Friday for allegedly refusing to give them bribe at a checkpoint.

    Mrs. Adeyeye, her two-month-old baby, Heritage and younger brother, Adeniyi Dada, were detained at New Iyin Road Police Station but were later released following the intervention of the state chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

    While the husband of the woman, Akanni Adeyeye, claimed that about five policemen battered his wife for refusing to grease their palms, the Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe, alleged that Mrs. Adeyeye slapped one of the policemen.

    But Fayose vowed that manhandling of women in any guise will no longer be condoned in the state adding that it was unlawful for any policeman to raise his hand against a woman.

    According to a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Idowu Adelusi, Fayose made the vow during an interview shortly before the commencement of the state’s “Meet Your Governor” programme, March edition, on Sunday night.

    Fayose said he heard about the attack on Mrs. Adeyeye, at the checkpoint which prompted a meeting with the state commissioner of police over the matter.

    “It is highly irresponsible for any man to brutalise a woman for any reason. The law that forbids violence against women is still operative in this state.

    “And I can never allow any form of brutality of women under my watch as governor in Ekiti State. Women are even described as the weaker vessel. As such even if you marry her, does that deny her of her rights?

    “It is particularly sad that such a report was coming barely week after we celebrated International Women’s Day in an unprecedented style in this state. I have already ordered investigation into the matter. Anybody found culpable in the case will face the court of law.

    “I am also using this opportunity to sound a note of warning to policemen who take people’s vehicle particulars, put them under their armpits and demand for bribe. Such cannot be allowed any longer in Ekiti State.

    “We will get to the root of the matter and make justice to prevail.”

     

     

  • 23 INEC workers accused of receiving N350m bribe from Wike object to trial

    23 INEC workers accused of receiving N350m bribe from Wike object to trial

    THE planned arraignment of 23 workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) charged with bribery and corruption has been put off.
    The INEC officials are accused in a seven-count charge of allegedly receiving N360 million bribe from Governor Nyesom Wike in connection with the December 10, 2016 rerun legislative elections in River State
    The arraignment has been postponed to April 7 in view of the objection raised by the INEC officials against their trial in Abuja.
    The INEC officials are: Shittu Mohammed Lamido (Shettima), Henry Owokure, Peter Ewetade, Mrs. Mary Jummai Tunkoyo Pennap, Gwatana Jibril, Ivase Stephen and Abdullahi Ogabo.
    Others are Gayus Hassan, Hussaini T. Yahaya, James Ogwuche, Karimu F. Aminu, Adedokun Najeem Ayotunde, Balogun Funmilayo and Adams O. Kadiri.
    Also named in the charge are Akinwande R. Adesoji, Lukeman Olabimpe, Tiamiyu R. Arowolo, Akinwoye Amodu, Nwoha Yusuf, Patrick Anuke, Iro Abali, Nwosu G. Oluchi and Arukwe Chinelo.
    The officials, who have all been on the bail granted them by the police, were brought to the Federal High Court, Abuja around 8.30am today in vehicles provided by the police.
    But lawyers to the defendants, led by Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the court that the INEC officials have filed applications challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court.
    Raji said the defendants are challenging the decision of the prosecution to want to try the case in a court in Abuja when the alleged offences for which they were charged were allegedly committed in Rivers State.
    He urged the court to resolve the issue of jurisdiction first before requesting the defendants to plea to the charge.
    Alilu said he intends to oppose the defendants’ applications and sought a date to be allowed to file a counter affidavit to that effect.
    Justice John Tsoho acceded to Alilu’s request and adjourned to April 7 for hearing of all applications.
    The defendants, who are described as electoral officers and workers of INEC were said to have between December 7 to 10, 2016 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, conspired to convert the sum of N360,000,000 directly from bribery and corruption in connection with the Rivers State re-run election, which took place on December 10, 2016.

  • Students’ Union leaders fight over N1m ‘bribe’

    Students’ Union leaders fight over N1m ‘bribe’

    A N1 million bribe scandal is rocking the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Kogi State University (KSU) in Ayingba. The cash allegedly came from the government to stop students from protesting against the indefinite closure of the school. But the government has denied the allegation, saying it has no money to throw away.MOHAMMED YABAGI reports.

