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Tag: EFCC

  • ‘Handover Babachir, Oke to EFCC, ICPC’

    ‘Handover Babachir, Oke to EFCC, ICPC’

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Monday welcomed the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ayodele Oke.

    The organization also called on Buhari to “urgently handover Lawal and Oke to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for them to face prosecution.”

    In a statement issued today by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale the organization said that “This is a positive development in the fight against grand corruption, although this decision is coming rather late. Buhari now has to go a step further by making sure that both Lawal and Oke are promptly brought to justice in fair trials.”

    Related: How Babachir Lawal got into trouble

    The statement reads in part: “Buhari also has to move swiftly to publish the report of the investigation into the secret reinstatement of the fugitive former civil servant, Abdulrasheed Maina, and without delay identify and bring to justice anyone suspected to be involved.”

    “This government now has a real opportunity to reassure a lot of Nigerians who may be worried about the direction of travel of the president’s anti-corruption agenda that there will be no sacred cow as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.”

    “What the government needs at this time is a revolutionary approach to the fight against corruption if Buhari is to show his commitment to ‘kill’ corruption before corruption ‘kills’ Nigeria.”

    Also Read: The denouncement of Babachir Lawal

    “Without effective prosecution of high-ranking public officials charged with corruption, this government’s fight against corruption may sadly turn out to be all motion and no movement, and this will eventually undermine the legitimacy of the anti-corruption efforts.”

    In a brief statement the presidency said that President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke.

    The statement noted that the president accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr. Lawal, and has appointed Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

  • Maina: EFCC finds £6m pension cash in UK bank

    Maina: EFCC finds £6m pension cash in UK bank

    Detectives have traced about £6m pension funds to a  United Kingdom bank  account  being managed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF), The Nation learnt yesterday.

    The cash is being suspected to have been tampered with by some government officials.

    Two former Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation(Engr. E. Okeke and Prof. O. A. Afolabi) reportedly did their best to protect the funds from being tampered with.

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) had seized more houses believed to be owned by the embattled ex- chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina. He is one of the signatories to the UK bank account.

    Besides, a former EFCC operative has been quoted as saying that he was prepared to speak up on how a minister contacted him to protect Maina.

    But the operative said he would do so on oath if President Muhammadu Buhari raises a Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the mismanagement of pension funds.

    At least N2b is said to have been misappropriated. There are other funds, which are believed to have been stolen.

    A former chairman of EFCC allegedly collected funds for a foreign trip from Maina. But a fact-sheet has debunked the claim.

    The purported N5,476,000 estacodes remitted to the former EFCC chairman  was actually paid into an account in a first generation bank, according to sources close to the investigation of the multibillion naira pension scandal.

    The EFCC has continued its manhunt for Maina. It has located more of his assets.

    A source said: “Our detectives have linked a large farm in Keffi to Maina and we are going to invoke Interim Assets forfeiture Clause in the EFCC (Establishment) Act.

    “We have also sealed off two of the suspect’s houses at No. A5 B. Close and No. 9A  in Kado Estate in Abuja. We have located some houses in Maiduguri too.

    “So far, we have taken possession of the houses in Abuja and Kaduna.”

    There  was a twist yesterday following the release of a fact-sheet, which states that no former EFCC chairman collected N5,476,000 for overseas trips from Maina.

    The document said: “It is hereby stated categorically that the former EFCC chairman never received any payment whatsoever in respect of any trip in OHCSF/Police Pensions and neither embark on such trips.

    “That Estacode payments to the tune of N5,476,000 purportedly made for the Executive Chairman  was discovered to have been paid into the First Bank acct. No. 4033010067733 belonging to one Christian Madubuike who is an account clerk with Police Pension office (PPO).

    “The money was subsequently withdrawn from his account and handed over to Mr. John Yusuf  (AD Accounts PPO). However John Yusuf admitted receiving the monies but claimed that he remitted same to Abdulrasheed Maina.”

    Meanwhile, the EFCC traced about £6m pension funds to the UK  and uncovered 66 pension accounts in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF).

    There was suspicion that the £6m might have been tampered with by some government officials, who are now pension suspects.

