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  • EFCC to Nigerians: Offer confidential information on financial crimes

    EFCC to Nigerians: Offer confidential information on financial crimes

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has urged Nigerians to give confidential information on financial crimes and misappropriation going on in their areas.

    Mr Johnson Babalola, the Zonal Head of EFCC in South-East, made the plea at the EFCC and Stakeholders’ Walk Against Corruption in Enugu on Monday.

    The Enugu 12-kilometre citywide walk tagged; “Together Break the Corruption Chain’’, was to commemorate the World Anti-Corruption Day.

    December 9 was the World Anti-Corruption Day.

    Babalola, represented by his deputy, Mr Johnson Oshodi, said that the fight against corruption was an all-involving fight, where the commission needed the assistance of other stakeholders and members of the public.

    “We want Nigerians to blow the whistle through feeding the commission with timely and prompt information to nip corruption in the bud and punish its perpetrators anywhere in the country,’’ he said.

    Read also: Anti-corruption: U.S. pledges support for Nigeria,EFCC

    He described corruption as a global phenomenon, adding that its impact and endemic nature had been far-reaching in the country.

    He said that corruption had been crippling the nation’s economy and development.

    “The worst is that it is already stealing what should be left for our future, our children and our children-children and making many young Nigerians to lose hope in the economic system.

    “Every right-thinking Nigerian must stand up and join hands actively with the commission to check this monster and cankerworm,’’ he said.

    In his speech, the EFCC Head of Media, Mr Chris Oluka, lauded the massive turnout of people for the walk, especially corporate organisations that had been identifying with the commission and making its investigative work easy.

    “We are overwhelmed by this show of solidarity, especially the organisations that had been partnering with us in this fight before now,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Hassan Mohammed, the Zonal Commissioner, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), assured the commission of ICPC’s continuous close working relationship and synergy in information sharing.

    “We will remain committed to the bond between our organisation and EFCC, and we will work together in more aspects of fighting corruption in the country,’’ Mohammed said.

    The Sector Commander of FRSC in Enugu State, Mr Edward Zamber, said that the agency would check all forms of corruption, especially on the highways.

    “In a bid to keep Nigerians safe on the roads, FRSC will ensure exemplary conduct always and shun all forms of inducement in the course of our duty,’’ Zamber, who was represented by Mr Hassan Lawal, said.

    The representative of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr Felix Ezimora, said that the bank would continue to follow the commission’s guidelines in its banking operations.

    “Diamond Bank is known for transparency and excellence; we assure you that we will keep to our good working relationship as well as openness to the commission,’’ Ezimora said.

    NAN

  • Pension fraud: EFCC recovers N2.8b cash; Magu opens up on assets

    Pension fraud: EFCC recovers N2.8b cash; Magu opens up on assets

    •Says no assets re-looted by EFCC operatives

    •Maina’s $2m property, six properties in EFCC’s custody

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’S), Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu confirmed yesterday that over N2.8billion was recovered from suspected pension thieves in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Police Pension Office.

    The cash component excludes many choice assets placed either under permanent or interim forfeiture by courts.

    Besides, he insisted that none of the assets seized by the EFCC was re-looted by the operatives of the commission under any guise.

    Magu, in a bare it all fact-sheet he made available to the National Assembly to clear the air on the controversy on the assets seized from pension fraud suspects challenged the brains behind the rumour of re-looting to go “the whole hog to name the “ghost” officials that engaged in this “sharing” of pension booty, and the place and time the “sharing” took place.”

    He insisted that former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina remains wanted by the anti-graft agency.

    But he said Maina’s $2million Abuja mansion and six others have been placed under interim forfeiture.

    Details of Maina’s alleged assets are contained in the document.

    Magu said there was no cause for alarm because all seized assets were well-documented.

    He said what was playing out was a “diversionary gambit intended to befuddle ongoing inquiry over the Maina reinstatement saga by smearing anyone or agency that is capable of unmasking the real pension thieves.”

    Magu said: “The suspects investigated in the Police Pension fraud from whom assets were seized, include: Atiku Kigo, Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Veronica Oyegbula, Uzuoma Cyril Attang, Sani Habila Zira, John Yusuf  and their associated companies and persons.

    “In the pension office of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, those from whom properties were recovered are Shaibu Teidi, Phina Chidi, Abdul Mohammed,  Emmanuel Olanipekun, Aliyu Bello and  their associated companies and persons.

