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Tag: EFCC

  • N1.64bn fraud suit: Nyame to know fate on May 30

    N1.64bn fraud suit: Nyame to know fate on May 30

    Former Governor of Taraba, Jolly Nyame, charged with N1.64bn fraud suit, will on May 30, know his fate as Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court will deliver judgment.

    Banjoko fixed the date for judgment after counsel to parties had adopted their addresses.

    The EFCC  charged Nyame with criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of government funds on June 22, 2010.

    Earlier, Mr Olalekan Ojo, Counsel to Nyame said the confessional statement the EFCC had relied on was marred by inconsistency and therefore urged the court to discountenance it.

    Ojo argued that his client had promised to return the alleged stolen funds if prosecution witnesses could show evidence to prove that he stole them.

    He said: “My Lord, at it stance, no witness has testified or brought out any evidence linking my client to have stolen any funds from Taraba Government’’.

    He also urged the court to be circumspect of frivolous evidence given by some of the prosecution witnesses with the viewing to dismissing them.

    Ojo specifically mentioned Mrs Asabe Mengua, a prosecution witness whom he claimed took her evidence from the state’s former Commissioner for Finance, Abubakar Tutare, who had testified earlier.

    Ojo therefore, drew the attention of the court to the fact that Mengua had told the court that she heard from Tutare that Nyame directed that certain funds be paid to Salman Global Ventures Ltd.

    The counsel argued that such evidence was not substantive, direct but `unreliable’ and `fraudulent’.

    “Our contention is that the prosecution has been unable to prove that the defendant gave that directive’’, he said.

    He further argued that the evidence given by Tutare was a “self confessed beneficiary of an alleged fraud being fielded as a witness.’’

    He submitted that all the allegations brought against his client had not been proven to secure his conviction, adding that all financial dealings under Nyame as governor were impeccable.

    Ojo went ahead to urge the court dismiss the suit, adding that the state’s financial record indicated that the ex-governor diligently expended the funds on state projects and not on himself.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the Prosecuting Counsel, had urged the court to discountenance the arguments of the defence as the prosecution had been able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    Jacobs said he had called fourteen relevant witnesses, adding that the defendant’s statement reproduced as evidence supported the prosecution in the case.

    Jacobs said all financial misdemeanour committed during the defendant’s tenure as governor were aptly heaped on him.

    “My Lord, the simple question to ask is whether the sum of N1.64 was stolen while the defendant was in charge as governor of the state. The answer is a big yes.

    Jacob therefore submitted that the principal culprit was Nyame, adding that the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses exposed how the defendant stole and misused the monies.

    He said the defendant had also supported the case by admitting that he collected money in his statement which he had not retracted.

    “My Lord, we urge the court to dismiss all the issues canvassed by the defendant and go ahead to convict him’’, he said.

    NAN

  • Ex- banker docked for alleged N733.9m fraud

    Ex- banker docked for alleged N733.9m fraud

    The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday ordered that a former employee of Coronation Merchant Bank, Nsa Ayi, be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons over alleged N733,906,951.09 fraud.

    Ayi was alleged to have fraudulently and unlawfully debited several customers with the bank to the tune of N733,906, 951.09.

    Justice Mojisola Dada of Special Offences Court ordered Ayi to be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was arraigned on a 10- count charge of conspiracy, fraud, and falsification of documents among others.

    The prosecuting counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, alleged that the defendant on various dates between January 2014 and January 2017 fraudulently debited the bank’s customers using instructions purported to be issued by the bank to them.

    He prayed the court to take the plea of the defendant.

    However, Ayi, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC following which the trial judge ordered that he be remanded in prison.

    The EFCC had alleged that the defendant falsified account no 2990001176 belonging to a company, Ogunjemo E Mascot and debited it of N2,029,394 and one Ndubueze Caroline of N8,169,000.00 purporting the instructions to have been issued by the owners of the account.

    “The defendant on another occasion  allegedly debited same account to the tune of N172,076,712.33 using an instruction which he purported to have been issued by same company,” the Commission stated.

  • EFCC grills Oduah over N9.4b contract

    EFCC grills Oduah over N9.4b contract

    After about 10 months of dilly-dallying, former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah yesterday appeared before an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) panel.

    She was grilled for about eight hours by detectives over a N9, 443,549,531.25 contract awarded to I-Sec Security Nigeria Limited for the procurement and installation of security equipment in 22 airports.

    She showed up as the agency got set to declare  her wanted.