    The top source added: “The EFCC has done enough in unraveling pension fraud syndicate in OHCSF, Presidential Pension Reform Task Committee, Police Pension funds and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) check-off dues among others.

    The source said: “It is certainly a huge racket by civil servants some of who are still in the system. For instance, our team uncovered  £6m pension funds in an account in the UK. The money was  for the payment of the pensions of some British colonial officers who served in Nigeria.

    A report on the said account in the UK said: “In respect of the Federal Government 6million pounds sterling investment in the U.K with Crown agents, it is worth noting that the information was discovered as a result of a search executed in the residence of Dr. Shuaibu  Sani Teidi during the course of our investigation.

    “Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi failed to disclose the account during his handing over when he was leaving the Head of Service. Mr. Charles Bornant was invited and he confirmed that Dr. Shaibu did not disclose nor include the account in his handing over. Investigation into the account is still ongoing based on relevant information at our disposal.

    “During the course of investigating fraud in the Pension office of the Head of Civil service of the Federation (OHCSF), a search warrant was executed in the residence of Dr. Shaibu Sani Teidi (former director Pension Accounts) where a laptop was recovered. From the analysis of the computer laptop, a document captioned “Report of the visit to Crown Agents Investment United kingdom” was discovered. The document reveals the nature of the investment made by the OHCSF with Crown Agents Investment, UK (copy attached).

    “The Investment Account was brought to the  attention of the OHCSF via a letter with reference No. CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/EGFED/PEN/VOL.1/375 dated 18th February, 2011, while requesting for the following information:

    1. List of Pensioners in Diaspora and their payment point(s)
    2. Records of remittances of funds to all payments point

    iii. Details investment of pension funds with Crown Agents Financial Services

    “On receipt of our letter the OHCSF made further enquiries and responded to us via a letter dated 22nd February, 2011.

    “The following facts emerge from our Investigation.

    1. a) That the OHCSF maintained an overseas investment account with Crown Agent Investment Management United Kingdom titled “Nigeria Federal Civil Service Pension Fund”;
    2. b) That the current Management agreement was drawn on the 23rd of May, 1990, attempt was made to review it between 20th to 22nd January 2009;
    3. c) That the Crown agents have a representative in Nigeria;
    4. d) That the market value of the Fund as at 31/03/2011 was GBP 6,275,176.80;
    5. e) That Engr. E.O Okeke (Head of Service)   and Dr. S.T Shuaibu (Director Pension Accounts) were the signatories to the account between 30th July, 2007 and 6th July, 2011.
    6. f)  That Prof. O.A Afolabi (Head of Service) and Abdulrasheed Maina (Head Pension Task Team) became signatories of the account on 6th July,2011 after our discovery;
    7. g)  That the current signatories to the account were only updated in July 2011, several years after Engr. E.O Okeke retired from Service and Dr. S.T Shuaibu redeployed from OHCSF. Dr. Shuaibu failed  to properly hand over to his predecessor;
    8. h)  That the former Head of service Prof. O.A. Afolabi instructed that the total sum of GBP36,717.68 should be remitted to the Nigerian High Commission office in London for the payment of the outstanding and subsequent pension due to the expatriate (colonial service) pensioners.

    ”Our investigation revealed that the NUP are entitled to 1% only of the total monthly pension as Union Dues, which is being paid by the OHCSF on monthly basis. In view of the above, the OHCSF confirmed that the total amount entitled to NUP between 23rd of April, 2008 and 10th March, 2011 is N780,000,000.00. However, it was discovered that the Union connived with Dr. Sani Shaibu to inflate the figures by N1.5billion.

    “Hence, they were paid the total sum of N2,290,593,322.35 (N2.3billion) from the OHCSF within the period. The President and Secretary of the NUP, Alh Ali Abatcha, and Eleder Actor Zal confessed that they returned the inflated amount to Dr. Shuaibu. The case has been charged to court.”

     

  • $2.1b arms deals: Ministers, perm secs, others indicted

    $2.1b arms deals: Ministers, perm secs, others indicted

    Two ministers, three ex-ministers, six permanent secretaries and more military officers have been indicted in the $2.1billion arms deals scandal.

    The indictment is in the fourth report of the Special Investigative Panel on Arms Procurement in the Armed Forces.

