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Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

  • Court bonds make fight against oil theft difficult – Nigerian Navy

    The Nigerian Navy has lamented the negative effect of unbridled granting of court bonds to offending oil vessel, noting they are impeding fight against oil theft.

    Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, who spoke while handing a vessel arrested with illegal oil consignment arrested around the Escravos Bar, over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said criminals are now taking advantage of what they consider a legal loophole.

    Speaking to journalists on board of the impounded vessel, MT Skye, Dewu recalled that the vessel had been arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) in 2014, but was released on bond by a court in Port Harcourt, River state, for the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to dispose off of the products.

    However, according to the navy chief, just like in some other cases, the crew of the vessel decided to execute other plans by taking the vessel out of its outlined course, take in more illegal products. It was in this process that they vessel was rearrested in the Delta waters, far from its original route.

    “This vessel; MT Skye, was arrested off Escravos Bar. The same vessel had been arrested by Operation Delta Safe in 2014, handed over to the EFCC and tried for the offence. However, the vessel was released on bond by a court in Port Harcourt. Operation Delta Safe released this vessel with about 388 metric tons of crude oil on board with a bond for DPR to sell the product and return the money into the federal government’s coffers.

    “However, this vessel was arrested with products of about 505 metric tons on board, according to the Captain of the vessel. On investigation, after the arrest, we realized that this vessel has 524 metric tons on board in seven out of the 12 compartments of the vessel. On further investigation, shockingly too, we discovered that 5 out of the 7 compartments have AGO on board.

    Read Also: Nigerian Navy varsity opens to 450 students

    “Now there are a lot of inconsistencies; the same vessel, according to the crew, was supposed to go the high seas from Brass, on their way to Port Harcourt to dispose of the product after the court case, however, we found them off Escravos and they claimed to be having machinery problems, which led them to Escravos.

    “Secondly, this vessel was released with about 388 metric tons of product, only for us to find 524 metric tons and part of it being AGO, not just the crude which was released.

    “This is one of the problems that we’ve been encountering; vessels hiding under bonds to commit illegal activities. This vessel has been arrested this month. The vessel was arrested with 9 crew members, all Nigerians. While the investigation is ongoing, we are handing over now, we’ve done our own preliminary investigation, which is to prove that the products on board had no valid approval, that’s where the navy comes in”, Dewu said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Principal Detective Superintendent, Mr. Richard Ogberagha said the Agency expects to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter.

    Ogberagha stressed that officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR were already on ground taking samples saying, “We have started already”.

    In his words, “One, to determine the substance which is found in this vessel. Two, to determine the quantity of distance also found in the vessel. Three to also to determine if they have approval to carry whatever is inside the vessel and four, prosecution of all the parties involved.”

  • EFCC recovers N106.5b, others in eight months

    Magu: Anti-graft war not selective

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered N106.5billion between January and last month, its Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu said on Wednesday.

    It also recovered $1,635,925.81 (about N591,419,898.83), £629,193.65 (about N294,717,451.63) and €25,575 (about N10,743,798.05) within the period.

    Magu, who met with editors at the commission’s Ikoyi, Lagos office, denied that the anti-graft war is targeted at the opposition members.

    He said despite “distractions and irritations by the corrupt,” the commission has secured 158 convictions this year, including two former governors who were jailed for 14 years each.

    “At this rate, I am confident that we will surpass the record of 189 convictions achieved in 2017,” Magu said.

    The commission has been accused of going after only those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while ignoring corruption allegations against members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Group threatens to sue EFCC over alleged coverup of case

    But, Magu insisted that EFCC is apolitical and only goes after those who break the law.

    To him, those accusing the commission of political persecution were shedding crocodile tears.

    Magu said: “It will be naïve for anyone to expect the fight against corruption to be smooth; you should expect resistance, which is expressed in various guises.

    “With the general election fast approaching, the resistance has assumed even frightening dimensions with political motives imputed to most of our activities.”