    THE Kogi State University (KSU) Students’ Union Government (SUG) executive is divided – no thanks to an alleged N1 million gift by Governor Yahya Bello. But the governor has denied giving the union money, saying rather than do that, he would spend the cash to pay striking workers of the institution to ensure their return to work. The school has been shut indefinitely, following the workers’ strike over salary.

    The union leaders are said to be bickering over who gets the “lion’s share” of the largesse.

    The cash, it was gathered, was given to the students to discredit the striking workers and to prevent a recurrence of the July 13, 2016 students’ demonstration that may embarrass the government.

    The students grounded activities in Lokoja, the state capital, last year during their demonstration against the indefinite closure of the school. The protest, it was gathered, embarrassed the governor. To prevent a reocurrence,  it was learnt that Bello secretly gave the SUG the money.

    The government dismissed the claim as false, saying it would not fritter away the state’s lean resources. It challenged anyone with proof of such gift to produce it.

    The union’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ogiri Emmanuel, blew the lid off the bribe scandal. He claimed that the president, Philip Omepa, was planning to corner the money. Philip, our correspondent gathered, reportedly received the alleged bribe on the union’s behalf.

    It was gathered that after the money, Philip wanted to take half of it. But, other members objected, alleging that Philip wanted to short-change them.

    The students’ leaders traded words on social media. Students and alumni members tried to resolve the matter to no avail.

    Philip and his loyalist are calling for the sack camp of the students in the Ogiri camp.

    The Ogiri camp, which calls itself “Integrity Group”, said it would mobilise students against the union president. It threatened to expose what it called Philip’s dirty dealings  since he assumed office.

    Ogiri said: “Our Students’ Union has been used as conduit of personal enrichment and corruption over the years by Omepa. I think it is high time we exposed his dirty deals before the matter gets out of hand.”

    But in a swift reaction, Philip described Ogiri as a “confused comrade”, saying the PRO lied against him to win sympathy for his “evil cause”. The president denied that he has been using his position to enrich himself.

    Philip said: “Ogiri thinks he can blackmail me to gain sympathy on social media. One thing is paramount about truth; no matter how long it takes, it will surely come out. Ogiri might be feeling that students are dissatisfied with the way I have run the union, but I can assure him the success of my administration will be felt in the school for a long time.”

    Asked by CAMPUSLIFE if the crisis was caused by the alleged bribe, the president denied receiving money from the governor, saying Ogiri was out to tarnish his name for a personal score.

    Philip said: “I did not collect any money from the governor or his representatives. The problem in the union is not about the money, but about a personal score. Ogiri knows I am richer than him, even as an undergraduate.

    “I can feed myself without SUG money or any bribe from anywhere. So it is not about the money, but about the threats he made that he would make my administration look bad before students. If anyone has totally derailed from unionism and is using the SUG as conduit for personal enrichment, it is Ogiri.”

    The PRO accused the president of financial recklessness, alleging that the Philip-led administration could not account for the N4 million remitted to the union as students’ dues by management.

    Philip said his administration got the lowest students’ dues. The money, he said, was judiciously disbursed to implement priority projects, citing the ongoing construction of the Students’ Centre.

    The president said: “We could have used the N4 million to make chairs and construct toilets across the campus, but the union cannot continue with such petty projects year in, year out. We need to have a place of our own. We embarked on building a befitting secretariat, float a photocopy and business centre, and an eatery.”

    Philip accused Ogiri and other members of the executive of championing a smear campaign against him. He said his achievement in ending cult killings and promoting cordial relations between students and management could not be erased. He challenged Ogiri to come out with proof of the alleged bribe.

    Describing the bribery allegation as false, Director-General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said the Bello administration remains prudent in the management of state resources. The government, Fanwo said, does not have the free money to throw around.

    He said: “Rather than taking government money to bribe students for any reason, or against demonstrations as being alleged, we would keep the money and add it to what we have in the coffers to pay the striking workers, so that the students can go back to school. It is baseless and mischievous for anyone to say we bribe students not to demonstrate.”

