The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

  • My son-in-law gave Obasanjo Library N50m, says Atiku

    A SON-IN-LAW of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar gave $140,000  (N50 million) to the Olusegun Obasanjo Library, the ex-VP’s Media Office said on Monday.

    According to a statement, the Atiku Media Office said Mr. Babalele Abdullahi facilitated the donation as part of a plan to support institutions promoting peace in the country.

    It said donations to institutions set up to promote peace in Nigeria and Africa should be commended and not criminalised.

    The ex-VP’s office was responding to a story exclusively published on Monday by The Nation that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited the Obasanjo Library on August 8 as part of investigation into the receipt of $140,000 by an official of the Presidential Library.

    The money was suspected to be a source of money laundering and illegal cash used to corrupt some officials to influence the 2019 elections.

    Babalele is being investigated with others for allegedly laundering 150 million euros.

    One of those under probe is an Atiku associate and lawyer, Mr. Uyi Giwa-Osagie.

    About  67, 950,000 of the suspected 150 million euros was traced to Osagie’s and Babalele’s accounts, two slush firms and two Bureau De Change operators.

    Of the 67.9 million euros, Uyi’s account was credited with 26,050,00 million euros between January 9 and 28, 2019.

    Babalele is expected to account for 41,900,000 euros.

    Out of the cash credited to Babalele, he gave about N50million ($140,000) to his childhood friend, Bashir Mohammed to take to an official of  ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

    The EFCC is investigating why the $140,000 was taken to the library, making its detectives to visit the Library in company of Bashir.

    The Atiku Media office said: “Yes, he (Abdullahi) did facilitate a donation of fifty million naira to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, but so did many other individuals, including civic-minded traditional rulers, state Governors, bankers and captains of industry.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Mallam Abdullahi’s donation of fifty million naira was made via a bank transfer, in full compliance with the law.

    “He did not donate or make any payment in cash, as the EFCC is erroneously and salaciously misleading the public. Furthermore, the sources of these funds are completely legitimate and have been conclusively proven to the EFCC.

    “It is instructive to note that even the EFCC has not once claimed these funds to be the proceeds of any illegal activity whatsoever”, Atiku said

    Read Also: Supreme Court rejects Atiku’s, PDP’s appeals

    Presidential libraries in America and other parts of the world are similarly funded by donations from civic-minded individuals”, the statement said, accusing the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of hatching plots to rope ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo into a crime in a bid to silence him.

    “Yes, he did facilitate a donation of fifty million naira to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, but so did many other individuals, including civic-minded traditional rulers, state Governors, bankers and captains of industry. This is because the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is a non-governmental organization that plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and stability in Nigeria, and that should be applauded. “Unlike another past leader, who did not improve himself or Nigeria after leaving office, but sat down nursing grudges and plotting revenge, former President Olusegun Obasanjo improved himself and Nigeria by authoring books, founding international think tanks and engaging in peace and capacity building efforts.

    “Donations to institutions set up to promote peace in Nigeria and Africa are to be commended, not criminalized. Presidential libraries in America and other parts of the world are similarly funded by donations from civic-minded individuals.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Mallam Abdullahi’s donation of N50m was made via a bank transfer, in full compliance with the law. He did not donate or make any payment in cash, as the EFCC is erroneously and salaciously misleading the public.”

    The statement said the sources of the donation were legitimate and proven to EFCC.

    It added: “Furthermore, the sources of these funds are completely legitimate and have been conclusively proven to the EFCC. It is instructive to note that even the EFCC has not once claimed these funds to be the proceeds of any illegal activity whatsoever.

    “The truth is that there is desperation on the part of the current administration to rope in former President Olusegun Obasanjo into a crime as a way of silencing his voice, which they see as the preeminent critical voice against the misrule that they have foisted on Nigerians.

    “This is why they asked the Federal Inland Revenue Service to falsely and libelously include his name in a published list of tax evaders, along with the names of other Peoples Democratic Party sympathizers, such as prominent international singer and pride of Nigeria, Davido, who played a prominent role in PDP’s gubernatorial campaign in Osun state, for which he is being punished.

    “We are therefore calling on Nigerians to be watchful for false and misleading stories planted in the media by the EFCC against Atiku Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other persons deemed to be opponents of this government.

    “Let it be known that former President Olusegun Obasanjo established the EFCC to be an investigative body and not a propaganda or enforcement arm of the ruling party, as it is now being misused.

