The Nation Newspaper

Tag: defraud

  • Minister: two mining firms defraud Fed Govt of N100 billion

    TWO firms have allegedly defrauded the Federal Government of N100 billion through illegal mining activities, according to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    He said the companies – Solid Unit Limited and Geotess Nigeria Limited –  illegally exported minerals worth over N100 billion in the last few years.

    According to him, the companies in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State were shut down last month by the government due to their involvement in illegal activities in the area.

    Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister Olayinka Oyebode, in a statement yesterday, said Fayemi made the disclosure at a meeting with the ministry’s civil servants in Abuja.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government has said that  two illegal mining companies – Solid Unit Limited and Geotess Nigeria Limited – that were shut down in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State last month, had illegally taken out minerals worth over N100 billion. In the past few years, they have been involved in illegal activities in the area.

    “Sixteen Chinese nationals and eight Nigerians involved in massive illegal mining were arrested in Zurak, on August 15 at the wake of the shutting down of the two companies on the orders of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the minister, when the duo visited some illegal mining sites in the richly endowed lead/zinc belt.

    “The Chairman of Solid Unit Limited, Alhaji Usman Abubakar (aka Dan China), who is regarded as the most notorious illegal miner in the state, was also declared wanted by the NSA, who ordered all security agencies to arrest him for acts seen as economic sabotage.

    “Dr. Fayemi said the huge scale of  illegal mining by the two companies in Wase was tantamount to economic terrorism, adding that government was determined to confront anyone or group that are out to sabotage the economy through illegal mining and other means.”

    It added: “He said the scale of illegal mining perpetrated by the two blacklisted companies and their foreign collaborators was humongous, stressing that they used very sophisticated equipment, including a tunnel with rail track and other heavy machines for their illegal operations.

    “He said the arrested Nigerians have been in active connivance with foreigners to carry out massive illegal mining in the state, thereby depriving the country of revenue.

    “Their unwholesome activities have also led to environmental degradation and abandoned mine pits.

    “He said the leadership of the ministry carried out the operation that led to the closure of the illegal mining companies/sites and the arrest in a discreet manner, because of the massive network of collaborators and informants at the disposal of the companies.

    “We didn’t want to leave anything to chance, so it was done discreetly”.

    It added that it was a successful operation, which had also restored sanity to the area after the siege laid by illegal miners and criminal elements for some years.

    The arrested Nigerians and their foreign collaborators, according to the statement, have been handed over to the newly inaugurated Police Mines Division for prosecution.

    Fayemi said the ministry would adopt its own whistle-blowing arrangement to encourage more information on illegal mining activities in the sector.

    The minister, however, added that the ministry would continue to guide and provide both technical and financial supports to genuine artisanal and small scale miners, who abide by the rules and regulations guiding the sector.

    Zurak is a key location of substantial mineral deposits notably lead, zinc, copper, tin, wolframite, tantalite and other base metals.

    Over time, illegal mining activities have been recorded around the area, leading to huge loss of revenue, minable land and social displacement of the rural communities.

  • Three ‘defraud’ LSETF loan applicants

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court will on Wednesday begin the trial of two men who allegedly posed as Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) officials to defraud loan applicants of thousands of naira.

    Prince Akintayo Akinjide and Adesoji Adeyele were arraigned by the police on July 24, before Mrs L. I. Balogun on a charge of obtaining money under false pretences contrary to Sections 285, 311, 312 (1), (a) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    According to prosecuting Inspector Babajide Williams, the defendants presented themselves as LSETF officials and promised to assist their victims to obtain loans at a cost of between N4,500 and N12,000.

    “About 300 persons are believed to have fallen victim to this scam,” Williams said.

    Akinjide and Adeyele pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Balogun granted them N200,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum. The sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of three-year tax payment.

    Last April 6, the police brought a 32-year-old man, Emmanuel Olajide, before Mrs G. O. Anifowoshe of the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly printing and selling fake LSETF application forms.

    Olajide was arraigned for alleged forgery and obtaining money under false pretences contrary to Sections 285, 361 and 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Prosecuting Inspector E. Victor told the court that the defendant printed LSETF logos on fake loan application forms, “which he sold at the rate of N10, 000 each to his innocent victims.”

    Victor said the defendant promised his victims assurance of a successful loan application process knowing same to be false.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Anifowoshe granted him N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. The sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence three-year tax payment.

    Olajide’s trial continues on September 4.

    Meanwhile, the LSETF, which confirmed the defendants’ prosecution, said the form and the process for the loan scheme are “absolutely free of charge” for all Lagos residents.

    Its Executive Secretary, Akin Oyebode, urged the public to report to the police anyone making a request for payment or inducement of any kind “as such request is nothing but fraudulent.”

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, every member of the public should note that the process for accessing the LSETF loans is administered transparently, devoid of any consideration of ethnicity, religion, gender or political affiliations.

    “It is merit-based and open to all Lagos residents who desire to secure financing to grow their businesses and consequently create jobs for many unemployed youths.

    “All persons interested in applying for the loan can either pick up the form at LSETF liaison offices in their nearest local government office or download from the LSETF website free of charge.”

