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Tag: EFCC

  • Court to hear Obla’s suit against EFCC Oct 18

    The Federal Capital Territory High Court has adjourned a suit by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Godwin Obla against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until October 18.

    He filed the suit in 2017 for recovery of his professional fees allegedly amounting to over N685million of unpaid legal services and expenses incurred while serving as EFCC’s prosecuting counsel.

    The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/3220/17, is before Justice V.B. Ashli.

    Obla’s claims include the payment of outstanding professional fees for the prosecution of various high-profile criminal cases on behalf of the EFCC, including the case of FRN v Raymond Omatseye.

    He is also demanding fees for the recovery of several billions worth of assets forfeited to the Federal Government through his firm.

    The suit also seeks the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by his firm for the prosecution of EFCC cases, running into several millions of naira.

    Hearing in this suit commenced in April with Obla testifying.

    Meanwhile, after almost two years of trial, the EFCC closed its case against Obla and Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

    They were charged with a 31-count charge bordering on an alleged perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment and forgery.

    Obla’s lawyer, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) informed the court that having analysed the failure of the prosecution to establish a prima facie case against his client, he would file a no-case submission within seven days.

    First defendant’s counsel Mobolaji Kuti also said his client would file a no-case submission within 14 days.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned until November 2.

  • I sacrificed my Presidential ambition for Buhari – Ribadu

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said the he sacrificed his Presidential ambition to allow President Muhammadu Buhari go for a second term in office because of the good work he is doing for the country.

    Speaking in an interview with newsmen, Ribadu also threw his weight behind the President allowing the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu to continue to head the agency despite opposition from the National Assembly, saying fighting corruption is the most difficult job to do.

    Asked whether he was sacrificing his presidential ambition because of President Buhari, Ribadu who is contesting the governorship primary of the APC in Adamawa State, said “You can say part of it. Of course, that is a good reason. When you agree with a leadership, it is okay that you step aside and allow good thing to happen and I am comfortable with that.

    “That is okay. It is fine if what you have in your heart is honest service. Any chance is an opportunity for you to do what you can to help your own people, you cannot shy away from that. I have no issue with that.

    “Today, President Buhari is our President and I agree with him totally and I am comfortable with the leadership he is giving this country. If there is anything under, I can also make my own contribution, I am very much prepared to do so.”

    Speaking on the non confirmation of the appointment of the EFCC Chairman, Ribadu said “This is sad part of our country. To even get things done properly and correctly becomes almost impossible. I don’t see any reason why they will not confirm him and allow him to do the work properly. I totally agree with the federal government in allowing him to do this work.

    “Whatever you can say about Ibrahim Magu, you cannot take away the fact that he is a honest person and a very courageous person. These are some of the requirements you need in an anti corruption agency. He is doing extremely well.

    “I know him and I know how the place works. I know this difficult in doing this work for our country. I am in total agreement with the decision of the federal government to allow him to continue. It is a matter of courage because fighting corruption is the most difficult job to do.

    “It will require all the sacrifice, all the patience and everything that everybody can give for us to make an impact. We are going the right direction. It is tough one, a difficult one, but Nigerians should please go along with it and support it. If we don’t, the chances are that we will not be able to do anything in this country.”

    On whether the EFCC was right in investigating accounts of state government and state governors, he said “I told you earlier that fighting corruption is not easy. It is not likely that you will please everyone. You will have to go after people who are in control of government.

    “I won’t go to the village and go after somebody for the fun of it. It has to be people who are in charge and on control and often, they are people in opposition or against.
    “When you are fighting corruption, there are targets and the target is often people who are in charge of our own wealth and if they mismanage it, the agency has a duty to go after them. But I don’t think that you can do it outside the law.

    “There are rules and regulations that govern and determine the way you conduct yourself, as long as you follow it, as long as you are within the permission of the law, I think we must understand that it has to be done. Look across the world, the issue of fighting corruption is the same thing all over. People are saying the same thing they are saying in Nigeria.

    “We are not different from the rest of the world. Fighting corruption is the most difficult thing. It is the most difficult job you can do, especially if you are going to do it with all honesty and with good intentions. There is no way that you will not be condemned.”

    On the allegation that Corrupt persons were joining the APC for protection, he said “I don’t think that is the case, but that is the beauty of democracy. People are entitled to be where they want to be. Constitutionally, no one has the right to stop you fr9m belonging to any political party. It is the fundamental right of individuals to belong where they want to and no one has the right to.

