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Tag: EFCC

  • Police siege: I depend on God – Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday assured his supporters that his current travails in the hands of the Federal Government would end in praise, saying he had absolute faith in God as he had done nothing wrong to warrant the continued harassment by the security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    A statement by his media aide, uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu stated this when the Archbishop of Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, led a delegation of clergies of Enugu Diocese of the Church on a solidarity visit to his Enugu residence Sunday evening.

    Ekweremadu said: “When people say they are not sure there is God, I say, ‘Come, let me tell you my story; when I finish my story, you will know whether there is God or not’. My story is one of those that establish actually that there is God. So, what you are seeing now will also pass because there is no battle that God cannot fight for me.

    “There have been several attempts to remove me as the Deputy President of the Senate, but, I am not worried because it is God that gives power and it is only Him that can take it.

    Ekweremadu recalled that he had never been in a position to manage public finances or award contracts all through his political career.

    Read Also: EFCC invites Ekweremadu again over assets

    “I have been a town union president, Chairman of a local government, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government, Senator since 2003, Vice Chairmen and Chairman of several committees, Deputy President of the Senate since 2007, and I have been Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament before I became the Speaker. Today, I am a Member of the Global Parliament for Tolerance and Peace. In all of these, I have never managed government resources or finances or being in a position to give contracts or receive contracts.

    “When I was local government chairman, I allowed the Secretary of the Council to run the affairs when it comes to giving contracts. When I was Secretary to the Enugu State Government, I refused to be part of the tenders board because of things like these.

    “When I became the Deputy President of the Senate in 2007, there was something they used to call the Body of Principal Officers that awarded contracts. I told the President of the Senate that we had to stop it and let the National Assembly Management deal with contracts, and that if it was to continue, I was not going to part of it. He saw my point and agreed with me.

    “All the oil and election probes they have done in Nigeria, nobody can mention my name. The money they pay me for my services has always been enough for me. If you have any proof that I stole government money, I challenge you to come out and say it. I have never ever even been in a position to do that.

    “So, when Justice Innocent Umezulike and his cohorts wrote a petition to the EFCC that I was given money to go and develop the South East zone and I used it to buy 32 properties, I laughed at them because nobody gives you money to go and develop your house let alone developing a zone. Nobody has ever given me money to do any contract.

    “So, my hands are clean. But if the EFCC wants me to come and answer that, I am prepared to answer any call from anybody as a responsible citizen.

    “Even at that, I will continue to advocate justice, rule of law, and equity”.

    Ekweremadu said he had no personal quarrel with anyone, wondering why the desperation to annihilate him politically.

    “In all my statements, my position on things that have happened in Nigeria, I have always meant the best for Nigeria. I have never for once, personally attacked anybody, including the President.

    “I have been worried about the security situation and the injustice that is accompanying the programmes of the government. Those are the issues I have always addressed and I have tried to be as objective as possible.

    “So, why the government or its agencies or the party that is in power feels that I am a threat is what I don’t understand. For as long as you are in government, you are supposed to be democratic.

    “I don’t have one personal problem with anybody, but because of my position on some of these things, people have tried to kill me. About 2015, there was an assassination attempt on my life and up till now, nobody has investigated that matter”, he added.

  • EFCC arraigns Stella Obasanjo’s brother for forgery

    •Court remands Abebe in Ikoyi prison

    AN Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday remanded a Lagos business man, John Abebe, in prison custody for alleged forgery.

    Justice Mojisola Dada ordered that Abebe, a younger brother of the late former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending filing and hearing of his bail application by his counsel, Mr. Uche Nwokedi (SAN).

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had  arraigned Abebe before the court on a four-count charge of forgery.

    The EFCC, in the charges, claimed that Abebe “knowingly forged” a letter dated November 30, 1995, written by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon (Nigeria) Limited.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the businessman illegally inserted into page 2 of the said letter the following words: “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields.”

    The EFCC alleged that Abebe also attempted to pervert the course of justice by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in a suit between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited.