    Magu said it had become fashionable for anyone being investigated for corruption to scream political persecution, with corrupt state officials pleading immunity not ascribed to them by the Constitution.

    According to him, some governors have extended the frontiers of their constitutional immunity by claiming that anti-corruption agencies cannot investigate them.

    “Sadly, some of our friends in the media help amplify these narratives and thereby divert attention from the real issues. The times we are in call for vigilance, especially by the media as the watchdog of society.

    “As I have stated in various fora, the EFCC is apolitical and will not knock on your door if you have not violated the law,” Magu said.

    He added that the media owes Nigerians a duty no to allow the corrupt to deploy their ill-gotten riches to corner the machinery of government.

    “The media should not lend their platforms to helping the cause of the corrupt that are shedding crocodile tears.

    “We must do what is right for our country, which is ensuring that those who steal our common patrimony are brought to justice,” Magu said.

    The corruption fighter said the commission would not rest on its oars despite successes recorded under his leadership in prosecution of persons for corruption and in asset recovery.

    “We believe there is still a lot to be done, which is the reason we are actively seeking the support of all stakeholders, including the media.

    “We do not pretend to have a monopoly of knowledge on how to win the war against corruption. The anti-corruption campaign requires a concerted effort.

    “I enjoin members of the public, including the media, to be part of this effort by reporting cases of corruption to the EFCC,” Magu said.

  • EFCC investigates oil firm over alleged N184m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigation into alleged N184million fraud involving Rock Marine Services Ltd, an oil servicing firm, while exonerating four officials of the Akwa Ibom state government.

    The Managing Director of the firm, Engineer. Essien Elijah had earlier petitioned four officials of the state government namely the Commissioner for Transport and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Orman Esin, the Technical Assistant-Bureau of Technical Matters, Mr. Victor Akai, the Director of Administration, Ministry of Transport and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ekerete Edo, and the Finance Consultant accredited by Bureau of Technical Matters, Mr. Idongesit Bassey.

    Read Also:EFCC to investigate $3.8b Egina FPSO project, says Magu

    In the petition Elijah had accused the government appointees of swindling his company of over N184m under the false pretence of concessioning Marine Terminal at Oron to Rock Marine Services Limited-a call for investigation.”

    However, the EFCC, after thorough investigations, was said to have exonerated the state government officials but rather subjected the CEO of the company to further investigations.

    The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Transport and Petroleum, Mr. Orman Esin in reaction said the firm could not handle a project of such magnitude.

    He hinted that Essien had approached the state government with a proposal for the development of Oron Jetty in Oron Local Government Area of the State, but failed to meet the government’s demand to produce technical partners and other evidences of competence to handle to job.

    Esin said the state government turned down the plan to sign a MoU with the company due to the company’s inability to convince the state of its genuineness.

    Reacting to the allegation contained in a report on page 4 of the Sun Newspaper of Wednesday, August 29, 2018, that officials of Akwa Ibom State Government obtained N 184,235,450.89 under false pretence of concessioning the Marine Terminal at Oron, the Akwa Ibom State government in a release by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh states; “That the Akwa Ibom State Government is In no way committed or indebted to Rock Marine Services”

    “That the said allegation is a desperate attempt by Rock Marine Services to slander the State Government in a bid to circumvent due process and unduly influence the legal process”

    “That Rock Marine approached the state government for the concessioning of the Marine terminal at Oron, but was unable to show adequate proof of capacity to embark on a project of such magnitude
    including proof-of-funds and evidence  of competence and technical partnership”.

    “That the State Government has petitioned Rock Marine Services to the EFCC for thorough investigation and prosecution”.

    The Akwa Ibom State government however reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Akwa Ibom State remains a safe haven for foreign direct investment and genuine investors.

  • Man arraigned for impersonating Lara George

    A 24-year-old computer engineer, Ayodeji Folarin, was on Thursday docked at an Ikeja High Court for impersonating the famous gospel artiste, Lara George, and defrauded three Americans of $8,500 in the process.