    “You have no right to stop the, because they are entitled to. I am not saying that I totally agree with what is going on. It is not my choice that today, I am from Nigeria, from Adamawa and from Yola. I found myself here and I have no right to say that simply because I disagree with somebody from Yola, I don’t want to play a role or participate in making Adamawa a great place.

    “I have no right to exclude anybody. Nobody has the right to stop another person from belonging to any Organisation of Association. Even if you disagree, you can’t do much about it. If somebody is corrupt, let the law take its course. I don’t think that can be a reason for you to stop a person from belong to a political party.

    “I think these are things that you have to get clear. It is in our constitution that you are free to belong to a political party, you are free to contest unless the constitution says you cannot. Those issues are constitutional, and fundamental and Nigerians will just have to understand that.”

    On why he wants to be Governor, Ribadu said “I just want to serve. In Adamawa State, just like many other states in Nigeria deserve better leadership. We can do better. We are faced with challenges and difficulties and people will just have to come forward and stand up.

    “When you are faced with challenges and problems, people will have to stand up and confront it. I believe that anybody with something to offer must come forward and I believe I have something to offer. I believe that I can work honestly and change the way things are, I can run a government that is honest, just, fair and all inclusive.

    “I will address the problem of insecurity. I will certainly change the lives of our people. That is the reason why I still want to try and see if Nigerians will give us chance.”

  • ‘Using EFCC against me is hypocrisy’

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday faulted the Federal Government for using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to alert the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to prevent his escape at the end of his tenure.

    The governor said the move amounted to hypocrisy on the party of the government to place him on a watch list when he had written to the anti-graft agency of his intension to submit himself at the expiration of his tenure in October.

    He described the alleged alert as an opportunity for Federal agencies to loot the treasury in the name of investigating him.

    In a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by his Special Assistant of Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said the planned crackdown was an act of irresponsibility by the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, Fayose promised to turn himself in to the EFCC for investigation on October 16, as he promised, and that the watch-list was needless.

  • ‘EFCC did not freeze Adelekes’ accounts’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied freezing the bank accounts of Sen. Ademola Adeleke and those of his family members, including popular musician, Davido.

    Adeleke is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun.

    Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Sunday, said media publications alleging the account freeze by the EFCC were false.

    “The commission calls on members the public to disregard the report, which is patently false and contrived to dress the agency with a partisan garb in the unfolding political contest in Osun State.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did the EFCC place a freeze order on any account belonging to members of the Adeleke family.

    “The purported freeze order which has unfortunately been amplified by pliable sections of the media without any attempt at confirmation, is alien to the commission and another example of fake news.

    “The EFCC frowns at the seeming attempts by faceless forces to drag it into the political fray,” he said.

    Uwujaren restated the commission’s “neutrality as a law enforcement organisation that is sworn to uphold the law at all times, irrespective whose interest is at stake.”(NAN)

  • Fayose’s offer to surrender to EFCC diversionary, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ekiti on Wednesday described  as  suspicious and  diversionary  the offer by the outgoing governor, Ayodele Fayose,  to voluntarily surrender himself to the EFCC on the day he would be  vacating office.

    The APC insisted that the outgoing governor was  planning to seek safe landing to enable him run away from the country.

    The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, questioned the rationale behind Fayose’s request for the approval of N10 billion extra budget by the state House of Assembly less than one month to the expiration of his tenure.

    ” This will certainly be at the expense of the welfare of the pensioners and workers  who he will be abandoning in a state of penury and frustration due to months of unpaid salaries

    ” Fayose and his cronies are recklessly looting the state treasury and they are smiling home with billions of Naira at the expense of Ekiti tax payers, ” the party said.

    The party, which described   Fayose’s readiness to appear before the EFCC as a welcome development, however, warned that this may be a decoy  ” knowing Fayose is full of pranks and capable of playing tricks on the EFCC and other security agencies.’’

    ” The letter to the EFCC can be used by Fayose as a distraction and diversionary tactic  to pave way for his escape from the country, thereby running away from justice.

    “ Fayose’s promise to appear before the anti-graft agency on the handover day sounds too good to be true and highly suspicious

    ” We therefore recommend that he be put under serious close surveillance  since he is morally and duty bound to account for many of his recklessly corrupt practices that have made him billions of state money richer than the state itself

    ” No matter how smart Fayose thinks he is and no matter how fast he thinks he can run, the long arm of the law must catch up with him to refund our collective wealth and money for the benefit of all in our dear state, Ekiti,’’  the party  said. (NAN)

  • Fayose ready for EFCC quiz in October

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said he will answer questions on the management of funds under his watch at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja.

