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Tag: EFCC

  • N905m in slush account: Court orders final forfeiture to EFCC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the final forfeiture of N905, 941,696.87 in a suspicious account to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The suspected slush account was traced to a sole proprietorship company, Rivlink International.

    The inflows to the account were from the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority

    But the owner of the company, Christian Robinson, is dead.

    There were however indications that the cash might be returned to the Rivers State Government by the anti-graft agency.

    A source in EFCC said: “Following an application for interim forfeiture order filed by the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu on February 13, 2018 before Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja, the judge granted the request on February 21, 2018.

    “But on Thursday (yesterday), the judge granted a final forfeiture of o the sum of N905, 941,696.87 to the EFCC.

    “The slush cash was discovered by the commission through the assistance of a whistleblower who informed EFCC of the stashed funds believed to belong to a late PDP chieftain who used anonymous identity to hide the money in one of the new generation banks.

    “We are happy that Justice Ojukwu has ordered final forfeiture of the cash which nobody came forward to claim.

    “After all formalities have been completed, the cash will be returned to the Rivers State Government for public use.”

    A fact-sheet on the case reads in part:  “The EFCC received an intelligence report on November 2, 2017 alleging that a sole proprietorship firm, Rivlink International has huge inflows from the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority in an account 0037728143 domiciled in GTB. The said account had a closing balance of N905, 941,696.87.

    “The company was registered in 2000 using a fictitious name of one Christian Robinson. But the account was opened in 2001 as sole proprietorship with Mr. Christian Robinson as the sole proprietor.

    “He however appointed Mr. Kenneth Koroma as the sole signatory to the account for the purpose of money laundering.

    “Covert intelligence revealed that the sole proprietor, Christian Robinson, is late and the trustee, Kenneth Koroma has been making frantic efforts to withdraw the funds which had been on fixed deposit.

    “Sometimes in June 2017, Koroma wrote GTB requesting it to liquidate the fixed deposit and transfer the balance to an account number 0037907856 of a company, OLF enterprise also operated by him.

    “Unknown to Koroma, the proprietor had changed him as a signatory to Rivlink International account before he died.

    “The bank insisted that it cannot release the N905m to Koroma because he had ceased to be the sole signatory to the account of Rivlink International. Relevant documents were shown to him on how the owner of the company effected the change of signatory.”

    “Following intelligence report and an alarm by the bank, EFCC detectives decided to trace the inflows into the company’s account.

    “We discovered that the inflows were coming in bits into the account of Rivlink over the years from the sanitation agency without any evidence of contracts carried out.

    “We are suspecting the account to be a slush type which cannot be operated again because the sole proprietor is dead.”

     

  • Court dismisses fraud charge against oil marketer

    A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday dismissed a two-count charge of stealing and fraud against an oil marketer, Anthony Adejugbe and his firm, Tonique Oil Services Limited.

    Justice Lateefat Okunnu held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not prove its case against the defendants.

    The judge discharged and acquitted Adejugbe and his firm.

    The EFCC arraigned the defendants on November 13, 2012, in charge marked ID/198C/2012.

    It claimed that they fraudulently obtained N272, 500,000.00 from Watergate Petroleum and Gas Limited under false pretence of supplying five million liters of petroleum.

    But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Following a five-year trial, the court noted that there was neither evidence nor “a whiff of rumour” to establish the prosecution’s allegation against Adejugbe and his firm.

    Justice Okunnu held: “It is my findings that this is neither a case of stealing, nor one of obtaining by false pretence

    “The prosecution was unable to sustain its case, and so, without further ado, I hereby dismiss the case against both defendants.

    “Each of them, therefore, stands acquitted and discharged on each of the two charges.”

  • Alleged bribery: Court summons Tarfa’s witnesses

    A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere on Tuesday summoned defence witnesses in the alleged bribery trial of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Rickey Tarfa.

    The court signed a subpoena for their appearance following an application by Tarfa through his counsel, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko.