     

     

     

  • INEC probe panel on N23b bribe: REC got N140m cash

    INEC probe panel on N23b bribe: REC got N140m cash

    Chairman, commissioners meet today on 202 officials

    A Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who completed his tenure on Friday, collected about N140million of the N23.29 billion 2015 election bribe, it was learnt at the weekend.

    A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly coordinated the bribe that has sparked a big scandal.

    There were other startling revelations in the report of the probe committee headed by National Commissioner Baba Shettima Arfo, which will be considered today and tomorrow by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and 12 National Commissioners.

    Most of the 202 indicted officials may be dismissed from service for gross misconduct and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for trial.

    The corrupt officials who have retired with their loot may either be blacklisted by INEC or have their entitlements withheld. Besides, the bribe may be deducted from their benefits.

    INEC had in January raised the seven-member Arfo panel to “investigate the fallout of the 2015 General Elections with regards to staff indicted by EFCC”.

    Other national commissioners in the committee are Prince Solomon Soyebi; Hajiya Amina Zakari; Alhaji  Mohammed Haruna; Mrs. May Agbamuche Mbu(SAN); and Prof. A.T. Simbine.

    A director in INEC, Mr. Musa Adamu, is the secretary to the committee.

    The panel discovered many startling revelations from the 202 officials and others.

    Some of the shocking findings are that:

    • an NGO, West African Network of Electoral Observers, was used to share the bribe to INEC officials
    • a former chairman of INEC coordinated the bribe;
    • many former Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and retired administrative secretaries were used to funnel the bribe to INEC officials in all the 36 states to alter the results of the poll;
    • some RECs and directors benefited from the bribe as confirmed by EFCC’s investigations;
    • a REC, who completed his tenure on Friday, collected between N107million and N140million;
    • some RECs and other INEC officials collected as much as N100m; others were given as low as N150,000 to compromise the electoral system; and
    • some of the indicted officials admitted that they had refunded their share of the bribe cash.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the “revelations were stunning and unimaginable” in an electoral agency.

    The source said: “The panel had 10 sittings. It queried staff members waited for their responses and invited each of the 202 for interaction. It insisted on fair hearing and took time to ask questions on record from those indicted.

    “It adopted a painstaking administrative process to learn from the past.

    “The panel invited those who were mentioned in the course of the interaction with the affected officials conducted a water-tight investigation to avoid leaving room for any excuse by the 202 officials.”

    The source gave an insight into how the bribery was perpetrated.

    The source added: “From the interaction with the indicted staff, the N23.29b bribe cash was distributed through West African Network of Electoral Observers. The INEC system was infiltrated through a former chairman of the commission who recruited former RECs and retired Administrative Secretaries.

    “They penetrated the system and made sure the bribe cash was distributed a day after the election when they were sure that the results would have been altered.

    “But because the cash came late to the electoral officers, it did not have effect on the results. Those who shared the money were confident that the results paid for would be announced. But it turned the other way.

    “It also discovered that some RECs and INEC officers refused to collect the bribe even under threats of dismissal after the general elections.”

    Asked of the next step, the source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media, added: “The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and  his 12 National Commissioners will begin the consideration of the report of the committee as from today  and tomorrow.

    “Most of them have admitted collecting bribe but we are going to apply the service rules in taking disciplinary action. You know in our own case, if there is gross misconduct, you can be dismissed from service.

    “There are other forms of disciplinary measures in the service rules, depending on the weight of the offence. We have already told the EFCC that we are ready. After the disciplinary action, the anti-graft commission can then take appropriate action.”

    On the indicted RECs, the source added: “By the Act which established INEC, we cannot invite them for interrogation because we did not appoint them. They were appointed by the President.

    “We can only make recommendations to the President.”

    Section 3 of INEC Establishment Act says:

    (1)    “ The chairman and members of the Commission shall each hold office for a period of five years and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment.

