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Tag: Dikko

  • NSC: stakeholders back ‘versatile’ Dikko to lift Nigerian sports

    NSC: stakeholders back ‘versatile’ Dikko to lift Nigerian sports

    Stakeholders in Nigerian sports have in unison applauded the appointment of Mallam Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of  the National Sports Commission (NSC) following the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports  Development. Many believe he can surely clean the Augean stable, given his pedigree, writes Sports  Editor, MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

    For Shehu Dikko, it  has taken him painstaking years  to finally arrive at the top of  Nigeria’s  sporting rack following his appointment  on Wednesday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman  of the ‘rebranded’ National Sports Commission (NSC).

    From Lagos to Lokoja, and from Sokoto to Sagbama, Dikko’s  appointment  is being celebrated with both  friends and critics agreeing that his choice was that of a  round peg in a round hole, but his journey to the top  has not been without challenges.

    Born 4th July, 1970, in Zaria, the Kaduna State-born   Dikko was first and  foremost a football  enthusiast, a die-hard Manchester United fan, often called ‘Milan’  by some  close  friends because of his affinity with the Rossoneri in the Italian Serie A.

    He schooled at the famous  Barewa College in Zaria as well as the College of Advanced  Studies en route to the  Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), also in Zaria, where he graduated with Honours  in Quantity Surveying  in 1993. He also  has a Post Graduate  Diploma in Management (PGDM)  and Masters in Business Administration (MBA); all obtained from ABU. He is a fellow and member of many professional bodies that include  Association of Cost Engineers (MAcostE) in the USA, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (ANIOS) and Institute of Corporate  Executives of Nigeria (FICEN), amongst many others.

    That Dikko was destined for the top began in the early 1990s when he served as  ‘Officer-in-Training’ and was  adjudged  Employee of the Year at the Lagos office of  E&P and ever since,  he has not looked back. He was also adjudged the ‘Best Corper’  during his National Youth Service Corps attachment  to the Ministry of Works & Housing in Jigawa State.

    But it was at the Kaduna  office of the E&P, where he worked between 1994 and 19997, that his burgeoning  portfolio began to ‘grow teeth’ as a Quantity Surveyor and Senior Project Manager  of several  high-profile  projects of varying  scopes, with a cumulative value of over  N10 Billion’.

    But it was at his self-owned  Inter-Projects Associates Ltd that Dikko began  to gain traction across all frontiers; from  consulting services in quantity surveying  to engineering construction,  and, of course,  management.  His unbridled love for sports, and especially football, saw him venturing  into sports marketing  and sponsorship  consulting in the early 2000, albeit underground. Dikko broke into  national consciousness around 2005  when he was appointed as  the Strategy & Marketing Consultants by the-then Nigeria Football League (NFL) under the late Chief Oyuki Jackson-Obaseki.

    It was at his instance that the-then league board went into technical partnership with the English Premier League, PA Sport in the UK, FRCN, NTA, NCDC, amongst other interesting portfolios. He was, for years, strategic partners  to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and he supervised the building of the  FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

    Read Also: Mixed feelings  greet Dikko’s appointment as  NSC Chairman

    He was also involved  in the tour of  Brazil, Manchester United and Portsmouth  to Nigeria long before  he came into full stream football administration.

    In September 2014, he ran for office of the NFF President but  was ‘forced’ to withdraw  his candidacy before  the election was officially held in Warri, and was later appointed  the Chairman of League Management Company by the Amaju Pinnick-led   Nigeria Football Federation. He was reappointed Chairman of the League Management Company  in 2019. Apart from being a formr  NFF Vice President, Dikko  is also a seasoned international match commissioner with membership of  both  FIFA and CAF Committees  as well  as World Football League and FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee.

    In 2022, he contested but  lost his  bid to become  the next  NFF President, only for him to bounce  into limelight on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, with his appointment as the  Chairman of the NSC – the apex body responsible for regulating sports in the country.

