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Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Five doctors docked for stealing N13.6m

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA ) in Edo State, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro and four other medical doctors were on Wednesday arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly stealing N13.6m.

Other accused persons who were former executives of Edo NMA are Dr. Anthony Owolabi, Dr. Quincy Atoghengbe, Dr. Raymond Ogieva and Dr. Oseremen Gabriel Ogbebor.

They were arraigned before Justice Efe Igbonmwonba for offenses bothering on stealing and conspiracy to commit fraudulent false accounting.

A 21-count charge were preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ).

Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi, said the accused persons committed the offence while acting in their capacities as officers of Edo NMA between 2013 and 2014.

The charges read in parts, “The defendants, knowingly and privies to omitting the UBA Account No. 1010717142, a material particular in an account maintained and operated by the NMA in its audit report for the accounting year 1st August, 2013- 31st July, 2014”.

“They also conspired among themselves to make a false entry in the audit report of the accounting year, 1st August, 2013- 31st July 2014 of the association to wit, inserting anticipatory income in the report to cover a loan of six million naira yet to be received and thereby committed an offence.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges after which their Counsel, Bello Imadegbelo (SAN) applied for their bail.

Justice Igbonmwonba admitted the defendants on bail on N1m each and a surety who must be gainfully employed.

Igbonmwonba said the sureties must present evidence of tax payments.

January 31, 2018
‘Ajumogobia lied about N8m paid into her company’s account’ – investigator

An Ikeja high court heard yesterday that Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia lied about the source N8 million paid into her company’s account on February 4, 2015.

The 12th prosecution witness Abdullahi Lawal, told the court that when Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, was confronted with her statement of account in respect the N8 million lodgement, she lied about the source and the purpose for the payment.
Lawal, an investigator of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) told the court that the judge told them that the money was from the sale of her land at Abeokuta.

“She said the land was sold to two people, she first mentioned one Haruna Abdullahi and later mentioned that the land was sold to one Tola.

“Our investigation revealed that Haruna was a Bureau De Change operator in Lagos here and there was no such transaction between the parties; whereas Tola was a building contractor; he was the contractor that handled the building of her residence at Parkview Estate and there was no form of land transaction between them.

“The payment of N8m was done by one Grand B Limited. There was no transaction between Grand B Ltd. and Nigel and Colive.”

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) for alleged bribery and unlawful enrichment.

Among other things, the anti-graft agency accused her of receiving a total of $793,800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015 “so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”

Also being prosecuted alongside Ofili-Ajumogobia is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Godwin Obla, who was accused of giving the judge a bribe of N5million.

The two defendants had pleaded not guilty.

At the resumed trial on Friday, Lawal, testified before Justice Hakeem Oshodi, that one Omali Musa, an Assistant Comptroller at the Nigeria Customs Service, paid N12million on July 11, 2014 into the account of Nigel and Colive Limited.

According to him, the N12million was paid in three tranches of N4million, N3million and N5million on the same day.

During proceedings, the prosecution attempted to establish that the judge lied about being hospitalised at Gold Cross Hospital, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The prosecution played in the open court the audio recording of two telephone conversations between Lawal and Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

In the first, Lawal’s voice was heard asking Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia if she was still at the hospital, to which she responded, “Yes.”

But when Lawal asked: “Which ward?” the judge, with what seemed to be a note of agitation or surprise in her voice, responded, “Are you here!” And as the investigator responded, “Yes, I am at the hospital”, there was no further response from the other end, while the investigator kept saying, “Hello! Hello! Hello!”

When asked by the prosecutor what happened, Lawal said, “What happened was that Honourable Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s phone went off; I was calling and she was not responding.”

Lawal explained that he decisided to call the judge on the telephone because he discovered that she was not at the hospital, contrary to what she had told the investigator during an earlier telephone conversation.

He said the audio recording of the second telephone conversation between the judge and the investigator indicated that the judge had told the investigator that she was hospitalised at Gold Cross Hospital.

According to him, the judge had assured them that she would report at the EFCC’s office as soon as she was discharged, saying she was not running away and that she would ask the doctors to discharge her soon since she was not as I’ll as they thought.

the investigator however told the court that he never intended visiting her at hospital when asked by the court.
He said they went to the hospital later just to confirm if the judge was there or not.

Further proceeding in the matter has been adjourned till February 23, 2018.‎

January 26, 2018
Ex-president Jonathan directed how NIMASA funds were spent – Akpobolokemi

A former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ) Director-General Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi yesterday denied looting the agency’s funds.

Testifying before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos after opening his defence, Akpobolokemi said all the actions he took in office had the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He denied looting N2.3billion from the agency, which was approved for a project by the former President.

