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Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

  • Edo to EFCC: Return N500m seized from Igbinedion

    Edo to EFCC: Return N500m seized from Igbinedion

    Edo State has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return N500million and property seized from convicted former Governor Lucky Igbinedion to it.

    This request is contained in a November 7 letter to the EFCC through the state government’s lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN).

    Igbinedion was arraigned in 2008 along with his company Kiva Corporation Limited on sundry allegations of defrauding the state government.

    The charges were subsequently amended pursuant to a plea bargain agreement. They pleaded guilty.

    The convicts were ordered to forfeit N500million to the Federal Government as well as three properties.

    They included a landed property measuring 4,823.02 square meters in Asokoro, Abuja, a detached two plots of land comprising four bedrooms and boys quarters at 57 Ihama Road in Benin City and a storey building and a bungalow at 24, Izekor Street, off Chris Mary Street, also in Benin City.

    “While thanking the EFCC for the successful prosecution of the defendants, it will be accepted if the said sum of N500million and the three properties which have been recovered on the orders of the Federal High Court are transferred to the Edo State Government forthwith,” Falana wrote.

  • EFCC seeks stiffer penalties for money launderers

    EFCC seeks stiffer penalties for money launderers

    The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday called for severe punishment for money launderers and other financial crime offenders to

    Magu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Faculty of Management Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, in Lagos.

    The seminar is entitled: “Money Laundering and its Impact on the Nigerian Economy: The Way Forward.’’

    He said that though the enforcement and compliance of the current money laundering Act in Nigeria was one of the best in Africa, the punishment needed to be reviewed.

    “The current Nigeria Money Laundering Act is good, but the aspect of punishment needs to be reviewed to be more severe.

    “The punishment prescribes about seven years ‎imprisonment,’’ he said.

    The anti-graft chief said that the menace had eaten deep into all institutions in the country.

    He said that 60 percent of corruption cases in the country border on money laundering.

    Magu urged various institutions in the country to partner with the anti-graft agency in its fight against corruption, describing it as “a crime against humanity’’.

    The chairman said that the “Change Mantra” of the present administration could only be achieved through the cooperation of all institutions and individuals in the system.

    “If the state governors can utilise 50 percent of their allocation properly, there will be tremendous change and transformation in the Nigeria economy,’’ he said.

    Magu, however, used the occasion to highlight the achievements of the commission in the last 12 months he assumed headship of the agency.

    He said: “There is more commitment from officials of the commission because of the current political will that gives them the freedom to perform their duty unrestricted.’’

    In his remarks, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, lauded EFCC for its good work and the successes so far recorded in spite of the obstacles hindering ‎its efforts.

    Fagbohun said that corruption should be addressed in every institution, adding, “the world is looking for governance that can add value in the true sense.”

    He urged Nigerians and established institutions to start doing things rightly if they truly desire change.

    Fagbohun said that the judiciary should be responsive to correcting errors in the society.

    “Regrettably, where the court and the legislature fail in their duty, the media is the only arm helping the masses,’’ he said.

    Fagbohun advised the media to fill the gap, where the legal and political constitutionalism had failed.

  • Fani-Kayode arraigned again in Abuja for money laundering

    Fani-Kayode arraigned again in Abuja for money laundering

    Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode was Thursday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count of money laundering.

    The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2016, which has Femi Fani Kayode as the sole defendant, was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Fani-Kayode was alleged to have received through his police aid, one Victor Ehiabhi, the cash sum of N26million paid to him by the former Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Shuaibu Salisu on the instruction of the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    Ehiabhi and Salisu had through written statements, admitted paying the money to Fani-Kayode in cash.

    The prosecution said Fani-Kayode handled the cash without going through financial institution as required under the Money Laundering Act.

    Fani-Kayode, who was the Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign organisation of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, is already standing trial on a 17-count charge of money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    He is being tried in Lagos with a former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman, Danjuma Yusuf and a firm, Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd.

    They are charged with unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money to the tune of N4.9 billion on the defendants.