    A United States (U.S.) firm, Psybernetix Limited, has alleged that the ex-minister hijacked the contract for a firm  in which she has a stake.

    The EFCC may invite the representatives of the US company to testify against Mrs. Oduah, it was learnt yesterday.

    According to a source, Mrs Oduah, who arrived at the EFCC Abuja office at about 11am, was immediately taken to a team of detectives for interrogation.

    The source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “After shifting many appointments in the last 10 months, Sen. Stella Oduah came for grilling on the N9, 443,549,531.25 contracts awarded to I-Sec Security Nigeria Limited for the procurement and installation of security equipment in 22 airports across the country.

    “We invited her since 13th June, 2017 but she kept giving excuses. We were about to declare her wanted when she appeared before our team.

    “The allegations against her include non-execution of the project in some airports, abandonment of the contract in a few ones, diversion of part of the contract sum and suspected case of money laundering.

    “We have taken her statement and from this preliminary interrogation, she will still need to come again because many people and organisations are coming up with figures.”

    Psybernetix Limited was originally awarded  the contract. It alleged that the contract was unilaterally awarded to I-Sec Ltd without any approval by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The firm, in a status report  obtained by The Nation, said: “We are a successful and experienced US-based Firm of National security Consultants, with projects across the world.

    “We also have an office in Abuja, amongst other strategic world capitals. Aviation Security, being one of our areas of practice, we wrote the 88-page proposal for the Nigerian project under reference, spent millions of dollars bringing in various experts to make presentations in Nigeria, local logistics, travel, and sundry fees.

    “Our senior executives lived at the Abuja Hilton for over a year, working exclusively on securing these contracts.

    “We still have the original award letters, but we had to walk away from the projects two days to the full (100 %) disbursement of the contract value, as approved by the President in writing, because of the outrageous, brazen, extortionate, and criminal demands made.

    “The question that should interest all serious-minded people should be: Why did Psybernetix that had spent a lot of money and time chasing these two contracts reject the contracts two days before the full payment for the first contract (N9.4 billion) was to be made?

    “ We wasted a year and a lot of money chasing these opportunities, but our principles dictated that we should  not accept Ms. Oduah’s demands.

    “One of her principal demands was to engage a newly-incorporated company with zero experience in Security, Program Management, Project Management, or Global Logistics, as our technical partners. On what basis really? What impudence?

    “ She also wanted us to issue post-dated cheques totaling several billions of Naira in favor of this her preferred company (I-Sec Ltd, as well as Zuren Ltd), front companies belonging to her friend and business partner, Walter Wagbotsama.

    “This man has just been jailed in the UK for international money laundering and fraud. His associates are still in Nigeria, and we know them all. We know her bankers and all their modus operandi. These details have been shared with our Attorneys in the US and Nigeria, as well as certain law enforcement agencies in the US.

    A few valid and germaine posers:

    “•       We refused outright to have anything to do with Stella Oduah’s companies, especially I-Sec (a company that was hastily incorporated to perpetrate this fraud). This company had zero Security, Program Management, Project Management, or Global Project Execution experience, so, on what basis would a company of our stature and reputation engage them as our technical partners?

    “•  It will be appropriate to see the so-called (obviously forged) document(s) purporting to reflect this so-called technical partnership. We can easily provide our standard letterhead and specimen signatures as well as our standard Technical Partnership Agreement, for easy comparison, if required.

    “•Can Stella Oduah and her cohorts please provide the documents evidencing the approvals and contract awards to I-Sec? We have ALL our documents, and there is zero mention of I-Sec on any of them.

    “ It is offensive and preposterous for Stella Oduah to claim that we rejected the contracts because the contract value was reduced from N10 billion to N9.4 billion. This is silly, false. The contract value was never N10b. We rejected the contracts because we rejected her demands and conditions. We refused to stain our reputation by acceding to her requests, including writing cheques totaling several billions of Naira upfront in favor of her front companies, including I-Sec.

    “When we rejected the contracts, she altered and forged documents, and unilaterally awarded the contracts to I-Sec Ltd; this was her preferred position ab initio.

    “Can Stella Oduah provide documents to show that the President, FEC, BPE, etc., approved the formal transfer of the contract to I-Sec? She cannot, because no such approvals were  sought or obtained. She arbitrarily and fraudulently converted our rights under the contracts to her front company, I-Sec Ltd., on the false, criminal, and wicked representation that they were our Technical Partners !!!