According to him, Dr Jonathan approved the release of N2.3billion for NIMASA in three tranches between 2013 and 2015.

He said it was for the implementation of a maritime security project, International Shipping and Ports Security (ISPS) code.

He said the funds were released after he wrote three times to the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser headed by Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Led in evidence by his lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), Akpobolokemi said the ISPS code implementation followed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States of America.

He said the security code was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which requested member states to implement it to forestall similar terrorist attacks.

He said the funds were approved by the President and released to NIMASA through ONSA, following which he constituted the ISPS Code Implementation Committee.

He said the committee opened an account, into which funds for the project were released, adding that he was neither a member nor a signatory to the account.

Akpobolokemi said the committee was headed by former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Department, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba.

He said as soon as the funds were disbursed to NIMASA, he minuted letters to Agaba to carry the Presidency’s directives.

“The directive was from the Presidency and I would have been appropriately sanctioned if I ignored the directive,” he said.

He denied the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) that the funds were diverted, adding that the project was implemented with the funds, with foreigners commending NIMASA.

“I was satisfied that the ISPS Code project was well performed at least up till the time I left the agency,” Akpobolokemi said.

Akpobolokemi was charged along with Ababa, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistics Limited.

They all pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned.

Justice Buba adjourned till February 13.

January 25, 2018
Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: I was validly appointed to represent firms – Ozekhome

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN ) Chief Mike Ozekhome yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he was validly appointed to represent four companies that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

Another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, had claimed that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.

Ozekhome is praying the court to nullify the guilty plea entered by the companies on the basis that they were not given fair hearing.

The companies through their representatives pleaded guilty on September 15, 2016, and were convicted for laundering the money when they were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors to represent them, not Ozekhome.

But, Ozekhome, in his counter-affidavit, said he was properly briefed by the companies through their secretary, Briggs, to handle their case.

In an affidavit in support of Ozekhome’s motion, a lawyer in his firm, Chimaobi Onuigbo, said the companies representatives who pleaded guilty to money laundering (Friday Davis, Agbo Baro, Dioghowori Fredrick and Taiwo Ebenezer) had earlier denied having anything to do with the companies or being directors.

He said the representatives also refused to accept service of processes in a suit by Mrs Jonathan against EFCC and others pending before Justice Mohammed Idris.

The deponent noted that Justice Idris had directed parties to serve Briggs with the process since he was on record as the Companies’ Secretary.

Ozekhome said when Briggs was served with the processes, he instructed him to defend the companies.

“Briggs then deposed to an affidavit…where he clearly stated that Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) was instructed by the companies to undertake the defence of the 4th – 7th defendants (companies) in all legal proceedings they were involved in,” said the deponent.

The SAN added that there was no resolution of the board or general meeting of any of the companies that authorised change of counsel, adding that companies through Briggs have not asked him to stop representing them.

“The attempt to appoint another legal representative by the directors is invalid, having regard to the fact that he (Briggs) vide a sworn affidavit and a letter of instruction given to Chief Ozekhome, asked him to represent the 4th – 7th defendants,” he said.

Besides, he said Justice Kuewumi had earlier ruled on a dispute on representation, recognising him as the authorised counsel for the companies; therefore, the judge had become functus officio.

“I know that the application to change counsel is targeted at impeding the administration of justice and to prevent the 4th – 7th defendants from obtaining justice before this Honourable Court.

“It will be prejudicial to the 4th – 7th defendants as well as the interest of justice in this case if the applicants are granted their prayers for change of counsel,” Ozekhome said.

Justice Kuewumi adjourned till February 14 for hearing.

January 24, 2018
FG asks court to revoke Metuh ’s bail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), the prosecuting agency in the ongoing trial of former Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Spokesman, Olisah Metuh, has asked the court to revoke Metuh’s bail.

Mr Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the EFCC, who made the application at the resumption of hearing of the matter on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, said Metuh should be remanded in prison.

Tahir said the application was based on the grounds that Metuh had breached the terms of the bail granted him by the court, by being absent in court for two days with no cogent reason.

The prosecutor asked the court to discountenance the submissions of the defence as to why Metuh was absent in court.

“Since the defendant has been absent from court for two days for inexplicable reasons, and bearing in mind that the defendant is enjoining the bail of the court and has undermined the purpose of the bail.

“The prosecution is constrained to apply for the revocation of the bail pursuant to Sections 137(b) and 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice.

” We urge the court to revoke the bail and commit the defendant to prison pending the determination of his case.”

He further told the court that he was vehemently opposed to the application to vacate the days already fixed for trial and adjourn to the next dates convenient for the court.