    When the five-count charge was read to Fani-Kayode yesterday before the Federal High Court, Abuja, he pleaded not guilty.

    Following his not guilty plea, prosecution lawyer, Johnson Ojogbane, asked the court for a date to commence trial.

    Defence lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) informed the court about the bail application he filed for his client.

    Upon the court’s permission, Adedipe moved the application and urged the court to grant his client bail.

    He said by the fact the offence for which the defendant is charged, it is bailable. He said Fani-Kayode has been in EFCC’s custody for 21 days.

    “My Lord, I will also like to draw your attention to the fact that the defendant is facing trial before Justice M. S. Hassan in Lagos and he has granted him bail.

    “We hereby urge the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognition as he has twice served as a Minister to the Federal Republic of Nigeria or in the alternative, grant him bail on liberal terms that will enable him attend his trial”, he prayed.

    Ojogbane, while responding, relied  on Section 35 (1)(c) and 35 (4)(a) of the Constitution in arguing that  “although the defendant has been in custody for 21 days, we are still within the ambits of the law as the arrest and detention was done for the sole purpose of bringing the defendant to court.

    “I therefore urge the court to excise its discretion judiciously and judicially in granting the accused bail,” Ojogbane said.

    Trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, in his ruling, admitted the defendant to bail at  N50million and one surety in like sum.

    The judge said the surety must be a resident of the FCT and must have a landed property within the FCT.

    He ordered that Fani-Kayode be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

    Justice Tsoho adjourned to December 14, 2016 for trial.

    The charge reads:

    Court one

    That you Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or about the day of 24 November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court directly took possession or control of the sum of N26,000,000.00 (twenty six million) paid through one Victor Ehiabhi by one Salisu Shuaibu, who was then the Director of Finance and Administration on the instruction of Col. Mohammed Dasuki Former National Security Adviser purporting the money to be payment for contract when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed of the proceeds of an part unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and Shuaibu Salisu (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corrupt and thereby committed an offence to Section 15(2), (d) of the contrary Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 158 of the same Act.

    Count two

    That you chief Femi Fani-Kayode or about the 24th day of on November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court directly converted the sum of N26,000,000:00 (twenty six million naira only which was paid to you in cash sum from the office of the National security Adviser(ONSA) purporting same to be payment for media campaign for the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Office of the President when reasonably ought to have known that the said funds you formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity (To wit: Criminal breach of trust and corruption) of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) the then National Security Adviser and salisu Shuaibu the then Director of Finance and Administration and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 159 of the same Act.

    Count three

    That you Chief Femi Fam-Kayode on or about the 24th day of November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable count did retain the of N26,000,000.00 (twenty sum six million naira purporting same to be payment for media campaign on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the office of the President when you reasonable ought to have known that such fund directly represented the proceeds of unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) the then National Security Adviser and Shuaibu Salisu the then Director of Finance and Administration office of the National security Adviser (to wit: Criminal breach of trust and corruption and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 17 (b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section (17) (b) of the same Act

    Count four

    That you Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or about the 24th day of you November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court having reason to know that the sum of N26,000,000.00 (twenty six million naira directly represented the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) the then National Security Adviser and Shuaibu Salisu the then Director of Finance and Administration (to wit: Criminal breach of trust and corruption) in respect of the said amount used the said fund for media campaign activities and other personal purposes and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) and 9 of the same Act.

    Count five

    That you Chief Femi Fam-Kayode on or about the 24th day of November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did accept cash payment valued at N26,000,000.00 (twenty six million Naira from the office of the National Security Adviser through one Victor Ehiabhi your security detail which sum was over and above the required threshold for cash payments and thereby committed an you offence contrary to section la of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 amended in 2012 and punishable under as 16(1)(a) of the same Act.

