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Tag: EFCC

  • Tax: EFCC recovers N28b for FIRS

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered N28billion from tax defaulters for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    Executive Chairman of the FIRS Babatunde Fowler stated this when he led a delegation to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said Fowler lauded the anti-graft agency for its “role particularly in the recovery of N28billion from various tax defaulters across the country.”

    He said: “Through the intervention of the EFCC, the agency has been experiencing high level of tax compliance and it’s yielding positive results”, he said.

    ”When tax defaulters are reported and invited to your office (EFCC), we see results, we don’t know how you do it, but we are seeing results and people are complying”.

    “The FIRS alone cannot curtail the activities of tax evaders without the collaboration of other national and international agencies such as the EFCC.

    The FIRS boss emphasized the need to strengthen the existing collaboration and synergy between the two agencies.

    He assured that his organization would explore every other means backed by law to ensure that taxes are paid and not diverted.

    He added: “If taxes are paid, funds would be available for government to provide the infrastructure needed for the socio-economic well-being of the citizenry.”

    Magu said: “The EFCC is ever ready to partner any agency, organization or individual in fighting corruption for the purpose of moving the nation forward.

    Both agencies have agreed to go after tax defaulters following the expiration of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration.

    A statement from the FIRS quoted  Fowler to have said recently, two banks came forward to comply on their own. I think that they must have heard words. We want joint assistance with the EFCC, especially now that VAIDS is over, to make sure that all tax defaulters get the lawful treatment.”

    Fowler said the government would deploy all powers within its disposal warning that “every taxable person in Nigeria now knows that we are ready to deploy all powers within our disposal to ensure that every tax defaulter is punished according to the law.”

     

  • Court restrains EFCC, others from arresting lottery operators

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday restrained the Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting lottery operators or disrupting their businesses for allegedly operating without their state licences.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held that it would be illegal to shut down lottery business on the basis that they have not obtained additional licenses to operate after being licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

    The plaintiffs, Western Lotto Nigeria Ltd and Wesco Pools & Lottery Ltd, had prayed the court to determine whether in view of subsisting and binding judgments of the court, the defendants can close down their businesses for not obtaining licenses from the states despite having been granted nationwide permits/licences by NLRC.

    They sued the attorneys-general of Lagos and Ogun states; the Lagos State Lottery Board, the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, Inspector General of Police, commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun, the EFCC and the DSS.

    In his judgment, Justice Idris dismissed the defendants’ objections and granted the two prayers in the plaintiffs’ originating summons.

    He made “a declaration that the defendants or any combination of them may not take any steps whatsoever whether by closure, arrests, detentions, sealing off, or howsoever designed, to disrupt, close down or otherwise impede the lottery business of the plaintiffs.”

    The judge held that having been granted national permits, the defendants cannot close down such businesses “for reason that the plaintiffs have not obtained additional license to operate their lottery business..”

    Justice Idris granted an order restraining the defendants or their agents from disrupting the plaintiffs’ business in any manner having been given national licenses pursuant to the National Lottery Act of 2005.

    The plaintiffs, in a supporting affidavit, said a tussle over supremacy between the states and the NLRC was resolved by two earlier judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “Both decisions were arrived at on the basis that the National Lottery Act had covered the field and the states’ legislation on the same subject must give way,” the plaintiffs said.

     

     

     

    According to them, despite the judgments, the defendants had been “threatening” to use the Police, DSS and EFCC “to carry out raids on the business premises of the plaintiffs in Lagos and Ogun states and take other action designed to disrupt their lottery business”.

     

  • Court restrains police, DSS, EFCC from arresting lottery operators

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday restrained the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting lottery operators or disrupting their businesses for allegedly operating without their state licences.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held that it would be illegal to shut down lottery business because they have not obtained additional operational licenses after being licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

    The plaintiffs, Western Lotto Nigeria Limited and Wesco Pools & Lottery Limited, had prayed the court to determine whether in view of subsisting and binding judgments of the court, the defendants can close down their businesses for not obtaining licenses from the states and having been granted nationwide permits/licences by NLRC.