    “May we also add that whenever the EFCC wish to come up with mischief, they fly their kite in The Nation This is now a pattern. It should be clear to Nigerians that the Presidency, APC, the EFCC, The FIRS and The Nation are now working together as five fingers of the same leprous hands.”

  • ‘AMCON’s relationship with courts is unconstitutional’

    Very unusual things are happening in Nigeria today. A lot of people are taking leave of their sense of propriety. Unfortunately, the prevalence of wrongdoing in society has become so regular that irregular events are now appearing as normal.

    Nigeria is at a crossroads. It is battling to ascend from the primitive stage of lawlessness, to the lowest level of the existence of the RULR OF LAW. Even at this low level of the Rule of Law which we are currently, the legal system is struggling to accept the fundamentals of its operation as the minimum standard.

    Nigerians continue to wonder why a country with such great potential and probably the largest market in Africa is unable to attract foreign investments. Investors prefer to go to countries with less potential for profit than come to Nigeria. The reason is obvious; very few people are comfortable with our scant regard for the Rule of Law. Recently, the United States Ambassador, to Nigeria, Ambassador Stuart Symington made the following statement:

    “What many consider as the great corruption is stealing of money; but what to me is the great corruption is when people are deprived of justice, when you do things without regards for the rule of law.”

    In recent times, certain persons have found themselves in very high positions in the structure of justice of Nigeria who are probably not aware of the enormous responsibility that these positions impose on them. As a distant observer of the Nigerian Legal System, I have on many occasions been shocked by the behavioural pattern of some of our judges. On certain occasions, I have felt vicariously belittled by my country as a citizen.

    On one occasion, the retired Chief Judge of the Federal High Court led a team of judges to visit the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the office of the Chairman of the EFCC. How could this happen? How can judges go and visit the head of a government parastatal that has reasons to come before it for adjudication of disputes? When I saw it, I was convinced that the National Judicial Council (NJC) was going to take action against Justice Ibrahim Auta. I was really disappointed when no response or even a query came from the NJC.

    Very elementary principles underlie and hold together the idea of Rule of Law. The first is that “no man should be a Judge in his own case.” This principled is enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a long line of case law support from the English case of Dimes vs. Grand Junction Canal (1852) 3 HLC 79 and the Nigerian case of Dr. Alakija vs. Medical Disciplinary Committee (1959) 4FSC 38. The second principle states that “parties to a dispute should each be given a fair hearing.” This principle is equally supported by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the leading cases of Garba vs. University of Maiduguri (1986) 1 NWLR Pt 18 pg. 55O SC; and Mai Rai vs.  Bauchi Native Authority (1957) N.R.N.LR. 115 at 116.

    I thought the very worst was over when Justice Ibrahim Auta retired from the Federal High Court. My fears were however further assaulted and insulted by the recent actions of some judges in the Nigerian Judicial System.

    It has come to my knowledge that Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) now has regular interactions with judges of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. How is this imaginable? This interaction is coordinated by the National Judicial Institute (NJI). How is this feasible? How can AMCON, who is litigant before these judges, be together in a seminar to discuss ways and means of accelerating AMCON’s recovery of debt in the absence of the other party? Is AMCON not a litigant before these esteemed judges? We have to remember that, for these judges who really feel that their conscience is clear, it is really about justice being “seen Ajayi & Ors. vs. Zaria Native Authority (1963) 1 A.N. L.R 169 at 173 R. vs. Sussex Justices exp. MC Cathy (1924) 1KB 256”.

    Apparently the immediate past Chief Judge Hon. Justice Adamu Kafarati obviously continuing in the very wrong example of his predecessor saw nothing wrong with this. The Punch Newspaper of September 22nd 2018 quoted the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court as follows:

    “Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati has reiterated the need for judges in the country to support the debt recovery efforts of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria since it was established as a central element of the government’s response to financial crisis in the country.

     Justice Kafarati made the remarks on Friday at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja when he addressed Federal High Court Judges at an interactive session between NJI, AMCON and the judges.”

    How is this possible in an adversarial system? The assault on the legal system did not end there. A photograph was taken which is reprinted above where the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court was flanked by Ahmed Kuru the MD of AMCON and Justice (Rosaline) Bozimo, the head of National Judicial Institute here siting together after the seminar. I can understand that Ahmed Kuru may be misguided about the Constitution of Nigeria, but I cannot offer any explanation for the two learned men who sat down to take a picture with a litigant. This is a monumental scandal under the Common Law system we are purporting to operate in Nigeria.