On the said medical report sent to the court by one Dr. O.C. Ekweugwu of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Universiry Teaching Hospital, Anambra, the prosecutor said there was nothing before the court to prove the authenticity of the letter.

“The letter ought to have come by way of an affidavit, but nobody has deposed to an oath verifying the worth of the so called medical report, rather the report was just dumped in the court.”

He further submitted that it was of no purpose for the defence to ask the court to order an investigation to ascertain the veracity of the medical report.

Mr Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel to Metuh, had in his submission, prayed the court to vacate the earlier dates the court had fixed for the trial and fix fresh dates in the interest of justice.

Ikpeazu urged the court to grant the application on the grounds that his client was currently in hospital undergoing treatment for a spine related illness.

He further submitted that being a criminal case, it was mandatory for his client to be in court since it was against the law to proceed with the matter in the absence of his client.

Mr Tochukwu Onwubufor (SAN), counsel to the second defendant in the matter said that he aligned himself with the submissions of Ikpeazu.

Onwubufor, however, added that there was substantial reason for Metuh’s absence in court.

“There is a letter from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra stating the medical condition of the first defendant.”

On the question of the authenticity of the report and whether the person who signed it was indeed a medical doctor, the counsel asked the court for time to investigate.

The judge, Justice Okon Abang said the court noted that there was no proof before the court to show that the person who issued the letter was a medical doctor or an employee of the hospital.

Abang added that the hospital was not a party in the matter and that the person who issued the letter was not in court to testify.

He further wondered how the said letter found its way into the court records.

He adjourned the matter until Jan. 24 for continuation of arguments by counsel.

January 23, 2018
$1.6bn crude oil fraud: EFCC’s failure to produce witness stalls Omokore ‘s trial

The prosecution’s failure to produce its witness before the Federal High Court, Abuja impeded progress yesterday in the trial of businessman, Jide Omokore and others for alleged diversion of $1.6bn proceeds of sales of Federal Government’s crude oil.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) is prosecuting Omokore, his two companies – Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited – and others on a nine-count charge of criminal diversion of about $1.6bn believed to be part of proceeds of sales of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government.

Also named as defendants in the case are a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company ( NNPC ), Victor Briggs; a former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the NNPC, Abiye Membere and a former Manager, Planning and Commercial of the NNPC, David Mbanefo.

Former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke was also named in the case until late last year when the court struck out her name on the ground that she was listed as a defendant.

On Wednesday, the 4th prosecution witness, a Senior Manager with Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Adedayo Adesanmi confirmed that the bank froze the accounts owned by two of Omokore’s companies – Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited – due to a worldwide freezing order.

He said:“The bank got a worldwide freezing order. There were also negative press generated by the accounts and frequent invitation from security agencies because of the accounts.”

The prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) was to call another witness yesterday when Jacobs expressed his regrets to the trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, over the failure of two scheduled witnesses to attend court on Thursday.

He said his two witnesses that were from Lagos, were unable to make it to court yesterday despite earlier assurances that they will attend court.

Jacobs said one of the two witnesses was an investigative officer in the case, but was recently transferred from Abuja to Lagos.

The trail judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba was uncomfortable with the turn of event and the prosecution’s failure to produce its witness.

The judge noted that the prosecution had been dilligent in its handling of the case, but insisted that it must continue with the case.

The judge suggested standing down the case for the witnesses to arrive to allow for progress in the case.

At that point defence lawyers, including R.A Rabana-Lawal (SAN), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) and Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) said Jacobs had explained his difficulty to them before the commencement of proceedings.

In view of the non-aversion of the defence to an adjournment, Justice Dimgba reluctantly adjourned to March 1 and 2.

January 18, 2018
Kalu ‘s N3.2b case: Star witness on the run, says EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that its star witness in the trial of former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, is evading appearance.

Kalu, Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited were arraigned October 31, 2016 by the EFCC before Justice Mohammed Idris on a 34-count charge of N3.2billion fraud.

They pleaded not guilty.

At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Jacob informed the court that the matter was due for continuation of trial but that he could not proceed because he could not find his star witness.

Jacob told Justice Idris that the witness, Mr Mike Udoh, had repeatedly made himself unavailable whenever he was due to appear in court to give his testimony.

He accused some unknown persons of being behind Udoh’s absence and vowed that they would be prosecuted.

He said: “Our main witness that we intended to call, we have approached him for more than six months. We have noticed that each time the matter is coming up, he will just travel to Umuahia or Calabar or Cameroun.

“He always has the dates of the matter and I was forced to apply for a subpoena. Your Lordship signed one, which we took to the Abia State Government because we found out that he was a civil servant. But he has since left the service.