    “As a sports enthusiast, I am thrilled to see an individual like Mallam Shehu Dikko being entrusted with such an important role,” the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Muhammed, said in a statement shared with NationSports.

    He continued: “This appointment signifies President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s confidence in his ability to contribute to the enhancement of governance and service delivery in Nigeria, especially in the area of sports development.

    “I want to commend His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for yet again assembling competent individuals like Shehu Dikko, who will tirelessly work towards fulfilling the aspirations of Nigerians in the area of sports, talent discovery and nurturing.

    “Shehu Dikko’s expertise and experience will undoubtedly be valuable in achieving the administration’s goals of good governance and overall development.

    “I have no doubt he will excel in his new role. Once again, congratulations on your well-deserved appointment. I wish you every success as you embark on this new chapter of your career.

    “May you continue to serve Nigerians and Nigeria with utmost dedication,” he added.

    For Professor Sadiq Abdullahi,  this is certainly a golden opportunity for Dikko  to open a new vista for Nigerian sports, adding that posterity would  judge him should he falter on this task, despite his impeccable background.

     “He has to look at the opportunity as a golden one. He is a seasoned sports administrator who has knowledge, skills and the disposition to bring professionals (technocrats) together. This opportunity is unprecedented but the challenge is enormous,” warned  the former Nigeria tennis International. “He has to guide against and balance the politics that has wreaked havoc on sports development.

     “Professionalism, effective leadership, good governance, accountability and transparency are critical and essential key areas of focus,” he noted.

    Speaking in the  same vein,  former chairman of  Edo State Football Association, Honourable Frank  Ilaboya, said  Dikko has to make things work at the NSC  in order to justify the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports Development.

    “For the first time in a long while, the federal government seems to have got it right with the appointment of Mallam Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC)

    “I say so because  Dikko is the type of knowledgeable sports administrators we have always talked about, a round peg in around  hole,”  Ilaboya, the CEO of Sportsville,  stated emphatically. “I hope he would be allowed to get those who can help him deliver, because our sports need urgent surgical operation.”

    Ilaboya said Dikko should do away  with the usual fire brigade approach that has  seen Nigerian athletes fail to make  good impact at international competitions when the chips are down.

    He continued: “My advice to Dikko is to settle in quickly and do the needful; like set in motion plans to ensure we have templates for long-term planning. Let him look at the countries that are doing well in sports and copy their templates, follow it with the right personnel in the right places.

     “The good news is that we are not short of talents  either as administrators or athletes in the country

    “I want to at this juncture appeal to the government to provide the necessary ingredients to make his tenure successful.

     “Nigeria’s sports is  in dire need of fixing and I am very confident that the coming of Mallam Dikko will bring the necessary and desired turn around.”

    Yet, the  hard-punching  columnist and historian, Emeka Obasi, demurred, saying  scrapping  the Ministry of Sports  Development  for the NSC  is not the route to success if there is no proper funding of sports.

    “If we repainted Aso Villa, the structure would still remain,” he said in his usual frankness. “Nothing has happened here, just change of nomenclature.

    “President Bola Tinubu should go beyond name change and take sports beyond where we are now. In 1992, Chief  Alex Akinyele was moved as Information Minister to a reinvented National Sports Commission. We did not feel any difference.

     “President Tinubu should invest massively in sports.I don’t mind if he changes the name to National Physical Education Commission. Sports can clear our towns of kidnappers, reduce Boko Haram insurgency and diminish banditry,” he averred.

    For Olympian and former national 110m hurdle champion, Dr. Godwin Obasogie, Dikko or whoever is in charge would have to work his socks as did the doyen of sports  administration, the late Isaac Akioye, under  whose watch  Nigerian athletes and footballers  gave their best.

     “Personally, l believe (changing to NSC)  it’s the right move and a step forward.

     “The  old  National Sports Commission  succeeded in bringing out the talents in all of us when nobody was financially buying the positions and there was nothing like ‘which part of the country are you from?’