    “The assets seized from these suspects are in two categories. There are assets that are under interim forfeiture which means that they are temporally seized pending the determination of the substantive cases in court.

    “Such assets cannot be dissipated because the cases are pending in court. The reality is, most of the assets recovered from pension fraud suspects belong in this category.

    “The cash element of the recoveries is also carefully documented. The total funds recovered stand at N2, 886,743,016.71; $3,017,556.73; and €3,385.40.

    “The sum of N16, 185,131,847.09 which was recovered from an illegal account in an old generation bank has since been remitted to the office of the Head of Service, while N369, 558,640.99 represents the cash component of John Yusuf’s final forfeiture. There is no opacity regarding the Commission’s handling of the assets recovered from suspects of pension fraud. The fact speaks for itself.”

    On the properties confiscated from suspected pension thieves, Magu said they are being managed in a transparent arrangement put in place by the Assets Forfeiture Department of the Commission.

    He said  Etudo & Co. Estate Surveyors & Valuers, a reputable estate management firm, was engaged to manage the assets, with the exception of assets recovered from Essai Dangabar, which are being managed by Court Registrar based on Court Order.”

    He added: “All but one of the assets recovered from suspects in the pension office of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is under interim forfeiture.

    “The exception is Brifina Hotel, which was recovered from Shaibu Teidi. He denied ownership of the property and the court ordered its final forfeiture to the Federal Government. The property has since been handed over to government and is now being used as office by some agencies of government including the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

    “It is only assets recovered from John Yusuf, who was convicted under a plea bargain arrangement for fraud in the Police Pension office that have been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. These assets are 32 units in number.

    “The assets, both those under interim forfeiture and the few under final forfeiture, are being managed in a transparent arrangement put in place by the Assets Forfeiture Department of the Commission. Etudo & Co. Estate Surveyors & Valuers, a reputable estate management firm, was engaged to manage the assets, with the exception of assets recovered from Essai Dangabar, which are being managed by Court Registrar based on Court Order.

    “The proceeds of rent on the properties that had successfully been let out by the firm are fully documented and available in the recovery account of the Commission.”

    Magu said the assets recently seized from Maina were not yet captured in the Interim/Final forfeiture analysis by the anti-graft agency.

    He also gave the details of investigation on Maina and what EFCC detectives uncovered.

    He insisted that there is still a subsisting warrant of arrest against Maina.

    He said: “Recoveries not captured in the interim/final forfeiture analysis, include those that were recently recovered from Maina in Abuja and Kaduna.

    “They include seven properties in Kaduna. The properties are a two- storey commercial building located on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, a bungalow located on Katuru Road, and four separate properties located on Kano Road in Kawo New Extension, Kaduna. The other property which is still under construction is a set of four one-storey block of flats located at No. 5, Sokoto Road adjacent to the Zamfara State Governor’s Lodge, Kaduna. Other properties linked to Maina include No. 12, 11th Road, Kado Estate, Abuja; No. A5 Omenai H.O (B Close) Kado Estate; No. 9, Eneli TCM Close, (A Close) Kado Estate; No. 8, Kolo S Close (A Close) Kado Estate; Luxury apartments (eight blocks of flats; six units of three bedrooms; two units of two bedrooms) located at Plot 965, Cadastral C2, Life Camp, Abuja and a sprawling edifice located at No. 10 Hamisu Musa Road, Jabi, Abuja.

    “Maina had a total inflow of over N2.7 billion between 2010 and 2013, with 95 per cent of the deposits being in cash. It was discovered that Faizal Abdullahi’s Account (his son), had a turnover of over N1.5 billion in less than a year.

    “It should also be noted that Maina operated these accounts through telephone and email messages.

    Most of the funds were converted to foreign currencies through Bureau De Change and delivered to Maina in cash.

    “Part of the funds was used to purchase properties, including the house at No. 10 Hamisu Musa Road, Jabi which he bought for $2 million in cash. Maina has failed to respond to invitations by the EFCC and he has been put on the Interpol Red Notice. Presently, there is a subsisting warrant of arrest against Maina.”

    Magu expressed regrets that the public was misinformed by some lawmakers and some unnamed agents of Maina on the status of assets recovered from suspects in pension fraud cases investigated by the EFCC.

    “The EFCC views with grave concern, the manner in which the allegation, made by unnamed person(s) in close-door session before the committee, was publicly orchestrated at the Senate plenary without the commission having the opportunity to respond. The omission has tragically led to misinformation regarding the status of recovered pension assets. This is unwarranted.