    They sued the attorneys-general of Lagos and Ogun States; the Lagos State Lottery Board, the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, Inspector General of Police, commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun, the EFCC and the DSS.

    In his judgment, Justice Idris dismissed the defendants’ objections and granted the two prayers in the plaintiffs’ originating summons.

    He made “a declaration that the defendants or any combination of them may not take any steps whatsoever whether by closure, arrests, detentions, sealing off, or howsoever designed, to disrupt, close down or otherwise impede the lottery business of the plaintiffs.”

    The judge held that having been granted national permits, the defendants cannot close down such businesses “for reason that the plaintiffs have not obtained additional license to operate their lottery business.”

    Justice Idris granted an order restraining the defendants or their agents from disrupting the plaintiffs’ business in any manner having been given national licenses pursuant to the National Lottery Act of 2005.

  • Tax default: EFCC recovers N28bn for FIRS

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered N28billion from tax defaulters for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, made the disclosure when he led a delegation to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Fowler lauded the anti-graft agency for its “role particularly in the recovery of N28billion from various tax defaulters across the country.

    He said: “Through the intervention of the EFCC, the agency has been experiencing high level of tax compliance and it’s yielding positive results.

    “When tax defaulters are reported and invited to your office (EFCC), we see results. We don’t know how you do it, but we are seeing results and people are complying.

    “The FIRS alone cannot curtail the activities of tax evaders without the collaboration of other national and international agencies such as the EFCC.”

    The FIRS boss emphasized the need to strengthen the existing collaboration and synergy between the two agencies.

    He assured that his organization would explore every other means backed by law to ensure that taxes are paid and not diverted.

    He added: “If taxes are paid, funds would be available for government to provide the infrastructure needed for the socio-economic well-being of the citizenry.”

    Responding, Magu said: “The EFCC is ever ready to partner any agency, organization or individual in fighting corruption for the purpose of moving the nation forward.”

     

  • EFCC denies inducing ex-minister Akinjide to make statements

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday denied inducing a former Federal Capital Territory minister Ms Jumoke Akinjide to make statements.

    The former minister and her co-accused told the Federal High Court in Lagos that their statements to EFCC were not made voluntarily.

    They claimed they were threatened with incarceration.

    Akinjide disowned five extrajudicial statements, which she allegedly made.

    The other defendants – a former senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti – made similar claims.

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

    He urged the court to order a trial-within-trial to determine if the statements were made voluntarily.

    Other defence counsel Mr. Michael Lana and Akinola Oladeji also claimed that their clients’ statements were not made voluntarily.

    After Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial-within-trial, Oyedepo called his first witness, the leader of its Special Task Force 4, Usman Zakari, as a witness.

    Zakari said: “I’m surprised. The first defendant (Akinjide), when she reported to our office, came along with Barrister Olusegun Williams and her husband. I was the one that interviewed her.

    “During the course of the interview, the payment receipt of the N650 million, which the defendant signed, was shown to her and she volunteered to react in writing regarding the payment receipt. There and then, I instructed my subordinate, Tosin Owobo, to caution her. And he read the cautionary words to her, which she understood.”

    Justice Hassan adjourned until April 23 and 24.

  • Akinjide’s statements were voluntary – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday denied inducing a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Jumoke Akinjide, to make statements.

    The former minister and her co-accused told the Federal High Court in Lagos that their statements to EFCC were not made voluntarily.

    The accused persons claimed they were threatened with incarceration.

    Akinjide disowned five extrajudicial statements which she allegedly made.

    The other defendants – a former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti – made similar claims.

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

    He urged the court to order a trial-within-trial to determine if the statements were made voluntarily.

    Other defence counsel, Mr. Michael Lana and Akinola Oladeji, also claimed that their clients’ statements were not made voluntarily.