  • Alleged N5m bribe: SAN, female judge contradict each other before EFCC

    Alleged N5m bribe: SAN, female judge contradict each other before EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) on Tuesday grilled another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Obla over payment of a N5million bribe  into the account of a female judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.
    But Obla and the judge contradicted themselves before the EFCC team of interrogators.
    The SAN, who was still undergoing interrogation last night, might be detained by EFCC.
    According to findings, the judge had told the EFCC that the N5million was a part payment for a N40million property she sold to Obla in 2015.
    Obla however said the cash was meant for buying of building materials (iron rods) for a building he was putting up in Abuja and not for buying of any property.
    He said the judge, who was a colleague in the university, only assisted in buying the said building materials.
    He said he came across the judge during a trip to Lagos and sought for her assistance to buy the building materials.
    A source said: “Obla said the judge gave him the name of someone who plies the trade. She provided the company’s name and the account number for the transaction. Obla said he paid the money and goods were supplied.
    “When asked the name of the trader, receipt of transaction and delivery evidence of the goods, the learned silk said he could not remember the name of the trader or his location, neither was there any receipt or delivery note for the transaction.
    Investigation by EFCC detectives confirmed that the N5million was paid into the account of a company in which the judge and her children have interest.
    The source added: “The registered company, not known to be engaged in building materials or any viable business is suspected to be surreptititously set up for the purpose of warehousing proceeds of gratification.
    “The same company has been fingered in other illegal transactions including suspicious payments of sorts by some other persons.”
    Responding to a question, the source said: “I think we might detain the Senior Advocate of Nigeria( SAN), who was a former prosecutor for EFCC.”

  • Appeal Court hears Tarfa’s bribery charge appeal January 19 

    Appeal Court hears Tarfa’s bribery charge appeal January 19 

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Tuesday fixed January 19, 2017 to hear an appeal filed by embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rickey Tarfar challenging a Lagos High Court’s refusal to quash the bribery charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC arraigned Tarfa before Justice A. A. Akintoye on March 10, on the allegation, among others, that he offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, in order to compromise the judge.

    It claimed that Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to Justice Nganjiwa between June 27, 2012 and December 23, 2014.

    But Tarfa, through his defence team comprising about 34 SANs, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    In her ruling, Justice Akintoye dismissed the application and held that the court had jurisdiction to hear the matter.

    Dissatisfied, Tarfa filed a Notice of Appeal and urged the appellate court to and set aside the judgment of the lower court.

    At the appellate court yesterday, appellant’s lawyer,  Biodun Owonikoko (SAN) informed the court that record of appeal had been compiled and transmitted adding that the appeal was ripe for hearing.

    Also, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said the commission had filed its briefs and was ready to argued the appeal.

    Consequently, the presiding Justice, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garuba fixed January 19 for the hearing of the appeal.

     

  • N5.1bn fraud: Prosecutor’s absence stalls Jonathan’s ex-aide’s trial

    N5.1bn fraud: Prosecutor’s absence stalls Jonathan’s ex-aide’s trial

    The Federal High Court, Lagos Tuesday adjourned till Wednesday the continued trial of former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-owei Emmanuel Dudafa, following prosecuting counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo’s absence.

    Dudafa, who the court heard was ‘seriously sick’, was also not brought to court from prison custody.

    He and one Iwejuo Joseph Nna, also known as Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah, are standing trial before Justice Mohammed Idris on a N5.1billion fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The two accused persons were alleged to have used four companies namely; Pluto Property Development Company Limited, Avalon Property Development Company Limited, Seagate Property Development Company Limited, Rotato Property Development Company Limited, and Ebiwise Resources Limited.

    At the resumption of proceedings yesterday, Justice Idris read out a letter from the EFCC and signed by Oyedepo seeking an adjournment to enable him defend an appeal filed by Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), against the Commission in suit number CA/497/2016.

    Tarfa is being prosecuted by the EFCC in three courts on charges including offering gratification to judicial officers and obstruction of public officers in the performance of their duties.

    Defence counsel Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, who did not oppose the application, said he was surprised at his client’s absence.

    “On enquiry from Prison officials, I was told that Dudafa was seriously sick that was why they didn’t bring him to court,” Oyewole said.