    But one year after the submission of the report, the government is yet to take any action on it.

    Some members of the panel are worried that some Presidency officials do not want the report released to the public.

    Other members are feeling bad that the officials may have been interested in only the initial reports which indicted a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, two ex-Chiefs of Air Staff and a former Chief of Naval Staff.

    They wonder why others implicated in the arms deals probe are yet to be named or handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    A source said: “Going by the records of the panel, October 23 marked exactly one year that the fourth report of the committee was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read Also: Maina has case to answer with ex-HoS Oronsaye, two others – EFCC

    “From the report of the committee, those who have cases to answer are two serving ministers, three-ex-Ministers, six permanent secretaries and more serving military officers.

    “There is disquiet in the panel that up till now, no action has been taken on the report because some forces in the Presidency are unhappy with some of the recommendations therein.”

    Members were expecting a swift response on the report as t was the case during the first and second batches of reports on Dasuki, Badeh, two ex-Chiefs of Air Staff,  and a former Chief of Naval Staff.

    “And as part of the larger script to frustrate the report,  what came eventually was the suspension of the activities of the panel,” the source said, pleading not to be named.

    “In fact, a member of the panel, Rear Admiral T.D. Ikoli,  died controversially while awaiting action on this same report. There were also botched attempts to use some committees of the National Assembly to review the findings of the panel. But the moves were resisted by the panel.

    “Members of the panel are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the findings in the Fourth Report and bring those concerned to justice,” the source said.

    Asked to be specific on the list of those indicted in the Fourth Report, the top source added: “The names are in the report; it is left to the government to unveil them.

    “Do not forget, all members of the committee have copies of the report. At the appropriate time, history will judge.

    “We are in an era in which there is no hiding place for anybody. We are not a bunch of fools. That era is gone.”

    Members of the panel are said to be feeling guilty, “as if they were used to only target some military officers, politicians,  businessmen and companies”. “These indicted military officers were their course mates, close associates and military colleagues. What they are demanding” is equality and justice for all, another source said.

    Members of the investigative committee are: AVM J.O.N. Ode (retd.) –Chairman; R/Adm J.A. Aikhomu (retd.); R/Adm E. Ogbor (retd.); Brig-Gen L. Adekagun (retd.); Brig-Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (retd.) ; and Brig-Gen. N. Rimtip (retd.).

    Others are Rear Admiral T.D. Ikoli ; Air Cdre U. Mohammed (retd.); Air Cdre I. Shafi’I;  Col A.A. Ariyibi; Gp Capt C.A. Oriaku (retd.); Mr. Ibrahim Magu (EFCC); and Brig-Gen. Y.I. Shalangwa – Secretary.

    Some of the areas of investigation are:

    • how 10 contracts totaling $930,500,690.00 were awarded;
    • payment of  N4,402,687,569.41 for unexecuted contracts;
    • Procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00;
    • Purchase of four used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at US$7,180,000.00 funded by ONSA;
    • cannibalisation of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets;
    • excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33m instead of $6m per one;
    • delivery of radars without  vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own and adversary aircraft; and
    • strange transfer of $2m to Mono Marine Corporation Nigeria Limited owned by some Air Force officers.

    The others are:

    • N15bn lavished on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters.
    • N2.5billion contracts awarded to Syrius Technologies( Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria
    • award of 7 contracts at N599,118,000.00 to Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria(DICON). Two were delivered.
  • Time to open new page in anti-graft fight – Osinbajo

    Time to open new page in anti-graft fight – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday declared that the anti-corruption fight in the country must take a new turn for it to succeed.

    Osinbajo stated this at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop for justices and judges, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

    He said that the administration was reviving the entire anti-corruption system for speedy dispensation of justice.

    “We are re-jigging the entire system; the Chief Justice of the Federation has laid down the rules and he has encouraged everyone to follow suit.

    “There is no question at all that this is the time for us to open a new page in the entire anti-corruption fight.’’

    The Vice President, who expressed joy that the judiciary was on board, assured of the executive’s support in ensuring effective investigation of cases and speedy dispensation of justice.

    According to him, this is a collaborative venture of all, and the executive, judiciary and legislature must see this as a fight for the soul of our nation.