  • Suspected movie star impersonator held for ‘fraud’

    Suspected movie star impersonator held for ‘fraud’

    A 23-YEAR-OLD man, Sylvester Onakpobe, has been arrested by the police for allegedly impersonating a Nollywood actor, Michael Ifeanyi, on social media to defraud his fans.

    The suspect was arrested by operatives attached to the Maroko Division in Victoria Island following a petition filed by the actor on August 17.

    He was alleged to have used the actor’s name and photograph on Facebook to collect huge sums of money from unsuspecting persons under the guise of organising a film festival.

    The Nation learnt that the suspect was trailed and arrested at the point of collecting N3.5 million from one of the actor’s fans who resides in France.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP, said the suspect confessed to the crime, adding that he was part of a syndicate.

    ‘’Effort is on to arrest other members of the syndicate. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni has directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abdulmajid Isah, to charge the suspect to court. He has also warned all internet fraudsters that the command will do everything possible to stop their nefarious activities and ensure diligent prosecutions of the arrested ones,’’ she said.

  • Two arrested for attempt to defraud Fayose

    Two arrested for attempt to defraud Fayose

    •Police: we’re investigating

    The Ekiti State government has arrested two persons who claimed to be working in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with the intent of defrauding Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The government alleged that an identity card marked “GMB Security” was found on one of the suspects.

    A statement yesterday by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the duo stormed Fayose’s Afao-Ekiti home, claiming that they had a copy of the preliminary report of the military panel, which investigated the role of soldiers in elections held in Ekiti, Osun, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

    The names of the suspects, according to the statement, are Benedict Ola Idega and Abdulsalami Leader H, who  “claimed” they could manipulate the final report of the panel with Fayose’s cooperation.

    The duo added that “the report was aimed at targeting some top Army officers who the Federal Government wants to punish.

    The statement said: “Governor Fayose, who was suspicious of the men’s  intentions, had informed the  Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Security.

    “The two men, in a meeting with the governor, presented what they called a photocopy of page three of the preliminary report to show that they meant business.

    The purported copy bore the Army’s logo.

    “The governor gave the impression that he was satisfied with all that they said and asked them to wait  for him.

    “He called in the police and DSS officials, who arrested the two men.

    “The identity card found on Abdulsalami Leader H bore “GMB SECURITY” and it was stated at the back that he (Abdulsalami) is the security of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari with Number 34, Lobitto Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja as issuer’s address and 088133636478 and 08057010255 as phone numbers.

    “Benedict Ola Idega was with a Federal Capital Development Authority identity card.

    “The two men, who lodged at a popular hotel on Bank Road, Ado-Ekiti, have been detained at the Police Headquarters, Ado Ekiti alongside another suspected accomplice, who was found in their hotel room.

    Olayinka said even though it had been established that they were impersonators, their real intention was yet to be ascertained.

    He said:  “We don’t want to pre-empt the security agents who are investigating the incident. But it is certain that they have ulterior motives.

    “We are also not ruling out the possibility of an attempt to set up the governor, defraud or even harm him.”

    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said: “Investigation is ongoing to establish who they are and what their intentions are. That is what we can say on the matter for now.”

  • How Ogbulafor used fake documents to defraud Fed Govt, by witness

    An Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) investigator, Basil Momodu, yesterday told an Abuja High Court in Maitama, that an accused, Emeka Ebila, forged documents certifying that three fake companies executed contracts worth N107 million.

    Momodu, a prosecution witness in the trial of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Vincent Ogbulafor, also told the court that the fake companies were listed as contractors being owed by the Federal Government.

    Ogbulafor and Ebila are being prosecuted by the ICPC on a 16-count charge of alleged involvement in N170 million contract fraud.

    The ICPC alleged that Ogbulafor, while serving as Minister of Special Duties in 2001, colluded with Ebila to float three fictitious companies — Chekwas International Nigeria Ltd, Henrichko Nig Ltd and D.H.L. Consultants — with which they perpetrated the fraud.

    Momodu, who was led in evidence by ICPC counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that Ebila used the companies to siphon N82.6 million, N11.5 million and N6.2 million in 2001.

    The witness also told the court that investigations by the ICPC further showed that the companies were not genuine contractors of the Federal Government.

    Momodu, who told the court that he took six statements from Ebila, said at first, the accused denied any involvement in the alleged contract scam.

    “After we confronted him with the evidence, he confessed to collecting the money and sharing same.

    “He told me in the statement that the first accused (Ogbulafor) got N30 million from the deal, Emmanuel Bossah, a deceased director in the Ministry of Finance, got N54 million.

    “He also wrote in the statement that Jude Nwokolo, an associate of Ogbulafor, got N6.5 million.

    “The second accused also told me in the statement that his share of the money was N4.7 million,” he said.

    Momodu alleged that Ogbulafor used his position as the minister supervising the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC) to make Ebila, a member of a committee verifying contractors.

    When Awomolo sought to tender a copy of the report prepared by NEIC with names of local and foreign contractors being owed, Ogbulafor’s counsel John Egwuonwu objected.

    Egwuonwu said the document Awomolo sought to tender was not certified and did not have any Federal Government stamp.

    Following the objection, Awomolo withdrew the documents and sought an adjournment to enable him get it certified and stamped.

    Justice Ishaq Bello adjourned the hearing till November 26.