    Folarin is facing a four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretenses and possession of documents containing false pretense.

    The charges were proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The computer engineer, who resides at No. 2, Folarin St., Obada Oko in Abeokuta, Ogun, however, denied the charges.

    Read Also: Lara George celebrates 11yrs of marriage

    Mr Temitope Banjo, the prosecuting counsel to the EFCC, told the court that the defendant defrauded the foreigners between January and December 2016 in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “While posing as Lara George and with the intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $8,500 from Trevor Dawe, Rick Cuewo and Stephen Wilson who are all citizens of the United States of America.

    “On June 2018, Folarin had in his possession, a World Lottery Organization Winning Certificate and Affidavit of Common Law Marriage which all contained false pretenses.

    “The defendant also had in his possession emails containing false pretenses,” Banjo said.

    According to the EFCC, the offences contravened Sections 1(3), 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

    Following Folarin’s plea, his defence counsel, Mr Samuel Shodipo, requested that bail be granted to the defendant in the most liberal terms.

    The vacation judge, Justice Obafemi Adamson, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons.

    Justice Adamson directed that the case file should also be taken to the Court Registry for assignment to another judge who will hear the case

  • EFCC has secured over 150 convictions – Magu

    …Assures anti-graft war not a witch-hunt

    Worried by the wrong notion promoted by some individuals in the ongoing fight against corruption in the country, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Monday dismissed the speculations that the anti-graft agency is being used to witchhunt the perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    Justifying the claim that the agency has been doing all within its power to sustain the anti-corruption war irrespective of personal or political affiliations, Magu said the agency has secured not less than 150 convictions of corrupt individuals from January to June 2018 alone, saying “that’s the best anybody can do from January to date.”

    Read Also:EFCC probes 35 capital market fraud cases

    The EFCC boss made the revelations at a stakeholders’ interactive session which held at the EFCC Ibadan zonal office, Iyaganku, Ibadan. He was received at the office by the Southwest Zonal Director, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, top officials of the agency, artisans, trade groups, religious leaders among others.

    The interactive session, aimed at strengthening partnership and collaborative efforts with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption had in attendance the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its chairman in Oyo State, Mr Waheed Olojede; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its state chairman, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu; founder of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof Sabitu Olagoke; as well as Oyo state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu and members of the Corrupt Practices Eradication Organisation of Nigeria (COPEON).

    Magu said, “The EFCC will not, and does not engage in a witch-hunt. Our activities are in line with international best practices. In all that we do, we are indeed, guided first by the fear of God and patriotism to our fatherland and the rule of law. I will continue to discharge my duties solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law.”

    “It is pertinent for all of us to see ourselves as stakeholders in this fight. We must collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, one which our children, indeed, even generations unborn will be proud of.

    “For us at the EFCC, we are driven by courage, integrity and professionalism and our commitment to the common task of improving the lot of our people at the grassroots as we promote working partnership with all of you needs not be emphasised. Like we all know, corruption is the number one problem that has militated against the development of Nigeria, especially the very poor at the grassroots. The havoc that corrupt practices have wreaked on the Nigerian economy is, no doubt, endless.

    “This is why fighting it to a standstill is not only a must but the only lifesaver for our country, as to save the next generation. I want to restate for the records that, there is no better time to prop up the anti-corruption campaign than now. There are various ways of fighting corruption, which is to sensitise, create awareness, and all that. But I am telling you, the looting must stop. We should not glorify the corrupt. We should not appreciate the corrupt. The ill must stop in the interest of our future generation. We have to find a way to protect their future.”

    Magu, who was visibly angry at the level of corruption in the country said the agency did not have any sacred cow in its fight, adding that the stakeholders’ interactive session was organised in recognition of the important roles, which the stakeholders have all played in assisting the commission to achieve its goal of ridding Nigeria of all forms of corruption.