    Osinbajo hailed the CJNs new initiatives and the practice directions issued by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in the Administration of Justice Act.

    He further commended the recent Supreme Court decision which stopped the dilatory tactics of staying proceedings in criminal cases on account of interlocutory applications.

    Osinbajo observed that all the nations that succeeded in winning the war against graft had to change their administration of justice system as well as the methods of investigation and trial of corruption cases.

    “Investigations must be conducted properly and thoroughly, not on the pages of newspapers, but before cases go to court, so that when such cases reach the court; what is presented will be the best possible case that the prosecution can present.

    “Most of the countries that have successfully dealt with corruption have had to dispense with needless technicality and focused on the offence.

    “In the case of public officers, they recognise that there can be no real explanation for a public officer whose pay is public knowledge to have cash and assets several times more than his earnings, let alone his savings.

    “If somebody earns in excess of what he should possibly even save in several lifetime, freeing him technically can never make sense, it will always seem that something has gone wrong with the system,’’ he stated.

    The Vice President also noted that most countries recognised that even the whole process of decision making must make sense“ otherwise it would undermine the very fundamentals of judiciary and justice.’’

    “If the fundament of justice is undermined, everything is undermined,’’ he said.

    According to Osinbajo, the misery and loss of lives on account of corruption far exceeds that of any other single crime, adding “if you look at the extent of damage caused by corruption it surely is a crime against humanity”.

    He noted that “impunity seems magnified when the trial of alleged perpetrators of corruption never seems to end.

    “And that such individuals can afford the best legal assistance only deepens the course of hopelessness that the corrupt will never be punished.’’

    The Vice President noted that the Boko Haram insurgency also escalated because of the diversion of funds meant to prosecute the war.

    He added that the reason the country did not build any new infrastructure in the last six years in spite of the huge oil revenue was because of corruption by government officials.

    “Corruption threatens our security, health, education and even our corporate existence,’’ he said, adding that it was the reason that Garvey, a global health fund for the vaccine provision in developing countries, withdrew support for Nigeria for alleged mismanagement of funds between 2011 and 2013.

    He stated that the country had to refund $2.2 million, adding that the drugs were meant to fight HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria amongst the poor.

    He said that a lot of funds in the hands of the corrupt were used to subvert justice, bribe government officials, judicial officers, media and subvert the legislature.

  • Maina probe widens as EFCC seals more houses

    Maina probe widens as EFCC seals more houses

    Senators seek sack of Malami, Dambazau, others

    How did wanted civil servant Abdulrasheed Maina sneak into Nigeria? Who gave him the police and other security personnel he had?

    These are some of the questions in government and security circles, following the scandal sparked by Maina’s reinstatement and promotion.

    The dismissed chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team has been in the country in the last six months after sneaking in. He is wanted for alleged N2b pension funds fraud.

    His police and other security personnel have been withdrawn.

    More queries were said to have been issued yesterday to all those implicated in Maina’s reinstatement.

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, Maina was “smuggled into the country from Dubai (UAE) by some powerful forces”.

    The source said a review of the suspect’s itinerary indicated that he had been under “Special Protection” in the last six months.

    The source said: “It is still a puzzle to the government on how a suspect, who was watch-listed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and placed on Red Alert by the INTERPOL, beat security system to return to the country from Dubai.

    “Relevant agencies are probing clues on how Maina had stayed in the country unnoticed in the last six months with police details and some security attaches.

    “What happened was a breach of the nation’s security, a slap on inter-agency cooperation, and a pointer to some compromise.”

    The source, who pleaded not to be named, listed the puzzles:

    • From which point of entry did Maina enter Nigeria?
    • Who authorised police details for Maina?
    • When and how did he apply for police details?
    • Which agency provided security personnel for the dismissed deputy director?
    • Who put Maina in a safe house before his resumption?

    Responding to a question, the source added: “President Muhammadu Buhari is really angry by the turn of things; he is not taking the issue lightly. He was so furious that he wanted to clean up the system on Monday but he decided to give all those implicated the benefit of the doubt.

    “This is why you can see everyone in a panic mood. No one knows the mindset of the President. We are all in suspense.”

