The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • ICYMI: Unknown gunmen invade Magu’s house, kill policeman

    ICYMI: Unknown gunmen invade Magu’s house, kill policeman

    Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night invaded the bungalow farmhouse of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and killed a policeman.

    It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the farmhouse in Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory at about 10pm and exchanged fire with the policemen on sentry.

    A police Sergeant was hit and he died instantly.

    This is the second time that the same the house will be attacked by unknown elements.

    The last 10 months had been tough for Magu because of his refusal to bow to pressure from some high-profile suspects and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

    Following threats, security was beefed up for Magu and his immediate family leading to the deployment of policemen to the uncompleted bungalow in Karshi.

    Some suspected elements had also been prowling the family’s house in the Borno State capital and issuing threats to the woman.

    This latest attack came barely 48 hours after Magu said the anti-corruption will be a do-or-die affair.

    Speaking on Monday after a walk to mark the anti-corruption Day, Magu said: “For those of us on this side; in the anti-corruption agencies of government, in the media, and civil society, the dagger is drawn and I believe I am speaking the mind of everyone on this side that we intend to neither retreat nor surrender in our noble intention to cure our country of the evils of corruption.

    “For us as a country, the fight against corruption is a ‘do or die’ affair; we have to win the battle or die trying.

    Details later…

  • EFCC arraigns man for hacking Winners Chapel’s bookstore

    EFCC arraigns man for hacking Winners Chapel’s bookstore

    The EFCC on Wednesday charged one Chimezie Chuta before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged cybercrime.

    The accused was charged for allegedly hacking into the online bookstores of the Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel.

    Chuta, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The EFCC in the charge marked, FHC/L/441C/17, alleged that the accused committed the offence on March 8, 2016.

    The accused was alleged to have altered the online data of Dominion Bookstores platform belonging to Living Faith Church Worldwide and created a counterfeit platform.

    The alteration was said to be for purposes of conferring economic benefits on himself.

    The EFCC said that the actions of the accused had caused the church to lose its publishing unit.

    It said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 14 and 16 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Act 2015.

    After the plea of the accused, the Prosecutor, Mr Ahmed Yerima, asked the court for a trial date, urging it to remand the accused in prison, pending trial.

    The Defence Counsel, Mr A. Osagie, also urged the court to order the remand of the accused in EFCC custody.

    Read also: EFCC freezes N905m in suspected slush account

    He told the court that he was only briefed as counsel on Tuesday, and this had made it impossible for him to file the bail application earlier.

    The trial judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji, adjourned the matter until February 26 and 27, 2018, for trial, and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

    The judge however said that the bail application will be given a date for hearing

    NAN

  • Absence of DSS stalls hearing on Wike ’s suit against IGP, others

    Absence of DSS stalls hearing on Wike ’s suit against IGP, others

    A Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday could not hear Rivers Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike ’s application for an injunction against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and two others.

    The development was due to absence of Director of Department of State Service.

    The other respondents are: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Wike, in his application, is seeking to ask the court to restrain the respondents from searching any of his houses.

    However, the matter could not be heard due to the absence of one of the respondents, DSS in court.

    The Judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, declined to proceed with the matter following the disclosure by the registrar of the court that there was no proof that the DSS had been served with hearing notices.

    According to the judge, it is the law that all parties in a suit must be served hearing notices, adding that unless any party elects not to attend court after having been served, then the matter can go on.

    Read also: FSARS: Wike, other campaigners are crime beneficiaries, says Peterside

    “The important thing here is that, I ordered that hearing notices be served on all the parties.

    “If the registrar had said that the fourth defendant had been served and they elected to stay away, that will be their business,” he said.

    However, Mr David Igbodo, counsel to the inspector-general of police, prayed the court to proceed with the matter, arguing that it was mainly between the governor and his client.

    “I think we can proceed with the matter in the absence of the fourth defendant, “he said.

    The Counsel to other defendants in the matter, Mr O.M Atoyebi and Mr Aliyu Usman, however, conceded to an adjournment, adding that proper thing be done.

    The judge adjourned the matter until February 22, to enable the plaintiff effect service on all parties.

    He also ordered that fresh hearing notices be served on the fourth defendant and asked the registrar of the court to ensure that the defendant was served.

    The suit was filed in June by Mr Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN) on behalf of Wike.

    Among other reliefs, Wike is seeking a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution, the IGP, the EFCC and the DSS could not apply for, obtain, issue or execute any court process compelling his presence.

    He also sought relief “whether the defendants can, by the combined effect of Section 308 of the Constitution and Sections 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice’’ among others.

    Again, whether the defendants can“apply for, obtain, issue or in any manner or form, effectively execute a search warrant at the residence of Wike in Abuja.