     “ ‘What is your political affiliation, religious affiliation or the language you speak?’

     “These are the same people who have been part of failures in international sports engagements, including the Olympics. There are people that have never put on their state or national uniform, or to have even studied sports administration anywhere; but these are people in charge.

     “Whereas, there are a lot of former sports men and women who can take Nigeria to the next level. Will they invite them or see if they have interest? Will they look at their CVs? The answer is NO.

     “Here, I pray the soul of late Mr I. Akioye continue to rest in peace,” he closed.

  • Dikko lauds organisers of FCT’s grassroots tourney

    Dikko lauds organisers of FCT’s grassroots tourney

    Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)  2nd Vice President, Shehu Dikko, has commended the organisers of the maiden FCT Secondary School Football Tournament.

    Speaking  as the Chairman of the event held on Saturday at the Waldorf Knoll Academy Football pitch, Jabi in Abuja,   Dikko enjoined other states across the country to put such grassroots football tournament involving young boys for the development of the game.

    “Grassroots football is the way for us to go, ”Dikko said.“We have to connect with our schools because the kids that plays at that level whether U13, U15, U16 or whatever, the first thing is to make sure that they are of school age.

    “That is the best connection and we must make sure that we include schools within that framework so that we can get success and proper records for these boys and follow up with them so that they develop and reach the level they want to reach at the U17, U20, national teams, clubs and a couple of them.

    Read Also: Oyebanji and challenges of grassroots administration

     “I think we have to encourage this kind of competition. All schools should be encouraged to organise what we have seen here today. It could be annually, quarterly or what have you and prepare these kids for the future. These are truly young players who only played for fun but showed great football artistry and display.

     “I have seen a lot of good players with bright futures and I have told the schools involved that they should keep eyes on them and even some of our colleagues who are involved in managing players because, in the next one or two years, some of these boys will be really up there,”

    At the end of hostilities, the host, Waldorf Knoll Academy, emerged as champions defeating HHH Foundation School 2-0 during an entertaining and thrilling final.

    Hussaini Yahaya of Aduvie International School emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Yasir Yusuf of HHH Foundation School got the best goalkeeper award while Moses Yakubu of Waldorf Knoll Academy was the highest goal scorer with four goals.

  • EFCC begins investigation of Pinnick, Dikko, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is to investigate and take necessary action against Amaju Pinnick, Mallam Shehu Dikko and three other top board members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    This follows a petition it received from a former national team coach, James Peters on May 4, 2018 with a heading: ‘MONUMENTAL STEALING AND FINANCIAL CRIMES IN THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION’ received by the Executive Chairman of EFCC on May 4, 2018.

    In the petition, Peters who coached national teams and led them to notable victories and also served as Technical Director of the NFF for many years urged the EFCC to carry out a thorough investigation on an alleged “unprecedented stealing, corrupt practices and financial crimes being perpetrated by the current President Amaju Pinnick, the General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the first Vice President Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, the second Vice President Mallam Shehu Dikko and a member of the Executive Committee Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (a.k.a Fresh).

    The former Technical Director also alleged “stealing and fraudulent activities by Financial Derivatives Limited, a company cunningly brought into the NFF by Pinnick for the sole purpose of saving money outside the official accounts of the NFF in the Central Bank and diverting same for fraudulent activities.”

    Similarly, the petition stated that “these NFF chieftains have also used the company Mediterranean Sports Limited belonging to Dikko, who is also the Chairman of the League Management Company, a body saddled with the responsibility of running the Elite league, and attracts millions of dollars from sponsorships and Chairman, Marketing and Sponsorship sub-committee of the NFF to collect over 40 per cent of revenues from the numerous sponsors of the NFF “.

    In a notification letter ref no. EFCC/EC/mos/59/17 written to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports by the Executive Chairman, the EFCC notified the Ministry that it has received a petition from Peters and thereby ‘forward same for investigation and necessary action.