    To worsen this anomalous situation, the judges are required to explain their decisions to an audience which includes AMCON’s external solicitors and their staff. I am also informed that Senior Advocates of Nigeria also participate in these inglorious seminars. It is my submission that any Senior Advocate that has participated in this charade is not entitled to the honour of the status. Such an advocate is totally unaware of his responsibility to the legal system of Nigeria.

    It is abundantly clear that AMCON has induced a serious violation of the constitution. It has violated the clear principle of fair hearing. No judge who has participated in any of this AMCON interaction can now preside on any matter that has AMCON as a party.

    We cannot allow the hallowed principles of law which are elementary, if we are going to have a society guided by the rule of law to be violated by AMCON.

    We call on the National Judicial Council to rise up to responsibilities and sanction every judge that has participated in this farce, we expect that the appointment of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, and Chairman of the National Judicial Council will usher in a new era of complying with the rule of law in Nigeria.

     

    • Bature writes from Abuja

  • Ex-govs, former ministers to be grilled over $16b power projects

    WITH the official backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to grill suspects linked with the $16billion failed power projects.

    Twenty suspects, among them, two ex- governors, three former ministers, a former chairman of a bank and an ex- aviation chief, will be invited by the anti – graft body to say all that they know about the projects. Also to be grilled are 17 companies linked to the projects.

    The projects were executed during the administrations of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and the first term of President Buhari.

    But those in charge of the projects said $8.58billion was actually allocated between 2005 and 2018.

    The breakdown is as follows: $2.2billion from 2005- 2007; $600million in 2008; about $5.37b from 2010/2011 to date; $150m-$200m made available to NNPC by CBN; and about $80million for Ibom Plant.

    The EFCC however insisted on following the cash to know if the NIPP projects were overpriced and whether or not there was either embezzlement or diversion of the cash meant for power projects.

    A special team has been raised by the EFCC and all documents from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been obtained.

    “The EFCC has received the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the power projects by following the cash to ascertain alleged overpricing of the projects; payments for job not done and whether or not there was embezzlement of funds or diversion to private accounts, “ an EFCC source said yesterday.

    “We will take about 20 key people who were involved in the execution of some of these projects. We have also shortlisted about 17 companies for investigation.

    “There are two former governors from the South-South, a former chairman of a bank and a former chairman of an airline whose companies have been implicated.

    “After hearing from those short-listed, the Special Team of the EFCC will also have the opportunity to visit the sites of some of these projects to ascertain the completion or otherwise of some of these projects,” he said.

    He said the investigation is not targeted at any individual but “to uncover alleged underhand deals which dotted the projects and to verify if the projects awarded were executed or not.”

    “Where there are allegations of mismanagement or diversion of funds, we will fish out those behind it. We will start inviting some of the key players in the next few days and weeks,” he added.

    Read Also: EFCC moves to prevent Internet fraud

    The anti – graft official said a report of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Power Probe, headed by the current Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu explained in details cash withdrawal from the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

    “Go and read the report, you will see that beyond the surface dressing or claims by some officials in charge of these projects, there were some alleged shady aspects.

    “We will be as open-minded as possible and allow all those concerned to clear the air as much as possible, “ he said

    The Elumelu report said in part: “From the oral and documentary evidence, it was clearly established that the total expenditure in the power sector during the period 1999-2007 was US$13, 278,937,409.94billion.

    “Indeed, had the supplementary budget of the power sector in 2007 been implemented, the expenditure could then have been over $16billion reported by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “There are also unfunded commitments to the tune of US$7.265billion for NIPP projects as at May 29, 2007.

    “There is another US $1billion for PHCN capital projects awarded between 2000 and 2007, which have been captured in the 2008 Appropriation Act.

    “Additionally, the total commitment of the NNPC and its Joint Venture partners(of which the Federal Government, through the NNPC has an average of 51% interest) towards  IPP power plants, gas sources development, gas transmission and metering of JV IPPs, PHCN power plants and NIPP power plants, according to the submission of the acting GMD of the NNPC is US$7billion, out of which about US$1.62billion has been expensed, leaving outstanding commitments of over US$5.5billion out of which the Federal Government will provide about US$3billion.

    “Recognition of these unfunded commitments would bring the total (funded and unfunded) FGN expenditure commitments in the power sector to over US$24.5billion between 1999 and 2007.

    “From the assessment done during the Committee’s tour of the project sites, it is safe to conclude that no meaningful progress was made in the execution of power contracts.

    “It is curious and quite strange that officials rush to pay contractors in full even before engineering design for the projects have been completed and approved.

    “NIPP contracts were not only overpriced in comparison with PHCN contracts, they are also wide off the mark when viewed against comparable power stations in several parts of the world.