    “Even if theoretically, there was ANY technical partnership between the two companies (and there was none, as I-SEC had zero value to add to us, and we had determined that I-SEC was clearly incorporated by Stella Oduah and Walter Wagbotsama for the purpose of defrauding both ourselves and the Federal Government), the proper thing to do when we (the sole awardee of the contracts) reluctantly decided to forgo the contracts was to start the Procurement and Approval process all over again, and not to casually forge documents, misrepresent facts, and assign the contracts to one’s front company— a company that had zero pedigree, track record, or known to the Approving Authorities.

    “Our international reputation and track record was, thus, used to secure the contracts, only for Stella Oduah’s company with zero experience to inherit the benefits. A classic case of fraud.”

     

  • How Shagaya laundered N3.3b for Jonathan’s wife – EFCC

    How Shagaya laundered N3.3b for Jonathan’s wife – EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday heard that a businesswoman, Hajiya Shagaya, allegedly laundered N3.3billion for former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urged the court not to unfreeze a Unity Bank account with a balance of N1, 902,673,399.93 belonging to Hajiya  Shagaya.

    It said the applicant would “use the court as a shield against criminal investigation and prosecution” if the application is granted.

    These were contained in a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC in response to an originating summons filed by Shagaya, urging the court to give her access to the account which had been frozen since December 29, 2016.

    Shagaya, through her lawyer, Mr. Napoleon Emeaso-Nwachukwu, contended that she was not given fair hearing before Justice Muslim Hassan made the freezing order.

    She urged Justice Oguntoyinbo to set Justice Hassan’s order aside by declaring it unconstitutional, null and void “as same violates the applicant’s right to own movable property as guaranteed by Section 44(1)(k) of the I999 Constitution of Nigeria.”

    In a 19-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Sulaiman Aliu, Shagaya expressed concern that the ex- parte order made by Justice Hassan appeared, otherwise, to be final as the judge “did not give any return date for further proceedings and did not avail the applicant, who was the respondent therein and owner of the attached properties, a hearing.”

    She said there was no criminal charge against her before and after the freezing order was made to justify the EFCC’s action, denying her access to the funds.

    She said: “The order of this honourable court made on the 29th of December, 2016 by Honourable Justice M.S. Hassan deprived the applicant of her property without recourse to laid-down procedure and due process of law.

    “The ex parte order made to last pending the determination of an investigation, which is devoid of a time certain and indefinite in nature, is oppressive and a violation of the applicant’s rights to fair hearing, presumption of innocence and right to her property.”

    She said since “the unlawful freezing of the applicant’s account by the respondent, the applicant has not been able to transact with that account due to her inability to access same and this has caused her business losses and opportunities.”

    She said it would be in the best interest of justice to grant her access to the account.

    But the EFCC argued that Justice Oguntoyinbo lacks the power to sit as an appellate court over Justice Hassan’s decision, describing Shagaya’s originating summons as abuse of court processes.

  • EFCC arraigns couple for ‘N32.5m fraud’

    EFCC arraigns couple for ‘N32.5m fraud’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Office, has arraigned Austin Mbonu and Nnenna Mbonu, aka Chika Mbonu, alongside their companies- Global Steno Nigeria Ltd and Nestins Global Links Ltd- before Justice O. A. Taiwo of the state High Court, Ikeja.

    They were arraigned on a 20-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N32,507,628.08

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Austin Mbonu, Nnenna Mbonu (aka Chika Mbonu) and Nestins Global Links Ltd, on or about the 30th day of June, 2017 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of N14, 145,686.95 (Fourteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-five Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-six Naira, Ninety-five Kobo) from Fidelity Bank PLC as the cost of facilitation of a Local Purchase Order (LPO), contract from Chivita Nigeria Ltd.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecution counsel, Nkeruwem Anana, asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.

    But the defence counsel, Peter Ozodiale, moved an application for bail on behalf of his clients.

    He said: “My Lord, the defendants have been in EFCC custody for days. The second defendant, Nnenna Mbonu, is a nursing mother; she has a four-month-old baby.”

    Justice Taiwo adjourned the case till February 2 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC custody.

    On February 2, they were granted bail after meeting the conditions.

    Trial has been fixed for March 19, 20 and 24.

  • Group to SSS, EFCC: Invite Orbih to prove IDP rice allegation

    Group to SSS, EFCC: Invite Orbih to prove IDP rice allegation

    Members of Concerned Citizens of Edo State (CCES), a non-governmental organisation, have called on the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) to invite Dan Orbih, chairman, Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for proof of his allegation that the Edo State government diverted bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced (Persons IDPs).