    The petitioner also alleged that despite the Federal Government’s policy of Treasury Single Account (TSA) where monies of parastatals are lodged for purposes of checking leakages etcetera, Pinnick and others obtained the services of Financial Derivatives Company Limited to warehouse revenue accruing to the NFF from well-spirited individuals and corporate organisations which never got to the NFF. He alleged too that funds made available by corporate sponsors were never disclosed.

    Peters called for a forensic audit to be carried out to look at all approvals and retirements by the mentioned persons.

  • ‘N20b fraud’: EFCC quizzes ex-UBEC boss Dikko, others

    ‘N20b fraud’: EFCC quizzes ex-UBEC boss Dikko, others

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives have quizzed a former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mallam Suleiman Dikko, for alleged N20billion fraud.

    Also grilled were contractors and top directors of UBEC, including those in charge of Finance and Procurement.

    Dikko’s and some contractors’ passports have been impounded “to ensure unhindered investigation”.

    The probe, said a source, who pleaded not to be named, is to unravel how funds meant for primary education and Unity Schools  were either diverted or converted to private use.

    “The fraud involves over N20 billion, allegedly siphoned through the purchase of science and technical  equipment and MDGs’ books for some 104 Unity Schools between September  2012 and 2014.”

    The Principals of the “beneficiary schools” denied receiving the books and equipment listed against their schools, it was learnt.

    “They claimed that they only received between 20 to 30 per cent of the equipment and books purportedly delivered to their schools, whereas the contractors were paid in full,” the source said.

    Some former executive secretaries and directors of the commission have been quizzed.

    There are indications that the N20billion contract scam is part of the cases for which the anti-graft commission is investigating Dikko.

    Another source said: “The ongoing probe of UBEC has many dimensions. We have also discovered many contracts duly paid for but abandoned between 2012 and 2014.  Some fake contracts were awarded in order to acquire slush funds for purposes known only to the former UBEC Secretary and the accomplice directors.

    “There were also reckless awards of contracts under the guise of constituency projects between 2012 and 2014.

    “For instance,  many  unexecuted constituency projects  were awarded by UBEC  to some companies owned by some members of the National Assembly.

    “Some of these projects have been traced to a principal officer of the House of Representatives.”

    The projects  in UBEC are: One block of three classrooms at Eru Primary School, Igbide (N9,180,835.45); one block of three classrooms at Ivori Primary School, Isoko (N9,887,778); construction of three classrooms at Egburie Primary School, Ozoro; and construction of six classrooms on January 21, 2016  at Olordo Primary School, Ozoro (N9, 300,000).

    The others are: supply of customised library equipment to selected schools in Isoko North Local Government Area at N16,050,000; Supply of instructional materials in Isoko North /South Federal Constituency(N14, 650,000);  supply of customised equipment to selected schools in Isoko Federal Constituency(N15, 950,000);   rehabilitation of six  classrooms at Egware Primary School, Ozoro (N9,200,928,90); and construction of six classrooms and toilets as well as supply of  furniture at Itebighe Primary School (N12, 988.099.23).

  • How ex-Customs boss Dikko paid N12m into Ajumogobia’s account

    How ex-Customs boss Dikko paid N12m into Ajumogobia’s account

    A prosecution witness in the corruption case against Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia has said that the former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC), Abdullahi Dikko, paid the sum of N12 million into the bank account of the Federal High Court judge.

    The prosecution witness, Mr Omale Musa, revealed this yesterday before an Ikeja High Court as more details emerged about alleged illegal transactions in the bank accounts of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    Musa told the court presided over by Justice Hakeem Oshodi yesterday that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) paid the said sum to Nigel and Colive Limited, a corporate bank account owned by the judge.

    Led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the witness, who is currently serving as an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, said that the transaction occurred on July 11, 2014, under the instructions of the then Comptroller General of the NCS, Mr Abdullahi Dikko.

    “In the course of my duty in 2014, the Deputy Comptroller General that I was directly working with, Mr Musa Tahir, came down from the office of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Mr Abdullahi Dikko.