    As at press time, there were indications that Maina had been stripped of his police and security details. Besides, his whereabouts remain unknown. It was not immediately clear who ordered the withdrawal of the police and other security personnel.

    But fresh facts emerged yesterday that more queries had been issued to all public officers and institutions connected with the reinstatement of Maina.

    A government official, who pleaded for anonymity spoke of how more officials and agencies had been directed to explain their roles in the “deal” which led to Maina’s recall.

    “The Presidency is digging deeper on this issue. I am sure all those complicit will pay for it,” the source said.

    A letter from the Ministry of Interior indicated that Maina resumed duty on September 28 but his resumption was not communicated to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation till October 16.

    The letter, which was signed by Deputy Director(Permanent Secretary’s Office),  Salihu A. Bala for the Permanent Secretary, said:  “I am directed to acknowledged(sic) the receipt of your letter Ref. No. 4029.82/Vol. III/ 179 of 18th September, 2017 on the above subject and inform you that the reinstated officer, Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, Deputy Director(Administration) has resumed duty at the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, 28th September 2017. Please, accept the assurances of the Permanent Secretary’s warm regards.”

    The presidency has directed all the key actors and agencies implicated in Maina’s recall to stop passing the buck.

    The directive affects all the ministers “implicated”, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, government officials and agencies.

    “No one is allowed to either issue a statement or talk officially to the press until the investigation is concluded,” a source said.

    Read Also: Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

     

  • EFCC seals Maina’s properties in Kaduna

    The embattled former chairman of the Presidential Pension Reform Task team, Abdulrasheed Maina, appeared to be in more trouble, as armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have sealed five houses allegedly belonging to him in Kaduna.

    Sealed are a two storey shopping plaza at number 2C Ibrahim Taiwo road, a one storey duplex at Katuru Road and another property at Kasi new extension.

    The Nation learnt that, the operation which began Monday,  continued yesterday.

    An official of the commission told reporters that more properties belonging to Maina are still being identified and may be sealed.

    One of the buildings was marked “EFCC Keep Off’, Subject of Investigation’.

    An official of the commission in Kaduna, Ibrahim Kamal, confirmed that, so far, the commission had identified six properties belonging to Maina, including two companies which were sealed.

    He said one of the houses is on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, is another on Katuru, off Warrior Road while four are located on Kano Road by Kawo extension.

  • Maina has case to answer with ex-HoS Oronsaye, two others – EFCC

    Maina has case to answer with ex-HoS Oronsaye, two others – EFCC

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday directed that controversial civil servant Abdulrasheed Maina be fired.

    Maina, former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team was restored and made director after being on the run for an alleged N2b scam, among others.

    Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami directed the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to reinstate Maina, The Nation learnt.

    It was also learnt that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, did not make any input into Maina’s reinstatement. In fact, sources said, Mrs. Oyo-Ita advised against Maina’s  recall, but she was overruled.

    Instead of allowing Mrs. Oyo-Ita to determine Maina’s fate, some top officials of the Ministry of Interior were made members of a committee which recommended his reinstatement.

    The officials were members of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior.

    Also yesterday, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives stormed Maina’s Abuja home ahead of the legal battle for the interim forfeiture of the $2million house.

    The agency said Maina still had a case to answer with a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye and two others.

    The details of who authorised Maina’s return were contained in a letter of reinstatement sent to the wanted officer by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

    Those in Maina’s camp allegedly released the letter to prove that the Federal Government followed “due process” in recalling him to duty.

    The September 18 letter was also sent to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

    Related: Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    The letter, signed by Mustapha L. Sulaiman for the FCSC chairman, indicated that the AGF advised the FCSC that Maina should be reinstated.

    The letter said: “Kindly refer to the Attorney-General of the Federation/ Honourable Minister of Justice letter Ref. No. HAGF/FCSC/2017/ VOL. 1/3 dated 27th April 2017 requesting Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to give consequential effect to the judgment that voided the warrant of arrest issued against A.A. Maina which formed the basis for the query and his eventual dismissal.

    “Further to the aforementioned letter, the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) at its meeting held on 14th June, 2017 deliberated on the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF’s) letter and requested the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) vide letter FC.4029/82/VOL.III/160 of 21st June 2017 to advise the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior to consider the AGF’s letter, the Officer’s case and make appropriate recommendation to the Commission.