    He added that the anti-graft agency had “flagrantly disobeyed” the order of the court to hand over Dudafa’s international passport to the court registrar.

    Consequently, Justice Idris granted the adjournment till November 10, for continuation of trial.

  • Alleged fraud: Prosecution’s absence stalls ex NAMA chief’s trial

    Alleged fraud: Prosecution’s absence stalls ex NAMA chief’s trial

    Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos Tuesday adjourned till December 2, to commence the trial of a former Managing Director (MD) of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Ibrahim Abdulsalam.

    Abdusalam and six others are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a charge bordering on the alleged theft and conversion of NAMA’s N6.8billion.

    At the commencement of proceedings Tuesday, Justice Kuewumi announced that there was a letter from prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo seeking an adjournment.

    Oyedepo, he stated, informed the court that he was summoned, through a hearing notice, to the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal.

    The court then adjourned the case till December 2.

    On April 7, EFCC docked the NAMA boss, three directors of the agency and the wife of one of the agency’s directors. They denied the charge.

    Apart from Abdulsalam, other defendants are Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Adegorite, and two limited liability companies, Randville Investment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.

    In the charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that on August 19, 2013, the defendants conspired to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2.8 billion to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd.

    The EFCC stated that the delivery was under the pretence that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    In another instance, the commission alleged that that between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants converted N191 million belonging to NAMA to themselves.

    The defendants were also said to have converted N728 million between 2013 and 2015, as well as other sums.

    According to the charge, the offence offended Sections 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and was punishable under Section 1 (3).

  • BREAKING: Banire steps down as APC’s legal adviser

    BREAKING: Banire steps down as APC’s legal adviser

    • Quits electoral reform membership
    The National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire (SAN), has stepped down from the position following an allegation that he bribed a judge with N500,000.
    The decision is contained in a letter on Monday to the party’s National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
    Banire also wrote the Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) about his decision to quit his membership of the Electoral Reform Committee.
    He said he was offering to step aside on moral grounds until investigation into the allegation is concluded.
    Banire’s letter is entitled: Offer to Step Aside as National Legal Adviser Pending Conclusion of Investigation of My Person by the EFCC. He copied President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).
    The former Lagos Commissioner for Transport and the Environment said he read an online publication on October 29 entitled: APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, Allegedly paid Federal Judge N500K.
    He said he voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to help clarify the issues.
    “The allegation, as I have come to understand it, is that a Statement of Account of one judge of the National Industrial Court, the Honourable Justice J. T. Agbadu-Fishim, who is the subject of an ongoing EFCC’s investigation, contained a June 2013 entry of a ‘N500,000.00’ payment ascribed as being from one ‘Dr. Muiz B’.
    “I did not hesitate in confirming that this probably referred to me because I remember that about three years ago, I received a text message from someone I recollected at the time to be an old colleague in my days as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, an ‘Agbadu-Fishim’ who was then a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, informing me of the death and funeral programme of his mother.
    “The last contact (of any sort) I had with this person before that text would have been about 14 years earlier, that is, before I was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State at the inception of civil rule in 1999 (now 17 years ago).
    “Indeed, it was with considerable difficulty that I was able to eventually recognise his face when I eventually saw him again (after 17 years of my leaving the University of Lagos) on my attendance at the EFCC on Thursday the 3rd day of November, 2016.
    “When I received the said message and his information to me of the death and funeral programme of his mother in which he solicited for financial assistance in a tone suggesting great distress, I considered it necessary to assist an old friend in dire need.
    “Without any further prompting, he sent his account details to me and I made a cash gift of N500,000.00 to him,” Banire said.
    He said while he personally never appeared before the judge, two cases worth less than N2million in legal fees were handled by lawyers in his chambers.
    Banire said: “As I have now come to realise after my interactions with the EFCC, that payment is being investigated from the angle of whether or not it was to influence the receiver in the performance of his judicial duties on the Bench of the National Industrial Court.
    “This is perfectly understandable to me within the general context of the investigation in which the allegation had arisen, and considering that I have lately come to also realise that two of my colleagues in chambers had been involved as defence counsel in two cases before the subject judge amongst 12 cases in all they have ever done at the Industrial Court since inception.
    “My review of the two case files which I came to be conscious of after my interactions with the EFCC shows that one of them was amicably settled between the parties for a sum less than N1.2m, thereby technically losing the case, whilst they won the other and that the combined professional fees (net of taxes) for the two cases was less than N2m.
    “While protesting my innocence, and will therefore do everything within legal limits to defend myself, I have, from the first instance, become aware of the allegation, offered my full cooperation to the EFCC and will continue to cooperate with, and give it all the assistance it may require of me in the course of its ongoing investigation into the matter.”
  • EFCC re-arraigns Kalu for allegedly diverting N3.2b Abia funds