    President of the association, Mr Ogbewi Aghedo, said that “There are several dimensions to this allegation. The credibility of the Edo State government has been called to question by the allegation. The Edo State PDP chairman has also by that comment, accused the state government of criminal diversion of the relief materials approved for internally displaced persons and yet another diversion is the indictment of a Senator from Ondo State, whose name was not given by Orbih.

    “You will agree with me that these are weighty allegations and cannot be equated with mere politicking. These alleged crimes fall within the purview of the police, the EFCC and the SSS and the recorded audio interview of Dan Orbih on Independent Radio is sufficient material for preliminary investigation by these security agencies.”

    Aghedo said its members are aware that the state government has petitioned the state commissioner of police. “This a step in the right direction. The allegation is an attack on the integrity of the state government and it is only proper for the state to rise up to the occasion and demand proof.”

    The allegation, according to Aghedo, “is equivalent to whistle blowing and as you are aware, when you have your facts and proof, the federal government will reward you for blowing the whistle, but if you blow a false whistle, we all know the implication.”

    He added that as a stakeholder in the nation’s democracy project, its activities includes identifying actions and inactions that pose threat to the lives of the ordinary Edo people and Nigerians alike, defend them against obnoxious policies and laws and defend pro-people policies and programmes, amongst others.

    Edo PDP chairman alleged on a live radio programme on Thursday in Benin City, that over 300 bags of rice approved for internally displaced persons were diverted by the Edo State government to the house of an Ondo State Senator.

    Orbih was quoted as saying on the Independent Radio pidgin English programme, Man Around Town: “This thing no be matter Edwey them take debate. Them carry this rice go give one Senator for Ondo, that one na Internally displaced person? We get record for how them take share this rice among themselves.

    “Them carry this rice on a Sunday go one house before By-pass. On a Sunday, because make people no see wetin them dey do. We have all these records. We know the movements. We know what they were doing. I was just watching them to see whether these people get heart.”

  • Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected an offer for an out-of-court settlement by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, who was accused of money laundering.

    Akinjide was charged with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (who is said to be at large), a former Senator Ayo Adeseun and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.

    They were accused of conspiring to directly take possession of N650 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and without going through a financial institution.

    Justice Muslim Hassan had adjourned to enable parties conclude the settlement talks after Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) reported that the N650 million had been returned.

    Yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer Nnaemeka Omenwa, who stood in for Rotimi Oyedepo, said he was instructed to turn down the proposal.

    “I have instruction to reject the proposal as it’s not in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Based on that, we’re ready to go on with the trial, subject to your Lordship’s overriding convenience,” he said.

    But defence counsel Ayorinde and Michael Lana (for second defendant) accused Oyedepo of a breach of agreement.

    Ayorinde said the defendants made a proposal to the prosecution in line with Section 14 of the EFCC Act.

    “For the purposes of your Lordship’s record and because of the public interest that this case seems to unnecessarily attract, our proposal was made in accordance with established laws and there is no fixation on Section 270 of the ACJA.

    “We’re very confident that this case is a sham and we’ll defend it vigorously. It’s political and we’ll show that it’s unnecessary and a waste of time and resources of the court,” Ayorinde said.

    Lana accused EFCC of breaching an agreement reached by parties with regards to the settlement, saying it amounted to a “betrayal”.

    He said the defendants agreed to withdraw a civil suit against EFCC and Oyedepo after the prosecuting counsel indicated that the commission was open to an out of court settlement.

    “Their refusal to consider the terms of settlement is to say the least a betrayal of trust by a lawyer. A representation was made to us that we should withdraw a civil suit we filed. Oyedepo is the first defendant in the suit.

    “He made a proposal to us which we believed. On the day of the first arraignment in Ibadan, Oyedepo and Chief Ayorinde informed the court that they had agreed to settle. But the judge decided that the defendants should be arraigned while the talks continued.

    “We withdrew the suit and the money they requested was paid. That’s why we were surprised when we received a hearing notice. A lawyer’s words should be sacrosanct. That’s an abuse of office. Oyedepo was the initiator of the settlement. That’s like 419. We’re highly disappointed with Oyedepo,” Lana said.

    But, Omenwa denied that the case was politically motivated, adding that there was no proof to support the claims against Oyedepo.

    “The EFCC is not a political party. We’re an independent organisation and are not out to witch-hunt anybody.

