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Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

  • Again, Magu seeks transfer of corruption cases from Justice Nyako’s court

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has asked that corruption cases initiated by his agency be transferred from Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Spokesman of the EFCC, Tony Orilade said, in a statement on Thursday, that Magu’s request is contained in a letter he wrote to that effect, to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Orilade was however silent on the date of the said letter.

    Read Also:EFCC recovers N794b, 407 mansions in three years, says Magu

    He attributed the information to an EFCC lawyer, Onjefu Obe, who he said, disclosed this in court on November 21 this year.

    Part of Oriladeks statement reads: “The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has written to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, requesting that all EFCC court cases being handled by Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court Abuja, be reassigned to another judge in a bid to obtain fair judgement.

    “EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, Onjefu Obe, told the court on November 21, 2018 during the trial of the quartet of Umar Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri and Ogechukwu Obaji. They are being prosecuted by the EFCC over their complicity in a $1million fraud.

    “According to Obe, the concern of the Commission to reassign all EFCC cases before Justice Nyako, borders on likely bias on part of the trial judge, considering the fact that the EFCC was also prosecuting her husband, Murtala Nyako, a former Adamawa State governor for alleged fraud.

    “The EFCC had in 2017 arraigned the defendants before Justice Nyako on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $1million. They allegedly defrauded Donald Latella of North Park LLC of the said sum in a business deal involving the supply of about two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil.

    “The offence contravenes Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

    “They were arraigned alongside four companies: Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services Limited, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited.

    “They had pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges.

    “According to Obe, he had come to court fully prepared with the prosecution witnesses to proceed with the case. But very unfortunately, the case (FHC/ABJ/C12/ 266/16), was not listed in the court’s schedule for today as it is yet to be reassigned to another court.”

    “Counsel for the second defendant, Solomon Agada, also lamented that his client usually travels from Lagos to Abuja for the case. He therefore urged the court to intervene and called for the speedy reassignment of the case in order for the case to proceed.

    “Both counsels however agreed to await the reassignment of the case and thereafter mutually agree on the next possible adjournment.”

    A lawyer to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu had on July 31 this year, written similar letter, in which he requested requested that cases involving Magu and the commission be withdrawn from Justice Nyako by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and handed to any other judge of the court.

    The letter was addressed to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Kafarati.

    The EFCC said its request was informed by the need “To avoid bias and conflict of interest, because the commission is prosecuting the spouse and step son of His Lordship (Justice Nyako), namely; Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and Senator Abdulazeez Nyako respectively.”

    Shittu said, in the letter, that he was acting based on a written instruction by Magu, dated July 30, 2018, demanding that the cases, numbering about 17 be reassigned.

  • EFCC seizes houses, radio station allegedly owned by Fayose

    Ex-gov denies ownership of sealed property

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday stormed Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital and seized some choice properties allegedly owned by former Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Some of the properties allegedly owned by Fayose and sealed by EFCC operatives include a hotel and event centre at Fajuyi area, two houses located at government Reservation Area (GRA) and a radio station People’s 104.1 FM and a two-storey building in Okesa area of the town.

    The EFCC officials decked in their red jackets were seen at about 10.35 am placing a sealing order on the properties at Okesa/Fajuyi area.

    The official seal pasted on the said properties read: “Order from EFCC: This structure is under investigation, keep off”.

    It will be recalled that two houses allegedly belonging to Fayose were sealed about one month ago by the state Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning for not having approved plan.

    Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Society also staged a public protest against Fayose at the weekend accusing him of illegally acquiring a parcel of land belonging to the group to build a filling station for his son.

    Fayose is presently standing trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos where he is facing a charge of money laundering on the alleged receipt of about N2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The cash was allegedly received from the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to finance Fayose’s 2014 governorship campaign.

    Read Also: Ekiti: Fayose sacked as PDP leader

    But Fayose has accused the EFCC of sealing houses belonging to innocent people in the State, under the guise that the houses were linked to him.

    Fayose in a statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, claimed that he is not the owners of the properties seized by the EFCC accusing the agency of “blackmail and media trial.”

    The statement read: “Just been informed that operatives of the EFCC in collaboration with the APC government in Ekiti are going about sealing houses of innocent people in the state, under the guise that the houses are linked to me.

    “This is another wild goose chase and the usual media campaign against my person.

    “It is only in our country that an anti-corruption agency will first go about sealing houses before determining the ownership, which can be done so easily by visiting relevant agencies.

