The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC closes case in Kalu’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday closed its case in the trial of former Abia State Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

    EFCC re-arraigned Kalu, a former Director of Finance in Abia State Government House,

    Udeh Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited on 34 counts of laundering N3.2billion, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    The commission said the defendants allegedly diverted about N3.2billion from the Abia’s treasury while Kalu was the governor.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    The court admitted the statement of a former Abia State ALGON Chairman, Chinedu Melechi, in which he disclosed that expenditures in the joint account of state and local governments are either statutory or by resolution.

    The EFCC’s witness, Chidi Chukwuka, had on Thursday told the court that in line with code of conduct for public office holders, Dr. Kalu declared his assets at both his first term in office in 1999 and upon his re-election in 2003.

    While being cross-examined by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN), the witness disclosed that a petition authored by a former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, against Dr. Kalu, was the basis of the investigation carried out by his team.

    Chukwuka confirmed that the petition leading to Kalu’s trial was authoured by Abia Leaders Forum, raising allegations of money laundering and stealing against Kalu.

    The investigator confirmed that the petition was signed by Senator Enyinne Abaribe, who was impeached as Abia State Deputy Governor by the House of Assembly.

    “You must be aware that the process of impeachment led to bad blood between the signatory and the first defendant,” Kalu said.

    “We were not aware he was impeached; so, we didn’t take that into consideration. We looked at the issues before us and we followed it professionally,” the investigator said.

    “I suggest to you that that bad blood led to Exhibit G (the petition),” the SAN said.

    “My Lord, like I said earlier, in our practice at the EFCC, we look at issues in a petition without emotions or personal feelings towards persons that are involved,” Chukwuka responded.

    Prof Kalu suggested to Chukwuka that Abaribe signed the petition because he had scores to settle with the former governor.

    Chukwuka said: “As an investigator, experience has shown that the best result you can get is from the enemy.”

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned to May 30 for the defendants to open their case.

  • EFCC arrests 12 ‘fraudsters’ in Lagos

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arrested 12 suspected internet fraudsters in an early morning swoop on a club in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Also seized during the raid were 10 exotic cars abandoned by their fleeing owners.

    “Operatives of the EFCC early this morning raided Club 57 in Ikoyi, Lagos, acting on intelligence report of activities of suspected Internet fraudsters,” the Commission said in a tweet.

    “While some abandoned their exotic cars to evade arrest, some others resisted. 12 suspects were arrested with 10 cars recovered.”

  • EFCC closes case in Kalu’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday closed its case in the trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

    EFCC re-arraigned Kalu, a former Director of Finance in Abia State Government House, Udeh Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited on 34- count charge of laundering N3.2billion.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Commission said the defendants allegedly diverted about N3.2billion from the Abia’s treasury while Kalu was the governor.

    The court admitted the statement of a former Abia State ALGON Chairman, Chinedu Melechi, in which he disclosed that expenditures in the joint account of state and local governments are either statutory or by resolution.

    The EFCC’s witness, Chidi Chukwuka, had on Thursday told the court that in line with code of conduct for public office holders, Kalu declared his assets at both his first term in office in 1999 and upon his re-election in 2003.

    While being cross-examined by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN), the witness disclosed that a petition authored by a former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, against Dr. Kalu, was the basis of the investigation carried out by his team.

    Chukwuka confirmed that the petition leading to Kalu’s trial was authoured by Abia Leaders Forum, raising allegations of money laundering and stealing against the ex-governor.

    The investigator confirmed that the petition was signed by Senator Enyinne Abaribe, who was impeached as Abia State Deputy Governor by the state House of Assembly.

    “You must be aware that the process of impeachment led to bad blood between the signatory and the first defendant,” Kalu said.

    “We were not aware he was impeached. So, we didn’t take that into consideration. We looked at the issues before us and we followed it professionally,” the investigator said.

    “I suggest to you that that bad blood led to Exhibit G (the petition),” the counsel said.

    “My Lord, like I said earlier, in our practice at the EFCC, we look at issues in a petition without emotions or personal feelings towards persons that are involved,” Chukwuka responded.

     

  • EFCC raids Lagos club, arrest 12 suspects

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday morning raided Club 57 in Ikoyi Lagos.

    According to a twitter post on the commission’s verified account, EFCC confirmed the arrest of  twelve suspected internet fraudsters.

    The statement reads:

    “Acting on intelligence report of activities of suspected Internet fraudsters. While some abandoned their exotic cars to evade arrest, some others resisted. 12 suspects were arrested, with 10 cars recovered.”

  • EFCC secures 278 convictions in 16 months

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said over 278 convictions of corrupt officials have been secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) between 2017 and first quarter of 2018.

    The President made the disclosure in a message to the passing out parade of 314 cadets of the EFCC Detective Superintendent Course 7 for 2017/2018, held at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

    Buhari, who was represented by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, said 189 convictions were secured in 2017 and 89, including that of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the first quarter of 2018.