    Oladeji said: “The third defendant also made statements to the EFCC and we shall be contending that the statements were made under inducement and subsequently threat of incarceration.”

    After Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial-within-trial, Oyedepo called his first witness, the leader of its Special Task Force 4, Usman Zakari, as a witness.

    Zakari said: “I’m surprised. The first defendant (Akinjide), when she reported to our office, came along with Barrister Olusegun Williams and her husband. I was the one that interviewed her.

    “During the course of the interview, the payment receipt of the N650million, which the defendant signed, was shown to her and she volunteered to react in writing regarding the payment receipt. There and then, I instructed my subordinate, Tosin Owobo, to caution her. And he read the cautionary words to her, which she understood.”

    Zakari said Akinjide signed the statements, following which Williams also signed to indicate that they were made before him.

    The investigator said Akinjide was granted administrative bail with her husband standing as the surety.

     

  • EFCC indicts ex-NEMA DG, six directors for N2.5b ‘fraud’

    A former Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and six directors have been indicted in an alleged N2.5billion fraud in the agency.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recommended that the six directors suspected to enable it complete its probe of the agency.

    The NEMA board is statutorily chaired by the Vice President. Immediate past Vice President Namadi Sambo chaired the last board of the agency.

    Sambo met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, a few days ago. It was not clear at the weekend if the meeting was in connection with the March 1 report of the EFCC on NEMA, which has been sent to the government.

    The agency has recommended trial for those found wanting after its probe.

    Apart from former DG Sani Sidi Mohammed, the others indicted are Director of Finance and Accounts Akinbola Hakeem Gbolahan; Ag. Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike;  Director, Risk Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu; Pilot in-charge Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance Officer Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and Director of Welfare Mr. Kanar Mohammed.

    The NEMA Board, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, may meet tomorrow to consider EFCC’s preliminary report on the alleged corrupt practices.

    The EFCC is said to have presented its preliminary findings to the board in anticipation of its endorsement to enable the agency carry out a comprehensive probe of the alleged looting.

    An  EFCC source said the  investigation bordered on “alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation and diversion of public funds reported to the office of the Vice-President against the former director-general, Sani and others and forwarded to the commission for discreet investigation.”

    Some of the alleged sharp practices uncovered by the EFCC are:

    • whereabouts of N166m out of N285m realised from the commercialisation of NEMA’s air ambulance;
    • alleged short-change of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with N354, 900, 105. 24;
    • N238million NEMA cash placed in a fixed deposit  account by a director;
    • interest on a fixed deposit diverted by a director;
    • some directors have about five to 20 accounts;
    • NEMA funds moved into personal accounts of directors;
    • frivolous emoluments claims that were wrongly processed by directors and some officials of the agency;
    • about N66m out of N280m meant for displaced traditional rulers in the Northeast still unaccounted for; and
    • curious deposit of suspicious funds in domiciliary accounts of top directors

    The report said: “From the investigation carried out so far, officials could not account for funds transferred from NEMA account to their personal accounts.

    “Moreover, the funds were being withdrawn in cash and, in some cases, transferred to family members. Also, it was discovered that some of these funds were placed in fixed deposit; both the principal and the interest were withdrawn in cash by the depositor.

    “Furthermore, the issue of companies incorporated by the officials of NEMA who are public servants is against the Public Service Rules. This is more so as the companies are active and still receiving funds, in some cases from NEMA.

    “There were frivolous emoluments claims that were wrongly processed by directors and some officials of the agency.

    ”Against this background, EFCC is of the opinion that placing the officials involved under suspension will assist the successful completion of our investigation. This is the only way the commission can have unfettered access to all the necessary documents that will aid our investigation. It is therefore recommended that the officials who are already indicted in the case be placed on suspension pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    “The aspect of fake IDP camps and relief materials are still being investigated.  Investigation is still on-going and further developments will be communicated.”

    The EFCC’s fact-sheet indicated what each of the officers will account for.