    The defendant was also alleged to have made an attempt to mislead the court by using fabricated evidence contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    EFCC prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that by attempting to pervert the course of justice, Abebe violated Section 126 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    Oyedepo added that forgery was a violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    Abebe, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Justice Dada adjourned the case to enable the defence counsel to file an application for his client’s bail.

     

     

     

     

  • EFCC arraigns Stella Obasanjo’s brother for forgery

    Remanded in Ikoyi prison

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday remanded a Lagos businessman, John Abebe in Prison custody for alleged forgery.

    Justice Mojisola Dada ordered that Abebe, a younger brother of the late former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending filing and hearing of his bail application by his counsel, Mr Uche Nwokedi (SAN).

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had   arraigned Abebe before the court on a four count charge of forgery.

    The EFCC, in the charges, claimed that Abebe “knowingly forged” a letter dated November 30, 1995, written by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon (Nigeria) Limited.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the businessman illegally inserted into page 2 of the said letter the following words: “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of Oil in any of our fields.”

    The EFCC alleged that Abebe also attempted to pervert the course of justice by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns two for illegal oil deal

    The defendant was also alleged to have made an attempt to mislead the court by using fabricated evidence contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    EFCC prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that by attempting to pervert the course of justice, Abebe violated Section 126 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    Oyedepo added that forgery was a violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    Abebe however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Justice Dada adjourned the case to enable the defence counsel, Mr Nwokedi to file an application for his client’s bail.

  • Senate to EFCC, police: vacate Ekweremadu’s residence

    THE Senate yesterday resolved to ask operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and police allegedly laying siege to the residence of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to vacate the place without further delay.

    The upper chamber said the security operatives must allow Ekweremadu to enjoy his constitutional rights as a free citizen.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North)

    Utazi told the Senate that the siege to Ekweremadu’s residence by security operatives was a violation of his right to move freely.

    He said: “What offence has he committed that would warrant his wife and children to be denied freedom to go about their duties.

    “People are worried. We want to know what he has done.

    “Some people told me that they heard some people wanted to defect today and because of that, they don’t want him to come to the sitting.

    “I also heard that they don’t want the Senate president to come so that both presiding officers will not be here, but thank God that the Senate President is in this place.”

    Utazi prayed the Senate to demand that Ekweremadu’s residence be immediately vacated.

    Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), who seconded the motion, noted that the occupation of Ekweremadu’s residence was a threat to democracy.

    He said: “I was with Ekweremadu yesterday and there was no notice from the Police. I wonder why his house is under siege today.

    “If he is wanted, they should invite him and he will respond.

    “There will be tomorrow. No matter the intimidation, my confidence in you and Ekweremadu is renewed and we must protect this institution.”

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South), who also supported the motion, said the development was not only a threat on democracy but the unity of the country.

    Before the adoption of the motion, Saraki noted that there was also a siege to his house at the early hours of yesterday.

    The Senate President said he was meant to report to the police due to the invitation to answer to alleged involvement in a robbery case in Offa some months ago, but he could not do so.

    Saraki said there would not have been Senate plenary if he had gone to the police, due to the fact that Ekweremadu was prevented from leaving his house.

    He said: “Ekweremadu cannot come out for no fault of his and by the plan, I wouldn’t have been here as well.

    “It was the intervention of Almighty God that I am here today.

    “The deputy senate president called me that he was blocked from coming out. Even my convoy was blocked.”

    Chairman, South East Senate Caucus Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who called on “well-meaning Nigerians and the International community for interventions to save our democracy,” said the country is fast cascading to tyranny and fascism.

    Meanwhile, the Senate adjourned plenary till September 28, 2018 to enable senators proceed on their annual vacation.

     

  • I was not invited by police, EFCC – Ekweremadu

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday faulted the siege on his home by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, the deputy Senate president said neither police nor DSS invited him.

    Ekweremadu said he was expected to preside over Tuesday’s plenary in the absence of Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    The statement read: “The Apo Legislative Quarters residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is currently under the siege of men of the Nigeria Police Force and the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “With the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, expected to report to the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force in Guzappe, Abuja, this Tuesday morning, Senator Ekweremadu is expected to preside over plenary.

