The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Akinjide: We don’t have torture chamber – EFCC

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative, Usman Zakari, told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday that the Commission does not have a torture chamber.

    He was testifying in a trial- within -trial to determine whether statements made by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Jumoke Akinjide, and her co-accused were voluntary.

    Akinjide disowned five extrajudicial statements which she allegedly made at the EFCC.

    The other defendants including former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti, also claimed they did not make their statements voluntarily.

    Akinjide’s lawyer, Mr. Olusegun Williams, had opposed moves by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo to tender the statements in evidence on the basis that they were obtained under duress.

    EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    Justice Muslim Hassan had ordered a trial –within- trial to determine if the statements were made voluntarily.

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omenwa, who stood in for Oyedepo on Monday, Zakari, who heads the Commission’s Special Task Force 4, said the defendants were not forced to make a statement.

    He said when Adeseun reported at the Commission on May 11, 2016, he agreed to make a statement only in his lawyer’s presence.

    “We had to wait for his lawyer to come before he made statements. The following day, the second defendant made a statement voluntarily in the presence of his lawyer,” he said.

  • Justice Yunusa must stand trial for corruption – Court

    A Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday ordered Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court to face trial for alleged corruption.

    Justice Sherifat Solebo, in her ruling insisted that the embattled judge must stand trial for corruption charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Yunusa’s counsel, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), had on March 9, in a preliminary objection claimed that the judge had been absolved of the corruption charges by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    Citing the case of Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Nganjiwa, Clarke had said for Yunusa’s dismissal to be valid, President Muhammadu Buhari had to give a recommendation for his suspension.

    But Justice Solebo disagreed with the submission of the counsel and ordered the judge to defend the charges against him.

    The judge dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the defence counsel against the trial of Justice Yunusa.

    She insisted that the court has jurisdiction to hear the charges filed against the judge by the EFCC.

     

  • EFCC to move into N24b head office

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will move into its N24 million headquarters next month, it was learnt at the weekend.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is to inaugurate the building.

    Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu said yesterday: “I am excited that the headquarters is ready for use.

    ‘’The Federal Government has spent over N24 billion to build it. I will crosscheck to give you the exact figure.

    “I thank Mr. President for according this project a priority. It is part of his commitment to the anti-graft war. This is a legacy project, which many generations will be proud of.

    “No leader in Africa has provided such a conducive environment for an anti-corruption agency like President Buhari has done.

    “We have also received support from ministers and MDAs on release of funds and necessary infrastructure.

    “This commission is grateful to the National Assembly for its interest in the project. Speaker Yakubu Dogara,  Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, chairmen and members of committees on Anti-corruption always visited the site to monitor the work.

    ‘’It shows that if we are determined, we can be on the same page on this war against corruption. It is not a personal thing.

    Magu added: “We are hosting heads of anti-graft agencies in the Commonwealth (Africa chapter) in May and we are hopeful the headquarters will be ready for occupation because it is more than 95 per cent completed.

    “We are expecting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to inspect the facility any time from now.”

    The project has passed through three administrations in EFCC.

    The construction of the headquarters was initiated by a former EFCC Chairperson Mrs. Farida Waziri.

    Following a memo presented by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Yayale Ahmed, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on November 24, 2010 approved N18 billion for the 10-Storey building.

    Another former Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde tried to get the peogramme completed but it was unsuccessful due to poor timeline for release of funds.

    Magu, however, succeeded in seeing the project through in the last two and a half years.

  • Ladoja benefited from sale of Oyo’s shares — EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that a former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, allegedly benefited from the state’s shares sold in 2007.

    The commission’s investigator, Abubakar Madaki, testified in Ladoja’s trial for alleged money laundering while being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Oluyinka Olabisi.

    He said: “The first accused person (Ladoja) admited that himself, his wife and daughter benefitted from the proceeds generated from the sale of the shares.

    “$13,000 was transferred to his wife outside the country. He also received a jeep purchased by one of his aides, Chief Adewale Atanda. He, however, claimed that he has some money with Chief Atanda”.

    The witness said EFCC investigated the transaction following a petition by the state in 2008.

    According to him, the shares were sold at a discounted price as against what was agreed to at the state executive council meeting where decision to sell the shares was taken.

    Madaki said N1.8 billion from the shares proceeds was allegedly not remitted.

    “We conducted a scientific research on the houses and premises of the portfolio manager and Mcclace Securities and we recovered a paper from Mcclace Securities showing the distribution of funds to Oyo State.