    “It should be stated that there had been no controversy regarding the status of assets recovered from suspects in pension fraud cases investigated by the commission.

    “These assets are well documented, and their current status has been communicated to the relevant organs of government.

    “Had the Senate exercised restraint and sought information on the status of the assets, it would certainly have been obliged, and the nation spared the ordeal of the abominable frenzy over pension assets that were supposedly “shared” by unnamed “officials of the EFCC”.

    “The purveyors of the salacious tale should have gone the whole hog to name the “ghost” officials that engaged in this “sharing” of pension booty, and the place and time the “sharing” took place.

    “They also did not list the properties that were supposedly recovered by Adbulrasheed Maina and handed over to the EFCC. They equally failed to indicate when the properties were handed over to the EFCC by Maina.

    “The failure to provide this information is clear indication that what is playing out is diversionary gambit intended to befuddle ongoing inquiry over the Maina reinstatement saga by smearing anyone or agency that is capable of unmasking the real pension thieves.”

    “The EFCC has no record of any collaboration between it and the Maina–led Pension Reform Task Team in the investigation of pension fraud.

    “The only link between the EFCC and Maina was the participation of a few staff of the Commission in biometric verification exercise by the Maina Task Team. The leader of the EFCC team at the time was Col. I.D. Sule (retd.), a contract staff who was head of the Commission’s Servicom Unit.

    “The verification exercise was not a criminal investigation and no asset was recovered in the process.

    “It follows that if the EFCC did not receive any assets from Maina, its officials could not have shared what never existed? Again, those who claim that there was “sharing” of assets are at liberty to state which assets were “shared”, when the “sharing” took place, who supervised the “sharing”, and who got what.

    “As far as the Commission is concerned, all the assets recovered from pension fraud suspects, currently at the disposal of the EFCC, are products of its independent investigation.

  • Anti-corruption: U.S. pledges support for Nigeria, EFCC

    Anti-corruption: U.S. pledges support for Nigeria, EFCC

    The U.S. Government has pledged to continue its support to the anti-corruption crusade of the Nigerian Government and particularly to strengthen the EFCC in this regard.

    The U.S. Department of State stated this at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery at Washington, D.C, co-hosted with the UK Government in demonstration of continued commitment to preventing and combatting corruption globally.

    The event is being attended by Nigerian Government officials led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and representatives of the Nigerian civil society organisations.

    The department said since 2013, the U.S. government had provided foreign assistance to increase the Nigerian government’s capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption and financial crime cases, including asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering.

    The state department added that its programmes also sought to bolster Nigerian civil society’s capacity to ensure transparency and accountability in government.

    “Over the past three years, the United States has funded a project with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to mentor officials investigating and prosecuting money laundering crimes.

    “These include on asset forfeiture and counter financing of terrorism, in addition to providing technical assistance to the Nigerian judiciary.

    “We will continue to work with the EFCC to further strengthen EFCC institutional development,” the state department said.

    The U.S. government funds the Open Government Partnership’s (OGP) Support Unit through a joint grant between the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

    They work with civil society and governments to develop commitments aimed at countering corruption and promoting transparency.

    The U.S. also funded a project which led to the drafting of Nigeria’s OGP National Action Plan.

    This was carried out through collaboration with EFCC, the ICPC, Nigeria Police Force, and several civil society organisations.

    “The U.S. foreign assistance also supported outreach efforts through infographics and social media on corruption-related issues.

    Read Also: EFCC raises teams to quiz ex-DG DSS, former NIA boss

    “These supports make public data from Nigerian anti-corruption agencies more accessible, and training Nigerian journalists on best investigative journalism practices,” the state department said.

    According to the World Bank, over 20 billion dollars is stolen by corrupt officials annually.

    The U.S. said: “This is money that should be used to ensure the sustainable development of these countries for essential services such as schools, hospitals, and roads.

    “Rather than lining the pockets of corrupt officials, these funds should help grow economies and improve the well-being of the people of these countries.

    “To help prevent and combat kleptocracy, U.S. assistance helps strengthen transparency and accountability within government institutions”.

    Since 2016, the Department of State and USAID have dedicated more than 115 million dollars annually to a wide range of foreign assistance efforts to counter corruption.

    These include capacity building of foreign governments to create stronger laws and more effective institutions; investigate, prosecute, and secure convictions for corruption offences.