    “No doubt, your commitment and outcry against ills of corruption, particularly in the grassroots is a step in the right direction since the people at the grassroots constitute major victims of the menace of corruption anywhere in the world. I am also very much aware that this responsibility and partnership towards complementing Federal Government’s efforts to rid corruption in Nigeria, is a social responsibility of all of us in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

    “The media owe the people, particularly at the grassroots, the obligation of providing relevant information on the consequences and the negative impact of corruption in the society. We are always ever ready to provide the media with the necessary information to be disseminated to the grassroots on the evil of corruption.”

    The stakeholders in their separate remarks, however, assure the anti-graft agency of their readiness and support to ensure that the corruption and corrupt tendencies are reported and exposed promptly.

     

     

  • Benue accounts: Court orders service of processes on EFCC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the service of processes on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in relation to a suit by the Benue State Government, challenging its investigation and the alleged freezing of the state’s accounts by the anti-graft agency.

    Justice Babatunde Quadri issued the order on Thursday after listening to Benue State’s  Emeka Etiaba (SAN),who argued an ex-parte motion to that effect.

    Justice Quadri, who acceded to the plaintiff’s request to have the case heard during vacation, also ordered that processes in the case be served on other respondents before the next hearing date fixed for August ‎14, 2018.

    Other respondents in the suit marked: FHC/MKD/CS/42/18, are the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly; the Clerk, Benue State House of Assembly; Benue State House of Assembly and the Auditor-General, Benue State.

    Etiaba argued that it was wrong to allow the EFCC investigate the accounts of the state under any guise without due authorisation of the Benue State House of Assembly, as required under Section 128 and 129 of the Constitution.

    The plaintiff, in its originating summons, wants the court to among others, declare that by the provisions of sections 6, 7 and 38(1) of the EFCC Act and any other law, beyond the Benue State House of Assembly and the Auditor- General, Benue State (4th and 5th respondents), the EFCC or any other body has no power to investigate and/or inquire into the accounts and/or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of Benue State Government having regard to the clear provisions of Sections 1 (1) and (3): 125(2). (4) and (6), 128 and 129 of the Constitution

    It also seeks: “A declaration that in the absence of any resolution duly passed by the Benue State House of Assembly pursuant to Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution authorizing the EFCC or any other body, authority or person to investigate the accounts or make inquisitions into the accounts and/or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of Benue State Government, the EFCC or any other body, authority or person cannot commence or continue investigations and/or inquisitions with respect thereof.

    “A declaration that the commencement or continued invitations of officials of Benue State Government on account of investigation of Benue Government accounts, investigations and/or inquisitions into the accounts and/or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of Benue State Government by the EFCC or any other body, authority or person under any guise without authorization by the 2nd to 4th defendants vide a duly passed resolution negate the Doctrine of Separation of Powers as enshrined under Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution.

    “A declaration that the continued invitations of officials of Benue State Government, investigations and/or inquisitions into the accounts and/or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of Benue State Government by the EFCC or any other body, authority or person amount to usurpation of the Powers of the Benue State House of Assembly and the Auditor General, Benue State, having regard to Sections 125 (2), (4) and (6), 128 and 129 of the Constitution.

    “A declaration that the demands made by the 1st defendant, invitations of officials of Benue State Government and subsequent investigations violate the express provisions of Sections 125, 128 and 129 of the Constitution.

    “A declaration that the 2nd to 4th defendants are not permitted to surrender or share their powers of control over the public funds of Benue State as provided by the Constitution to the 1st defendant or any other body, authority or person.

    “A declaration that the EFCC Act is an inferior; legislation to the Constitution and where any provision in the Act ultra vires the provisions of the Constitution, such provision becomes null and void and of no effect.

    The plaintiff also wants an order of perpetual Injunction restraining the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from surrendering\ or sharing their powers of control over the public funds of Benue State as provided under Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution to the 1st defendant or to any other body, authority or person.