    EFCC re-arraigns Kalu for allegedly diverting N3.2b Abia funds

    Former Abia State Governor Mr Orji Uzor Kalu on Monday lost his bid to avoid being re-arraigned in Lagos for an alleged N3.2billion fraud.
    He had petitioned Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice Ibrahim Auta opposing a bid to transfer of his case from the Federal High Court Abuja to the Lagos Division.
    But, the CJ refused the prayers, paving the way for his re-arraignment before Justice Mohammed Idris sitting in Ikoyi.
    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Kalu along with Udeh Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited on 34 counts of money laundering.
    They were first arraigned on September 27 before Justice Anwuri Chikere of the court’s Abuja division.
    On learning that the case had been transfered to Lagos, Kalu, through his lawyer Prof Awah Kalu (SAN), filed an ex-parte motion seeking leave of court to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the CJ to reverse the transfer.
    He also prayed that the order should operate as “a stay of all actions, matters or issues ancillary to or relating to or pertaining to or connected with the case, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.”
    EFCC, Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), and Justice Auta are the respondents.
    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Mr Ikechukwu Njoku, Kalu said the case, filed after he left office in 2007, suffered delays due to interlocutory appeals.
    Kalu said he temporarily relocated to Abuja to face the trial, therefore it would be in the interest of justice to let the case remain in Abuja.
    The suit, filed after the transfer of the corruption case to Lagos, is still pending in Abuja.
    Kalu and his co-accused allegedly diverted about N3.2billion from the Abia’s treasury while he was the governor.
    Kalu was said to have allegedly diverted the funds in tranches of N200million, N50million, N200million, N300.8million, N545million, N429million, N288.4million, N190million, N157million, N152.8million, N100million, N84million and N50milliob between August 13, 2003 and January 12, 2005.
    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003 and punishable under Section 16 of the same Act.
    The EFCC accused Slok Nigeria Limited of conniving with one Emeka Abone said to be at large, to help Kalu retain the allegedly stolen funds in its accounts.
    The prosecution said Slok “knew or at least suspected the said Orji Uzor Kalu to have engaged in a criminal conduct.”
    Udeogu was accused of helping Kalu to pay part of the allegedly stolen funds into Slok’s account with the defunct FinBank Plc.
    They were alleged to have utilised Manny Bank (now Fidelity Bank Plc), Spring Bank Plc, the defunct Standard Trust Bank and FinBank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to divert the funds.
    In counts one to 10, the accused were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts, which funds were said to belong to the Abia State government.
    Kalu was alleged to have, between August 13, 2003, and August 10, 2005, used his company Slok to retain N2.5billion in his account domiciled with the Apapa branch of  First Inland Bank.
    EFCC said the money formed part of funds illegally derived from the state’s treasury and were converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into Slok’s account.
    In counts 22 to 33, Kalu, Udeogu, Slok and Abone allegedly collaborated to conceal the genuine origin of N2.1billion, which formed parts of funds Illegally derived from the treasury between August 13, 2003, and August 10, 2005.
    The defendants pleaded not guilty.
    Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged Justice Idris to allow him to continue on the bail earlier granted him.
    “We are seeking the court’s discretion for the first defendant to continue on the existing bail granted to him on April 20, 2008 by Justice Adamu Bello.
    “Since this matter has started, he has not jumped bail. He is an employer of labour; therefore, he will not undermine this court,” the SAN said.
    Udeogu’s lawyer, Mr Solo Akuma (SAN), also urged Justice Idris to allow his client to continue on the existing bail granted him.
    “The second accused person is a retired permanent secretary and his wife is a judge of the Federal High Court,” Akuma added.
    Prosecution counsel Mr Adebisi Adeniyi did not oppose the applications.
    Justice Idris granted as prayed and adjourned until December 12 and 23 for trial.
  • Tompolo: Associates seek to quash N47.6b fraud charge