    “I am therefore informing the public ahead of their usual blackmail and media trial.

    “None of the properties in question is owned by me and the records are there for anyone that is interested to see.

    “The EFCC is advised to stop going about looking for ways to malign my person just because of their hatred as a result of my uncompromising stands on national issues.

    “Even if the commission is being pressured from ‘above’ to persecute Fayose at all cost, it should at least, do its job diligently to save itself from persistent embarrassment.”

  • Alleged N676m fraud: EFCC to close case in trial of ex-Minister, others

    ….To call two more witnesses

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it is about concluding its case in the prosecution of former Minister of Interior, Abbah Moro and three others, being tried in relation to the 2014 botched recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), which resulted in the death of many Nigerians.

    Moro is being tried with a former Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia‎, an ex-director in the ministry, Felix .O Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited.

    Read Also:Alleged N676m fraud: EFCC to close case in trial of ex-Minister, others

    The defendants are, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/42/2016, accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The four defendants are equally accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    When the case came up on Wednesday, lawyer from the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Elizabeth Alabi announced that the prosecution had called nine witnesses and planned to call two more to close its case.

    Mrs. Alabi told the court that the prosecution would not be able to proceed as planned on Wednesday because its 10th witness, Isah Joshua (an operative of the EFCC) called to inform her that he lost his father late on Tuesday. She sought a fresh date.

    “My Lord, the matter is for the continuation of hearing. However, our prepared witness, Isah Joshua, just called that his father died around 8pm yesterday (Tuesday).

    “So far, we have called nine witnesses. This witness was to be our 10th witness. We just have two more to go. He is an investigative officer. He is coming to tender the statement of the defendants,” Mrs. Alabi said.

    The court also, could not hear a motion by Mrs. Daniel-Nwobia, for the release of her international passport, to enable her travel to the United Kingdom on medical grounds.

    Mrs. Alabi said she was not aware of the motion when Mrs. Daniel-Nwobia’s lawyer, James Odiba informed the court about the motion, and his willingness to move it.

    The trial judge, Justice Nmandi Dimgba noted that the motion was not properly served on the EFCC.

    The judge noted that the motion was served on the commission’s Asset Recovery Management Directorate, as against the Legal Department.

    When the judge sought his view, lawyer to Moro, A. T. Kehinde (SAN) said he was served with the motion, but, noted that the appropriate office to serve the prosecution should be at its Legal Department.

    He suggested that, since a lawyer was in court for the prosecution, the motion should be served on the lawyer and a date taken for its hearing.

    Other lawyers in the case, agreed with the suggestion, following which the judge adjourned to December 4 for continuation of trial.

  • Alleged N676m fraud: EFCC to close case in trial of ex-Minister, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it is about concluding its case in the prosecution of former Minister of Interior, Abbah Moro and three others, being tried in relation to the 2014 botched recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), which resulted in the death of many Nigerians.

    Moro is being tried with a former Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia‎, an ex-director in the ministry, Felix .O Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited.

    The defendants are, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/42/2016, accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The four defendants are equally accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    When the case came up on Wednesday, lawyer from the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Elizabeth Alabi announced that the prosecution had called nine witnesses and planned to call two more to close its case.

    Mrs. Alabi told the court that the prosecution would not be able to proceed as planned on Wednesday because its 10th witness, Isah Joshua (an operative of the EFCC) called to informed her that he lost his father late on Tuesday. She sought a fresh date.

    “My Lord, the matter is for the continuation of hearing. However,  our prepared witness, Isah Joshua, just called that his father died around 8pm yesterday (Tuesday).

    “So far, we have called nine witnesses. This witness was to be our 10th witness. We just have two more to go. He is an investigative officer. He is coming to tender the statement of the defendants,” Mrs. Alabi said.

    The court also, could not hear a motion by Mrs. Daniel-Nwobia, for the release of her international passport, to enable her travel to the United Kingdom on medical grounds.

    Mrs. Alabi said she was not aware of the motion when Mrs. Daniel-Nwobia’s lawyer, James Odiba informed the court about the motion, and his willingness to move it.

    Read Also: EFCC loses bid to transfer Shekarau’s case

    The trial judge, Justice Nmandi Dimgba noted that the motion was not properly served on the EFCC.

    The judge noted that the motion was served on the commission’s Asset Recovery Management Directorate, as against the Legal Department.