    The report said: “The brief facts of the case as contained in the petition alleged that former Director-General Sani Sidi while in office misappropriated public funds and perpetrated corrupt acts in NEMA. It further alleged that he conspired with some officers within the Agency, especially in the Department of Finance and Accounts, that shortchanged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the tune of over N354,900, 105.24.”

    Part of the report states: “From the investigation so far conducted, the ex-DG maintains 20 different accounts in various banks; he is the promoter of Major Enterprises Ltd and Khayas Alliance Farms Ltd;   his Standard Chartered Bank US dollar account recorded the following cash deposits ($ 164,000) and (£58,800) which were flagged as suspicious transaction.

    “The Director of Finance and Accounts, Gbolahan is the owner and promoter of the company, Ridges and Tillages Limited. He maintains multiple accounts with which he receives suspicious cash transfers totalling N27, 650, 00.”

    On Acting Director, Special Duties, Umesi Emenike the EFCC said: “Prior to his appointment as the Ag. Director of Special Duties, he was Zonal Coordinator of the South-South and the Deputy-Director Training.

    “While he was Zonal Coordinator of the South-South, Zonal Office, he coordinated the affairs of Six (6) States Emergency Management Agencies namely: Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

    “The fund meant for programmes and maintenance of the Zone was paid into the suspect’s personal accounts instead of the Zonal office’s accounts. These funds were withdrawn in cash, transfers and through ATM machines. There is no evidence to show that these funds were utilised for the benefits of NEMA.

    “Patrick Ewama, who was the Zonal Accountant of the suspect made several cash lodgments and  withdrawals from the accounts of the suspect.

    “The suspect maintains 14 accounts in various banks and cash lodgments and transfers were made into the accounts from both NEMA and other sources, out of which about N238million which was received from NEMA into the suspects’ account for activities of NEMA, was placed on fixed deposit and both the principal and interest were utilised by the suspect”:

    The Director, Risk Reduction in NEMA, Mr. Alhassan Nuhu has been asked to account for the N15million he transferred into the account of the Director of Finance.

    The EFCC said: “The suspect (Nuhu) maintains five accounts in various banks.  In one of his accounts, it was discovered that N15 million was received from NEMA and later transferred into the account of another director.

    “The suspect and the DFA could not give satisfactory account on all the funds deposited into the suspect’s account from NEMA. He moved NEMA funds into his company account, Dambo Farms Limited.

    Concerning NEMA Pilot in-charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim, the EFCC alleged that although he was employed by the agency to set up an Air Ambulance Unit and Helicopter emergency services in 2014, he commercialised the unit.

    The report said: “The Air Ambulance Unit was established under the Nigeria Civil Aviation to embark on evacuation of critical and noncritical missions. The suspect’s letter of employment clearly indicates his functions and entitlements as a flight captain.

    “He commercialised both the air ambulance and the helicopter, claiming that the directive to commercialise the flight came from the office of the Vice-President and the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “A total of N285 million was realised from the commercialisation of the aircraft, N63 million was paid to the AGF while N11 million was paid to NEMA and the balance is yet to be accounted for.

    “A total of N45 million was paid into Aerocare West Africa Limited, a company belonging to the suspect, by NEMA and the suspect in turn transferred it to family members.

    “Though he mentioned some members of his crew as beneficiaries of the funds, the account of the former DG, Sani Sidi, witnessed so much inflow of foreign exchange believed to have been derived from the commercialization of the air ambulance since all transactions appeared to be in cash.”

    The allegations against the Chief Maintenance Officer, NEMA/in-charge of fuel supply to the generators, Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji,  he maintains six accounts in various banks.

    The EFCC accused the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed, of paying the agency’s funds into his accounts.

    The report said: “He joined the service of NEMA in December 2011 as Assistant Director, Training and has served as the Agency’s North-East Zonal Coordinator with office in Maiduguri.

    He maintains six accounts in different banks and had received so much funds from NEMA to the accounts.