    “A comparable review of the cost of power installations in varied regions of the world such as South Korea, Saudi Arabia, U.S.A, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Chile showed that $10billion could have built plants to produce between 5,000 to 6,000 MW of electricity. But this amount failed to do so in Nigeria.

    “Unfortunately, all NIPP payments were made without following Due Process. In its place, a process called ‘Waiver of Due Process Certification for Payment’ was adopted in flagrant disregard of Due Process Policy, thus paving the way for dubious and highly risky payments to contractors and consultants by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “The committee found hard and widespread evidence of systematic over scoping of projects in order to inflate costs both in PHCN and NIPP.

    “At least 15 transmission lines and substation projects have been identified. For example, the New Haven-Ikot-Ekpene 2x330kv Double Circuit Line was over-scoped by 49% whilst the Afam-Ikot Ekpene 330kv line was over-scoped by more than 100%.

    “The estimated aggregate cost inflation identified so far for transmission projects is over N20billion and this is recoverable from contractors.

    “A clear example of project cost inflation is the proposed supply of 9No GE frame 9 gas turbines and auxiliaries at the cost of N185billion($1.55billion) awarded to Rockson International.

    “In comparison, it is noteworthy that GE supplied 18No turbines of similar specification previously at about $404million, including cost of Technical Assistance (TA) services and Long-Term Service agreements (LTSA). The implicit cost inflation on the nine additional turbines and associated services exceeds $1.145billion.

    “Another example is the costing of the so-called change-order provisions for Alaoji Power Plant (Phase I) at a highly-questionable amount of US$123million.

    “NIPP Distribution EPC contracts were awarded at costs averaging about 10 times the norm when compared to PHCN contracts costs for similar projects in the past five years. This 1,000% cost inflation of the NIPP Distribution EPC work scopes translates to an aggregate overpricing of over N50billion.”

    Somebody who was involved in the project but does not want his name in print , said: “We only hope EFCC will be fair to appreciate the fact that those who implemented these projects were patriotic.

    “The first premise the EFCC must focus on is the fact that no $1billion was released by the Federal Government.

    “Between 2005 and 2018, the projects gulped about $8.58billion including $2.2billion from 2005- 2007; $600million in 2008; about $5.37b released from 2010/2011 to date; $150m-$200m made available to NNPC by CBN; and about $80million for Ibom Plant.

    “In 2007, a former Accountant-General of the Federation said $2.2billion was released for the NIPP projects.

    “The $8.58billion was allocated as follows:

    *About $4.4billion—Power Plants (5,000MW) at less than $1m per Megawatt

    *About $2billion for Transmission Lines

    *About $1.5billion for 350 distribution projects

    *$600million -$700million for gas pipelines

    *$80million loan from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for Ibom Power Plant which resulted in an interest-free debenture

    “The EFCC’s probe is a welcome development because it will afford Nigerians to know the truth about the power projects. Some of the projects being commissioned by the Buhari administration are parts of the projects.

    “As a journalist, you can do a Google Search, you will realize that some of these projects have been completed and commissioned because government is a continuum, “ he said.

    Buhari vows to probe power project contracts

    Buhari while campaigning in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in February for re-election, vowed to probe the $16bn allegedly spent on failed power projects.

    Government, he vowed, would recover the money and expose those behind the scam.

    He mentioned no name.

    He said: “The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent $16bn on power but you are better witnesses than myself.

    “Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them, eventually God willing, we will catch them and get our money back.”

     

    Obasanjo to Buhari: ‘You’re playing politics with statistics’

    Responding to the Buhari statement, Obasanjo accused the President of playing politics with statistics.

    His words: “A presidential panel headed by the then VP Goodluck Jonathan set up by the Umaru Yar’Adua government put a lie to this after the same administration had sacked one F. Somolu the then Secretary of NIPP who first drew attention to the lie that $16b had been spent on power project.

    “The Panel made up of so many actors, including CBN officials then found out that only $3.7 billion was disbursed out of the $10 billion budgeted and the balance was kept in an escrow account at the CBN.

    “The CBN confirmed this to the panel and it was published…It was then found out that Tanimu Yakubu then Economic Adviser to President Yar’Adua began the propaganda against former President Obasanjo and Somolu then with Yar’Adua wrote a secret memo inside the state house to correct the wrong notion about $10 billion.”