    Maina recall

    “The OHCSF accordingly advised the Ministry of Interior to consider the matter. The Ministry of Interior at its Senior Staff Committee (SSC)’s meeting held on 22nd  June, 2017 considered the disciplinary case against the Officer and the letter by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice seeking the reinstatement of the Officer as a Director (Administration), SGL. 17 in the Federal Civil Service.

    “The Ministry of Interior’s Senior Staff Committee (SSC) deliberated on the case and recommended that Mr. Maina be reinstated into the service as Deputy Director. SGL. 16. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) vide letter Ref. No. HCSF/LU/ COR/ FCSC/749/III/ 135 dated 14th August 2017 forwarded the recommendations of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior to the FCSC for further necessary action.

    “The FCSC at its meeting held on Wednesday, 16th August, 2017 considered the letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the recommendations of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior on the disciplinary case against Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, Deputy Director (Administration), Salary Grade Level 16.

    “The FCSC, thereafter, approved the reinstatement of the Officer into the Service with effect from 21st February, 2013(being the date he was earlier dismissed from Service).

    “The FCSC also approved for the Officer to sit for the next promotion examination to the Post of Director (Administration), SGL. 17.”

    Trending: Revealed: AGF Malami ordered Maina’s recall

     

    In the letter, which was sent also to Mrs Oyo-Ita, the FCSC only added a clause as follows: “You are kindly requested to deliver the attached original letter to the Officer, please.”

    Giving insights into how Maina was reinstated, some top government sources said the “deal” was executed by the AGF, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and the officials of the Ministry of Interior.

    One of the government officials said: “The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation insisted that the reinstatement of Maina was absurd and illegal. She did not play any role in the entire process which led to the recall of the dismissed officer.

    “In fact, she refused to add a sentence or a line to a memo routed through her office to the so-called Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior. It is not within the mandate of the SSC to determine a grievous disciplinary case involving Maina.”

    Another official said: “When some forces were determined to bring Maina back, the Head of the Civil Service took precautionary measures and warned that the process will fail.

    “Instead, what the FCSC did was to compel the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to forward the recommendations of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior to it for further necessary action.

    “All the documents are intact and they will be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari. I am sure more heads will roll. All the SSC members have no business being in office again.”

    As at press time, detectives from the EFCC have stormed the residence of Maina ahead of the legal proceeding for the interim forfeiture of the $2million house.

    “We have deployed our detectives to Maina’s posh $2million residence at 10 Amisi Musa Street, Jabi Lake Area to effect his arrest and mark the mansion afresh as still under investigation. We had marked the residence but he had the audacity to clean up the marks.

    “Although the suspect has gone underground, we will fish him out at all costs.”

    The agency stressed that Maina and Oronsaye had a case to answer before the Federal High Court Abuja on alleged N2billion Pension funds allegedly mismanaged for biometric contracts.

    The EFCC source added the case “Maina and three others tagged FHC/ABJ/ CR/97/ 2015 dated July 10, 2015 is still ongoing”. The others are Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited.

    “The suspects are facing a 24-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence. Neither Maina nor Oronsaye has been discharged.

    “Oronsaye and two others pleaded not guilty to the charge, Maina has been on the run.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “Steve Oronsaye was only discharged by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on a separate N190 million corruption charges levelled against him. The alleged fraud was committed when Oronsaye was the chairman, Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan

    “Following a no-case submission, the trial judge ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its case against him.”

  • Does EFCC ‘torture’ detainees?

    Does EFCC ‘torture’ detainees?

    Some detainees have accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of torturing them emotionally and psychologically. But, the commission has denied the allegations. JOSEPH JIBUEZE recalls two instances of such allegations against the EFCC and its strident denial.

    A former Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr Christian Nwosu, was accused of receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke.

    After rejecting a plea bargain agreement he earlier reached with the EFCC, Justice Idris gave Nwosu the option of changing his plea to not guilty, or accepting a heavier sentence, including N10million fine as provided in the law.

    When the defendants were re-arraigned, Nwosu changed his plea to not guilty.

    Testifying in the trial within trial to determine the truthfulness of statements he made at EFCC, Nwosu said he was induced to surrender his property.