    “He gave me the account number of Nigel and Colive Limited, telling me that the CGC said that we should liase with the 12 commands of the customs service, stating that each command should pay N1 million each into my bank account.

    “Tahir told me that when I receive the money, I should transfer the whole sum to Nigel and Colive.

    “The instructions were carried out as directed, and on July 11, 2014, the N12 million was paid in three tranches of N3 million, N4 million and N5 million into the account of Nigel and Colive Limited.

    “No services were rendered by our command to warrant the payments of the funds into the account,” Musa said.

    Musa said in his evidence that while he was invited by the EFCC, he was initially tempted to give a false statement to the anti-graft agency.

    However, under cross examination by the lead defence counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), Musa said he did not know the use of the N12 million he transferred.

    Clarke said “in the face of the statement of account that you’re holding, does it show any reason for transferring the money?

    “You work with the NCS, which is a para-military organisation. I believe you are trained to obey to the last instructions without asking questions.

    “The spirit that told you to tell the truth at the EFCC, was it an acquired spirit? Or when you were receiving instructions and transferring the money, did the spirit tell you anything?”

    Responding, Musa said: “The statement of account in my hands does not reveal any reason for the transaction.

    “I was instructed by my bosses to do the transaction, and I’m not trained to ask questions. It was my conscience that told me to tell the truth.

    “I was not harassed, coerced or intimidated by the EFCC to give my statements.”

    Another prosecution witness, Mr Robertson Emafidon, revealed during proceedings details of the N5 million which was transferred from Obla’s United Bank of Africa (UBA) account to the judge’s account.

    Emafidon, the Head of Regulatory Liason at the Head Office of the UBA, said: “Sometime in November 2016, we received a letter from the EFCC asking us to avail them of the account opening documents and statement of account regarding the customer.

    He said he made copies of the documents, certified them as true copies, signed and forwarded them as a letter back to the EFCC.

    According to him, there was a debit of N5 million on May 21, 2015 from the account of Obla and Co into the bank account of Nigel and Colive Limited.

    “On May 18, 2015, there was a credit of N16.5 million from the account of D.S.J Integrated Services into the bank account of Obla and Co.”

    However, while being cross-examined by Clarke and Chief Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), defence counsel to Obla, Emafidon, denied any knowledge of the purpose of the bank transfers.

    “I don’t know the purpose of the transfers. I was not personally involved in any of these transactions, and I was not in any of the branches where the transactions occurred,” Emafidon said.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi adjourned the case until May 26 for continuation of trial.

  • EFCC recovers 17 exotic vehicles from ex-Customs CG Dikko

    EFCC recovers 17 exotic vehicles from ex-Customs CG Dikko

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered 17 exotic vehicles in a warehouse belonging to a former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

    The warehouse on Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna, has been sealed off.

    Two suspects – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe –  have been arrested in connection with the recovery.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the vehicles were retrieved following an intelligence report.

    The EFCC, in a statement, said: “The recovery was sequel to an intelligence report the Commission received that stolen money and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime were being warehoused at the former Customs boss’ premises.

    “Upon receipt of the intelligence, a team of operatives from the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC were deployed to investigate the matter.

     ”On arrival at the location, two individuals who were identified to be the custodians of the property – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe were presented with a search warrant.

    “In the course of the search, a total of 17 vehicles, among which are brand new cars, shuttle busses and SUVs were found in the premises.

     ”Consequently, the vehicles and the two individuals were conveyed to the Commission’s zonal offices in Kaduna and Kano respectively. Investigation revealed that the warehouse in question actually belongs to the former Customs boss.

    “The two suspects arrested are in custody assisting the EFCC in investigation.”

     The particulars of the vehicles recovered is as follows:

    1. Black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number WBAFR7108BC262936.
    2. Ash colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number KMHTC6AD4CU056038.

    iii. Dark Blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386.