    The relief also include or any of his residences without his physical presence in the course of the execution of such search warrant.”

    NAN

  • EFCC urges court to dismiss Tarfa’s no-case submission

    EFCC urges court to dismiss Tarfa’s no-case submission

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a counter-affidavit opposing a no-case submission made by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa.

    The commission accused him of bribery and unlawful obstruction of public officers.

    Trial began in March last year before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere.

    EFCC called five witnesses in the trial and tendered 20 exhibits.

    Rather than open his case, Tarfa filed a no-case submission, contending that EFCC did not sufficiently prove the case to warrant him opening his defence.

    The lawyer urged the court to dismiss the charge and discharge him on the basis that he has no case to answer.

    But EFCC, in the counter-affidavit deposed to by an operative, Zakari Usman, said the prosecution made out a prima facie (evident) case against Tarfa based on witness testimonies and tendered exhibits.

    “The evidence of the prosecution witness is strong and un-discredited. This honourable court can rely on it to safely convict the applicant.

    “The applicant has a case to answer in view of the overwhelming evidence adduced by the prosecution in the course of the applicant’s trial,” Usman said.

    EFCC said in view of the evidence led by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Tarfa ought to be called upon to open his defence.

    The commission urged the court to dismiss the SAN’s application that he be discharged and acquitted. The prosecution added that the charge was not an abuse of prosecutorial powers.

    According to Usman, the EFCC, through its officers, investigated the case discretely and professionally, adding that the commission diligently prosecuted the defendant.

    The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10, last year, on a 27-count charge which was amended to 26 counts.

    He was accused of willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer. The agency also alleged, among others, that the SAN offered N5.3 million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Lagos in order to compromise the judge.

    It claimed that Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to Justice Nganjiwa between June 27, 2012 and December 23, 2014.

    The lawyer is also standing trial before Justice Aishat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on a two-count charge of obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

    Justice Akintoye adjourned till January 17 for hearing.

     

  • EFCC urges court to dismiss Tarfa’s no-case submission

    EFCC urges court to dismiss Tarfa’s no-case submission

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on Tuesday filed a counter-affidavit opposing a no-case submission filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa.

    The Commission accused Tarfa of bribery and unlawful obstruction of public officers.

    The trial began in March last year before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

    EFCC called five witnesses in the trial and tendered 20 exhibits.

    Rather than open his case, Tarfa filed a no-case submission, contending that EFCC did not sufficiently prove the case to warrant him opening his defence.

    He urged the court to dismiss the charge and discharge him on the basis that he has no case to answer.

    But, EFCC, in the counter-affidavit deposed to by an operative, Zakari Usman, said the prosecution made out a prima facie (evident) case against Tarfa based on witness testimonies and tendered exhibits.

    “The evidence of the prosecution witness is strong and un-discredited. This Honourable Court can rely on it to safely convict the applicant.

    “The applicant has a case to answer in view of the overwhelming evidence adduced by the prosecution in the course of the applicant’s trial,” Usman said.

    EFCC said in view of the evidence led by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Tarfa ought to be called upon to open his defence.

    The Commission urged the court to dismiss the lawyer’s application that he be discharged and acquitted.

    The prosecution added that the charge was not an abuse of prosecutorial powers.

    “The Commission did not need a petition or complaint to cause investigation to be conducted on any person who is reasonably suspected to have committed economic and financial related crimes,” the deponent said.

    According to Usman, the EFCC through its officers investigated the case discretely and professionally, adding that the Commission diligently prosecuted the defendant.

    “The applicant is not entitled to any exemplary damages as the prosecution of this case against the applicant was not malicious.

    “It will be in the interest of justice to refuse this application, more so when the evidence adduced by the prosecution against the applicant before this honourable court clearly established a prima facie case against the applicant,” EFCC said.

    The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10, last year, on a 27-count charge which was amended to 26 counts.

    He was accused of willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer.

    The agency also alleged, among others, that Tarfa offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in order to compromise the judge.

  • Days of impunity gone, says EFCC chief Magu

    Days of impunity gone, says EFCC chief Magu

    Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu yesterday said the days of impunity are over.

    He urged Nigerians to unite against corruption for sustainable development in the country.

    Magu spoke after a walk to mark the 2017 International Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja.

    The walk which took-off from the EFCC Head Office, Wuse 2, Abuja en route Unity Fountain to Area 11 junction was with the theme, “United Against Corruption for Development Peace and Security”.