    On how he was compelled to forfeit his property, Nwosu said: “On December 28, 2016, I was invited to EFCC. I was interviewed by Mr Moses. I  made a statement of three pages. He said his boss Mr Zakari wanted to see me. Zakari said: ‘No, you have not written what I want’, that he would not take that rubbish from me.

    “He said he had signed a detention order and that he was going to keep me in custody for as long as he wanted, that even if I brought 10 lawyers or more, they would not help me, that unless I wrote what he would dictate to me, he was going to make that place my home for a very long time.

    “At this threat, I was shaking because I had never had any encounter with the police or a cell. My entire body system collapsed. My head was aching seriously. My eyeballs were heavy as if they would fall off their sockets. My health was failing me. I pleaded with him to please allow me access to my drug in my bag at the gate. He bluntly said ‘no’.

    “He told me that Adedoyin had admitted collecting N28 million and was released; that being a senior officer, there was no way I would not have benefitted N30 million (sic). He said unless I stated that I benefitted N30 million, he would dump me in the cell. I quickly told him I benefitted. He dictated to me that I should write it; I did.”

    Nwosu said he was also forced to write that he would take the EFCC operatives to the bank to make a refund of the money he received. He said he told them he had only N5 million in his account. He said an officer and two armed policemen accompanied him to the bank where he raised a draft of N4 million and handed it over to Zakari. He said Zakari asked him to bring another draft for N1 milion, which he brought on March 15.

    He said EFCC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo walked into the office and asked Zakari not to let him go, but to keep him in custody.

    “I knelt before Rotimi. He said: ‘Baba get up; I’ll only advise you to cooperate with us. He said he would not want me to go through the stress of litigation. He asked if I had landed property and cars. He said I should write out the property worth N30 million that I had. He said he would ensure that I was convicted and jailed at all cost if I didn’t cooperate,” he said.

    Nwosu said he asked to be allowed to consult with his lawyer but was told a lawyer would be provided for him to ensure his freedom.

    “I told them my wife and I have a property in Delta State and an empty plot under development. He said I should write their values. He said I should write that the money used to acquire it was the one handed to me by my former accountant and that it should be forfeited to the Federal Government. I wrote. He said I should bring the documents and picture to show the stage of the property’s development.

    “I brought the picture and handed to Zakari, who also dictated that I should write that I would forfeit them to the Federal Government, that it was from the N30 million my former accountant gave me,” he said.

    But, Head of Special Task Force at EFCC in Lagos, Usman Zakari, who also testified, said Nwosu made his statement voluntarily.

    Zakari said Nwosu gave his statement voluntarily after being cautioned and was never forced to do so. He said Nwosu also elected to make his statements without a lawyer being present.

    “He was given a bail condition to produce a surety, but he pleaded that he did not know anybody in Lagos. It was three days to new year. I took a risk and gave him bail on self-cognisance,” Zakari said.

    According to him, Nwosu also returned on March 15 and 22 and agreed to make further statements and was also cautioned. He was also granted bail on self-cognisance.

    “He was never detained until he was served with his charge sheet, because I had to produce him in court on the day of his arraignment. The statements were devoid of threat, duress or any promise whatsoever. He was never threatened or promised anything to admit to a crime,” Zakari said.

    Justice Mohamed Idris adjourned until November 2 and 15 for continuation of trial within trial.

     

    EFCC: No need to torture suspects

     

    EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu said the commission has no reason to torture suspects. He said the agency’s functions involve the use of facts and figures, which suspects are asked to explain. He denied that the commission tortures suspects in its detention centres to extract confessions. Magu said suspects who get sick are immediately taken to the commission’s clinic or referred to a hospital.

    The EFCC chairman, represented at a briefing in September last year by a Deputy Director, Mr illiyasu Kwarbai, said suspects are only detained beyond 48 hours with a court order.

    According to him, medical bills incurred by anyone in detention were borne by the commission. Suspects, he said, are fed three times daily, adding that EFCC has an open-door policy.

    “We don’t need confessional statements to gather facts and figures. We go to the banks and other places and get our facts. There is no need for us to introduce any harsh method of interrogation at all. We don’t do it,” he said.