    “There is no documentary evidence that they had any such agreement with Oyedepo that they should withdraw their suit. There’s no evidence before my Lord,” he said.

    In his ruling, Justice Hassan said since settlement talks had “broken down,” EFCC was at liberty to call its witness.

    Trial began immediately with Omenwa calling the first witness, a banker, Mrs. Kehinde Adeniyi, who said she is the head of Customer Relations at her bank’s Dugbe, Ibadan branch. She said she knew Akinjide and Adeseun.

    Asked to narrate her connection with them, she said: “On March 26, 2015, I received a call from our Head of Operations Mr. Martins Izuegbe that we should pay the sum of N650 million to Akinjide, Adeseun and Hon. Taiwo Yinka once they produce two means of identification and sign a receipt of payment.

    “They came, signed and the payment was made. The payment was in naira. They came with their Hillux van to pick up the cash in a box.”

    The receipt of payment was tendered in evidence.

    The witness said under cross examination by Ayorinde that she made three statements at the EFCC, which were also tendered in evidence.

    Mrs. Adeniyi said she merely carried out instructions and that she did not know the source of the funds.

    She added that she knew Mrs. Alison-Madueke and that she did not know how the money was used.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until March 8 and 9 for continuation of trial.

  • Alleged N13b arms cash: Ihejirika to face another EFCC panel in Lagos

    Alleged N13b arms cash: Ihejirika to face another EFCC panel in Lagos

    For the second day running, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday interrogated a  former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika,  over alleged N13 billion arms cash traced to him and relations.

    He will also be relocated to Lagos to face another panel of the EFCC on the $2.1billion arms deals through the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA).

    It was unclear when Ihejirika will appear before the team in Lagos.

    But one of his nephews, who also operates as a Personal Assistant sometimes to Ihejirika, admitted payment of about N69million into his account.

    He said the cash was remitted “based on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff” without offering any service.

    A source in the EFCC, who spoke on the latest bend of the ongoing investigation,  said: “The interrogation of a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), continued for a second day, today February 22, 2018 with the operatives of the EFCC further confronting him with more revelations unearthed in the investigation of the now infamous $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.

    “Ihejirika, who came in to the EFCC Headquarters, Abuja at about 12 noon today, was released, at the end of the first round of questioning.

    “He had requested to be allowed to go back home and gather more information as regards various documents and questions put to him by investigators.

    “The former Army Chief will also face another investigation panel at the Lagos office of the EFCC.”

    As at press time, a nephew of Ihejirika has owned up that about N69million was remitted into his account “based on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff.”

    Another source said: “The nephew was honest in telling the EFCC team that he neither offered any service nor executed any contract for the Nigerian Army.

    “When the panel inquired about what the money was meant for, the nephew simply added: ‘I was given to assist relations.’ He is yet to provide the details of disbursement.”

    The Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP), headed by AVM JON Ode(rtd) had discovered that Army votes including N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000 were transferred to individuals

    “Furthermore, analyses of the various banks  of the two companies revealed suspicious transfers to individuals such as Raymond Ihejirika, Nkechi Ihejirika, Ndubuisi Ihejirika, Orji Ihejirika, Kingsley Ihejirika and Naomi Onyeabor. The total amounts transferred to these individuals was over N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000, the panel said.

  • N13b arms cash: EFCC grills ex-Army Chief Ihejirika

    N13b arms cash: EFCC grills ex-Army Chief Ihejirika

    For about nine hours, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) detectives yesterday quizzed a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika,  over alleged N13 billion arms cash traced to him and his relations.

    Gen. Ihejirika was also asked to account for the transfer of N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000 to his relatives who allegedly did no job.

    The five beneficiaries are Raymond Ihejirika, Nkechi Ihejirika, Ndubuisi Ihejirika, Orji Ihejirika and Kingsley Ihejirika.

    He was also questioned for allegedly awarding N3, 658,293’846.94 contracts to two companies owned by his brother-in-law, Chinedu Onyekwere.

    Another query raised for Gen. Ihejirika was seeking his explanation in respect of  suspicious transactions to the tune of N845,600,000 and $3,450,619 made from Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria’s (DICON’s) domiciliary and Naira accounts.

    He is expected to account for the suspicious transactions alongside a former DG of DICON, Maj.-Gen. E.R, Chioba (retd), who was intercepted at the airport and questioned by the EFCC.

    As at press time, the EFCC was set for the trial of Gen. Chioba.

    According to sources, Gen. Ihejirika was brought to the EFCC office in Abuja  about 11am by a Military Police officer.

