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Tag: EFCC

  • N100m Fraud: Cross River SUBEB lauds EFCC’s intervention

    The Cross River Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) has commended operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for their prompt intervention in the attempt to defraud the board of N100 million.

    Dr Stephen Odey, Chairman of the board, gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar while speaking with newsmen on the alleged attempt by suspected fraudsters to divert N100million Universal Basic Education (UBE) Matching Grant meant for the state.

    According to him, the suspects forged the signature of the SUBEB chairman and the secretary on a bank transfer form in an attempt to transfer the money to a different account before the bank alerted the EFCC amid suspicion.

    “This is a nefarious act perpetrated against the board and the State Government.

    “Fraudulent activities such as this are calculated attempts to cause problems for the board.

    “See the length people can go to commit crime; those people whom I do not know from anywhere, forged my signature and that of the board’s Secretary.

    Read Also: N229m money laundering: EFCC arraigns ex-minister, four others

    “If this was not uncovered by the EFCC, tomorrow people will carry stories that the money was withdrawn by the executive chairman.

    “I really commend the EFCC for their timely intervention and for swooping in to forestall the fraudulent attempt on the account, thereby vindicating the board,” he said.

    Odey said that on several occasions, EFCC had placed a lien on the board’s matching grant account as a result of frivolous petitions.

    The chairman said that one of the suspects had on interrogation admitted that he had never met or seen the SUBEB chairman nor the board’s Secretary.

    “To the best of my knowledge and being honest, I have never seen or known any of them in any way, and they both don’t know me in anyway either,” he said.

    Odey promised to remain transparent in all his dealings as the SUBEB chairman and warned the general public to stay away from fraudulent activities.

    The executive chairman in April apprehended a fraudster in the State with four forged award letters for execution of projects amounting to N135 million.

    NAN

  • Alleged fraud: Court orders EFCC to produce Innoson

    Justice Olusola Williams of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce the chairman of Innosson Motors Limited, Innocent Chukwuma in court for arraignment.

    Justice Williams made the order following the absence of Chukwuma in court to face forgery charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

    The judge said: “I believe it is the job of the prosecution to bring the defendant to court. The judge is just to make an order that he should appear in court. But we cannot enforce the order. The responsibility of enforcing the order still lies on the EFCC to make sure he is in court.”

    Innoson had on six occasions failed to appear before Justice Mojisola Dada of same court.

    The development made Justice Dada to declare him wanted following the failure of the Commission to produce him in court.

    Justice Dada later withdrew from Innoson’s trial on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) following a February 12 petition against her by the businessman.

    The matter was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Williams.

     

  • NFF Palaver: EFCC Invites Amaju Pinnick

     

    The crisis in the Glass House may have gone beyond mere power tussle as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday  invited  embattled President of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick.

    The Nation scooped that Pinnick who is still in Russia as Executive Member of FIFA has been informed about the invitation  and is expected to jet in soon.

    A source in position to know, confirmed the Commission has been inundated by weighty petitions which only the CAF Executive member can provide answers to.

    The invitation  is coming less than 24 hours after the football fraternity across the globe woke up to behold a change of guard at the Nigerian football Federation Secretarial popularly known as the Glass House in Abuja  with Ambassador Chris Giwa now firmly in charge in compliance with court order and directive from the Minister of Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung.

    Although the content of the petitions and the petitioners cannot be ascertained as at now, there are hints that the issues raised could include but not limited to issues of due process, financial transactions and administrative actions among others.

    The world cup in Russia which kicked off on June 14 will be rounded off on July 15 and Executive members of the World soccer ruling body will be expected to stay put till the end and even attend a closing meeting before departing Russia.

    Aside from that Pinnick has been appointed match commissioner for Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter final match between France and Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod.

    The former Delta State FA chairman will also take charge of the first semi final match, scheduled for Saint Petersburg’s Zenit Arena on Tuesday, 10th July, as well as the third place match at the same venue on Saturday, 14th July, an indication that he may not return till the end of the World cup.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Boko Haram: EFCC seizes N1b hotel from ex-presidential aide

    A FORMER presidential aide has lost  – temporarily – a big hotel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The anti-graft agency seized the hotel, allegedly worth “between N650 million and  N1 billion”, from Mr. Ima Niboro, who was former President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman.

    Also seized is a N500million  Maitama District, Abuja property traced to Alhaji Ibrahim Mahe,  who is an associate of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki.

    The EFCC  has secured  orders from Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court 10, Abuja  on the final forfeiture of the  two properties.

    But a source close to Niboro said the ex-presidential aide only handed over what they described as his “life investment” to the anti-graft agency following some issues raised in connection with an international image laundering service for Dr. Jonathan.

    The seizure of Niboro’s property followed the uncovering of $5.9million released by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) for international image laundering  campaign for the Jonathan administration.

    Documents indicated that the campaign was designed to mobilise international opinion against Boko Haram and polish the administration’s image on how he was addressing the abduction of the Chibok girls.

    It was gathered that EFCC detectives had uncovered cash withdrawals and money transfers to two international PR firms   for the campaign.