    The witnesses, who were not identified, are required to appear before Justice Adedayo Akintoye on the next adjourned date of March 22.

    Tarfa was due to open his defence on Tuesday following the dismissal of his no-case submission on  February 9.

    In that ruling, Justice Akintoye found as unmeritorious Tarfa’s claim of N520 million from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as damages for malicious prosecution.

    The judge ordered the defendant to open his case on the next adjourned date.

    But proceedings stalled when Owonikoko told the judge that the witnesses declined involvement in the case unless by an official invitation.

    Owonikoko said the subpoena had just been signed.

    He prayed the court to adjourn so that the witnesses could be served.

    The EFCC counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, did not object to the request.

    The Commission arraigned Tarfa on March 10, 2016 on a 27-count charge which was subsequently amended to 26 counts.

    He was accused of alleged willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer by lying about his age.

     

  • Patience Jonathan: Court affirms Ozekhome as convicted companies’ counsel

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday held that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, was validly appointed to represent four companies that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

    Justice Babs Kuewumi held that another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, who claimed to have been appointed by the companies’ directors, was not properly briefed.

    The companies are – Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the firms with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs, who is the companies’ secretary, and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Unlike the companies, Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Aghanenu had filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors to represent them, not Ozekhome.

    But, Ozekhome urged the court to dismiss the application for change of counsel, arguing that he was authorised to act as the companies’ counsel through a letter by Briggs.

    Ruling, Justice Kuewumi held that if the companies wanted to change the counsel that was appointed by their secretary, it ought to be by board resolution.

    He said there was no such resolution before him and that the individual hand-written letters by the companies’ directors fell short of the minimum requirement.

    “The fourth to seventh defendants are limited liability companies. If they are to change counsel, it should be by way of board resolution,” he said.

    Besides, Justice Kuewumi noted that he had earlier ruled on the issue when there was a dispute on representation, in which he recognised Ozekhome as the authorised counsel.

    “Until that decision is appealed against, this application is bound to fail. Same is hereby dismissed,” the judge held.

     

  • EFCC probes 16 Ukranians for alleged oil theft

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it was probing 16 Ukranians suspected to be oil thieves.

    It said the investigation is being conducted in its Port Harcourt office.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The foreigners are being investigated alongside a vessel: MT SAN PADRE PIO, with registration number IMO 9610339 NT 2444, handed over to it  by the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operations Base,  FOB Bonny, Rivers State.

    “The suspects were arrested on January 23 by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SAGBAMA’s patrol team deployed for anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations around Odudu terminal, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “The suspects are Vaskov Andriy; Garchev Mykhaylo;  Shulga Vladyslav;  Orlovkyi Ivan; Skoropupov Andrii; Nadaraia Leonid;  Vorohin Andriy; Buriak Maskym;  Skok Sergiy; Yakovenko Sergiy;  Boiachuk Roman;  Shakov Vladyslav;  Serebriakov Olehshii; Tsuekanenko Gennadiy, Diachenko Dmytro and Postoiuk Sergii.

    “Navy Captain S.W. Olurundare, who handed over the suspects to the EFCC, said they were arrested for allegedly operating illegally on Nigerian waters against the provisions of Nigerian Cabotage Trade Law.

    “The suspects will be arraigned when investigations are concluded.”

  • Oil theft: EFCC probes 16 Ukrainians

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Monday it is probing 16 Ukranians suspected to be oil thieves.

    It said the investigation of the suspects was being conducted in its Port Harcourt office.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said: “The foreigners  are being investigated alongside a vessel:  MT SAN PADRE PIO, with registration number IMO 9610339 NT 2444, handed over to it  by the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operations Base,  FOB Bonny, Rivers State.

    “The suspects were arrested on 23 January, 2018 by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SAGBAMA’s   patrol team deployed for anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations around Odudu terminal, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “The suspects are – Vaskov Andriy; Garchev Mykhaylo;  Shulga Vladyslav;  Orlovkyi Ivan; Skoropupov Andrii; Nadaraia Leonid;  Vorohin Andriy; Buriak Maskym;  Skok Sergiy; Yakovenko Sergiy;  Boiachuk Roman;  Shakov Vladyslav;  Serebriakov Olehshii; Tsuekanenko Gennadiy, Diachenko Dmytro and Postoiuk Sergii.