    (2)    “ A member may at any time be removed from office by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for any act of misconduct but shall not be removed from office except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

    (3)     ”A member may resign his membership by notice in writing addressed to the President and that member shall, on the date of the receipt of the notice by the President, cease to be a member.”

    Some NGOs are likely to be blacklisted from taking part in any election conducted by INEC. Some of the retired officials can also be blacklisted; their names will be sent to the Presidency to prevent them from being appointed as RECs in the future.

    “For some retired INEC officials who have not collected their entitlements, they can be punished through the stoppage of the payment of their benefits or their bribe cash can be refunded from their entitlements,” the source said.

    Some INEC officers already grilled by EFCC are the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abia State, Sylvester Ezeani, who has refunded N20million credited to him from the poll cash; ex-REC Gesil Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

    Also, a retired INEC official, Sani Isa,  was grilled for alleged N 406,206,000 bribe, allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC), in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

    Those grilled in Gombe are: Godwin Maiyaki, Gambo Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed,Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel, Y/Deba.

  • Alleged $801m bribe: Shell, Etete, Adoke face charges

    Alleged $801m bribe: Shell, Etete, Adoke face charges

    EFCC set for trial of ex-ministers, businessman, others over Malabu Oil deal

    All  is set for the legal battle over the alleged $801million Malabu oil deal bribe.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed charges against a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke (SAN) and a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar.

    Also charged are eight others.

    The others are: Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited;  Nigeria Agip  Exploration Limited; ENI SPA; Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Ralph Wetzels (ex- director of SNEPCO), Casula Roberto (Italian) and director of AGIP; Pujatti Stefeno(Italian) and director in AGIP; and Burafato Sebastiano (Italian).

    A United Kingdom (UK) anti-corruption group, Global Witness, claimed that $523million of the bribe was paid  to some fronts of a former president.

    The charge sheet,  dated February 28,  states that all the accused persons will be arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Division.

    No date has been fixed for their arraignment.

    All the 11 suspects will face three charges bordering on alleged official corruption of about $801million.

    According to the charges filed by the EFCC  legal team, comprising Johnson Ojogbane, H.M. Mohammed and Victor Ukagwu, all the accused persons are to face trial for alleged:

    • conspiracy, contrary to Section 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 12 of the same Act; and
    • official corruption contrary to Section 9 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 9 (b) of the same Act.

    The particulars of the offence are as follows:

    “That you Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited, Nigeria Agip  Exploration Limited, ENI SPA, Ralph Wetzels (whilst being director of SNEPCO), Casula Roberto (Italian) whilst being the director of AGIP; Pujatti Stefeno (Italian) while being the director in AGIP; Burafato Sebastiano(Italian), while being a Director with AGIP; Douzia Louya Etete(a.k.a Dan Etete); Mohammed Bello Adoke; Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited sometime in 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Official corruption and thereby committed an offence.

    “That  you Douzia Louya Etete(a.k.a Dan Etete), Mohammed Bello Adoke; Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited sometime in 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court corruptly received the aggregate sum of $801million in relation to the grant of Oil Prospecting Licence in respect of OPL 245 from Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and ENI SPA and thereby committed an offence.

    “That you Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited, Nigeria Agip  Exploration Limited, ENI SPA, Ralph Wetzels(whilst being Director of SNEPCO), Casula Roberto(Italian) whilst being the Director of AGIP; Pujatti Stefeno(Italian) while beinmg the Director in AGIP; Burafato Sebastiano(Italian), while being a Director with AGIP; Douzia Louya Etete(a.k.a Dan Etete); Mohammed Bello Adoke; Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited sometime in 2011 within the jurisdiction of this court corruptly gave the aggregate sum of $801million to Douzia Louya Etete(a.k.a Dan Etete) , Mohammed Bello Adoke; Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited on account of the grant of Oil Prospecting Licence in respect of OPL 245 and thereby committed an offence.”

    This is the second time some of the accused persons will be facing trial.

    The EFCC on  December 20, 2016 filed nine charges bordering on alleged mismanagement of $1,616,690,656.78 Malabu Oil cash against Adoke, Etete, Abubakar, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Rocky  Top Resources Limited; Imperial Union Limited; Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, Group Construction Limited and Megatech Engineering Limited.