    When the judge sought his view, lawyer to Moro, A. T. Kehinde (SAN) said he was served with the motion, but, noted that the appropriate office to serve the prosecution should be at its Legal Department.

    He suggested that, since a lawyer was in court for the prosecution, the motion should be served on the lawyer and a date taken for its hearing.

    Other lawyers in the case, agreed with the suggestion, following which the judge adjourned to December 4 for continuation of trial.

  • ‘Fake’ lawyer remanded for false pretence, perjury

    A Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday remanded an impersonation suspect, Bada Azeez Ayoola, in prison custody following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo made the order after Ayoola, 38, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of impersonation, false pretence and making of a false statement to the EFCC.

    The commission, in a charge marked FHC/L/172c/18, alleged that the defendant, of 55, Muyiwa Opaleye Street, Sanya, Surulere, Lagos, claimed to be a legal practitioner with the company name Bada Azeez Ayoola & Co, Legal and Property Consultant.

    Sometimes on November 9, 2015, at Surulere, while posing as a lawyer, Ayoola allegedly issued an official receipt in his company name to one Miss Chioma Okolie, evidencing payment for rent.

    The court heard that the defendant, last February 26, at the Ikoyi office of the EFCC, made a statement that he was a legal practitioner and rendered legal services to Miss Chioma Okolie, which he knew to be false.

    The defendant also allegedly claimed to be a graduate of Estate Management from the Lagos State Polytechnic.

    Prosecution counsel Mr. Temitope Banjo, told the court that the offences contravened sections 5, 8(b), 6(a), of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.

    The defendant also allegedly offended Section 109(a)(b) of the Criminal Act, 2007 as well as sections 16(1), 32(2) and 16(2) of the EFCC Act of 2004.

    Ayoola pleaded not guilty.

    His counsel, A. I. Iwowo, prayed the court for a short date for the defendant’s bail application to be heard.

    The EFCC did not oppose him.

    Justice Oguntoyinbo adjourned till November 22, for hearing of the bail application.

     

  • N4.7bn ‘fraud’: Court dismisses Ladoja’s no case submission 

    A Federal High Court in Lagos Monday dismissed a ‘no case’ submission filed by former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and his aide, Waheed Akanbi, in response to a N4.7 billion fraud charge.

    Justice Mohammed Idris ordered the defendants to open their case on November 20, the next adjourned date.

    The duo had in their no case submissions argued that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not establish any prima facie case against them to warrant them being called on to open their defence.

    Read Also:Alleged N7.65bn fraud: Court revokes Kalu’s 11-year bail

    But Justice Idris noted that the preponderance of evidence put forward by the anti-graft agency, required some explanations from the defendants.

    The judge held: “I have refused to consider the issue of whether or not I will believe the evidence. I have also refused to consider the question of credibility of witnesses at this stage.

    “In the light of all the evidences that has been tendered by the prosecution and in my opinion, the defendants might have to explain the contents of some of those exhibits.”

    Afterwards, Ladoja’s counsel, Bolaji Onilenla, sought an adjournment till next Tuesday for his client to open his defence.

    The other defence counsel, A. Olumide-Fusika (SAN) and the EFCC’s counsel, Olabisi Oluwafemi, were in agreement with Onilenla’s request.

    The case was subsequently adjourned till November 20 at 1pm for the defendants to open their case.

    The defendants were first arraigned in November 2008 on a 10-count charge before Justice Ramat Mohammed, formerly of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

    The case suffered several adjournments until December 14, 2016, when the duo were re-arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on an eight-count amended charge of money laundering contrary to Section 17(a) and punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.

    The former governor and his aide were on November 5, 2018, for the second time in two years, arraigned by the EFCC for an alleged N4.7 billion fraud.

    The commission preferred an 11-count charge of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds against them.

    In the latest charge, EFCC accused Ladoja of “compelling” a broker to sell the state’s shares while he also failed to remit N1.9 billion realised from the sale of the shares. The anti-graft agency alleged that the money went to Ladoja, his family and friends.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

  • Court refers Sen Uzodinma to EFCC for investigation

    A court in Abuja has referred the case of criminal complaint, made against Senator Hope Uzodinma (Orlu District, Imo State), to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and appropriate action.

    Judge Abdulwahab Muhammed of the Grade 1 Area Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Arab Road, Kubwa, Abuja made the referral following Uzodinma’s alleged consisted failure to attend court to answer to the complaint made against him and his firms by Chitex Ventures Ltd and Chima Akuzie, who claimed that the Senator issued them a N200 million UBA dud (bounced cheque).