    Participants who moved amidst singing and dancing carried banners and placards such as “Say No To Corruption”; “Corruption Kills”; Corruption, Our Greatest Enemy”; “Kill Corruption Now”; “Do not be silent, blow the whistle to fight corruption” and “Let us make Nigeria Great Again”. They also had Red Cards boldly inscribed on their ‘T Shirts”, to symbolically send corruption out of Nigeria.

    The walk which held simultaneously in all the cities where the EFCC has offices, featured invited stakeholders from diverse sectors including the  Public Compliant Commission, Nigeria Police, Independence Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; organized Labour, Ministry of Justice, staff of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, youth organizations, civil society organizations and African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, AFRIMIL.

    The highpoint of the event was Magu’s address in which he urged Nigerians not to give up the fight against corruption.

    Magu said: “It is high time Nigerians were united against corruption for sustainable development, peace and security

    “Our country has witnessed a torrent of the adverse effects of corruption and we need to kill the monster of corruption before it kills our country.

    “I will never give up in making sure that corruption is completely eradicated in Nigeria. The days of impunity are gone”.

    Auditor-General of the Federation Anthony Mkpe Ayine who participated in the walk, urged Nigerians to own the fight against corruption because corruption had led to the decay of various sectors of the nation’s economy.

    He said: “We cannot underscore the effects of corrupt hence we need to join hands and fight corruption, I personally support this fight against corruption and it is when we are united in the fight against corruption that we will succeed.”

    Rallies and walks were staged in Ibadan, Port Harcpurt, Uyo, among others.

  • Court rejects presidential panel’s request to freeze firm’s accounts

    Court rejects presidential panel’s request to freeze firm’s accounts

    •Firm queries probe by EFCC, others

    Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the request of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) for an interim forfeiture order on about nine accounts of Blaid Properties Limited, in Access Bank Plc.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola rejected the prayer in an ex-parte ruling he gave on December 5 in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1114/17, after listening to the applicants’ lawyer, Louis Ezionye.Other applicants in the case  are the Federal Government  and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

    Before the ruling, the court  declined  to hear Blaid Properties’ lawyer, Ade Adedeji (SAN), because the application was ex-parte, (only applicant can be heard). The judge relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in: 7Up Bottling Company Ltd vs. Abiola and Sons Limited (1995) 3 NWLR part 383 at 275.

    Justice Ademola rejected the applicants’ prayers contained in reliefs one and two, but granted the third relief,  that the applicants must publish, in two national dailies, a notice inviting anyone with interests in the funds, in respect of which they had sought a forfeiture order, to show cause why a final order should not be made forfeiting the funds to the government.

    The first rejected relief was a prayer for an order of interim forfeiture of the funds.

    The other was a prayer for an order directing the service of the interim forfeiture order on the directors of Access Bank, “ordering them to stop all outward payments from the subject accounts and to immediately deliver to the court, the statement of accounts, accounts opening package, all investment portfolios (with certificate of authentication and other relevant documents) as at the date and time of service of the court order on them.”

    Justice Ademola adjourned to December 22 for hearing of all pending applications, including one by Blaid Properties, challenging among others, SPIPRPP’s sudden interest in its bank accounts, which, it said, had been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), without any unpleasant discovery.

    According to court documents, the EFCC investigated the same set of accounts last year, during which Justice Ademola, on July 1, 2016, in an application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/432/2016, granted it an interim forfeiture order in relation to the accounts, numbering 14, held by Blaid Properties, Blaid Construction Ltd and one of their directors: Ochuko Oghene Momoh, in Access and Diamond banks.

    Although the interim forfeiture order was meant to last for three months, the EFCC, after the conclusion of its investigation, never returned to the court for either a renewal of the forfeiture order or for permanent forfeiture of the funds. It also did not return to the court with its findings.

    Court documents, sourced by The Nation, also revealed that the ICPC had developed interest in the same set of accounts in 2015, particularly those held by Blaid Construction and one of its directors: Mrs. Ochuko Momoh, in Ecobank Plc, and was investigating them until the EFCC came in in 2016.

    The Nation found that, although the ICPC seized the accounts in Ecobank since September 23, 2015, it only, last April 6, filed an ex-parte motion marked: FCT/HC/M/5388/17 for an interim forfeiture order in respect of the accounts, which Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the FCT in Apo, granted on June 14.

    Blaid and Mrs. Momoh later challenged the interim forfeiture order, alleging among others, that the ICPC obtained the order by fraud, through concealment of facts from the court, a position Justice Adeniyi upheld in his subsequent ruling on November 6 this year and set aside the forfeiture order.