    The nine-count charge was filed  at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The charges came barely 48 hours after ENI SPA insisted that the sale of OPL 245(Malabu Oil Block) was not fraudulent.

    The Board of Directors of Eni(Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited) claimed that all transactions relating to the $1,616,690,656.78 Malabu oil block were clean.

    The oil firm said it arrived at the conclusion after commissioning  forensic investigations into the controversy over the sale of the oil block.

    It said an  independent United States law firm conducted the investigations and returned a not guilty verdict.

    The statement said: “Eni’s Board of Directors today takes note of the outcome of further forensic investigations into the 2011 transaction between Eni and Shell and the Nigerian Government for the acquisition of the OPL 245 licence in Nigeria.

    The investigations were conducted by an independent US law firm. They were commissioned by Eni’s Board of Statutory Auditors and Watch Structure.

    “The investigations examined the new materials and further information filed by the Milan prosecutors as part of the closure of the investigation in December 2016.

    “The law firm confirms the conclusions reached by previous investigations in 2015, stating that there is no evidence of corrupt conduct in relation to the transaction.

    Eni’s Board of Directors confirmed its total confidence that neither the company nor its CEO Claudio Descalzi were involved in alleged illicit conduct under investigation.”

    Global Witness had alleged that about $523million of the $1.1billion paid by Shell and Eni for Malabu Oil Block (OPL 245) went to some fronts of a former president.

    It said the deal deprived the country of a sum equivalent to 80% of its 2015 health budget in a country where more than 60% of the population live in poverty.

    The group made the disclosures in a statement by its Director, Simon Taylor.

    It also wrote a letter to the EFCC not to waiver in its determination to probe the sale of the oil block.

    The statement said: “We applaud the Nigerian authorities for fighting back against corruption without fear or favour, making sure there are real consequences for taking part in shady deals like with OPL 245.”

    “The lucrative OPL 245 oil block was allocated in 1998 for $20m – a fraction of its value now – to Malabu Oil & Gas, a company secretly owned by the then oil Minister, Etete.

    “The OPL 245 block, off the coast of Nigeria is owned 50-50 by Shell and Eni and contains probable reserves of 9.23 billion barrels of oil, representing potentially massive bookable reserves for the companies.

    “Shell currently holds 11.75 billion barrels of proven oil equivalent reserves and Eni holds 6.89 billion barrels of proven oil equivalent reserves.

    “The block was eventually passed on to Shell and Eni in 2011 in exchange for a payment of $1.1bn which flowed to Malabu rather than to the Nigerian state.

    “The former Minister of Justice Adoke by his own account acted as a broker in the deal. This deal deprived the country of a sum equivalent to 80% of its 2015 health budget in a country where more than 60% of the population live in poverty.

    ”Shell and Eni have always denied that they knew the money they paid would go to Malabu, but documents seen by Global Witness show that the companies in fact constructed the deal knowing that the money would flow ultimately to Malabu.

    “Prosecutors in the UK have previously alleged that $523m of Shell and Eni’s payment went to alleged “fronts for former President of Nigeria (names withheld) as part of a deal that was effectively a “smash and grab” on Nigeria.

    In a separate letter, the group praised the Acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu for the “sterling investigatory work” by the commission on the Malabu oil deal.

    The letter said Global witness was “ delighted to read press reports that former Attorney-General Mohammed Bello Adoke, Chief Etete and others have been implicated  by the EFCC for fraud and money laundering in respect of the OPL 245 oil deal.

    The letter added: “We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our admiration for the sterling investigatory work by the EFCC, under your leadership, that has brought this case to court.

    “We believe that the case will send a powerful message to the world that Nigeria is intent on prosecuting corruption without fear or favour.”

    The anti-corruption group however noted the reactions of some key actors in the Settlement Agreement on the oil block.

    It added: “In a statement, Mohammed Adoke said ‘I hope to at the appropriate time make myself available to defend the charge for what whatever its worth.’ He also emphasised that he did not benefit from the deal, which he said saved the government from a breach of contract suit in which Shell was claiming $2 billion.