    “They took over the entire vicinity before 6:00 a.m. There is no going in or coming out.

    “Meanwhile, there was no prior invitation to the senator by any of the security agencies or the EFCC.”

  • EFCC should ‘probe alleged proceeds of ransom payment’

    An anti-corruption group, Campaign Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged discovery in foreign bank accounts, of proceeds of ransom believed to have been paid for the release of Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

    Government officials have always insited that no ransom was paif for the release of the girls.

    CACOBAG Chairman Comrade Toyin Raheem urged the anti-graft agency to unmask those behind the deal.

    The discovery has allegedly been traced to two bank accounts at Lamda Private Bank in Liechtenstein and Germany, said to have been opened by a Nigerian.

    Raheem noted that since Israel had arrested some of its nationals involved in the deal, the onus lies on the EFCC to investigate the matter for Nigeria.

    He said: “It is saddening that foreign nationals and countries seem to be more interested in the development of our country more than ourselves.

    “These countries have assisted us to arrest some criminals who are nationals of their country and are involved in the alleged proceeds of ransom, claimed to have been paid by our government for the release of the girls. These foreign nationals were not just arrested but were also prosecuted.

    “Two accounts have been discovered to have been opened in a foreign account. It was opened in the name of a man with Nigeria and Niger Republic citizenship.

    The alleged proceeds of ransom paid for the release of the girls are stashed in these two foreign accounts.”

    The activist urged the EFCC to work with the intelligence gathered by foreign agencies on the matter to unmask and bring to justice the Nigerian.

    He hailed the Federal Government and the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu for the anti-graft’s war against corruption.

    Raheem noted that Magu’s name will be indelible in the history of Nigeria if the EFCC should investigate the issue diligently and ensure justice.

    Raheem pointed out that CACOBAG was not blaming the Federal Government for any payment of ransom as no amount of money could buy lives.

    He explained that the group was concerned about the need to stop the criminals who had made kidnapping and ransom payment a kind of business.

    He said the group would always be at the forefront of fighting corruption and called for collaboration of all stakeholders to fight the menace.

     

  • EFCC should ‘probe alleged proceeds of ransom payment’

    An anti-corruption group, Campaign Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged discovery in foreign bank accounts, of proceeds of ransom believed to have been paid for the release of Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

    Government officials have always insited that no ransom was paif for the release of the girls.

    CACOBAG Chairman Comrade Toyin Raheem urged the anti-graft agency to unmask those behind the deal.

    The discovery has allegedly been traced to two bank accounts at Lamda Private Bank in Liechtenstein and Germany, said to have been opened by a Nigerian.

    Raheem noted that since Israel had arrested some of its nationals involved in the deal, the onus lies on the EFCC to investigate the matter for Nigeria.

    He said: “It is saddening that foreign nationals and countries seem to be more interested in the development of our country more than ourselves.

    “These countries have assisted us to arrest some criminals who are nationals of their country and are involved in the alleged proceeds of ransom, claimed to have been paid by our government for the release of the girls. These foreign nationals were not just arrested but were also prosecuted.

    “Two accounts have been discovered to have been opened in a foreign account. It was opened in the name of a man with Nigeria and Niger Republic citizenship.

    The alleged proceeds of ransom paid for the release of the girls are stashed in these two foreign accounts.”

    The activist urged the EFCC to work with the intelligence gathered by foreign agencies on the matter to unmask and bring to justice the Nigerian.

    He hailed the Federal Government and the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu for the anti-graft’s war against corruption.

    Raheem noted that Magu’s name will be indelible in the history of Nigeria if the EFCC should investigate the issue diligently and ensure justice.

    Raheem pointed out that CACOBAG was not blaming the Federal Government for any payment of ransom as no amount of money could buy lives.

    He explained that the group was concerned about the need to stop the criminals who had made kidnapping and ransom payment a kind of business.

    He said the group would always be at the forefront of fighting corruption and called for collaboration of all stakeholders to fight the menace.