    The two firms are based in Washington DC and Chicago.

    A source in EFCC said: “As part of the ongoing probe of ONSA, this agency has secured a court order for the final forfeiture of the  hotel by the ex-presidential aide. The hotel is located in Galadimawa in Abuja.

    “We were able to link the release of funds by ONSA to the ex-aide for international image laundering  campaign for the ex-president to counter Boko Haram and temper global outrage over abduction of Chibok girls. There was little evidence of the job done. About 50 per cent of the job was done.

    “We are still tracking the involvement of the firms engaged and how much was paid from ONSA. But following interaction with some former public officers, we were able to uncover the details about the international image laundering campaign.”

    Detectives are on the trail of more suspects implicated in the image laundering  campaign.

    On Mahe’s property, the source confirmed that it has been finally forfeited to the Federal Government. “The mansion belongs to Mahe but it was paid for by Dasuki,” the source said, pleading not to be named to ensure a hitch free investigation.

    A source close to the ex-presidential aide said “when he got wind of the probe by EFCC, he voluntarily went to the agency with evidence to prove that the job was 100 per cent executed.

    “The ex-presidential aide fully cooperated with the officers of the anti-graft agency to show that the contract was well-executed.

    “ The detectives however raised some issues on certain funds which were legitimately released. When the detectives were unconvinced, he let off his only investment in lieu of the said funds,” the source said, adding:

    “ As far as this ongoing  investigation is concerned, it has nothing to do with $2.1billion arms deal. It was a normal official engagement.”

    Attempts to speak with Mr. Ima Niboro were unsuccessful as he was said to be out of town.”

  • EFCC has secured 139 convictions, says spokesman

    Between January and last month, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured 139 convictions.

    A statement by the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The figure, which is an improvement of the 89 convictions recorded in May, is indeed, significant in many respects, particularly, as it includes the conviction of two Political Exposed Persons, PEPs – Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba and Joshua Dariye, a serving Senator and a former governor of Plateau, who both are currently serving their 14-year jail sentence for criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, and receiving gratification.

    “Indeed, the EFCC has remained consistent in its efforts of effectively changing the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system, and altering the general perception that there are some people who are above the Law.

    “Suffice to state, that the record of convictions, also includes that of a former Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Nwobike, who was convicted for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

    “At the moment, several of such corruption cases are being prosecuted by the EFCC across the country, which the anti-graft agency is determined to prosecute to a logical conclusion.

    “The agency is determined not to rest on its oars, as it is poised to surpass the 189 convictions secured in 2017.”

    Also yesterday, the EFCC  arraigned a former Minister  of State for Power, Muhammad Wakil and four others  before Justice M.T Salihu of the of Federal High Court, Maiduguri, Borno State on a seven- count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and  money laundering to the tune of over N 341m.

    A separate statement by Wilson said: “The others are Garba Abacha, Ibrahim Shehu Birma, Dr. Abubakar Ali Kullima and Engr. Muhammad Baba Kachalla

    “Wakil and the other defendants allegedly received the said sum from the $115million disbursed by a former minister of petroleum resources Diezani Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

    “Count one reads: “That you, Hon. Muhammad Wakil, Garba Abacha, Ibrahim Shehu Birma, Dr. Abubakar Ali Kullima and Engr. Muhammad Baba Kachalla on or about the 26th day of March, 2015 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did agree among yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit: conspiracy to commit Money Laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended)”.

    “The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Counsel to the prosecution, H. A. Shehu applied for a trial date, while urging the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.

    “In  his reply, counsel to the first, second and third defendants, M. Umoru asked for the remand of the defendants in the EFCC custody pending the hearing of their bail applications.

    “Thereafter, Justice Salihu adjourned the matter to  July 3 for hearing of the bail applications and ordered the defendants to remain in EFCC custody.”

  • Nwaoboshi money laundering trial stalled as court goes on vacation

    The trial of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for alleged money laundering was stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday due to the elevation of Justice Mohammed Idris to the Court of Appeal.

    Nwaoboshi and his lawyers were in court but the registrar said there had been no directives on the case’s re-assignment.

    She suggested that it be adjourned until the end of the court’s long vacation scheduled to begin on July 9.

    A circular signed by the Chief Judge, Justice Abdu Kafarati, said the long vacation would end on September 14.

    “During the vacation, only the core stations namely: Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt will remain functional: litigating public are at liberty to approach only these courts.

    “Only cases of extreme urgency, such as arrest of ships and fundamental rights cases, are to be entertained during the period,” the circular read.

    The court’s Abuja division will cater for cases from the Federal Capital Territory, North Central, North Western, and the North East parts of the country.

    The Lagos division is to cater for cases from the Southwest, while the Port Harcourt division will handle cases from the South-South and South-East.

    Justices Muslim Hassan and Chuka Obiozor will sit as vacation judges in Lagos.

    The 2018/2019 Federal High Court Legal Year and Annual Judges Conference will hold from September 17 to 20.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Nwaoboshi, Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited and Suiming Electricals for alleged N322million fraud.