    “He called the charges “orchestrated plans to bring me to public disrepute in order to satisfy the whims and caprices of some powerful interests on revenge mission.”

    “Shell has insisted that they did not pay Malabu directly and that all payments went to an escrow account held by the Government of Nigeria.

    “In a response to a request for comment from Global Witness in April 2015, Shell said “We do not agree with the premise behind various public statements made by Global Witness about Shell companies in relation to OPL 245.” It has not responded to more recent requests to comment.

    Eni responded to questions on the deal in May 2016 saying “Independent enquiries and the investigations commissioned by Eni’s Watch Structure and Board of Statutory Auditors from specialized American law firms have found no evidence of illegal conduct on the part of the Company.”

    “Antonio Tricarico of Re:Common said “The Italian Government must ask serious questions of the involvement of Senior Eni executives in a deal that has now lead to senior Nigerian officials being charged with criminal offences.”

  • INEC, N111m bribe and the new sheriff in town

    Few weeks ago, Nigerians watched in awe as a police panel constituted to investigate misdemeanours  that characterised  the controversial December 10, 2016 Rivers State’s rerun elections displayed a raw cash of  N111 million.  The huge amount of money, which has the capacity to make mockery of bank vaults, was allegedly recovered as bribe from 23 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials that participated in the poll.

    The 15-man panel, headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Damien Okoro, revealed to Nigerians how top ranking officials if the commission cornered N20 million each out of the total N360 million spoils that was allegedly doled out to them by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in order to influence the outcome of the election. The panel, which received the full cooperation of the Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu led INEC, also implicated some few other officials of the electoral umpire in the alleged ‘bribe for votes’ racketeering.

    To many close observers of the country’s polity, the startling revelation of the panel was hardly surprising.  Corruption, especially bribe taking, pervades the nation’s political culture and saps its economy and democracy.  It has been a recurring decimal in government agencies and the problem goes beyond a single commission or agency. In fact, I doubt if there are institutions in this country that are not riddled with corruption from top to bottom — police, courts, parastatals, parliament,  just to mention a few.

    But apart from the recovery of the bribe and the accusations and counter-accusations between the police panel and the Rivers State government over the veracity of the report, there is one major lesson that the report has thrown up to Nigerians, which is  INEC did not trot out any justification for the action of its indicted personnel. In fact, the electoral umpire collaborated closely with the panel to unravel what transpired in the rerun poll.

    This has shown that there are still individuals with high moral compass in Nigeria like the INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu that can summon enough courage to cooperate with other relevant government agencies in fighting corruption no matter whose ox is gored.

    Before the inauguration of the police panel on the Rivers rerun polls, Prof. Yakubu had left no one in doubt of his unwavering commitment to root-out bad eggs from INEC when he announced the readiness of the commission to prosecute any of its officials that engage in electoral fraud. This was marched with action when he again disclosed that the electoral umpire has successfully prosecuted 61 officials over electoral fraud.

    But it did not stop there. INEC set up a panel to probe reports which revealed that more than 200 officials received around N23billion bribe in 2015 elections. In addition, a panel was also instituted to probe the reported violence that marred the parliamentary election held in Rivers State last December. Recently, the panel submitted a report on its findings which even indicted security operatives.

    “One of the low points of the Rivers re-run elections of December 10, 2016 was the flagrant intervention of security operatives in the process,” the report said. “This was widely identified by staff of the commission and independent observers alike as one of the major factors that led to the failure of the process in some local government areas.”

    It said there were too many security agencies involved in the process outside the framework of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). According to the report, it was not clear whether many of them were acting as part of their various organisations or as groups and individuals serving political interests.

    The report added, “But the most mind-boggling were cases of hostage taking, hijack of materials and physical attacks on INEC officials perpetrated by security operatives. Of singular note was a certain policeman named Akin Fakorede, who ostensibly is a commander of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) in Rivers State.”