    Obasanjo in a separate statement by his spokesman,  Kehinde Akinyemi said: “We believe that the President was re-echoing the unsubstantiated allegation against Chief Obasanjo by his own predecessor but one, while it is doubtful that a President with proper understanding of the issue would utter such, it should be pointed out that records from the National Assembly had exculpated President Obasanjo of any wrong-doing concerning the power sector and has proved the allegations as false.

    “For the records, Chief Obasanjo has addressed the issues of the power sector and the allegations against him on many occasions and platforms, including in his widely publicised book, ‘My Watch’ in which he exhaustively stated the facts and reproduced various reports by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which conducted a clinical investigation into the allegations against Chief Obasanjo, and the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the Recommendations in the Report of the Committee on Power on the Investigation into how the Huge Sums Of Money was Spent on Power Generation, Transmission And Distribution between June 1999 and May 2007 without Commensurate Result.

    “We recommend that the President and his co-travellers should read Chapters 41, 42, 43 and 47 of My Watch for Chief Obasanjo’s insights and perspectives on the power sector and indeed what transpired when the allegation of $16 billion on power projects was previously made. If he cannot read the three-volume book, he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand.

    “In the same statement credited to the President, it was alleged that there was some bragging by Chief Obasanjo over $16 billion spent on power. To inform the uninformed, the so-called $16 billion power expenditure was an allegation against Chief Obasanjo’s administration and not his claim. The President also queried where the power generated is. The answer is simple: The power is in the seven National Integrated Power Projects and eighteen gas turbines that Chief Obasanjo’s successor who originally made the allegation of $16 billion did not clear from the ports for over a year and the civil works done on the sites.

  • Alleged N3b scam: Let me retire honourably, Oyo-Ita begs

    AS the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) steps up investigation into a N3 billion contract scam, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, has pleaded that the case against her be stepped down.

    The number one civil servant is begging that she should be allowed to “retire honourably.”

    Although she admitted introducing some people to some Permanent Secretaries for assistance, she said she was doing so “without realizing the implication.”

    She said she does not own proxy companies under any guise and has no many upscale assets in Abuja.

    She said although she collected Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) without traveling, the indulgence was not a regular occurrence.

    She also alleged that the EFCC had planned to arraign her on August 19 but she had to remain in a hospital to take care of her health.

    Her plea came against the filling of witness forms by some Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Finance and Administration in order to testify against some contracts when the formal trial of some suspects begins.

    Detectives have also discovered that the Project Accountant, in whose account N600 million was found, is on Grade Level 12.

    Oyo-Ita, however, said the Accountant in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) was not her aide but he reports to a Director of Finance and Administration who also reports to a Permanent Secretary before the Head of Service comes into the picture.

    The foregoing snippets are contained in Oyo-Ita’s plea to those she is begging to intercede on her behalf before President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A part of the snippets saw her saying: “Please, please, please, have mercy on me. I am begging for mercy that this case against me should be stepped down and I should be allowed to retire honourably.

    “I do not own proxy companies. Several people came to me to introduce them to Permanent Secretaries. I have been doing this without realising the implication.”

    On DTA, two top shots who are mediating on her behalf said she confessed to have collected these estacodes without traveling only “a few times.”

    One of the sources, a former bureaucrat, quoted her as saying: “Due to work pressure, I am not able to travel after collecting DTA or estacodes.”

    The source added: “She wants soft-landing from the Presidency because some of the contracts under investigation predated her appointment as the Head of Service. They were awarded between 2013 and 2014. “Her greatest fears border on alleged moves by the EFCC to put her on trial alongside a former minister. “She said there was an initial plan to arraign her in court on August 19 but for providence that she was in the hospital for medical treatment.”

    A second source, who is one of the strong supporters of the President, said: “She evoked much emotion when she was begging for mercy. “Apart from reliving the past, especially PTF days with President Muhammadu Buhari, she said she has been ‘absolutely loyal’ to this administration.

    Read Also: Oyo-Ita: President asked me to return to work

    “She also said the Project Accountant is not her aide at all despite the fact that he is a staff in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    “Her argument is that the Project Accountant with N600 million in his account reports to a Director of Finance and Administration who also reports to a Permanent Secretary before the Head of Service is in the picture.

    “We have done our best to lay all the cards on the table before the powers that be. It is left for the President to determine her fate in the light of the investigation report of the anti-graft commission and her defence.”

    No record of her resignation, says Presidency

    On the circumstances surrounding her resumption yesterday, there were rumours that the Presidency might have rejected her plans to either resign or retire. It was learnt that the Head of Service confided in the staff in her office that the Presidency directed her to go ahead with her work pending the conclusion of investigation.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said last night: “We are not aware of any letter of resignation. There is no record of it in the registry. So, questions pertaining to it ought not to arise.”