    Read Also:Imo: Madumere may serve as running mate to Uzodinma

    Akuzie claimed the Uzodinma subcontracted to his company, a shoreline protection project in Koko, Delta State, which he (Uzodinma) allegedly got from the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and that the dud cheque was intended as payment their successful execution of the project.

    The referral of the case to the EFCC was conveyed through a letter dated October 29 this year, was received by the EFCC, Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu on November 6.

    A copy of the letter, sighted by The Nation on Friday, has as its reference number: FCT/JD/AC/ABJ/CORR/EFCC/VOL1/2018. It was addressed to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC.

    Part of it reads: “Re-Criminal complaint against Senator Hope Uzodinma, Smiec Engineering and Chemical Construction Company Limited, and Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited for criminal conspiracy, joint act, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    “The above subject matter, with case number: CR/358/2018 between Chimex Ventures Ltd & 1 other and Senator Hope Uzodinma & 2 others, refers.

    “With reference to the above subject matter, I am directed to inform you and refer the above matter to your office for proper, thorough and discreet comprehensive investigation in line with Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    “Please find attached copy of the complaint for your information and further action.”

    The court’s decision to refer the case to the EFCC was taken on October 29 when the case came up, but neither Uzodinma, nor his lawyer was in court.

    The court, on September 18 this year, issued a bench warrant against Uzodinma and ordered his production by security agencies on September 25 this year, on the grounds that he allegedly failed to attend court to answer to the criminal complaint pending against him and his companies – Smiec Engineering and Chemical Construction Company Limited, and Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited.

    On September 25, the court granted a request by lawyer to the complainants, Tosin Ojaomo for the publication of a public summons against Uzodinma following the failure of security agencies to produce him despite a pending arrest warrant issued against him.

    When the case came up again on October 29, Uzodinma was still absent in court, following which Judge Muhammad elected to refer the case to the EFCC for investigation and further necessary actions.

     

     

     

  • Nasarawa donates 50 hectares of land for EFCC training academy

    The Nasarawa State Government has donated 50 hectares of land to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to establish a training academy  within Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital .
    Speaking to the press after taking the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu  to the vast expanse of land along Kwadere road, Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura  disclosed  that the gesture  was in line with the commissions desire to establish an academy  which has long been in the pipeline, noting that the state government has secured the land and donated it or this purpose.
    Gov. Almakura disclosed that the EFCC Chairman had come to see it for  himself with a view to commence work on the project, stating that in line with his administration’s desire and commitment  to key  with the EFCC  in ensuring accountability, transparency and fighting corruption, it could not but support the EFCC with the land  and also to ensure the fast tracking of  all the approvals  for all the plans they intend to execute.

    Read Also: Three health workers abducted in Nasarawa

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on his part disclosed that the commission had  been trying to secure a land for about 2 years now, stating that since he assumed office on the 11th of November 2015,  one of his top priorities was to get a permanent site  for the EFCC academy because what the commission has at Karu  was  not sufficient.
    Mr. Magu said he was happy with the gesture  of the Nasarawa government by giving the academy a befitting permanent site, assuring that very soon they would start construction.
    The EFCC Boss stated that the gesture shows the commitment of the governor to adding value to President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.
    He called on Nigerians to join the fight against corruption  stating: “I always say that in the fight against corruption, we have to join hands together, together we can kill corruption, I appreciate what he (Almakura) has done and I want to encourage everybody  and call on all to join in the fight against corruption.”

  • EFCC seeks final forfeiture of ex-air chief, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a motion for a final forfeiture of N2.2billion recovered from former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had on June 7 ordered the money’s temporary forfeiture based on an ex-parte application by the commission.

    The judge ruled: “An interim order is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the total sum of N2, 244,500,000 found and recovered by the commission from the first respondent (Amosu) which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    The judge also granted an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of N190, 828,978.15 recovered from a former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, as well as N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.

    EFCC said the money “is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    The judge had directed EFCC to publish the interim order in The Nation and Punch newspapers so that the respondents or anyone interested could show cause as to why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

    On Tuesday, the court granted applications by Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) to regularise his processes for extension of time to file an affidavit to show cause as directed by the court.

    A former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, who is on trial with Amosu and Gbadebo, was represented by Mr Oluwakemi Balogun (SAN) Dapo Ogungbe, as an interested party.