    With these actions, Prof. Yakubu has not only set a commendable example by confronting  the bad eggs in INEC, his incurable penchant to ensure that there is zero tolerance for any level of corruption in the commission has further restored the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral umpire ability to always conduct credible elections.

    The cleansing of corrupt elements in INEC  is critical if the country  democracy is to be well-nurtured, hence, it is proper for Nigerians to rally more support to the present management of the commission’s quest to ensure that issue of bribe-taking during election become a thing of the past. It is also fair to give all the necessary accolades to Prof Yakubu for sanitising the nation’s electoral system through the prosecution of individuals who engage in acts of electoral malpractices.

    This is the first time in the recent history of INEC that the electoral umpire is not only embarking on self-cleansing but has further taken a step further to ensure that those that benefited from untold millions of naira from politicians to influence the outcome of elections are not only docked in the conventional courts but are also made to face the public shame of their appalling escapade.

    Nigerians are heartened by the renewed vigour by the present INEC leadership to ensure elections in the country are not polluted by bribe-taking elements. Other staff of the commission must buy into this impressive record of attacking corruption which the INEC chairman is known for.

    Though it is still early to know how deep the anti-corruption measures taken so far by the commission will impact in subsequent elections in the country, it is not debateable that there is a new sheriff in town in the person of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu. Yes, a new sheriff has come to INEC.

     

    • Audu, a public affairs commentator, wrote in from Kaduna.

  • Six police officers get promotion for rejecting bribe

    The Police Service Commission (PSC)  has promoted six senior police officers for rejecting huge sums of money offered as bribe to compromise them in the course of doing their duties.

    The Commission in a statement in Abuja by the Head of Press and Public  Relations Unit, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the promotion was imperative because the officers displayed rare and exemplary courage to resist corruption.

    The decision was reached by the Commission after its 19th Plenary Meeting in Abuja.

    Those affected by the promotion are: “CSP Sulaiman Muhammad Abdul, CSP. Olusoji Akinbayo,  Inspector Sunday Idowu, DSP Mu’awuyya A. Abubakar,  Inspector Eheziekia Abiona and Sergeant Ogunbiyi Agbabu.

    The statement reads: “The Police Service Commission has promoted six senior police officers who have shown rare and exemplary courage to resist corruption.The Commission approved the promotion of CSP Sulaiman Muhammad Abdul to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police for his outstanding performance in the fight against corruption.

     “CSP Abdul currently with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the course of his duty recovered a whopping sum of #42billion for the federal government. He had earlier been commended by the former Inspector General of Police and recommended for consideration by the Chairman of the EFCC.

    “The Commission also approved the promotion of CSP. Olusoji Akinbayo to the  rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and Inspector Sunday Idowu to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police for outstanding performance while serving at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.

    “Both officers were said to have rejected a bribe of $21 and another $12,900 from one Samuel Wilberforce. The officers,  despite this huge inducement defied the temptation and arrested the pipeline vandals.”

    The statement  added: “Their action has portrayed the Nigeria Police Force in good light as they exhibited professionalism, fearlessness and incorruptibility in the conduct of their assignment.

    “DSP Mu’awuyya A. Abubakar of the Kano State Command was also promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police. DSP Abubakar was in 2014 awarded the best Crime Bursting Police Officer by the African Leadership Awards and Security Watch Africa.

    “He had earlier received a commendation letter from Mr. President for exceptional display of courage and gallantry in counter insurgency operation in Kano State.

    “The PSC  also approved the promotion of Inspector Eheziekia Abiona and Sergeant Ogunbiyi Agbabu to their next ranks. The officers who are attached to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) were said to have recovered the sum of #5million that fell off a bullion van in November/December 2015.”

    The Chairman of the Commission, Mike Okiro, said the Commission is poised to enthrone honesty, responsibility and fear of God in the Nigeria Police Force.

    Okiro who noted that the special promotions was meant to spark off a new wave of integrity in the conduct of police officers added that the promotion is another way of motivating the honest and disciplined and a wakeup call to the few disgruntled elements still in service.

    He  warned that officers who are unable to turn a new leaf and embrace the new disposition of the Commission will be shown the way out of the force in the interest of the larger society.