    At press time, there were indications that the anti-graft agency had uncovered that the OHCSF officer with N600 million in his account is on Grade Level 12.

    A reliable source said: “So far, we have discovered that he is a GL 12 officer. He is answering questions on how he came about such a huge amount in his account.

    “Officially, the amount allowed in any project account at any time is between N10 million and N15 million. The ongoing investigation might reveal the real purpose for keeping such a huge cash.

    “We have various bends to the investigation and some Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Finance and Administration have filled the witness form to testify on some contracts when a formal trial of suspects begins.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We may still invite Oyo-Ita for interrogation. The amount involved is huge.”

  • EFCC moves to prevent Internet fraud

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said it had put in place preventive mechanisms to end internet/cybercrimes in the country.

    The Ilorin Zonal Head of the anti-graft agency for Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states, Mr Isyaku Sharu, stated this when members of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by the chairman, Malam Umar Abdulwahab, visited him in his office. The zonal head said the cyber space must be safe to attract foreign investment. He noted that activities of the commission had gone beyond conviction to prevention of the act.

    Read Also: EFCC: ex-governor being investigated

    Sharu said apart from the routine raiding of the hideouts of those involved in cybercrimes, the commission had also embarked on sensitisation programmes to educate youths on the need to stay away from internet fraud.

    The zonal head urged parents to show interest in the activities of their children to prevent them from joining bad company.

    Abdulwahab assured the EFCC of the union’s determination to support its activities.

     

  • Alleged misdeeds: EFCC searches Ambode’s home

    OPERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday searched the Ikoyi home of former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The anti-crime agency said the former governor is under investigation just like some other “former governors since they no longer constitutionally enjoy immunity against prosecution.”

    The agency said it carried out its assignment “with a high sense of responsibility” and denied that its men raided the former governor’s homes.

    However, despite having a court warrant for the search in Ikoyi and Epe, it alleged that ‘irate youths’ prevented its operatives from searching the house in Epe, adding that its bus conveying the detectives on the assignment, was vandalized.

    The former governor however, said his houses in Ikoyi and Epe were searched “without any incident.” He explained that he had not been contacted by any agency of government in respect of any investigation.

    Spokesman of the former governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, in a statement, said: “This morning (yesterday), operatives of the EFCC visited the Epe country home and Parkview, Ikoyi home of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Lagos State, with warrants to conduct a search. These searches were carried out extensively, and at the end of the exercise, the operatives left without any incident.

    “The former governor reiterates that the EFCC has, till date, not had any direct communication with him on any subject matter whatsoever and if or when it occurs, he is ready and willing to respond.”

    Ambode, who reiterated his belief in the rule of law and due process, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served the state diligently and conscientiously.

    The former governor urged his supporters and all Lagosians to remain calm and law-abiding as “there is no cause for alarm”.

    Although the EFCC did not give reasons for investigating the ex-governor, it is believed that it is not unconnected with the probe into three accounts opened in the name of the Lagos State government into which N9.9billion was deposited over a period of time. The account was linked to a senior official of the government in the office of the chief of staff to the former governor. The anti-graft agency has got a temporary forfeiture of the amount in the accounts.

    The ex-governor, who said the accounts being referred to were opened and operated by the state government, added that, under his administration, none of his personal accounts contained N9.9 billion, let alone being frozen by the commission.

    The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The attempt by operatives of the EFCC to execute a search warrant on the home of former Governor Ambode was, on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, resisted by hoodlums loyal to the governor.

    “The thugs attacked the operatives and vandalized their vehicle.

    “The commission had obtained a valid warrant to conduct search on Ambode’s homes in Park View, Ikoyi, and in Epe, as part of the ongoing investigation of alleged malfeasance.

    “However, the commission’s operatives were attacked and prevented from executing the search warrant in Epe by irate youths who injured three officers and damaged EFCC official vehicle.

    “The attack was totally unprovoked as the commission’s operatives were civil and did not molest anybody.

    “The commission, therefore, frowns at the attempt to manipulate the video on the search to create the wrong impression that officers of the agency molested residents at the Epe home of the governor.

    Read Also: Ambode denies links to N9.9bn frozen bank accounts

    “It is also not true that the search was an attempt to plant foreign currencies in the home of the former governor.”

    A video, which went viral, showed some Epe residents barricading the black-painted gate leading to the former governor’s home

    Acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu who denied that  that the commission “raided” Ambode’s home, said his men went after the ex-governor’s Chief of Staff (CoS), Mr.Olukunle Ojo.