    The governor promised to be at the office of the anti-graft agency on the expiration of his immunity.

    He will vacate his seat for Governor-elect Dr. Kayode Fayemi on October 15. The latter will be sworn in the following day.

    Fayemi, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the outgoing Deputy Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, in the July 14 election.

    Fayose said his decision followed “several and serial actions of the EFCC for some time now, including the freezing of his bank accounts”.

    According to him, he will show up at the Abuja office of the anti-graft agency 1 pm on October 16.

    The letter communicating the governor’s decision, which he signed, was dated September 10.

    The receipt of the letter, titled: “Notification of my decision to make myself available in your office to clarify issue(s) or answer questions on issues within my knowledge”, was acknowledged at the EFCC Chairman’s Office on September 11.

    It reads: “Several and serial actions of your commission for some time now, including but not limited to the freezing of my accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties, are indicative of the commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some questions but for the immunity I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as the sitting Governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform you that my term of office, pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision, shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, October 15.

    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, I, who believe in the Rule of Law, wish to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, October 16, at 1 pm, to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.

    “Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

    EFCC, last year, froze Fayose’s accounts domicilled at Zenith Bank, but the accounts were freed after the governor sued the anti-graft agency at a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti.

    The commission challenged the verdict of the lower court at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti, which ordered that the accounts be frozen again, having been convinced they were allegedly used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The EFCC averred that part of the $2.1 billion arms deal from the Office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), were paid into Fayose’s Zenith Bank accounts.

    The governor’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, is in custody for alleged involvement in moving cash for and buying property for the governor.

  • Updated: Fayose surrenders self to EFCC

    Says I’ll be your guest on October 16

    The reality of life outside power has begun to dawn on Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose as he has signified intention to answer questions on management of funds under his watch.

    Fayose has promised to make himself available at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) barely 24 hours after the expiration of his constitutional immunity.

    He is expected to vacate the state’s number one seat for his predecessor in office, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on October 15 as the latter will be sworn to office the following day.

    Fayemi, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the outgoing Deputy Governor, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the July 14 governorship election.

    The Ekiti governor said his decision was sequel to “several and serial actions of the EFCC for sometime now including the freezing of his bank accounts.”

    According to him, he has concluded arrangements to show up at the Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency at 1.00 pm on the said date.

    The letter communicating the governor’s decision which was personally signed by him was dated September 10.

    The letter was acknowledged received at the EFCC Chairman’s office on September 11.

    It was entitled: “Notification of my decision to make myself available in your office to clarify issues(s) or answer questions on issues within my knowledge.”

    Read Also: N117 billion debt: I leave Fayose to God, says Fayemi

    The letter reads: “Several and serial actions of your Commission for some time now, including but not limited to the freezing of my accounts and  attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties are indicative of  the Commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some  questions but for the immunity I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999  Constitution as the sitting Governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform to that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, 15th October, 2018.

    As a responsible citizen of our great country, I who believes in the Rule of Law, I wish to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.

    “Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

    The EFCC froze Fayose’s accounts domiciled at Zenith Bank in 2017 but the accounts were unblocked after the governor sued the anti-graft agency at a Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

    The EFCC challenged the verdict of the lower court at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti which ordered that the accounts be frozen again having been convinced that they were allegedly  used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The EFCC averred that part of the $2.1 billion arms deal from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) were paid into Fayose’s Zenith accounts

    Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, is being prosecuted for allegedly assisting the governor to launder funds and purchasing property.

  • Alleged N4.7bn fraud: EFCC closes case against Ladoja

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday closed its case against a former Oyo State Governor Rasheed Ladoja for alleged N4.7 billion fraud at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Ladoja is standing trial alongside a former Finance Commissioner Waheed Akanbi.

    The defendants were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on December 14, 2016, on an eight-count charge.

    Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

    At the resumption of proceedings, an EFCC operative, Abubakar Madaki, was cross-examined by the defence team, while first and second defendants’ counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika and Bolaji Onilenla said they intended to make a “no-case submission”.

    Justice Idris upheld their application for an adjournment and fixed September 27 for adoption of the final written addresses.

    The defendants were charged with conspiracy to siphon and launder N4.7 billion from the coffers of the Oyo State government.