    “Heritage Apartments owned by Chief Atanda benefitted from the proceeds of shares. He later brought a list containing names of lawyers, family members of the first accused person, his political aides, associates, children and wives that benefited from what went to Heritage Apartments,” the witness said.

    He added that part of the funds were moved to Oyo State and Heritage Apartments for Ladoja’s benefit.

    EFCC re-arraigned Ladoja for allegedly converting N4.7billion from the state treasury to his personal use, eight years after he was first arraigned.

    Ladoja was charged along with his former Commissioner for Finance Waheed Akanbi on eight counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    EFCC accused them of converting N1,932,940,032.48 belonging to Oyo to their personal use through the Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited, despite knowing that it was proceeds of crime.

    The prosecution said Ladoja removed £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja also allegedly bought an armoured Land Cruiser jeep with N42million for himself using public funds.

    EFCC said he converted N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at different times in 2007, and allegedly transferred N77, 850,000 to Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, punishable under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2).

    Ladoja and Akanbi pleaded not guilty.

    Ladoja was governor from May 29, 2003 to January 12, 2006 when he was impeached. On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court, Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal.

    The Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 11, 2009, and Ladajo resumed office on December 12, 2006. He, however, lost a re-election bid.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned until May 9.

  • Police promote EFCC boss Magu, 17 others

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acting chairman Ibrahim Magu is now a police commissioner.

    He was, until now, a deputy commissioner.

    Magu is one of the 18 senior police officers just promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    Spokesman for the PSC, Mr.Ikechukwu  Ani, said the promotion exercise was  one of the high points of the commission’s 27th plenary meeting which ended yesterday in Abuja.

    Also promoted is Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Agbola Oshodi-Glover who is in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo.

    He is now a Deputy Inspector General of Police.

    CP Ghazzali Mohammed, Commissioner of Police, Administration, DLS, Force Headquarters, and CP Peace Ibekwe Abdallah CP, Force Intelligence Bureau at Force Headquarters, were promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police.

    Elevated to the rank of Commissioner of Police are: Ebere Onyeagoro – DCP Administration, Kaduna State Command, and Moshood Gbolarumi – DCP Maritime, Lagos.

    Other promotions approved by the PSC include one Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police, nine Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police, one Deputy Superintendent of Police to Superintendent of Police, one Assistant Superintendent of Police to Deputy Superintendent of Police and one Inspector to Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    Chairman of the PSC, Mr.Mike Okiro,  congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland.

    He also assured them that the commission would continue to pay attention to their basic entitlements which include regular promotions.

  • Alleged N5. 7bn fraud: I’m Ready To Prove My Innocence says Ex Governor Shema

    As the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prepares to ‎arraign former  Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state in a high court in the state on Monday, the former governor has said that he is ready to prove his innoccence.

    According to him, he is not afraid of a just, transparent and fair trial.

    The EFCC is set to arraign the former governor over alleged N5.7billion  Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme   (SURE – P)‎ fund before a high court in the state.

    In a press statement made available to ‎journalists in Abuja  through
    Oluwabusola Olawale,
    Head, Media Team of former Governor Shema, the former governor accused his successor in office, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of masterminding and sponsoring his trial.

    He accused the state government of persecuting perceived political opponents.

    ‎Olawale said in the statement, “Our position remains the same since Governor Aminu Bello Masari started his persecution, intimidation and harassment of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, by setting up over 30 different Committees to probe Shema administration and granted over 200 media interviews to call him a thief and continue to sponsors media trial against him.

    “He also set up Commission of Inquiry,  sponsor petitions to EFCC and ICPC, using Katsina State Attorney General Fiat  to take Shema before Justice Maikaita Bako of Katsina State High Court while at the same time obtaining Fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation, curiously to take over Corruption case from ICPC before the same Justice Maikaita Bako to satisfy the interest of Governor Masari and his Co travellers”.

    He said the state government is already pressurizing EFCC to take Shema before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of Federal High Court, Abuja on allegations that are being adjudicated before another Court and now taking him before Justice Babagana Ahmed of Federal High Court Katsina on the same issues and allegations.

    “Former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema stands by his position that he is ready to defend himself in fair and just trial and therefore urging Nigerians and International Communities  to read between the lines what is the motive of Governor Aminu Bello Masari who is behind trial of Shema for this desperation.

    “And with the fresh suit before Justice Babagana Ahmed of Federal High Court Katsina, we urge Nigerians and International Communities to  monitor closely the planned arraignment of Shema on the slated date to understand the motive and agenda of the fresh suit.