    “Navy Captain S.W Olurundare, who handed over the suspects to the EFCC, said they were arrested for allegedly operating illegally in Nigerian waters against the provisions of Nigerian Cabotage Trade Law.

    “The suspects would soon be charged to court when investigations are concluded.”

     

  • N2.1b pension fraud: Our case against Maina, by AGF, EFCC

    •Justify declaring him wanted, obtaining warrant for his arrest 

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have given reasons why they are interested in the prosecution of former Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    The AGF and EFCC  faulted Maina’s claim that he was being wanted in relation to the alleged theft of N2.l billion pension fund, but said he was allegedly involved in multiple offences.

    They said the case against Maina includes allegations of misappropriation, money laundering, forgery and procurement fraud.

    The AGF and the EFCC justified the various steps taken so far to bring him to justice, including placing advertorials in newspapers, declaring him wanted and obtaining a bench warrant against him from a competent court.

    They said the arrest warrant was still valid and that it would be executed at the appropriate time.

    The AGF and the EFCC argued, in court documents filed in response to two suits by Maina before the Federal High Court in Abuja, that the suits were meant to further shield him from the law.

    Maina, in both suits is alleging violation of his fundamental rights through being declared wanted and a bench warrant issued against him.

    He equally alleged constant intimidation and harassment by security agencies, queried the competence of the warrant issued by a Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for his arrest.

    Respondents in both suits are AGF, EFCC, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Interpol) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    The EFCC, in a counter affidavit, said “the applicant (Maina) is wanted by the 2nd respondent (EFCC) over allegations of misappropriation, money laundering, forgery and procurement fraud.

    “Several letters of invitation was extended to him through the Ministry of Interior to come to the office of the 2nd respondent to respond to allegations levelled against him.

    On the 30lh day of October 2017, the Ministry of Interior wrote back to the 2nd respondent wherein they intimated the 2nd respondent that the whereabouts of the applicant is unknown which incapacitated them from serving him an official letter of release to enable him to report to the office of the 2nd respondent.

    “The Ministry of Interior also advised the 2nd respondent to take any further appropriate action in search of him.

    “The 2nd respondent was constrained to seek for and obtain a warrant of arrest after all efforts made to bring him to the 2nd respondent‘s office proved futile.

    “The warrant of arrest was issued by the Chief Magistrate Court Abuja dated 26th October 20l7

    “The applicant is being investigated for several offences, including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, breach of trust, cheating, official corruption, embezzlement of public fund and abuse of office. ‘

    “There is no order of court directing the 2nd respondent from investigating and or prosecuting the applicant.

    “The applicant has remained at large since 20l5 and, as such, could not be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Charge No FHC/ABJ/CR/297/20l5 wherein he was charged alongside Stephen Orosanya,Osorenkhhoe Afe and four others. Attached hereto and marked as Exhibit EFCC 3 is a copy of the charge.

    “Charge No FHC/ABJ/CR/297/20l5 pending at the Federal High Court Abuja for which the applicant has evaded arraignment and for which he was subsequently declared wanted bothers on money laundering and not theft of the sum of N2.lb pension fund contrary to the deposition of the applicant.

    “The warrant of arrest issued by the Chief Magistrate Court, Abuja which is the fulcrum on which the declaration of the applicant as a wanted person is founded is valid and subsisting and has not been set aside.

    The counter-affidavit further reads: “In 2015, the EFCC pressed charges of corruption to the tune of N2 billion against the applicant and his accomplices.

    “The applicant was declared wanted by the 2nd respondent consequent upon his refusal to make himself available for investigation on allegations of corruption running into over N2billion, rather the applicant absconded to evade investigation, arrest and possible prosecution.