    “One of such funds was N214million from NEMA, which was received from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to be distributed to the displaced traditional rulers within the Northeast region.

    An EFCC source said: “The amount in question is over N2.5billion. We have interrogated all the affected suspects and they have made useful statements. We have more to unearth but we cannot achieve much because the affected directors are in charge of vital documents.

    “So far, we have recommended that these government officials be suspended pending the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation.”

    A NEMA source said all the allegations amounted to a plot to witch-hunt some members of the management staff and implicate the former DG.

    The source said: “The former DG, Sani Sidi Mohammed, did a good job in disaster management which the present management has not been able to match. They are just desperate to deal with him for committing no fraud.

    “The ex-DG served the nation selflessly and responded to major disasters with efficiency, especially attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. The records are there. He also got so many international awards for his performance.

    ”All our emergency vehicles and air ambulance services have been grounded since this administration came on board. They want to use the probe by the EFCC to cover up their lapses.

    “The EFCC should also interact with our union leaders to know the exact situation in NEMA.”

    Another NEMA source said: “I think the new board has its own agenda for our agency. The workers are watching and we will respond appropriately. Most of these directors are innocent of the allegations against them.”

  • Civil society group seeks EFCC probe of Communication Minister

    THE Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), which  is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organisations, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its eagle eyes on the financial records of the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, following allegations of corruption levelled against him by one of its aides.

    A petition addressed to the anti-graft agency’s acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and signed by CSNAC’s Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, said the EFCC should probe the minister where necessary to ensure that loopholes that encourage corrupt practices in the communication ministry and sector as a whole are blocked and prevented.

    The petition reads in part:  “This allegation was reported through a letter written by the staff (employee) Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, Special Assistant Media to Mr. Adebayo Shittu.

    “CSNAC is hereby calling on you to use your good offices to beam your eagle eyes on the financial records of Mr. Adebayo Shittu and to probe where necessary to ensure that all loopholes that encourage corrupt practices communication ministry and sector as a whole are blocked and prevented.”

     

  • EFCC set to close case in Kalu’s trial

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it may close its case in the trial of former Abia State Governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, after calling 16 witnesses.

    Kalu is on trial before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering.

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

    They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the judge he would like to review prosecution’s evidence so far to determine if there is need to call additional witnesses.

    He said: “My lord, I ought to have closed my case today but I want to plead that the court gives me a day to look into all that we have presented so far in proving our case against the defendants before doing so.”

    The 16th prosecution witness, Nonye Eghene, a compliance officer at the Diamond Bank Plc, tendered a document containing Slok’s account statement.

    The witness said the transactions on the firm’s account were done before she joined the bank in 2008.

    Under cross-examination by Kalu’s lawyer Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), the witness denied knowledge of a facility of $10 million from U.S. Exim Bank to Slok which was guaranteed by Diamond Bank.

    She was later asked by the lawyer to read out a letter from Diamond Bank to the EFCC which contained details of the transaction.

    Justice Idris adjourned till April 16.

  • EFCC set to close case in Kalu’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Thursday it may close its case in the trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, after a review.

    The EFCC has called 16 witnesses since the case commenced.

    The former governor is standing trial before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering.

    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.

    Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the judge he would like to review prosecution’s evidence so far to determine if there is need to call additional witnesses.

    He said: “My lord, I ought to have closed my case today but I want to plead that the court gives me a day to look into all that we have presented so far in proving our case against the defendants before doing so.”

    The 16th prosecution witness, Nonye Eghene, a compliance officer at the Diamond Bank Plc, tendered a document containing Slok’s account statement.

    The witness said the transactions on the firm’s account were done before she joined the bank in 2008.

    Under cross-examination by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), the witness denied knowledge of a facility of $10 million from United States’ Exim Bank to Slok which was guaranteed by Diamond Bank.

    She was later asked by the lawyer to read out a letter from Diamond Bank to the EFCC which contained details of the transaction.

    Justice Idris adjourned the matter till April 16.