    He congratulated the cadets for successfully completing their 13 months training and admonished them to be courageous in dealing with corrupt officials.

    Buhari cautioned them to be upright, adding that “being officers of the EFCC does not confer immunity on you against arrest or prosecution as the only currency that can buy the career you seek in the EFCC is integrity, professionalism and resistance to corruption.”

    He said that they must, therefore, live above board, resist all temptations, be contented with their salaries and allowance, or be haunted down and prosecuted.

    The president also advised them to conduct investigations that are evidence laden and capable of gaining conviction in courts.

    Buhari commended the Acting chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu for the achievements recorded in the fight against corruption, adding that for the first time, the nation is witnessing the trial of judges, senior lawyers, serving and retired officers and former ministers.

    NAN reports that four cadets: T. E. Anene, T. M. Barigari, C. E. Opkara and H. A. Akigwa were recognized for exceptional performance during the course.

  • Ladoja, family, friends blew N1.9b shares proceeds, says EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja allegedly did not remit N1.9 billion realised from the sale of the state’s shares when he was in office.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that the money allegedly went to Ladoja, his family and friends and was not refunded.

    An EFCC investigator, Abubakar Madaki, who testified in Ladoja’s trial, accused the former governor of unilaterally giving instructions in 2007 that the shares be sold at discounted rates.

    He said the shares, worth N6.6 billion, were sold at discounted rates without the State Executive Council’s (Exco’s) resolution.

    According to the investigator, Ladoja engaged Fountain Securities as a portfolio manager to sell the shares at a discounted rate, adding that the shares were acquired by McLace Securities.

    “In the course of our investigation, about N500 million was recovered from McLace Security, Fountain Securities and other stockbrokers.

    “The balance could not be recovered because some of those who purchased the shares were not even stockbrokers, as highlighted by the report of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

    “Part of the proceeds was used to offset the (cost of) four cars given to the first accused (Ladoja), which he confirmed. Also, the first accused has not refunded the value of the cars, neither did his family members and associates refund what was given to them; all these were part of the proceeds.

    “I can name the cars for clarity. There is a jeep; there is a bus and there are two cars, out of the cars supplied to members of the House of Assembly loyal to the first accused when he was governor.

    “All these were paid for with the proceeds of the shares. The first accused confirmed this in his statement; he promised to make a refund then but as at today, he has not done so.”

    Ladoja is on trial for alleged N4.7 billion fraud involving state funds.

    EFCC charged him along with his Commissioner for Finance, Waheed Akanbi.

    Prosecuting lawyer Olufemi Olabisi said Madaki tendered the letter allegedly written by Ladoja to approve the shares’ sale, which was admitted in evidence.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the matter till May 30 and 31.

     

  • Ex-NNPC boss didn’t declare $9.7m, £74,000 found in his house, says EFCC

    A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja heard yesterday that former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, did not declare the $9,772,800 and £74,000 recovered in his Kaduna home by some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Officials of the Kano Zonal office of the EFCC reported last year that they recovered the money from a house located at Sabo-Tasha area in Kaduna State.

    Testifying at the resumed hearing in Yakubu’s trial, a detective with the EFCC, Sambo Muazu told the court that he took statement from the defendant, following which he (Yakubu) filled an assets declaration form of the EFCC.

    Muazu, led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Ben Ikani, said Yakubu did not declare the recovered money among the assets he declared in the assets declaration form.

    The witness also told the court what informed EFCC’s investigation of some contracts signed while Yakubu was the GMD of NNPC.

    Muazu said: “In 2015, we commenced investigation into two categories of contracts which were awarded by NNPC and its subsidiaries.

    “The first category relates to Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) between NNPC’s subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited (AEDCL). The contract was signed between NPDC and AEDCL.

    “The first SAA was on Oil Mining Lease (OML) 26, 30, 34, 40 and 42. The second SAA was on OML 60, 61, 62, and 63.

    “The investigation was sequel to intelligence report received by the EFCC relating to suspicious fund transfers from AEDCL’s account in Nigeria to a sister company called Atlantic Energy Holdings (AEH)

    “Also, additional transfers from Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited (AEBDL) to the same Atlantic Energy Holdings. The AHL’s accounts are based in Switzerland.

    “There were also transfers from Atlantic Energy Holdings’ account in Switzerland to the Nigerian accounts of the two sister companies – AEDCL and AEBDL.

    “It was on the basis of these suspicious transactions that we commenced investigation.”

    Ikani brought out a certified true copy (CTC) of the EFCC assets declaration form filled by the defendant, and asked the witness to confirm it was the form.

    Muazu, who said he also signed the form, confirmed it as the one completed by the defendant, following which Ikani applied to tender it.

    Lead defence lawyer Ahmed Raji (SAN) did not object to the form being tendered as exhibit. The court later admitted it as Exhibit I.