    Tompolo: Associates seek to quash N47.6b fraud charge

    • Keyamo’s absence stalls trial as workers protest
    Some associates of wanted Niger Delta militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), have asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to quash a N47.8billion fraud charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    Tompolo and others were arraigned in absentia on April 18 on 22 counts of conspiracy, stealing, advance fee fraud and money laundering.
    He was charged along with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA’s) Director-General Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi, who pleaded not guilty.
    Others are Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa, Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Limited, Wabod Global Resources Ltd, Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd, Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd, Muhaabix Global Services Ltd and Watershed Associated Resources.
    Also named in the charge are Akpobolokemi’s four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large. They were said to have aided the suspects commit the fraud.
    The trial was stalled due to the absence of prosecution counsel Mr Festus Keyamo, who wrote to inform the court that a principal prosecution witness would not be available.
    One of the defence counsel, Mr. Oyesoji Oyeleke (SAN), said he filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge.
    He argued that since the prosecution failed to depose to an affidavit stating that it had concluded its investigation, the court should strike out the charge.
    Another defence counsel, Mr. Sylvester Ekweme, representing one of Akpobolokemi’s brothers, Clement, said his client had been in detention since April, adding that his bail application was still pending.
    EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud the Federal Government of the sum between December 2, 2014 and last April 10.
    The EFCC claimed that the accused persons of “falsely pretending to the Federal Government that a parcel of land and its appurtenances situated at Mieka Dive Training Institute, Kurutie, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State had been acquired by NIMASA for the temporary campus of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.”
    The alleged offence violates Section 1 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related Offences Act, 2006 and were liable to punishment under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
    The defendants were also accused of swindling the Federal Government to the tune of N11.940billion, by presenting a forged Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy of Bendel State of Nigeria dated May 6, 2014 to NIMASA on the false claim that the forged document was genuine and issued by Warri South-West Local Council, Delta State.
    Some staff members of Global West Vessel Specialist Limited stormed the court yesterday to protest the alleged non-payment of their salaries for 15 months.
    The company was charged along with Tompolo, Akpobolokemi and others in a separate case.
    EFCC, in the 40-count charge before also before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use.
    It alleged the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.
    The workers said due to the freezing of the company’s accounts, their salaries had not been paid for the past 15 months.
    They bore placards, which read: “Global West is not owned by Tompolo”, “We are suffering, some of our colleagues have died in the process”, “Global West Vessel Specialist Limited workers need our 15 months salaries” and “Mr President save our soul; we are in support of your government, we are not militants”.
    One of the workers, Roland Omobude, said: “If the company has a case, are we, the workers, to suffer for this case? Can’t they identify the people that are involved in this case and pick them up? Let them pay us our salary. Some of our colleagues have died. About four or five people have died in the process. We are about 350 workers; we are in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Bayelsa.
     “They said the EFCC has frozen the accounts of Global West and since they’ve frozen the account since last year when this new Buhari regime came, nothing has been done. And without them defreezing this account nothing can be done. We are begging the Federal Government, we are begging everybody in this country to come to our aid; we are suffering.”
    Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the first case till November 10 for hearing of pending applications. He fixed trial for December 13 and 14.