    1. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080.
    2. Black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661.
    3. Black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number WBA3A91040F268895.

    vii. Silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018.

    viii. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.

    1. Yellow colour Toyota FJ Jeep, 2007 model with chassis number JTEZU11F68K001301.
    2. Black Toyota Avensis, 2013 model with chassis number SBIBL76L20E037245.
    3. Dark ash colour KIA Cadenza, 2011 model with chassis number KNALN414BC5093288.

    xii. Silver colour Porsche Cayene, 2009 model with chassis number WPIZZZ9PZ9LA12738.

    xiii. Golden colour Honda Accord, 2013 model with chassis number IHGCR2634DA620609.

    xiv. White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 2006 model JNITF4E25Z0715833.

    1. White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 1996 model with chassis number JTFJXO29P605023996.

    xvi. White Toyota Hiace Bus, 2010 model with chassis number JTGJXO2P4B5020268.

    xvii. White Nissan Bus, 2009 model with chassis number JNITA4E250011697.

    The EFCC quizzed   Dikko  on June 16, last year over alleged N42billion fraud. He was not detained due to his alleged ill health.

    The EFCC also traced how about N2.6billion was withdrawn from NCS’s coffers and remitted into the accounts of some companies floated by a former Assistant Comptroller General of Customs who served under Dikko.

    EFCC asked Dikko to explain the sources of funds with which he acquired a N2billion mansion at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi Abuja.

    Dikko is believed to have refunded about N1,040,000, 000 to the Federal Government.

    A highly-placed source said:  “The operatives of the EFCC have been able to establish that Dikko’s Jabi mansion was funded largely through kickbacks from Customs contractors.

    “For instance, it was learnt that the N100million used to purchase the land on which the mansion sits was provided by a Customs contractor. Ditto for the first tranche of N650m used in the construction of the gigantic building.

    “These funds were allegedly paid to Dikko’s personal lawyer by the contractors. The Lawyer in turn transferred the funds to the engineer handling the construction of the building. Both the lawyer and the Engineer allegedly admitted their role, claiming they acted on the instruction of the former CG.

    “Also, operatives of the Commission are looking into how a former Assistant Comptroller General of Customs under Dikko, got paid over N2.6billion, which were remitted into accounts of companies floated by the officer from the customs coffers.”

  • Enyimba can advance in CAF Champions League – Dikko

    Enyimba can advance in CAF Champions League – Dikko

    Enyimba will have their CAF Champions League fate in their hands when they face Zamalek SC in the third Group B fixture in Egypt on August 14 and the Chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko believes the Nigerian Champions still have a  chance of advancing to the semi finals.

    Enyimba are currently bottom of the three-team group with no point on the board having lost two straight games; including a 1-0 defeat in Port- Harcourt to the Egyptian club.

    Zamalek have three points from two matches as they suffered back to back defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns ; first team to book a semi-final spot.

    While Nigerian clubs have been poor on the road in continental club competitions, Dikko maintains that the Paul Aigbogun side are capable of stunning their more illustrious opponents at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo.

  • Alleged N42b fraud: Ex-Customs chief Dikko in hospital

    Alleged N42b fraud: Ex-Customs chief Dikko in hospital

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is watching over a former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service(NCS), Abdullahi Inde  Dikko in a hospital in Abuja.

    Dikko, who is being investigated over alleged N42billion fraud, has been in hospital since he surrendered to the EFCC for interrogation  last  Thursday.

    A top source in the anti- graft commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “When Dikko reported at the EFCC, he was looking pale. It was obvious that his health was in bad shape.

    “We interacted with him and relocated him to a hospital for treatment. From the first day, we allowed him to stay in hospital. Our operatives are only watching over him at the hospital.

    “We need to set the records straight. He was never at any time detained in EFCC’s custody because of his frail health. But we are monitoring him in a hospital.”

    Out of the total fraud sum Dikko is being grilled on the sources of funds with which he acquired a N2billion mansion at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency had been on the trail of Dikko since January 8 when its operatives stormed the posh residence of the ex-Customs boss.