    The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects purchased a 12-storey property known as Guinea House, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos, for N805million between May and June 2014.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that N322million out of the N805million was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act, to wit: fraud.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Other pending high profile cases before Justice Idris are those of former governors Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), former Nigeria Air Force chief, Adesola Amosu, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Gooluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, and a suit by ex- First Lady, Patience Jonathan, seeking the release of her $15.5million, among others.

     

     

  • N229m money laundering: EFCC arraigns ex-minister, four others

    A Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State yesterday  remanded a former Minister of Science and Technology, Abdu Bulama, and four others for alleged money laundering.

    Justice Isa Hamadashin, gave the order when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented a seven-count charge before the court accusing the defendants of money laundering.

    An EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Alkasim Ja’afar, informed the court that the accused people “committed the offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 16(1) (d) and 16(2) (b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended.”

    The other accused people are Mohammed Kadai, Abbagana Tata, Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn-Jaks.

    Although the defendants pleaded not guilty, the court ordered that they should be remanded in EFCC custody, pending the determination of an application for their bail.

    Meanwhile, the court has fixed July 3 to determine the application for bail and Sept. 24 for hearing.

     

  • N500m fraud: Ondo PDP Chair remanded in prison

    A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday remanded the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Ondo State, Clement Faboyede, and the party’s campaign director-general during the 2015 general election, Modupe Adetokunbo.

    Justice Saliu Saidu remanded both men in prison following their arraignment for allegedly receiving and laundering N500 million in the build-up to the 2015 general election.

    The duo were brought before the judge on a three-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    EFCC counsel, Mr. Ekene Iheanacho, told the judge that Faboyede, Adetokunbo and others at large committed the offences on or about the March 27, 2015.
    Iheanacho alleged that they conspired to accept cash payment in the sum of N500m from one Owolanke Micheal which exceeded the N5 million threshold for which one need not go through a financial institution.

    In count three of the charge, marked FHC/ L/201C/2018, the anti-graft agency alleged that Faboyede, on March 27, 2015, paid the N500m to the PDP Ondo State Election Committee, without going through a financial institution.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act 1 of 2012) and was punishable under Section 16(2) of the same Act.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns ex minister, four others over money laundering

    Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Iheanacho prayed the court to remand them in prison and fix a trial date.

    This was opposed by defence counsel, Mr Eyitayo Jegede SAN, who made an oral application for their bail.

    But Justice Saidu directed Jegede to apply for their bail in writing.

    Responding, Jegede informed the court that he had filed a formal bail application but it had yet to reach the court’s file.

    Nevertheless, the judge remanded both defendants in prison custody pending when their bail applications will be entertained, and adjourned till September 17, for trial.

  • EFCC arraigns ex minister, four others over money laundering

    The Maiduguri Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama under the PDP led administration of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan over money laundering.

    Charged along side with the former ministers is the former State Chairman of the PDP in the State Alhaji Abbagana Tata. Others include, Hon. Mohammed Kadai, Mohammed Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks.

    According to the EFCC, the accused are being accused of laundering money worth over N229 million. An offence contrary to and punishable under section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended.

    The suspects who were charged at the Federal High Court Damaturu all appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns siblings for N50m fraud

    The Prosecuting Counsel, Al’Qasim Ja’afar then asked the court to fix a date for the trial since all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

    In his submission, the defenses counsel A A Sani craved the indulgence of the court for leave to make oral application for the court to grant him permission to apply for bail for the defendant.

    The presiding judge, Justice Hamada Isa Dashen but however rejected the plea and ruled that the application should follow judicial procedure and be submitted in writing written application.

    The court also ordered the accused to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the ruling on their bail application on Tuesday 3rd/07/2018.

    Both prosecuting and defense counsels also agreed for the hearing of the substantive matter on the 24/09/2018.

  • Ex-minister Akinjide returned N640m in separate case, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the N640 million returned by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, was in another alleged fraud case.

    She was arraigned for alleged money laundering with a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti, former Senator Ayo Adeseun (Oyo Central) and former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large.

    The EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of N650 million, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    EFCC said the N640 million Akinjide returned was not part of the N650 million allegedly received from Mrs. Alison-Madueke ahead of the 2015 election for which she is being tried before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    An EFCC investigator, Usman Zakari, said Mrs. Akinjide’s husband paid N10 million to the commission in August 2016.

    When asked by Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) if the N10 million was a condition for her release, Mr Zakari said “No”.

    He added: “On August 10, 2016, he volunteered a Sterling Bank draft of N10 million on behalf of his wife as part payment of the N650 million that was traced to her and her co-accused.

    “The N10 million was paid by the first defendant’s husband on her behalf and the remaining N640 million has not been paid.”

    The witness said the returned N640 million was not the balance of the N650 million in the ongoing trial.

    “I am aware that N640 million was received from the first defendant in Stanbic IBTC Bank draft in another case investigated by a team tagged, HOPST, which was headed by Shuaibu Shehu,” Zakari said.

    On the returned N10million, a source added: “The payment was done on August 10, 2016. The amount involved in the case before My Lord (Justice Hassan) is N650 million. The husband has paid N10 million as part payment for that.”

    The trial continues on October 18.