     

  • Supreme Court to rule March 2 on Dasuki’s detention

    Supreme Court to rule March 2 on Dasuki’s detention

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed March 2 next year for judgment on an appeal by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, challenging his alleged indefinite detention.

    The panel of five Justices, led by Dattijo Mohammed, gave the date after counsels to the parties in the case adopted their addresses.

    The ex-NSA had on June 15, 2016 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, lost his bid to enforce his freedom after securing bails on all the charges against him.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dasuki is standing trial for allegedly mismanaging 2.1 billion dollars meant for purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.
    Dasuki’s counsel, Mr Joe Daudu, argued that the decision of the Court of Appeal was erroneous, adding that it was incumbent on the Supreme Court to restore the integrity of all courts.

    Daudu submitted that it was out of place for the court of appeal to scuttle the fundamental rights of a citizen after well-considered decisions of four courts that admitted the applicant to bail.
    He said that his client needed the bail to prepare his defence, adding that he could not have access to security documents while in detention.

    “My Lords, Dasuki is already being treated as a convict, even when none of the charges brought against him has been concluded.

    “We sincerely pray this esteemed court to do the needful by setting aside the decision of the lower court.

    “We also pray the court to momentarily halt the applicant’s trial until the Federal Government obeys the bail order of court,’’ Daudu said.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to EFCC, opposed the appeal, saying that it lacked merit and should be dismissed.

    He said the bail condition granted Dasuki was perfected on Dec. 29, 2015, adding that a warrant of release to that effect was served on the Comptroller of Prisons in Kuje, upon which he was released.

    Jacobs said the Federal Government had not violated his rights, adding that the applicant was only re-arrested by the operatives of the DSS over other fraud allegations.

    He said that it was unfair for the applicant to consider his re-arrest as a disobedience to court’s order on his bail.

    He said that no court bail was targeted at the DSS when granted.

    “The EFCC which put Dasuki on trial on criminal charges at the FCT High Court cannot be held responsible for the action of the DSS on the ground that the two agencies are different entities.

    “Besides, My Lords, the appeal court has said there was no existing order against the re-arrest of Dasuki.

    “Suffice to say that there cannot be a disobedience to a non-existing court order.

    “We pray the apex court to affirm the decision of the lower court which ordered the continuation of the applicant’s trial even while he remains in detention,’’ he said.

    Dasuki had approached Supreme Court praying it to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal which exonerated EFCC from his re-arrest shortly after he perfected his bail conditions.

    He further asked the court to void the ruling of the Federal High Court.

    The trial court had held that DSS and EFCC were distinct agents of the Federal Government, which is the complainant in the charges against the applicant.

    Dasuki had alleged that such pronouncement had given the two agents of government handling the trial to act at variance and against justice.

     

  • Supreme Court rules on Dasuki’s detention March 2

    Supreme Court rules on Dasuki’s detention March 2

    The Supreme Court on Monday fixed March 2 for judgment on an appeal by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, challenging his alleged indefinite detention.

    The panel of five Justices, led by Dattijo Mohammed, gave the date after counsels to the parties in the case adopted their addresses.

    The ex-NSA had on June 15, 2016 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, lost his bid to enforce his freedom after securing bails on all the charges against him.

    It is recalled that Dasuki is standing trial for allegedly mismanaging 2.1 billion dollars meant for purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Dasuki’s counsel, Mr Joe Daudu, argued that the decision of the Court of Appeal was erroneous, adding that it was incumbent on the Supreme Court to restore the integrity of all courts.

    Daudu submitted that it was out of place for the court of appeal to scuttle the fundamental rights of a citizen after well-considered decisions of four courts that admitted the applicant to bail.

    He said that his client needed the bail to prepare his defence, adding that he could not have access to security documents while in detention.

    “My Lords, Dasuki is already being treated as a convict, even when none of the charges brought against him has been concluded.

    “We sincerely pray this esteemed court to do the needful by setting aside the decision of the lower court.

    “We also pray the court to momentarily halt the applicant’s trial until the Federal Government obeys the bail order of court,’’ Daudu said.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to EFCC, opposed the appeal, saying that it lacked merit and should be dismissed.

    He said the bail condition granted Dasuki was perfected on December 29, 2015, adding that a warrant of release to that effect was served on the Comptroller of Prisons in Kuje, upon which he was released.

    Jacobs said the Federal Government had not violated his rights, adding that the applicant was only re-arrested by the operatives of the DSS over other fraud allegations.

    He said that it was unfair for the applicant to consider his re-arrest as a disobedience to court’s order on his bail.