    “In further investigating the applicant as it relates to corruption charges, the applicant evaded questioning by relevant security agencies.

    “In an effort to secure the presence of the applicant to aid the investigation into the alleged corruption, an arrest warrant was further issued to secure his presence.

    “The applicant had consistently not made himself available for investigation by relevant security agencies.

    The publication made in the national dailies was to ascertain the whereabouts of the applicant and aid the investigation of the allegation of corruption against the applicant.

  • Dasukigate: ‘Dokpesi received N2.1 bn for doing nothing’

    Dasukigate: ‘Dokpesi received N2.1 bn for doing nothing’

    Mr. Abubakar Madaki, a prosecution witness in the on-going trial of former Chairman, DAAR Communications Plc, Mr Raymond Dokpesi, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, that Dokpesi received money for rendering no services.

    Madaki, under cross examination by Dokpesi’s counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), said that:”Dokpesi was paid for doing nothing, for rendering no service”.

    The witness said that the N2.1 billion, under investigation, was funds from the office of the National Security Adviser.

    According to him, all the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser are for national security.

    The witness, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) said that he was part of the team that was appointed by the commission to investigate funds meant for national security that were allegedly diverted.

    He told the court that the funds were allegedly diverted even by those who they were not entrusted to.

    When Agabi sought to know what evidence he had of the diversion, the witness said: “the funds were found in their accounts when they had no reason to take it.

    “This is because they could not account for any contract they executed for such payments.”

    Justice John Tsoho adjourned the matter until April 13 for continuation of cross examination of the witness.

    Dokpesi and his company, DAAR Investment are standing trial over the N2.1 billion received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

    Read Also: Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi’s wife got over N100m, says witness

  • Alleged N21b diversion: EFCC, ex-Air Force chiefs yet to reach plea deal

    Alleged N21b diversion: EFCC, ex-Air Force chiefs yet to reach plea deal

    THE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu is yet to reach a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over diversion of about N21 billion Air Force funds.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case until March 27.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo told the judge that no “concrete” agreement had been reached.

    “We’ve not reached any concrete agreement that is acceptable to the complainant. We’re here with our witness and we’re ready to go on with trial,” he said.

    Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said everything was in EFCC’s hands.

    “For now, we leave it in their hands to see how we proceed,” he said.

    He had earlier told the court that the talks were progressing.

    However, Oyedepo agreed with the judge’s suggestion that the case be adjourned in view of other pending cases in court.

    A witness, an ECCC Investigation officer, Tosin Owobo, who was about to enter the box to give evidence, eventually did not testify.

    Justice Idris also vacated today’s date, which was also earlier fixed for the trial.

    Amosu, former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, were arraigned before Justice Idris but pleaded not guilty.

    They were accused of diverting about N21 billion NAF funds, but they pleaded not guilty.

    An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after they reportedly refunded some money to the Federal Government.

    At the last hearing, EFCC’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Omewa, who stood in for Oyedepo, told the court that the defence team was in talks with the commission towards reaching a plea bargain agreement.

    “My lord, the defence team met with the prosecution and has proposed terms of settlement. We are still on it, but we are also ready to go on with the trial of the accused persons”, Omewa said.

    Ayorinde confirmed that talks were ongoing. But he sought an adjournment to allow parties conclude with discussions.

     

  • Pastor Rapu not defrauded

    Pastor Rapu not defrauded

    House of Freedom, a Lagos church has denied a report that its leader, Pastor Tony Rapu was involved in an alleged fraud case involving one Olawunmi Dilureni and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “Pastor Rapu never invested in a diesel supply business as alleged, nor has he been defrauded by any Olawunmi Oluremi; neither is he a party to any case with the EFCC.

    “Dr Tony Rapu, who works tirelessly to tackle social issues such as drug addiction, prostitution and urban development, is currently excited about his critically-acclaimed “My Lagos Diaries” series. My Lagos Diaries is a 13-week video journal documenting inspiring stories of transformation compiled over 12 years, http://bit.ly/2oVHdbH” House of Freedom stated.