    The suit is supported by a 35 paragraph affidavit deposed to by Samuel Orchir, who averred that the business of governance has suffered tremendously by the intermittent interferences and demands by the EFCC, on the officials of the Benue State government to furnish it with documents relating to the accounts and /or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of the state.

    He stated that some officials of the state were invited and detained by the EFCC and thereby denying the state of their services.

    According to him, some of the officers invited for interrogation by the EFCC, according to the affidavit are Permanent Secretary, Government House; Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Services; Mr. Kato Ijir; Secretary to the State Government; Mr. Agbo Omada (Assistant Director, Finance); Terwase Orbunde (Chief of Staff to the Governor); Dr. Dura Magdalene (Special Assistant Adviser on SDG’s to the governor) and Mr. Stephen Amase.

     

  • Anti-corruption fight: Group cautions against ethnic interference

    A Non Governmental Organisation, Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI) has cautioned against ethnic meddlesomeness in the fight against corruption.

    The Executive Secretary of the group, Chief Dennis Aghanya, gave the caution in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

    Aghanya said that the rate at which ethnic and socio-cultural organisations rise to the defence of politicians from their area under investigation for alleged corruption had become worrisome.

    The executive secretary was reacting to recent outbursts by Ohaneze Ndigbo on the ongoing investigation of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It would be recalled that the EFCC had interrogated Ekweremadu over alleged ownership of no fewer than 60 choice property in and outside Nigeria.

    The assets were suspected to have been acquired through illicit funds.

    The apex Igbo cultural organisation, however, was swift to rise to the defence of Ekweremadu, describing the investigation as unjust.

    “The ethnic dimension given to the ongoing investigation of the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, by the EFCC is worrisome.

    “Most worrisome is the role of Ohaneze Ndigbo which see every prosecution of their own extraction as unjust.”

    Aghanya said that politicians needed to stop using religion and ethnicity to further divide the country or paint security agencies in bad light.

    “Our position is that Ekweremadu should answer to the issues raised by the EFCC over the alleged 60 assets traced to him.

    “He should also stop giving it the colouration of a persecution against Ndigbo.”

    He said that Ohaneze Ndigbo needed to be neutral under the prevailing circumstance rather than sounding clannish.

    “The fight against corruption does not recognise religion or ethnicity and should not be given such colouration.

    “Ekweremadu’s problems are personal and should be treated as such.”

    Aghanya said that the lawmaker needed to help the EFCC in their investigations with a view to proving his innocence or otherwise.

    He said that it was dumbfounding how someone that had no substantial means of income before venturing into politics in 1999 would be linked with such number of property.

    “We wish to commend the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property led by Okoi Obono-Obla for tracing those alleged assets.”

    He said that the EFCC also needed to be commended for the courage to initiate investigations into the allegations as earlier petitions did not see the light of day.

    “We, at ARDI, are determined to follow up this case to ensure that security agencies get to its roots for justice to be served,” Aghanya said.

  • Judge: Senator’s trial can’t proceed without EFCC’s consent

    Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos Tuesday held that the trial of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi, will not go on without the consent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal after the case had begun, said both parties must agree for him to have jurisdiction to continue to adjudicate on the case.

    Read Also:Nwaoboshi money laundering trial stalled as court goes on vacation

    EFCC arraigned Nwaoboshi, Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited and Suiming Electricals on April 25 for alleged N322million fraud.

    Two witnesses had testified for the prosecution before Justice Idris was elevated to the Court of Appeal in June.

    Based on a request by Nwaoboshi and the other defendants, the Court of Appeal President Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa granted Justice Idris a fiat to enable him conclude the case before resuming at the appellate court.

    But the EFCC opposed the fiat, saying it would prefer that the case be transferred to another judge to begin afresh.

    EFCC lawyer Mr M.S. Abubakar argued that Nwaoboshi’s case did not fall within the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) definition of “part-heard” criminal cases which an elevated judge could continue with.