    He said that no court bail was targeted at the DSS when granted.

    Read also: Dasuki: Court declines request for arrest warrant against DSS’ DG

    “The EFCC which put Dasuki on trial on criminal charges at the FCT High Court cannot be held responsible for the action of the DSS on the ground that the two agencies are different entities.

    “Besides, My Lords, the appeal court has said there was no existing order against the re-arrest of Dasuki.

    “Suffice to say that there cannot be a disobedience to a non-existing court order.

    “We pray the apex court to affirm the decision of the lower court which ordered the continuation of the applicant’s trial even while he remains in detention,’’ he said.

    Dasuki had approached Supreme Court praying it to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal which exonerated EFCC from his re-arrest shortly after he perfected his bail conditions.

    He further asked the court to void the ruling of the Federal High Court.

    The trial court had held that DSS and EFCC were distinct agents of the Federal Government, which is the complainant in the charges against the applicant.

    Dasuki had alleged that such pronouncement had given the two agents of government handling the trial to act at variance and against justice.

    NAN

  • Recruitment scam: EFCC raises alarm

    Recruitment scam: EFCC raises alarm

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has raised alarm over alleged attempts by fraudsters to exploit its ongoing recruitment exercise.

    The EFCC spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on Tuesday that the fraudsters were soliciting payment from unsuspecting job seekers to facilitate their employment into the commission.

    “This is a scam and members of the public are warned not to deal with anyone with such proposition as the agency does not collect money from job seekers.

    Read also: Saraki blames EFCC, others for FG’s inability to retrieve looted funds

    “Candidates that participated in the recent aptitude test by the commission should avoid falling prey to tricksters by shunning any promise of employment for a fee.

    “The employment process in the EFCC is open and transparent and cannot be compromised through bribery,” Uwujaren said.

    He advised members of the public to report anybody requesting for money for employment into the commission at the nearest EFCC office or police station.

    NAN

    Read: Navy apprehends recruitment fraudster

  • N4.5b money laundering: Court issues bench warrant on Nnamani

    N4.5b money laundering: Court issues bench warrant on Nnamani

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday issued a bench warrant for the arrest and production in court of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, over alleged laundering of N4.5 billion.

    The court issued the order following the absence of the accused, to stand trial.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Nnamani alongside his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, over the alleged laundering of the money.

    Also charged are six firms, namely: Rainbownet Nigeria Ltd, Hillgate Nigeria Ltd, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

    The ex-governor and his co-accused were said to have allegedly lodged the laundered sum in a secret account, with the aim of concealing its source.

    When the case was called on Monday, Mr Kelvin Uzozie announced appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Abubakar Shamsudeen appeared for the accused.

    The prosecution then informed the court of the absence of the accused and prayed the court for a bench warrant against the accused, as well as a summons for the sureties to appear and show cause.

    Meanwhile, in his submissions before the court, the defence counsel, Shamsudeen urged the court to grant an adjournment until January 2018, to enable counsel to contact family members of the accused and get across to him.

    Shamsudeen stressed that the accused was bed ridden in the U.S. due to a surgery he had undergone, adding that other accused had entered a plea bargain in the matter.

    He urged the court to grant a further adjournment.

    In reaction, the trial judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, asked the defence counsel, “you seem to be very knowledgeable in the matter, so tell me when was the plea bargain’’?

    Shamsudeen, in response, said he was not so sure of the date but added that it was between May and June, 2015.
    Obiozor then asked, “So from 2015 till now, what happened’’?

    In response, Shamsudeen explained to the court that the health condition of the accused was part of the major reason why a plea bargain was made.

    He added that although the first and second accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge before the court, the first accused had interest in the other companies joined as accused.

    Justice Obiozor then said:

    “A defendant may be guilty or not guilty but the law requires such defendant to appear and stand trial, and the sole duty of the Court is to do justice.

    “You are asking for an adjournment till January when this case has lingered on since 2007, which is almost 10 years.

    “Justice as we all know is a-three way traffic and once it is lagging, you blame the judiciary.

    “This is not a case of more haste and less speed; no, I won’t allow that in my court; this is a 2007 charge and up till now, we are still talking of plea.

    “This matter was slated for re-arraignment today, and I have not found any justification for the absence of the accused before this court, to take their pleas.

    “There must be an end to litigation; the charge before me was filed in 2007 and it is now 10 years.

    “In the peculiar circumstances of this case, and particularly in the absence of any convincing explanation on the absence of the defendants before this court today, it is hereby ordered.