    Ogungbe informed the court about an application in which Adigun is seeking to be joined as an interested party, as well as a motion seeking extension of time to file an affidavit to show cause as ordered by the court.

    But, EFCC’s lawyer Oyedepo said he was only served with Adgun’s counter affidavit, but had not received both the application for joinder and the one seeking time extension.

    After noting that there was no proof of service in her file, Justice Olatoregun adjourned until November 12 for hearing and ordered counsel to ensure proper service.

    Read Also: EFCC to push for Diezani’s extradition

     

    EFCC alleged that while in office, the respondents diverted huge sums of money from NAF to purchase properties within and outside the country.

    The commission said following Amosu’s appointment on January 16, 2014, NAF received as part of its budgetary allocation the sum N4.5 billion from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for Maritime Security Support, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NAF and NIMASA.

    EFCC said part of the fund was allegedly diverted for private uses by the respondents.

    Amosu, Gbadebo and Adigun are on trial before another judge of the court, Justice Mohammed Idris, for allegedly converting N21billion from NAF through various companies.

    They are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

    Before the trial started, Amosu had told the court that he was holding plea bargain talks with the EFCC, but the talks later broke down and trial commenced.

    Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014, allegedly removed huge over N663.4 million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to purchase properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

    They were accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo in Victoria Island with N1.5 billion.

    EFCC said they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750 million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi Lagos, using the airforce’s money.

    Other properties they allegedly bought using Air Force’s funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja using alleged stolen funds.

    The defendants allegedly used N428,139,539.00 removed from NAF accounts to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

     

  • EFCC re-arraigns Ladoja for diverting public funds

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja for allegedly diverting the state’s funds.

    The re-arraignment followed an amendment to the charge by the commission.

    Ladoja was charged with converting N4.7 billion from the state treasury to his personal use.

    He was re-arraigned along with his former Commissioner for Finance Waheed Akanbi on 11 counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    In the amended charge, EFCC added that Ladoja allegedly “compelled” a broker to sell the state’s shares.

    EFCC alleged that the former governor allegedly did not remit N 1.9 billion realized from the sale of the shares.

    The commission told the court that the money allegedly went to Ladoja, his family and friends and was not refunded.

    EFCC had closed its case before the amendment, but rather than open their defence, the defendants opted to file no-case submissions.

    Moving the no-case submissions on Monday, Ladoja’s lawyer Mr Bolaji Onilenla said EFCC did not make out a prima facie case against his client.

    Read Also: EFCC to push for Diezani’s extradition

    An EFCC investigator, Abubakar Madaki, had testified that the shares, worth N6.6billion, were sold without the state executive council’s resolution.

    According to the investigator, Ladoja engaged Fountain Securities as a portfolio manager to sell the shares at a discounted rate, adding that the shares were acquired by McLace Securities.

    But, Onilenla faulted Madaki’s evidence, arguing that the evidence he gave should have been given by the banks concerned.

    He said documents tendered by the prosecution through Madaki ought to have been certified and tendered by the banks and were therefore invalid.

    The lawyer said there were no complaints by the state that the shares were sold illegally.

    “We urge the court to hold that there is no prima-facie case against the first defendant and we court to discharge and acquit him accordingly,” Onilenla said.

    Counsel for Akanbi, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), said what the prosecution witnesses said in their evidences were not sufficient to ask the defendants to enter a defence.

    “We urge the court to uphold the no-case submission of the second defendant,” the SAN said.

    But, prosecuting counsel Olabisi Oluwafemi urged the court to order the defendants to open their defence.

    He said the evidence given by the prosecution witnesses raises several questions for which the defendants should be called upon to answer.

    EFCC accused the defendants of converting N1,932,940,032.48 belonging to Oyo to their personal use through the Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited, despite knowing that it was proceed of crime.

    The prosecution said Ladoja removed £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja also allegedly bought an armoured Land Cruiser jeep with N42 million for himself using public funds.

    EFCC said he converted N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at different times in 2007, and allegedly transferred N77, 850,000 to Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, punishable under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2).

    Ladoja and Akanbi pleaded not guilty.

    Ladoja was governor from May 29, 2003 to January 12, 2006 when he was impeached. On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal.

    The Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 11, 2009, and Ladajo resumed office on December 12, 2006. He, however, lost a re-election bid.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned until November 12 for hearing.