    Magu spoke with State House correspondents during the presidential retreat for ministers-designate, permanent secretaries and other top government officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. But the former CoS said he had no house in Epe.

    Ojo, in a statement by his media aide, Cornelius Kayode, said “The former COS doesn’t have a house in Epe …. The House belongs to Bunmi  Ariyo,  Ambode’s PA”.

  • N3b ‘fraud’: Oyo-Ita fit to undergo further interrogation

    HEAD of the Civil Service of the Federation Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita is medically fit to undergo further interrogation as investigators deepen their probe into a N3 billion contract fraud.

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have screened her phone chat and call logs following evidence obtained from her suspected collaborators.

    She was allowed to go for treatment when she took ill during interrogation.

    Oyo-Ita is being investigated, alongside some companies and some government officials, for alleged N3billion contract scandal.

    But after more than a week in hospital, there were strong indications yesterday that Oyo-Ita may attend the inauguration of new ministers today.

    It was learnt that Oyo-Ita has been certified medically fit to perform official functions after taking some days off duty.

    With the development, she will be able to be at the series of interrogation sessions already laid out for her by the EFCC.

    According to investigation, EFCC operatives have shifted the probe of Oyo-Ita to her call logs, text messages and chats.

    It was learnt that detectives opted to analyse her phone because some of those interrogated actually presented electronic evidence of how she gave directives on some contracts and companies.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Oyo-Ita absent at Presidential Retreat

    The affected government officials made the evidence available to prove that they only acted on instructions.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Detectives have screened her phone and they have stumbled on useful chats/ messages relating to the contracts under investigation.

    “In some instances, there were specific directives she gave on some issues being probed. Those who received such directives have met with the investigating team. The affected government officials insisted that they followed her directives.

    “We want her to get well to undergo more grilling sessions in EFCC in the light of the interactions we have had with some people.”

    It was not immediately clear whether or not Oyo-Ita will be able to have a session with the President today.

    A Presidency source added: “She has been trying to have audience with the President without success. If she attends the FEC meeting, she might be at an advantage to interact with the President

     

  • EFCC: ex-governor being investigated

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it is only investigating former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The anti-graft agency said it had not raided the home of the ex-governor under any guise.

    The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by its spokesman Tony Orilade.

    The statement said: “The EFCC has, since early hours of today (yesterday), been inundated with calls that operatives of the commission raided the home of the former Lagos State Governor Ambode.

    Read Also: We will recover N5tr toxic debts, says Magu

    “We need to state for the records that the EFCC did not raid Ambode’s house. It is instructive that his administration, like other former governors’, is under investigation, since they no longer constitutionally enjoy immunity against prosecution.

    “The commission hereby states with a high sense of responsibility that the operatives did not raid Ambode’s home.

    “Whatever the commission is presently doing with regards to the investigation

  • Alleged N3b fraud: EFCC seizes Head of Service Oyo-Ita’s passports

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international and diplomatic passports of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who is under investigation for alleged N3billion fraud.

    Mrs. Oyo-Ita’s movement has been restricted to the country pending the conclusion of investigation.

    In continuation of the investigation, the EFCC may invite three Permanent Secretaries and some Directors of Procurement for interaction over some contracts awarded to firms with link to the Head of Service.

    According to investigation by our correspondent, the EFCC decided to restrict Oyo-Ita’s movement so that she can be available for another round of interrogation.

    Although she is hospitalized having complained of being ill, sources said security operatives had been deployed to monitor her movement in the Abuja hospital

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “The latest about the ongoing investigation is that the EFCC has seized the international and diplomatic passports of the Head of Service.

    “In line with normal investigative procedure, we need to restrict her movement to the country to enable her attend more interrogation sessions which have been lined up for her.

    “We are monitoring her progress in the hospital until she is stable enough to come for another round of grilling.”

    The source added: “We may invite some Permanent Secretaries and others because our investigation shows fresh clues during analysis of letters of award of contracts in some ministries, departments and agencies.

    “All the accounts of the affected companies have been placed under watch till they are clear of any infraction.”

    It was learnt that prior to her arrest, there had been complaints about Civil Servants’ Group Life Insurance Scheme (GLIS), which the Federal Government voted N16billion for.

    Some civil servants faulted the management of the insurance scheme which they have not benefitted from.

    Read Also: N3b ‘fraud’: EFCC quizzes Head of Service Oyo-Ita

    It was confirmed that the GLIS was enmeshed in controversy over alleged under-hand deals by some underwriters.