“He was supposed to come today but switched off his phone. EFCC went to his house in Umuahia yesterday and this morning but met his wife who said he travelled to Calabar. Despite all our efforts, we have not been able to bring him.”

He prayed for a short adjournment of about a week to enable the agency round up its case.

Jacob added: “We have information that some people are behind his not showing up. We are investigating and will charge the persons. As we speak, our operatives are in Abia, but they can’t pick up the wife in place of the husband.”

Kalu’s counsel, Mr Awa Kalu SAN, accused the EFCC of a ploy to foist an adjournment on the court.

The former Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice said: “The defendants have been dilligent in presenting themselves for trial, but the prosecution has been engaging in push and starts. The second defendant is a retired civil servant.

The first defendant (Kalu) is a politically exposed person. There are four senior counsel with at least one junior all at the defendants’ cost. Yet we are here only to be told of circumstances beyond the prosecution’s control? There are many witnesses listed by the prosecution. The non-appearance of one of them cannot foist an appearance on this case.”

Second defendant (Udeogu)’s counsel, Solo Akuma SAN, adopted Kalu’s submissions, describing the EFCC’s claim as application as “a frivolous one.”

He said: “We abandoned everything else to come to court. My client is complaining he cannot afford my bill. The defence has never made any application for adjournment. All adjournments have been at the prosecution’s instance. They must be compelled to close their case, otherwise Your Lordship should award costs to cover our transport and hotel bills.”

Counsel to thrird defendant Slok nigeria Ltd, C.C. Nwofo lamented the economic damages the firm has suffered because of the trial and adjournments.

He said: “The third defendant is a company which has suffered and lost contracts of about $500million from China Exim Bank for ship acquisition. About $350million has been lost from African Bank in Egypt. 3,000 workers have lost their jobs because of this case. 250 expatriate workers have lost their jobs because of this case.

“We have not been paid our fees in this case, but I’m doing it because I believe this case will end one day and I’ll be paid. If they are not able to proceed, I propose a cost of N10million.”

But Jacob, who urged the court to uphold his prayer, said it was not frivolous.

“If I have that man (Udoh) today, I am comfortable to close my case. I am entitled to five adjournments. We want to use this week to get this witness. We now know his house. We must get him. I believe we will. No amount of shielding will protect him.”

In a bench ruling Justice Idris upheld Jacob’s application for adjournment and declined the defendants’ application for cost. He noted that this was the final adjournment it would allow.

Justice Idris said: “Where a witness that ought to attend court, fails to attend court and summons has been issued and served on the same witness, then the prosecution would pursue the appropriate provisions of the ACJA to compel the attendance of the witness in court…This trial will no longer be adjourned on account of unavailability of witness to attend court… It is unfortunate that a trial, which has been adjourned for hearing from day to day could not proceed due to witness unavailability,” the judge said.

The case continues on January 22 and 23.

January 16, 2018
ASUU to EFCC: Release report of fraud finding on UniIlorin

The Academic Staffs Union of Universities ( ASUU ) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release its findings on the alleged N2billion fraud petition on the University of Ilorin, submitted to it over a year ago.

The Union also called for the recall of all sacked and victimised members at the Kogi State University, Lagos State University and University of Ilorin.

While calling on President Buhari to check the growing impunity at the Unilorin, the ASUU said it will continue to expose corruption in universities despite victimisation of its members.

The Ibadan Zone of ASUU in a release signed by its Coordinator, Dr Ade Adejumo titled “impunity and disregard for the Rule of Law: the Cases of the University of Ilorin, Kogi State University and Lagos State University”, ASUU accused the anti-corruption agencies including ICPC, CCB and EFCC of failing to bring the administrations of Professors Ishaq Oloyede and Abdulganiyu Ambali as Vice Chancellors of University of Ilorin to justice despite “substantial evidence which nailed them on corruption issues.”

According to ASUU in the statement, the failure of the anti-corruption agencies to make public their investigations on the petition has made a mockery of the whistle blowing policy of the Buhari administration and allowed impunity to thrive while the whistle blowers, Drs Kayode Afolayan and Solomon Oyelekan were sacked for daring to expose corruption at UniIlorin.

While the Union appealed to the Visitor to the University of Ilorin to prevail on the council to recall sacked officials of the union, it called for a “special probe panel of men and women of integrity to look into the books of past administrations in Unilorin.”

Dr Adejumo also noted that it is worrisome that the Lagos State University went ahead to sack its members (Drs Isaac Akinloye and Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu) alleged of altering students’ results and demanding money from students without “proven evidence beyond reasonable doubt”, and as such asked Governor Akinwumi Ambode to intervene in the matter urgently.