    “We insist that Former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema is innocent and demands for  transparent, fair and just trail based on the rule of law with the absolute belief that the God we worship is a just God who abhors injustice”, he said.

  • Fayose, Obanikoro, Omisore lose N2.273b assets

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered property and cash worth N2.273 billion from Governor Ayodele Fayose, ex-Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore and a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, out of the N4.685 billion allocated to them by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The said cash, which was sourced from the $2.1 billion voted for arms procurement, was meant for the 2014 governorship campaign by Fayose and Omisore on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The trial of Omisore by EFCC is expected to begin any moment from now because charges have been preferred and filed against him.

    The EFCC is awaiting a date from the court for the arraignment of Omisore, who might be re-arrested.

    But the prosecution of Fayose is withheld till after the completion of his tenure and immediately he hands over to the next governor of the state.

    But Obanikoro, who was allegedly the courier of the fund to Fayose and Omisore, was still being investigated by detectives following more cases he was allegedly linked with.

    A fact-sheet obtained from the EFCC revealed that out of the N4.685 billion, detectives traced N2.0030 billion to Omisore; N685 million to Obanikoro and N1.3 billion and $5.377 million (at the exchange rate of N168 to $1) to Fayose.

    The document said: “The N4.685 billion was disbursed by ONSA through a company, Sylvan McNamara Limited, which was submitted by Obanikoro for onward transfer to Fayose and Omisore for their gubernatorial election in 2014 on the platform of the PDP.

    “Out of the sum, Omisore got N1.7 billion and additional N330 million was given to him through his company, Fimex Guilt Limited, bringing his campaign slush cash to N2.0030 billion.

    “From his share, Omisore has paid back N350 million. Although he pleaded for more time, EFCC is expecting the balance from him.”

    The fact-sheet stated that charges have been preferred against Omisore.

    The document gave the details of how arms cash was allocated to Fayose and the retention of N685 million by Obanikoro.

    It said: On his part, Fayose was allocated N1.3 billion and $5.377 million (at the exchange rate of N168. The $5,377,000 was handed over in cash by Obanikoro to Fayose while the N1.3 billion was received by Fayose’s associate, Mr. Abiodun Agbele, in the presence of the ex-Minister’s Aide-de-Camp, who also accompanied them to the bank along with bank officials.

    “From the $5 million, Fayose gave his Personal Assistant, Agbele about $1million, which he exchanged to Naira and paid for properties on behalf of the governor. Detectives suspected that Fayose added more of the N1.3 billion cash to what he gave Agbele to buy the affected assets.

    “The properties worth N1.8 billion purchased with the said proceeds of crime have been recovered from Fayose and his sister, Moji Ladeji.

    “These assets include four in Lagos (N1.1 billion) and two in Abuja worth about N500 million to N700 million.

    “But Fayose has been claiming that he used his company, Spotless to obtain a loan of N120 million from Zenith Bank as part of what he used to buy one of the properties in Abuja. We are already tracking how he disbursed the N1.3 billion.

    “A prima facie case has been established against Fayose but he is enjoying immunity from prosecution as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. He will, however, face trial as soon as he hands over power to his successor.

    “But the associate of the governor, Abiodun Agbele, has been charged to court accordingly.”

    Regarding the investigation of Obanikoro, the fact-sheet indicated that “the ex-minister retained N685 million out of the N4.685 billion given to him by ONSA.

    “A sum of N123 million has been recovered from Obanikoro, who claimed he was only asked to deliver the cash to both Fayose and Omisore for their gubernatorial campaign.

    “The ex-minister is still under investigation following some cases allegedly still linked with him.”

     

    •Judges nullify victory at high court

    THE Court of Appeal yesterday ordered two accounts of Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose domiciled with the Zenith Bank to be frozen.

    The court gave the order having been convinced by the argument of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that they were used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The three-man panel, led Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, allowed the EFCC appeal and upturned the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, which was delivered about one year and four months ago.

    Other members of the panel are Justice Boloukurumo Moses Ugo and Justice Mohammed Mustapha.

    The judgment of the lower court, which unblocked the governor’s two accounts, was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on December 13, 2016.

    Fayose withdrew N5 million from one of the accounts immediately and transferred the sum of N75 to his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    Dissatisfied with the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court’s verdict, the EFCC filed an appeal at the appellate court on three grounds.

    The anti-graft agency contended that the immunity enjoyed by the governor did not preclude his account from being frozen.

    The Appeal Court allowed the appeal and held that Fayose’s accounts, which were unblocked by the Federal High Court, be frozen.