    His interrogation by a crack team of detectives, which started immediately, lasted till about 7.30pm when he was released on bail.

    Spotting a grey Safari suit, Gen. Ihejirika was looking tired as he stepped out of the EFCC last night.

    A fact sheet indicated that Ihejirika was questioned based on the report and recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP).

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the report of the panel, the ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika will account for over N13billion arms cash during his tenure from September 2010 to January 2014.

    “We isolated all aspects related to him in the report and asked him to respond to all the allegations.

    “Accompanied by his lawyer, he said he did not commit any infractions”. He admitted that contracts were awarded to his brother-in-law based on emergency needs of the Army. He said the contracts were duly and satisfactorily executed by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd owned by his brother-in-law.

    “He has also requested to go back and gather more information, expressing unawareness as regards some documents and questions put to him by investigators.”

    Some of allegations in arms probe panel’s report against Gen. Ihejirika are: “The Committee reviewed the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd, two companies that shared the same registered office, had one Chinedu Onyekwere as common controlling shareholder and sole or mandatory signatory to the various banks accounts of the companies.

    “The Committee further established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over

    N3, 658,293’846.94 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.  About 17 contracts were awarded  to the two companies to procure the vehicles.

    “Most of the contracts awarded to the companies were also split, awarded on the same date or within a short space of time at costs and mobilisation higher than the prescribed thresholds.

    “For instance, on 15 Feb 13, the two companies were awarded contracts worth N260, 000.000.00 and N315, 000,000.00 respectively for supplies of various vehicles. The Nigerian Army could not justify the exclusive selection of these vendors against other renowned distributors of same brands of vehicles procured.

    “More seriously, the Committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles by the two companies as there were no receipt vouchers but only unauthenticated delivery notes, invoices and waybills that were purportedly used for the deliveries.

    “Nevertheless, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics, Maj.-Gen. DD Kitchener (retd). The payments were also made without deduction of Withholding Tax (WHT).

    “Furthermore, analyses of the various banks accounts of the 2 companies showed transfers to individuals, such as Raymond Ihejirika, Nkechi Ihejirika, Ndubuisi Ihejirika, Orji Ihejirika, Kingsley Ihejirika and Naomi Onyeabor.

    “Thus, the Committee recommends further investigation to determine delivery of the vehicles and relationship of funds beneficiaries with Lt.-Gen. OA Ihejirika (rtd) the former COAS and the 2 companies. Furthermore, Lt Gen OA Ihejirika (rtd), Maj Gen DD Kitchener (rtd), Col AM Inuwa’ Cpl. Abubakar Usman, and the CEO of Chok VenturesMr Chinedu Onyekwere should be held accountable for the issues arising out of the contracts.”

    “Furthermore, analyses of the various banks  of the two companies revealed suspicious transfers to individuals, such as Raymond Ihejirika, Nkechi Ihejirika, Ndubuisi Ihejirika, Orji Ihejirika, Kingsley Ihejirika and Naomi Onyeabor. The total amounts transferred to these individuals was over N115m, $132,000, €16,000 and £44,0000.

    “The Nigerian Army awarded seven contracts to DICON in  September 2013 for the procurement of Igirigi and Spartan APCs , arms and ammunition amounting to N4, 329,985, 000

    “The committee discovered that suspicious transactions to the tune of N845,600,000 and $3,450,619 were made from DICON’s domiciliary and Naira accounts. Out of this amount, the then DG DICON, Maj.-Gen. E.R, Chioba (retd) personally withdrew N81m and $131,740 in cash from the accounts. The sums of N764,600,00 and $3,318,879.17 were also transferred to the accounts of Lava Trade , 7×7 Limited and Oranto Petroleum Limited.

    “The explanations offered by Gen. Chioba that the transfers were payments for services and foreign exchange were unconvincing as there was no evidence of formal business relationship between DICON and these companies.

    “Consequently, the committee opines that the poor procurement process associated with DICON  contracts contravened financial regulations, encouraged illegal withdrawals leading to wastage of public funds, diminished the capacity of the Nigerian Army  in the campaign against terror and served as a conduit for misappropriation of entrusted funds.

    “The committee is of the view that Lt. Gen. A. O. Ihejirika, Lt. Gen. KTJ Minimah (rtd), Maj. Gen. A.I Muraina(rtd), Maj.-Gen. U. Buzugbe(rtd) and Maj. Gen. E.R. Chioba(rtd) are to be held accountable.”