    “That a bench warrant be issued against the first and second defendants, as well as a summons for the sureties to show cause.
    “Consequently, this case is adjourned until Dec. 14, for further proceedings.

    Nnamani was earlier arraigned before Justice Tijani Abubakar and re-arraigned before Justice Charles Archibong when Tijani Abubakar was elevated to the Court of Appeal and later re-arraigned before Mohammed Yinusa, when Justice Archibong retired.

    The former governor was re-arraigned on a 105-count charge of money laundering and economic crime, to the tune of N4.5 billion.
    The case has just been reassigned to Obiozor, to start afresh.

    According to the commission, their alleged offence contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, and the EFCC Act, 2004.

    NAN

  • Money laundering: Court orders ex-Enugu governor Nnamani’s arrest

    Money laundering: Court orders ex-Enugu governor Nnamani’s arrest

    The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday issued a warrant of arrest against a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani.

    The ex-governor was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering of N4.5billion.

    Nnamani allegedly committed the offence during his stint as Enugu State governor from 1999 to 2007.

    He was first arraigned alongside one of his aides, Sunday Anyaogu, and six firms in 2007.

    The firms are – Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

    The EFCC accused the ex-governor of conspiring with other defendants to launder various statutory allocations of some local government areas of Enugu State.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered Nnamani’s arrest for failing to appear in court for his re-arraignment on Monday.

    The judge held that the ex-governor’s counsel failed to give a “tenable reason” why his client was absent in court.

     

  • EFCC vs DSS

    •President Buhari should call the erring security men to order to avert anarchy

    The lingering disagreement between operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) almost boiled over a few days ago. With the two arms-bearing state institutions squaring up to each other, as if in a Hobbesian state, pulling of the trigger by any of the feuding parties could have led to a shoot-out. This is an aberration, and we urge the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to stem this descent into anarchy, with the potential of creating security crisis of both murderous and constitutional proportions.

    But what triggered the embarrassing acts of law enforcement agencies acting as outlaws? As reported in the media, the EFCC had invited the former head of DSS from 2010 to 2015, Ita Ekpeyong, to explain his role in the alleged arms scandal involving the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki; and also the recently sacked former head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, as part of investigation of the N13 billion found in a private apartment in Lagos. Following their refusal to honour the invitation, EFCC officials, armed with a warrant of arrest went to the residences of the two officials at numbers 21 and 46, Nasir Street, Asokoro, Abuja, to arrest them.

    The NIA and DSS personnel guarding the retired and sacked ex-officials mobilised and resisted their arrest. Subsequently, a national daily quoted an unconfirmed source in DSS as saying that by an unnamed sundry legislation, security agencies, including the DSS and NIA have a sort of immunity from investigation by any other agency or person, except the President. They cited the 1999 National Security Agencies (NSA) Decree, (now deemed an act of the National Assembly) which provides that the NIA and DSS should be within the purview of the President and National Security Council and National Defence Council, as their reason for confronting the EFCC, and resisting the arrest of their ex-officials.

    We are miffed by this strange interpretation of the National Security Agencies Act, by persons who have assumed the duties of a court. Assuming the law provides Messrs Ekpeyong and Oke the immunity claimed by their former colleagues, would it not be the responsibility of the courts under section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, to so find, if they file an application against the EFCC and the warrant of arrest issued? Does it lie with individuals or their respective institutions to interpret the provisions of the law, as they deem fit? If the type of self-help by the NIA and DSS is allowed to fester, will that not breed anarchy?

    Under this regime, a former National Security Adviser (NSA), the co-ordinator of the NSA Act, a  former Chief of Defence Staff, former chiefs of army, navy and air force, and significant number of retired and serving generals had been arrested, detained and charged to court, over allegations of fraudulent acts done while in service. As expected in a society governed by law, these men willingly submitted to the EFCC and the jurisdiction of the courts, which have the exclusive powers to determine their fate. Are those security chiefs who committed criminal offences by resisting lawful arrests, inferring that these officials should have mobilised their subordinates to resist arrest, like the DSS and NIA officials?

    The President and Commander-in-Chief, who is the chief custodian of our constitutional order should compel the ex-chiefs of NIA and DSS to submit to the due process of law; and the security men who used the arms bought by taxpayers to protect our constitution, to instead ride roughshod over it, should answer for their unlawful conducts.

    The President should appreciate the dangerous signals, and act immediately.