    The court delivered the judgment upon reading the record of the appeal and after hearing EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Fayose’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome and Zenith Bank’s counsel, Mr. Oluwasegun Ayinde.

    Justice Ikyegh ordered “that the appeal is meritorious and, having resolved all three issues agitated in the appeal in appellant’s (EFCC’s) favour.

    “That the appeal is hereby allowed; that the judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Ekiti Judicial Division, on the 13th day of December, 2016, granting the claims of the 1st respondent in Suit No: FHC/AD/CS/27/2016 is hereby set aside.”

    The two accounts had earlier been frozen by Justice Mohammed Shuaibu of Federal High Court, Lagos in an ex-parte motion brought by the EFCC.

     

     

  • Bank reports judge to NJC, EFCC over ‘questionable’ judgment

    •Deputy Chief Registrar: ‘I’m yet to receive petition’

    Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has accused Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court of perverting the cause of justice in a suit filed against it by an alleged debtor.

    It petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Department of State Security (DSS), alleging professional misconduct.

    But the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar Mr Bello Okandeji, told The Nation that was yet to get a copy of the petition to be able to react. He promised to “find out”.

    The bank said the judge “turned the law upside down” in a judgment in the debtor’s favour.

    Union Bank said the judgment “appears most unreasonable and difficult to understand, thereby conferring benefit to the unrighteous at the expense of the righteous…”

    The petitioner claimed that the judge by the judgment, exposed it to a great risk, as the loan facilities extended to the company was part of its depositors’ and shareholders’ funds.

    It urged the NJC and anti-graft agency to intervene, saying it cannot afford to lose such huge amount of money.

    The bank said it granted a loan facility amounting to the sum of $68millionto to a property company, whose alter ego is an Indian national, for the building of a commercial property in Abuja, which is said to have been completed.

    “The loan remains unserviced with an outstanding balance currently standing at the sum of $81,941,230.84 as at February 7, 2018,” the bank said in a statement.

    Union Bank said the debtor had at the time of obtaining the loan provided two legal mortgages as collateral. The facility, according to the bank, had a four-year tenor and was meant to expire on April 30, 2015.

    According to the petitioner, the loan was disbursed in dollars and the interest was initially fixed at 15 per cent per annum, with payment to be done through proceeds from the Abuja property, from the rental proceeds of properties in Lagos and Abuja, and from the company’s other businesses.

    The bank said the loan was restructured, but the company allegedly persisted in its default to repay the loan.

    “At one instance, in a letter dated June 28, 2016 the defaulting company acknowledged its indebtedness to the bank by admitting owing $61.089million and was proposing repayment pattern of N250 million and N388,890 million in five installments. But the loan increased to $81.941,230.80 due to lack of servicing,” the bank said.

    Union Bank said the debtor filed a suit against it at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking 12 reliefs, including “a total reversal of the obligation of the defaulting customer”.

    The bank accused Justice Buba of making “contrasting findings by declaring the loan facility illegal, voiding the legal instrument/agreement of the loan and granting an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the bank from exercising its right to appoint a receiver even when the court also held that the amount owed to the bank must be paid…”

    “By so doing, Honourable Justice Buba somersaulted severally in the judgment,” the bank said.

    According to the bank, the judge also made “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Union Bank) or its agents from enforcing the loan agreement executed by the plaintiff,” among others.

    The petitioner claimed that the judge was unable to balance the interest of both parties because the risk assets that would have been used to recover the loan was “fully destroyed” by the judgment.

    The bank also accused the judge of failing to release the judgment until March 22 this year, 22 days from the date he delivered the judgment, which Union Bank said was in violation of Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    This, the bank said, affected the perfection of its appeal at the Court of Appeal.

    The petitioner said the judge made another order that parties should maintain status quo “without giving the defendant enough opportunity to even appear in court or be represented by counsel”.

    The bank faulted the judge in holding that the contract of credit facilities in foreign denominated currency between the bank and the company was illegal.

    It said the judge “somersaulted in law when he held that the outstanding indebtedness of the company be converted to naira at the prevailing exchange rate of N158 to a dollar being the prevailing rate at the time the credit facility was availed to the company in March, 2011.”

    The bank added that the judge allegedly misinterpreted the law by holding that the bank’s granting of credit facilities in US Dollars and demanding it is prohibited under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

    The judge was also accused of holding that an upward review of interest rate did not form part of the agreement between the parties to the loan.

    The bank said it referred to the agreement via a letter dated June 28, 2016 where the company admitted that payment should be in dollars, and despite not being controverted, the judge allegedly did not take it to account.