  • Fight against corruption becoming tougher – Magu

    Fight against corruption becoming tougher – Magu

    The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, has said that the fight against corruption is becoming tougher, urging all Nigerians, including children, to use every weapon at their disposal to fight it.

    Magu said this in Lagos on Friday during the sensitisation forum on the plan to launch “EFCC – Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC) Corruption Busters”.

    He said the fight against corruption was not personal and therefore called on Nigerians, including those in Diaspora to join hands in the fight, stressing that the commission was already mobilising Nigerians outside the country for support.

    “The fight against corruption is becoming tougher. We cannot fight it alone. We want to mobilise everyone in the fight; the more people in the fight, the better.

    “I am determined in the fight against corruption. I urge other Nigerians not to get exhausted. Don’t expect anyone to thank you for fighting corruption. It is a thankless job.

    “Whatever weapons you have, use it against corruption. Use your strategic thinking; the fight must go on with or without me, it is not a personal thing.

    “The press have a lot to do in this fight. If they do more, the battle would be half solved,’’ Magu said.

    The Coordinator of CYIAC, Ms Foluke Michael, said the corruption busters would be launched on Dec. 9 to mark the UN International Anti-Corruption Day.

    Michael said that her platform was EFCC’s preventive project, stressing that the forum was a sensitisation programme targeted at the children, youths and women meeting global goals by 2030.

    She said that the CYIAC was launched in 2016 with the pilot scheme tagged; ‘My New Nigeria; Free from Corruption’, stressing that 2017 edition would kick-start with online campaign to sensitise children, youth and women.

    “The online campaign will be followed by the launch of CYIAC APP and nationwide registration portal on Nov. 1 for participants between ages 9 and 14 for category 1, and 15-25 years for category 2.

    “Participants will also be required to submit essays, short stories or creative ideas online based on the theme: `Imagine the World free from corruption’ between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15,’’ she said.

    Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise and Chairman, a steering committee for Movement Against Corruption said both organisations had endorsed CYIAC as a vehicle to reach out to children, youths and women.

    “The idea to involve young people in advocacy and fight against corruption is a movement in the right direction.

    “Corruption must be destroyed from the root in Nigeria if the sufferings of the masses will be alleviated,’’ she said.

    Some Youth Corps members, civil society groups and secondary school students in Lagos selected as CYIAC Ambassadors using arts, painting, dance and music to speak against corruption, were part of the occasion.

  • Ekiti Assembly adopts report indicting Fayemi for alleged graft

    Ekiti Assembly adopts report indicting Fayemi for alleged graft

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly has adopted a report from the Office of the Auditor General, which indicted the administrations of former governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi for alleged misappropriation of funds.

    The report detailed the Auditor-General’s queries, findings and recommendations on alleged graft and other irregularities during Oni’s and Fayemi’s administrations.

    The Assembly is also pushing for a jail term for the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for arresting and detaining the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo and Accountant General, Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi.

    Oni has declared intent to run for governor next year; Fayemi has not declared an interest but is believed to be under pressure to join the race.

    At their sitting yesterday, the lawmakers claimed that one of the firms engaged by the Fayemi administration allegedly evaded tax of N130 million. They also claimed that Oni allegedly “misused” $4,000 sent by Ekiti indigenes in the Diaspora for a purpose they did not state.

    Deputy Chief Whip, who doubles as chairman of the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, Mr. Dayo Akinleye, presented the report indicting Fayemi’s and Oni’s administrations for House adoption.

    He said: “Today, we have presented a report of the auditors to the House. It is the first ever in the history of Nigeria and the Southwest. Before now, all auditors’ reports were swept under the carpet, but we are presenting the report to the House to show that we have nothing to hide.

    “A lot of issues were raised by accountants-general and we have looked into them and made appropriate recommendations on them.

    “In the report we presented, a lot of issues were raised on the alleged misappropriation of public funds by the administrations of ex-governors Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni.

    “While some of the issues are based on alleged misuse of public funds, many were based on improper documentation.

    “In the 2015 report, as given by the auditor-general about the Fayemi’s administration, one of the issues raised, which relates to misuse of funds, is the one about the evasion of tax by one firm, which was to the tune of N130 million…”