“In a country where universities are short of qualified academic staff, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state terminated the appointment of 120 members of our union and got unqualified persons to impart the knowledge they do not possess. ASUU believes in the rule of law and will continue to expose the dangers of the criminality that is presently going on in these universities despite victimisation of our members. we call on the visitors in these universities to stop the impunity and recall the sacked lecturers”

January 7, 2018
Innoson boss arrives Enugu amidst jubilation

Jubilant crowd Thursday stormed the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu to receive the Chairman of INNOSON Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, who was arrested Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of jumping bail.

He was later released by the same commission after being flown to Lagos.

As early as 10am, traditional dances as well as masquerades gathered at the airport waiting the arrival of the industrialist said to be the biggest employer of labour East of the Niger.

His aircraft touched ground at about 2.05 pm. As soon as the crowd sighted him, they went into wild jubilation.

A long convoy of cars joined in escorting Chukwuma‎ to his Enugu residence, with chants of solidarity songs.

Some of them carried solidarity placards with different inscription such as ‘EFCC stop Embarrassing Igbo Nation”, “Our Senate is Working”, “Innoson can’t be intimidated”, ‎among others.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the EFCC to newsmen on his arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Chukwuma said EFCC operatives jumped into his house and took him away to Lagos in short-knicker and singlet.

He, expressed surprise that the EFCC, which arrested him, could not tell him the offence he committed, disclosing that he refused to go after he was released until the commission tells him the offence he committed.

Chukwuma told newsmen that after the GTB wrote a false petition against him, the EFCC jumped into his house and whisked him away, regretting that up till now the EFCC refused to tell him the offence he committed.

His word: “I thank everybody who fought for this matter because I was surprised that in the early morning they jumped into my house, I thought it was kidnappers or armed robbers but finally I noticed it was EFCC. Around 7:30 in the morning they said they want to arrest me and I joined them to their office and up till now they have not told me my offence.

“When I got there, they said I should go but they didn’t tell me what I did. They arrested me like a criminal took me to their office and after to the airport on shorts and singlet to Lagos.

“EFCC under Ibrahim Magu has never invited me, nobody invited me, they just jumped into my house. If they invited me I would have gone to answer them because I am a genuine businessman, I am an industrialist I don’t have anything in my cupboard.

“That’s why I asked them to tell me what I did but up till now they have not told me what I did. I said I will stay with them until they tell me what I did.

“I don’t know for now if I will go to court against this unlawful arrest but what I know is that they have not told me up till now what I did.

“I have never forged tax waiver document in my life, never in my life! I pay all my tax, I pay my duties, I am a genuine businessman, I am an industrialist.”

‎He further volunteered in a statement he personally signed that he intends to work faithfully with the EFCC on the alleged investigation so as to clear his name, which he said has been badly damaged, adding that he will follow up the so called investigation to its logical conclusion.

He expressed his gratitude to fellow countrymen who stood by him in this period of “my illegal arrest by the EFCC”.

“May I use this opportunity to express my gratitude to fellow countrymen who stood by me in this period of my illegal arrest by the EFCC. Firstly, I want to thank Mr. President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his believe in the rule of law.

“I thank the various State Governors who condemned my illegal arrest and fought to see my release. To all the media organizations, various human rights groups, the youths, the Free Innoson Media crusaders and ‎everybody who gave a voice to condemn my illegal arrests, I thank you,” he stated

December 21, 2017
EFCC grants NFIU autonomy

Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu Wednesday told the Senate that the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has been granted autonomy.

Magu who appeared before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to defend the performance of 2017 budget of his agency promised to submit details of recovered loots by the agency to the committee.

He told the committee that starting from January 1, 2018, NFIU would begin operation as independent organization.

The Egmont Group suspended Nigeria as a result of alleged interference of the EFCC in the workings of the NFIU.

It asked the country to amend its law establishing the NFIU to make it independent or be prepared to be expelled by January 2018.

Magu told the committee that the agency has a separate budget from that of the EFCC.

He said, “We have allowed NFIU to go. They are operationally autonomy independent of EFCC. They will be independent of EFCC. We have given them financial autonomy. N800 million was proposed for the agency in 2018 budget.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Chukwuka Utazi said that the N800 million proposed for NFIU is not enough for the body to conduct it work.

Utazi noted that “N800 million cannot go anywhere if you want them to work, they need to be properly funded and equipped.”

He also requested for pay roll of the 96 workers under the NFIU from the head of the agency.

Utazi insisted that his committee need to know the work force of NFIU.

December 20, 2017