    Following search pressure, Dikko gave himself up on Thursday by responding to the outstanding invitation of the EFCC.

    Looking pale, Dikko arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters at about 10am for interrogation which lasted about eight hours.

     

     

     

  • N42b ‘fraud’: EFCC holds ex-Customs chief Dikko

    N42b ‘fraud’: EFCC holds ex-Customs chief Dikko

    Former Customs chief Abdullahi Inde Dikko is being held by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was yesterday quizzed over an alleged N42billion fraud.

    Besides, the EFCC has traced how about N2.6billion was withdrawn from Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) coffers and remitted into the accounts of some companies floated by a  former Assistant Comptroller General who served under Dikko.

    Dikko was yesterday grilled on the sources of funds with which he allegedly acquired a N2 billion mansion at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency had been on Dikko’s trail since January 8 when its operatives stormed his home.

    But Dikko was said to have travelled out of the country. The EFCC launched a discreet manhunt for him, seeking help from some agencies, including the INTERPOL.

    Dikko yesterday turned himself in to the EFCC.

    He arrived at the EFCC’s Abuja headquarters at about 10am. His interrogation lasted about eight hours.

    As at press time, he was being detained by the commission for the continuation of his interrogation today.

    A source in EFCC said: “The former Customs boss is at the moment being quizzed over  two key allegations bordering on  criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, theft, abuse of office and living above legitimate means.

    “He is being grilled over the source of the funds with which he acquired the palatial mansion valued at over N2billion located at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi Abuja.

    “There is also an allegation that he diverted over N40billion from Customs coffers. The funds were allegedly drawn from proceeds of the 7% cost of collection and 1% comprehensive import supervision scheme.

     “There are  lots of questions that he has to answer. Discreet investigation has been going on for months and this is the opportunity for him to clear the air on the allegation and other evidence that have emerged in the course of investigation.”

    The EFCC believes that:

    *Dikko’s  Jabi mansion was funded largely through kickback from Customs contractors;

    *the N100million spent to buy the land on which the mansion sits was provided by a Customs contractor. Ditto for the first tranche of N650m used in the construction of the gigantic building; and that

    *the funds were allegedly paid to Dikko’s personal lawyer by the contractors. The Lawyer transferred the funds to the engineer handling the construction. Both the lawyer and the engineer allegedly admitted their roles, claiming that they acted on the instruction of the former CG.

    EFCC operatives are also looking into how a former Assistant Comptroller General of Customs under Dikko allegedly got paid over N2.6billion, which was remitted into accounts of companies floated by the officer from the Customs’ coffers.

    In addition to  the EFCC’s probe, a pressure group identified as the Nigerian Customs Transparency Initiative(NCTI) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged abuse of office, disappearance of some containers and the N3.5 billion incurred on the installation of Internet facility by the Customs Service.

     In the petition, which was signed by Dr. James Onoja, the NCTI said: “Purchase of vehicles: Prices of B.M.W vehicles for senior officers were criminally inflated. About N3.5 billion naira was siphoned and frittered away through an internet project that never saw daylight.

    “Thirteen (13) containers at T.C.I.P. were impounded sometime ago. It was claimed that four Iranians were arrested with the containers, two of which disappeared into the thin air.

    “There is false declaration of Annual Customs Revenue Generation. In order to give false impression of excellent performance, the Customs Service adds figure of the Value Added Tax (VAT) which Customs collects on behalf of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the revenue derived from custom duties whereas the same VAT figure has been included in the VAT revenue declared and announced by FIRS as required by law, thereby creating a misleading duplication of revenue figure derive from VAT.

    “The contract for the construction of Customs Staff College was aided and abetted by a Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, who was not a member of Nigeria Customs Board. The company used for the contract was registered three weeks after the award of the contract. Also, the estate named Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Customs Barracks at Kuje was purchased at the inflated rate of N4billion and renovated with N10 billion.”