    It was gathered that some of those aggrieved have asked the EFCC to look into challenges on GLIS.

    Another source added: “The EFCC is aware of issues on GLIS but we have not reached this bend. Our focus is on alleged abuse of office and contract scam involving some proxy companies.

    “We will ensure a comprehensive investigation and we will be fair to all. We accorded the Head of Service much respect befitting her status. We will soon release the details of our findings.”

    But Mrs. Oyo-Ita explained that she had no hand in the management of the N16billion.

    About two and half weeks ago, she said: “The GLIS was set up to be able to ensure that government meets up with benefits of any civil or public servant who, in the process of doing his work as a civil servant, loses his or her life.

    “This GLIS is the policy that is carried out with underwriters; these underwriters are being regulated by the National Insurance Commission (NIC). The NIC regulates premiums that are paid to these underwriters and the last group life programme was actually handled by the sub-committee of cabinet chaired by the then Minister of Finance.

    “The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and approval was given for that programme to be implemented.

    “The fund for that programme is always domiciled with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “The only thing that the Head of Service does is to compile the names of all the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that are to be under the group life policy.

    “For someone to say that N16 billion has gone missing in my office is strange to me and to many others who understand how the GLIS works.”

  • EFCC traces cash to Kwara ex-governor’s wife’s account

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced some of the looted N2 billion for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) in Kwara State to the account of a former First Lady in the state.

    The First Lady, who has so far refunded N3 million, has refused to report to the anti-graft agency for interrogation.

    She told EFCC that she was indisposed but silent on the nature of her illness. She also has not presented any medical report.

    The commission might stop her from traveling abroad under any guise.

    Also, a royal father, who was given N78 million out of the N2 billion, might be arrested for refusing to refund the slush funds.

    It was learnt that one of the market women used a share of her illicit allocation to organise the disruption of Tradermoni outing in Ilorin by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The ex-First Lady had illegally collected cash from the N2 billion which she diverted to her foundation.

    But detectives discovered that instead of using the cash for SMED, she converted it to promote herself.

    The objective of the foundation is to “initiate and implement strategies to deal with Cultural, Socio-economic, Health and Wellbeing issues militating against the development of Children, Youth and Women.”

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Our detectives are on the trace of the ex-First Lady. We accorded her much respect but she has been avoiding interrogation.

    “Without honouring our invitation, she later sent the director of her foundation to refund N3 million to EFCC. But we need her to come for interaction on the looted funds traced to her. She is claiming to be sick but no evidence of any medical report.

    “If she does not appear before EFCC detectives, we are going to watch-list her and prevent her from traveling abroad.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Some of the suspects already quizzed have implicated the ex-First Lady. There is also evidence of allocation of funds from the N2 billion for SMED to her account.

    “Selected and influential market men and women across the 16 local government areas of the state received N5 million each as loans, but did not payback.

    “One of the market women used a share of her illicit allocation to organise the disruption ofTradermoni outing by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Read Also: EFCC charges Atiku’s lawyer with $2m laundering

    “About 50 percent of the controversial loans were shared by highly placed individuals and selected businessmen and women at the expense of other beneficiaries.”

    As at press time, there were indications that a First Class royal father, who collected N78 million out of the SME bazaar, might be arrested for refusing to refund the cash.

    The source said: “There were no justifiable reasons for the allocation of the N78 million to the ruler. The money was also not used for farming which he got it for.

    “The traditional ruler has been running around for soft landing. But the issue at stake is about public funds. We may arrest him any moment from now.”

    The EFCC has so far arrested the Director-General, Kwara State Bureau of SMED, Segun Soewu, over alleged N2billion fraud.

    Some of those arrested were: Ogudu Samuel of Brightway Micro-finance; A.K. Imam of Magajin Garin MFB;   Adeleke M.S. of Sincere Micro-Finnace Bank(MFB); Yusuf Muideen of Balogun Fulani MFB; Issa Abdulrasheed of KCMB Mfb, and Oyebode Asimiyu of Apels MFB.

    Others include Lawal Ayo of Omu-Aran MFB; Tope Eniola of Iludun MFB;  Lawal Folashade of Stockcarp MFB; Yusuf Tajudeen of First Heritage MFB;  and Olawoye E.O. of Offa MFB.

    The EFCC began the probe of the N2 billion following intelligence reports alleging fraudulent misappropriation and mismanagement of the cash to assist market men and women across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

    All the MFBs failed to follow due process and the SME cash was also distributed to highly-placed politicians, and prominent people in the 16 local government areas in the state.