    According to him, Section 494 of the ACJA, which defines part-heard matters, refers to cases in which the prosecution had called all witnesses and closed its case, pointing out that EFCC had only called two of six listed witnesses.

    Urging Justice Idris not to continue with the case, he argued that Section 396 (7) the ACJA, which requires elevated judges to conclude part-heard matters, “is grossly unconstitutional.”

    But, Nwaoboshi’s lawyer Dr Valerie Azinge (SAN) said she was surprised that the EFCC, which always accused high profile defendants of adopting delay tactics to frustrate their trial, was the one opposing Senator Nwaoboshi’s application for a speedy trial.

    She said Section 396 (7) of the ACJA was enacted to cure delays that arise from judges’ elevation, adding that EFCC ought to champion its enforcement rather than rejecting the fiat granted Justice Idris.

    Ruling yesterday on whether or not to continue with the case, Justice Idris emphasised that while the ACJA was designed to achieve speedy dispensation of justice in criminal cases, all parties must be on board.

    He said when together, sections 396 (7) and 494 of the ACJA were drafted to prevent judges who have been elevated to the Court of Appeal from being bugged down by high court cases to the point where it prevents them from assuming their duties at the Appeal Court.

    “In the circumstances of this case, where a fiat has been issued by the President of the Court of Appeal pursuant to Section 396 of the ACJA, and the matter not being a part-heard matter pursuant to Section 494 of ACJA, the court in my view will only have jurisdiction where both parties consent or agree that the matter should go on,” he said.

    Justice Idris said all stakeholders must make the ACJA achieve its potential, adding: “All the stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice must be determined and committed to the process of effective change.”

    He said the ball was no longer in the judiciary’s court as it behooves parties to “walk the walk and not talk the talk, because in the end it is not the talk but the walk that matters…”

    Justice Idris added: “I hold for the avoidance of doubt that the fiat issued by the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal in this matter was validly issued pursuant to Section 396 (7) of the ACJA.

    “However, because the prosecution has not yet closed its case to the satisfaction of Section 494 of ACJA, this matter can only proceed for continuation of trial when both parties agree to give their consent,” the judge held.

    The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects purchased a 12-storey property known as Guinea House, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos for N805million between May and June 2014.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that N322million out of the N805million was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act, to wit: fraud.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Idris adjourned till today to enable EFCC reconsider its position.

  • Navy seizes vessel with 773,472 litres of adulterated diesel, arrests eight

    The Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, have arrested a merchant ship, MV EFEMENA, containing 773, 472 litres of adulterated diesel, as well as eight suspects along the Calabar Channel.

    Handing over the vessel laden with the product and suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution, Commander of NNS Victory, Commodore Julius Nwagu, said they were from Delta State and headed for a tank farm in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

    Nwagu said, “We are here to hand over a merchant vessel, MV EFEMENA that was arrested on April 19 to EFCC.   The vessel was mounted to do a ship-to-ship transfer of AGO from Delta to a tank farm in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

    “The operation was to commence on April 19, but it went on April 17 to pick the product from another vessel containing 773, 472 litres of AGO from a platform. Unknown to them, our intelligence was already trailing them and we intercepted them when they entered the Calabar channel on April 19.

    “The implication is that they picked the AGO two days earlier from an illegal source. And when they were arrested, we immediately contacted the Department of Petroleum Resources who came to take samples of the product in the vessel and it was discovered that it was adulterated AGO.

    “We have had to call the EFCC, in accordance with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who have the right to prosecute those with illegal oil products.”

    Read Also: Navy raids illegal bunker site ‘owned by pastor’

    Nwagu warned that the Navy would continue to monitor the country’s maritime domain, and no criminal activity would be allowed to continue on the waterways anymore.

    Deputy Zonal Head of EFCC, Uyo office, Mr. Alex Ebbah, promised that the commission would after investigation, prosecute the suspects in the court of law.