    After the document was admitted, Ikani asked the witness whether there was anywhere in the form where the $9,772,800 and £74,000 were declared by the defendant.

    Muazu, who took some time to scan through the document, later told the court that the two amounts were not reflected in any part in the form.

    Under cross-examination by Raji, Muazu confirmed that part of the outcome of their investigation led to the on-going prosecution of some officials of the NNPC before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja).

    The witness also admitted knowing that the defendant had testified as a prosecution witness in the trial before Justice Dimgba.

    Raji later tendered a CTC of the proceedings in the trial before Justice Dimgba, particularly where his client’s testimony was reflected.

    The court admitted it as Exhibit J.

    Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed has adjourned to July 3 for continuation of trial.

  • PDP urges EFCC to probe Osun 2016 audit report

    The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the 2016 audited report of the Rauf Aregbesola administration.

    Addressing reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, PDP’s State Chairman Soji Adagunodo said the governor’s inability to pay workers’ salaries and pensions was a fallout of his administration’s “wasteful spending”.

    The PDP chairman said the alleged wasteful spending was evident in the audited report.

    Addressing reporters in company of some governorship aspirants, including Oluomo Gbenga Owolabi, Adejare Bello, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade and Dr. Ayoade Adewopo, the PDP chairman said the 2016 audit report revealed that the governor allegedly spent over N6 billion as overhead cost in his office “at a time the state workers were groaning under the yoke of half and no salary”.

    He said: “The Office of the Governor, which is principally made up of the governor, deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Chief of Staff, spent N6,367,390,350.64 in one year. This is higher than the money spent on Education, Agriculture and Health in the same year.”

    But Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, described PDP’s allegations against the government as the ranting of an ant.

    He said the opposition was fond of allegations it could not substantiate.

    According to him, the residents knew those in the PDP well, saying they could not make any impact on the life of the people when they were in power for seven and a half years.

    He said the PDP would fail in the September 22 governorship election, adding that the party knew that it had failed to win the sympathy of the people in the state.

     

     

     

     

  • Ladoja, family, friends blew N1.9b shares proceeds – EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday heard that a former Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, allegedly failed to remit N1.9billion realised from the sale of the state’s shares.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that the money allegedly went to Ladoja, his family and friends and was not refunded.

    An EFCC investigator, Abubakar Madaki, testifying in Ladoja’s trial, alleged that the former governor unilaterally gave instructions in 2007 that the shares be sold.

    He said the shares, worth N6.6billion, were sold without the state executive council’s resolution.

    The investigator said Ladoja engaged Fountain Securities as a portfolio manager to sell the shares at a discounted rate, adding that the shares were acquired by McLace Securities.

    “In the course of our investigation, about N500million was recovered from McLace Security, Fountain Securities and other stockbrokers.

    “The balance could not be recovered because some of those who purchased the shares were not even stockbrokers as highlighted by the report of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

    Read also: Oyo director’s absence stalls Ladoja’s money laundering trial

     “Part of the proceeds was used to offset the four cars given to the first accused (Ladoja), which he confirmed. That too, the first accused has not refunded the value of the cars neither did his family members and associates refund what was given to them. All these were part of the proceeds.

    “I can name the cars for clarity. There is a jeep; there is a bus and two cars out of the cars supplied to members of the House of Assembly loyal to the first accused when he was governor.

    “All these were paid for with the proceeds of the shares. The first accused confirmed this in his statement; he promised to make a refund then but as at today, he has not done so,” Madaki said.

    Ladoja is standing trial for alleged N4.7billion fraud involving state funds. EFCC arraigned him alongside his Commissioner for Finance, Waheed Akanbi.

     

  • Obasanjo wrote Bush over my U.S property – Kalu

    A former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday that former President Olusegun Obsanjo wrote his United States counterpart, George W. Bush, to enquire about his (Kalu’s) property in the U.S.

    The former governor accused Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who was impeached as deputy governor, of writing a petition against him due to “bad blood” between them.

    While cross-examining a prosecution witness in Kanu’s trial for alleged money laundering of about N2.9billion, the former governor’s lawyer, Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), said Obasanjo had interest in the property.

    He, however, did not state the nature of the former President’s interest or what Obasanjo wrote in his letter to Bush.

    A forensic investigator at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chidi Chukwuka, said he was not aware that Obasanjo wrote Bush over Kalu’s property.

    Kalu was said to have bought the Potomac house worth $1.7million in 2003.

    Chukwuka said the letter between Obasanjo and Bush, if there was any, was of no interest to the EFCC.

    Kalu also alleged that there was a similar correspondence between Obasanjo and former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

    “I suggest to you that it was not only the EFCC that was interested in the property in Exhibit W1. I said so because then President Olusegun Obasanjo had correspondence with then U.S President, George W. Bush,” the lawyer said.