    In his November 6 ruling, Justice Adeniyi said; “On the basis of the totality of the facts presented by both parties, particularly facts emerging from the counter affidavits filed by the applicant (ICPC) against the affidavit to show cause, filed by the respondents (Blaid Construction and Mrs. Momoh, and the relevant provisions of the ICPC Act under review, the court us satisfied of the following facts:

    • That the applicant (ICPC) concealed facts, in obtaining from the court, the interim forfeiture order made on 14/06/2017 against funds in the 2ndrespondent’s (Blaid Construction’s) account with Ecobank.
    • That prior to the filing of the ex-parte application for forfeiture of the 2ndrespondent’s assets with Ecobank, the respondents have satisfactorily explained to the applicant details of her business activities to which the funds in her account at Ecobank are related, hence the request by the applicant for the respondent to provide a bond to secure the funds, which was provided.
    • That the funds in the account of the 2ndrespondent with Ecobank was not being used in pursuit of commission of any known offence provided in sections 8 to 19 of the ICPC Act or any other law for that matter.

     

  • EFCC to appeal Justice Nganjiwa’s acquittal

    EFCC to appeal Justice Nganjiwa’s acquittal

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Monday it would file an appeal against the ruling of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, which held that the agency lacks powers to investigate or prosecute serving judicial officials except where such officers have been dismissed by the National Judicial Council.

    The appellate court on Monday dismissed corruption charges filed against a serving judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, by the EFCC.

    A statement issued by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The Commission considers the ruling a dangerous precedent that has no basis in law and, is confident that the Supreme Court will upturn the judgment.

    “Criminal trial takes precedence over administrative procedures and it is strange that the Court of Appeal wants to put the cart before the horse. This is ridiculous! The appellate court simply wants to confer immunity on public officers from prosecution for corruption, it will not stand.”

  • Days of impunity gone – Magu

    Days of impunity gone – Magu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, said on Monday the days of impunity are over.

    He urged Nigerians to unite against corruption for sustainable development in the country.

    Magu, who made the submissions in a keynote address after a walk to mark the 2017 International Anti-Corruption Day, said Nigerians must resist corruption “so as not to risk economic growth being slowed and prosperity muzzled.

    The walk which took-off from the EFCC Head Office, Wuse 2, Abuja enroute Unity Fountain to Area 11 junction, has as its theme: “United Against Corruption for Development Peace and Security”.

    Participants, who moved amidst singing and dancing carried banners and placards such as “Say No To Corruption,” “Corruption Kills,” Corruption, Our Greatest Enemy,” “Kill Corruption Now,” “Do not be silent, blow the whistle to fight corruption” and “Let us make Nigeria Great Again.”

    They also had Red Cards boldly inscribed on their ‘T Shirts,” to symbolically send corruption out of Nigeria.

    The walk which held simultaneously in all the cities where the EFCC has offices, featured invited stakeholders from diverse sectors including the  Public Compliant Commission, Nigeria Police, Independence Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) organized Labour, Ministry of Justice, staff of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, youth organizations, civil society organizations and African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRIMIL).

    The highpoint of the event was Magu’s address in which he urged Nigerians not to give up the fight against corruption.

    A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren quoted Magu as saying that Nigerians had for long borne the pangs of corruption.

    He said corruption had allowed diversion and conversion of public funds into private pockets and accounts.

    He added: “It is high time Nigerians are united against corruption for sustainable development, peace and security.

    “Our country has witnessed a torrent of the adverse effects of corruption and we need to kill the monster of corruption before it kills our country.

    “I will never give up in making sure that corruption is completely eradicated in Nigeria. The days of impunity are gone.”

    Also speaking, the Auditor-General of the Federation, Anthony Mkpe Ayine who participated in the walk,  urged Nigerians to own the fight against corruption because it had led to the decay of various sectors of the nation’s economy.

  • Court dismisses corruption charges against Justice Nganjiwa

    Court dismisses corruption charges against Justice Nganjiwa

    The Court of Appeal on Monday dismissed the corruption charges against a serving judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on June 23 arraigned the judge on a 14 –count charge before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

    The Commission had alleged that the judge received a total of $260,000 and N8.65m (about N81, 705,000) gratification from some lawyers to enrich himself as a public official.

    The judge pleaded not guilty to the charges and trial had already commenced before Justice Akintoye when the defendant objected to the trial and informed the court of his appeal before the upper court.

    However, in a judgment on Monday, the appellate court panel presided over by Justice Adejumo Obaseki quashed the 14 charges filed against Justice Nganjiwa.

    The appellate court held that the EFCC lacks the power to charge the judge to court based on the allegation against him.

    Justice Nganjiwa, through his lawyer, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), had in its appeal, argued against the Lagos High Court’s jurisdiction to entertain the charges.

    Prior to Justice Nganjiwa’s arraignment on June 23, Clarke had argued a preliminary objection challenging the lower court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.