     

  • Money laundering: PDP chieftain’s trial begins September 17

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday fixed September 17 for the trial of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Ondo State, Clement Faboyede.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) arraigned Faboyede and the party’s 2015 campaign director in the state, Modupe Tokunbo, for alleged money laundering.

    The Commission accused the duo of receiving N500million in cash from Owolanke Michael ahead of the 2015 general election.

    Faboyede was accused of making N500million cash payment to the Ondo PDP Election Committee.

    Prosecuting counsel, E‎kene Iheanacho, said the defendants committed the offence on March 27, 2015.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and is liable to punishment under Section 16(2) of the same Act.

    They pleaded not guilty on June 29 and were remanded in prison pending ruling on their bail application.

    Ruling on Thursday, Justice Hassan held that the alleged offence was one for which bail could be granted.

    “The sole issue for determination is whether or not the defendants are entitled to bail pending trial bearing in mind that the essence of bail is to ensure the attendance of the defendants for their trial.

    “The defendants were arraigned before this court on a three-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.

    “According to the provisions of the Money Laundering Act, the punishment for the offence is a jail term of not less than two years or an option of fine.

    “I am in agreement with the defence lawyer that the alleged offence is bailable,” the judge ruled.

    Justice Hassan faulted the grounds upon which the prosecution opposed the bail application.

    He added: “The prosecution cannot oppose bail merely on routine procedure. There must be a cogent reason for opposing bail.

    “The allegations against the defendants remain mere allegations until it is decided one way or the other by the court.

    “In arriving at the decision whether to grant or refuse bail, it is my duty as a judicial officer to balance the interests of the state, defendants and that of the general public in coming to a judicious conclusion.

    “In doing this, I am of the view that the judicious discretion in the circumstance of this case is to grant bail to the defendants.

    “More so, the defendants/applicants were earlier granted bail by the prosecution prior to their arraignment and there is no evidence to show that they jumped the bail.

    “Having regard to the foregoing, the defendants/ applicants’ application for bail succeeds and bail is hereby granted.”

    The judge granted them bail in the sum of N50million each with one surety in like sum.

    The sureties, said the judge, must either be federal or state civil servants not below level 15 or landed property owners within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The sureties were directed to deposit the title documents and two passport sized photographs each at the court’s registry.

    The defendants were also ordered to deposit their international passports at the court’s registry while the prosecution was given a week to verify the sureties’ documents.

     

     

     

  • Eagles’ stars, others drag Warri Wolves to EFCC

    Super Eagles’ duo, Oghenekaro Etebo and Daniel Akpeyi have been named in a formal petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] against their former employers, Warri Wolves.

    Etebo and Akpeyi played for Warri Wolves in the Nigeria Professional Football League [NPFL] before the club’s relegation to the lower division.

    The 2018 World Cup returnees are among 34 names in a case by “several” aggrieved former Warri Wolves players seeking payment of salaries and bonuses since 2014 to the tune of ?300m.

    Etebo played for two seasons between 2013 and 2015, while Akpeyi played for the Seasiders for just one season.

    Some other Nigeria internationals named in the list include Abu Azeez, Stanley Dimgba and Azubuike Egwuekwe.

    According to Core TV, former players of NNL side Warri Wolves write EFCC over the failure of the management of the club to pay them their salaries and sign on fee worth over N200 million since 2014.

    After leaving the Delta state-based club, Etebo has played in Portugal and Spain. He recently signed a long-term deal with English Championship side, Stoke City.

    Akpeyi joined South African club, Chippa United after he left in 2015.

  • EFCC arraigns two for illegal oil deal

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on Wednesday arraigned two men Omosehin Ipinle and Nsikak Friday for alleged illegal oil deal.

    They were arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a three-count charge of dealing in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) without licence.

    The defendants were charged along with a vessel, MV D’Dove 1, and a company, Banjul Energy Limited.

    EFCC said they conspired deal in 120 Metric Tonnes of AGO last August 13 without appropriate licence.

    Read Also: EFCC re-arraigns Orji Kalu, raises charges to 39 counts

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 3 (6) the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap MM17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Hassan ordered that they be remanded in Ikoyi prison.

    He adjourned until August 2 for hearing of their bail application.