    The Deputy Chief Registrar, when asked if the court would react to the petition, said: “With respect to the said petition, I am yet to get a copy. I will find out tomorrow (today) please. You may also wish to see me in the office tomorrow.”

  • EFCC summons Akpabio’s ex-finance commissioner over curious N30b vote

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned a former Commissioner for Finance, Sen. Albert Bassey over a curious N30billion vote for direct labour projects during the tenure of ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    The said cash was suspected to have been laundered into some private accounts.

    But the Government of Akwa Ibom State has refused to cooperate with the EFCC in getting relevant documents on how the N30billion was spent.

    Also, the ex-commissioner who is now a Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, has not responded to the invitation of the anti-graft agency.

    There were indications that he might be arrested after the EFCC has secured the relevant warrant from a court.

    A fact-sheet from the EFCC said: “The Senator was Commissioner for Finance during the administration of ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio. He was also the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

    “About N30billion hit the account managed by the committee during the tenure of Akpabio. The funds came from Internally Generated Revenue and statutory allocations.

    “Following allegation of massive wiring of the cash into private accounts, the EFCC decided to invite Sen. Albert Bassey to come and give account. This agency is looking into allegation of money laundering against Bassey,

    “Detectives have uncovered how contracts worth N618million to two companies namely Bay Atlantic Energy Services Limited and Sahel Energy/Power between 2010 and 2014. The companies belong to the owner of Atlantic Energy  Drilling Concept Limited, Chief Jide Omokore

    “At about the same period under investigation, vehicles worth N303million were given out as gifts to Bassey by the owner of Atlantic Energy  Drilling Concept Limited especially between July 30, 2010 and January 8, 2014.

    “From investigation by detectives, there is correlation between the transactions and  the gifts. The Akwa Ibom State Government has refused to make relevant documents available to EFCC.

    “The ex-commissioner was invited at the preliminary stage and he honoured the invitation. But he has been summoned twice for interrogation but he did not come. He was given an appointment on Monday, he refused to meet with EFCC officials.

    “The commission may apply for a warrant of arrest  for Bassey accordingly.”

    A top source said: “If not for the attitude of the state government, the probe of N30billion would have signaled the investigation of petitions against the administration of Akpabio.

    “Since 2017, the state has shielded its officers from appearing before EFCC teams.

    “ On March 7, 2017, the Commission had written to the Secretary to the State Government asking for the release of Mr. Effiong Efiakedoho, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Special Duties, to appear before the EFCC on March 13. He was summoned specifically in respect of matters related to Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Raffia City Plaza, A 342 Highway. There was no response.

    “  An 8th May 2017 letter requesting the Accountant -General of the State to appear at the Idiagbon House on May 18 was also ignored. The Accountant -General was specifically summoned in respect of an aspect of the investigation relating to a company, Sindeng Nigeria Limited

    “The Commissioner for Works was also invited through a letter of 19th May, 2017 and asked to report to the Commission’s zonal office in Port Harcourt in respect to a road construction contract awarded to Nigturks Civil Technologies Limited. He too failed to honour the invitation.

    “ A May 26, 2017 to the Secretary to the State Government to release the Accountant General of the state for interrogation June 5, over the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, was also ignored.

    “The Commission in two separate letters on June 7, 2017 re-invited the SSG and Efakedoho, PS Housing and Special Duties; and the Accountant General for interrogation June 19. For the second time, the three state functionaries failed to honour the invitation.”

    A top source said: “Whilst investigative activities were ongoing,   the EFCC wrote a letter to the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government sometime in 2016 requesting for the release of some serving officials of the State Civil Service for questioning at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja

    “However, in response to the letter of invitation sent by the EFCC, the Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State resorted to filing suits against the commission with a view to stalling investigation.

     

  • EFCC arraigns three men for alleged N44m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned three men at an Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, for alleged N44 million fraud.

    Aliyu Waziri, Imam Yakubu and Eneikarewajia Gordons, are facing a two-count charge of false pretence and fraud.

    Prosecutor Yahai Tarfa saiid  committed the offences in December, 2015.

    He said the defendants obtained N44 million from Maf Construction Ltd and D207 Construction Ltd, under the false pretence of awarding them contract.

    Tarfa named the contract to be the Mass Housing Estate Project, Abuja, of the Nigerian Labour Cooperative Society.

    He said the offences contravened Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2006, and were punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.  Justice Idris Kutigi granted  the defendants N5 million bail, with two sureties each in the like sum.

    The case till June 7 for hearing.