    According to the EFCC, they converted N1.9 billion belonging to the state to their personal use through the account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the defendants retained the money sometime in 2007, despite their knowledge that it was proceeds from a criminal activity.

    Ladoja was accused of removing 600,000 pounds from the state coffers in 2007 and sending same to his daughter, Bimpe, in London.

    Besides, the ex-governor was accused of converting N42 million belonging to the state to his personal use and subsequently used same to buy an armoured Land Cruiser.

    The EFCC added that Ladoja also converted N728 million and N77 million at different times in 2007 for his personal use and transferred same to Bistrum Investments to buy a property in Ibadan.

    The alleged offences contravene sections 14, 16, 17 (a) and 18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, according to the EFCC.

     

  • Navy in Delta hands over vessel, nine crew members to EFCC

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA, on Monday in Warri, handed over a vessel laden with 524 metric tonnes of suspected petroleum products without valid approval, to the EFCC.

    The Commander, NNS DELTA, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, said nine crew members on board the vessel christened “MV SKYE,’’ were also arrested for various crimes, including economic crimes.

    Dewu said the vessel was laden with products suspected to be crude oil and Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO).

    He said the suspects were arrested at the Escravos bay in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state this month.

    The naval boss explained that the vessel was earlier apprehended by the Joint Task Force (Operation Delta Safe) in 2014 and handed over to the anti-graft agency for prosecution.

    “However, the vessel was released on bond by a court in Port Harcourt with about 388 metric tonnes of crude oil on board.

    “The bond was to enable the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to sell the product and return the money into the Federal Government’s coffers.

    “This same vessel was, however, re-arrested and the captain, Ifeoluwa Jerome said it had 505 metric tonnes of product on board.

    “While investigating, we realised that the vessel had 524 metric tonnes of products and not 505 in seven of the 12 compartments,” he said.

    Read Also: EFCC recovers N106.5b, others in eight months

    Dewu said the crew had told him that they were supposed to be heading to the high sea through Brass in Bayelsa to Port Harcourt to dispose the product after the court case.

    “We found them off Escravos and they claim to be having machinery problem which led them to Escravos.

    “Secondly, this vessel was released on bond with about 388 metric tonnes of products by the court only for us to find 524 metric tonnes.

    “ Part of it is AGO instead of crude oil that was released by the court.

    “Part of the problems the Navy faces is that vessels hide under bond to commit illegal activities,” he said.

    The commander further said the navy had concluded its investigation, adding that the product on board had no valid approval.

    Mr Richard Ogberagha, EFCC’s Detective Superintendent who spoke on behalf of the agency, said justice would be done to the matter.

    “Officials of the DPR are already on ground taking samples; so we have started investigation already,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the captain of the vessel, Jerome, however, has denied the claims by the navy, insisting that he had not committed any crime.

  • N1.6bn Fraud: ‘I was asked to implicate Jonathan’s ex-aide’

    A banker, Iwejuo Joseph Nna, on Monday alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked him to incriminate a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Dr Waripamo-Owei Dudafa.

    Nna told Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos that his refusal to do so caused the EFCC to file a N1.6billion fraud charge against him.

    Nna, a branch manager in Bayelsa State, and Dudafa were, on June 11, 2016, arraigned by the EFCC on a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal the proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6billion.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the duo, between June 2013 and June 2015, used different companies to launder the money.

    At the commencement of proceedings on Monday, second defendant Nna alleged that after his arrest, the EFCC sought his cooperation in implicating Dudafa over the alleged offences.

    Led in Evidence in-Chief by his counsel, Ige Asemudara, Nna said he was told that he was not the target of the investigation, and that if he cooperated he would be fielded as a prosecution witness in Dudafa’s trial.

    He said: “I told them that I couldn’t understand what they meant and they asked me if I had a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who would be ready to defend me and that I should be prepared for the consequences if I refused to cooperate.”

    According to Nna, his colleagues who were also arrested in connection with the alleged offence were fielded as prosecution witness rather than being prosecuted.

    The defendant’s testimony was halted when Asemudara applied for an adjournment to provide some exhibits needed for his defence.

    Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo opposed his application, but, in a bench ruling, Justice Mohammed adjourned till September 18.

    According to the EFCC, The defendants allegedly concealed N1.6bn through a company, Seagate Property Development and Investment Ltd, an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a).

    They were also accused of knowingly concealing proceeds of crime through Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd in the sum of N 399, 470,000.00, among others.

    EFCC said Dudafa “procured” Nna and Ebiwise Resources to conceal N150million being proceeds of crime.