    “We are here to take over the vessel and its products as well as the suspects on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. We appreciate the efforts of the Navy in combating economic crimes on the waterways.

    “This collaboration has yielded positive results as so many vessels have been forfeited to the Federal Government through similar interceptions in the past. We would do our best to ensure that this matter culminate to a successful prosecution,” he said.

  • Senator faults EFCC’s bid to transfer ‘money laundering’ trial

    The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi, Thursday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of trying to delay his trial for alleged money laundering.

    He asked Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos to continue with the case rather than transferring it to another judge.

    EFCC arraigned Nwaoboshi, Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited and Suiming Electricals on April 25 for alleged N322million fraud.

    Read Also:Ekweremadu gives details of EFCC, Police siege to residence

    The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects purchased a 12-storey property known as Guinea House, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos for N805million between May and June 2014.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that N322million out of the N805million was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act, to wit: fraud.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Trial had resumed before Justice Idris, with two witnesses testifying so far.

    However, the judge was elevated to the Court of Appeal in June.

    Nwaoboshi and other defendants, through their lawyers Dr Valerie Azinge (SAN), Mr C.A. Nmakwe and Mr I.O. Aniakor wrote to the Court of Appeal president Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa requesting that Justice Idris be given a fiat to conclude the case despite his elevation.

    The request was based on Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    It provides: “A judge of the High Court who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal shall have dispensation to continue to sit as a High Court judge only for the purpose of concluding any part-heard criminal matter pending before him at the time of his elevation and shall conclude the same within a reasonable time.”

    Justice Bulkachuwa had granted Justice Idris leave to conclude the case before resuming at the Court of Appeal.

    Trial was billed to resume yesterday, but EFCC lawyer Mr M.S. Abubakar opposed the move, praying that the case be transferred to another judge.

    He argued that Nwaoboshi’s case did not fall within ACJA’s definition of part-heard criminal cases which an elevated judge could continue with.

    According to him, Section 494 of the ACJA refers to cases in which the prosecution had called all witnesses and closed its case.

    Abubakar said the prosecution had not closed its case as it had only called two of six listed witnesses.

    Urging Justice Idris not to continue with the case, he argued that the ACJA section was illegal.

    “Section 396(7) is grossly unconstitutional. My Lord has ceased to be a judge of the Federal High Court, that fiat is unconstitutional. Counsel cannot, by consent, confer jurisdiction on the court where the court has none.

    “The fact that the court needs to have a fiat to continue with the hearing of the case is an indication that it had already lost its jurisdiction to entertain it. Parties and counsel cannot by consent confer jurisdiction on the court where none exist.

    “Section 494 of the ACJA has clearly defined the meaning of a part-heard case and no meaning should be read into it,” he said.

    But, Dr Azinge said she was surprised that the EFCC, which always accused high profile defendants of adopting delay tactics to frustrate their trial, was the one opposing Senator Nwaoboshi’s speedy trial.

    “The mischief rule sought to be remedied by the ACJA is to remove bottlenecks to speedy conclusion of criminal trials. This is a ‘part-heard’ matter with a fiat.

    “Re-assigning the matter to another judge will endanger its justice because the prosecution has already called its witnesses in the case,” she said.

    She said the section was enacted to cure delays that arise from the elevation of judges, adding that EFCC ought to champion its enforcement rather than rejecting the fiat granted Justice Idris.

    “In this case, a fiat has been issued and My Lord has come down from the Court of Appeal; this is the first time this is happening in the history of this country.

    “Arising from the clamour for expeditious trial of criminal cases by both the Bar and the bench, the legislature passed the ACJA; the legislators bought into our cry. Lawyers should not throw this away. In fact, I believe that this law should be exported to the rest of Africa,” she said.

    Nmakwe said the ACJA was enacted to cure the delays in criminal justice administration, urging the judge to reject EFCC’s prayer. “This enactment calls for judicial activism,” he said.

    Justice Idris adjourned until July 31 for ruling on whether or not to continue with the case.