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Tag: EFCC

  • Nyako gets court’s permission to travel abroad for treatment

    Nyako gets court’s permission to travel abroad for treatment

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday granted former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    The court also granted Mr. Zulkifik Abba, who is the 3rd defendant in the suit, permission to travel abroad.

    Justice Okon Abang gave the permission after hearing two applications filed by Nyako and Abba’s counsel seeking permission to travel abroad.

    Justice Abang, in his ruling, said he granted the application since the prosecuting counsel raised no objection.

    The judge added that he was inclined to grant the permission because Nyako, Abba and other defendants were always in court for their trial.

    He said: “The 1st defendant has not taken any step to truncate or frustrate his trial; and has always conducted himself well and obediently before the court.

    “In the case of the 3rd defendant, he has been granted leave to travel abroad before and he honoured the conditions given him by the court, especially by returning his international passport to the court authority as ordered.

    “I have no reasons at all to doubt the sincerity of the 1st defendant in travelling abroad for medical check-up and the 3rd defendant to see his family overseas.

    “I am inclined to grant the two applications and therefore make the following consequential orders.

    “The Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is ordered to temporarily release the international passport of Nyako to enable him travel to Germany for a routine medical check-up.

    “The passport of the 3rd defendant should be released to enable him travel to the United Kingdom to see his children who are citizens there.”

    Justice Abang ordered that the two defendants shall return their passports to the chief registrar on or before September 25.

    He adjourned the matter till September 25 for continuation of trial.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 7, 2015, arraigned Nyako on a 37-count charge of money laundering.

    He was arraigned along with his son, Abdulaziz, who is a serving senator, Zulkifikk Abba, Abubakar Aliyu and five firms.

    The EFCC alleged that Nyako and his co-defendants diverted N29 billion belonging to the Adamawa State Government.

    NAN

     

  • EFCC recovers N328.9bn from Total, Mobil, Conoil, six others

    EFCC recovers N328.9bn from Total, Mobil, Conoil, six others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Office, has recovered a total sum of N328, 988,296,990.62 from nine major oil marketers across the country.

    The retail marketers are – NNPC retails, Conoil Plc, Total Plc, OVH Energy Plc, Oando Plc, Forte Oil and Gas Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc and NIPCO Oil Plc.

    The recovery followed a petition against the leadership of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

    According to a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the breakthrough was the consequence of an investigation into alleged diversion of N40 billion by the affected marketers.

    The statement said: “The petition alleged that a whooping sum of N40 billion had been diverted by the major oil marketers in connivance with the leadership of the NNPC and PPMC.

    “The EFCC in a swift reaction referred the petition to a special task force who swung into action by conducting discrete investigation.

    “Findings by the operatives of the EFCC revealed that the oil marketers were actually indebted to the Federal Government of Nigeria to the tune of N91, 519,485,204.44 between 2010 and 2016.

    “Further investigation into the allegation also revealed that the oil marketers had continued to obtain petroleum products from the government without proper payment, in violation of the NNPC/PPMC credit facility regulations.

    “The probe further led to the discovery of N258,928,926,351.93. Following the latter discovery, the total amount of debt stands at N349,818,411,556.37.

    “Upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, officials of NNPC/PPMC and all the managing directors of the concerned companies which are NNPC retails, Conoil Plc, Total Plc, OVH Energy Plc, Oando Plc, Forte Oil and Gas Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc, and NIPCO Oil Plc were invited to the Kano Zonal Office of the Commission where their statements were recorded following which the recovery process commenced.

    “So far, a sum of N328,988,296,990.62 has been recovered from the major oil marketers.

    “The outstanding debt now stands at N20,765,919,869.”

  • Diezani $1.7b deals: EFCC sends more proof to UK

    Diezani $1.7b deals: EFCC sends more proof to UK

    UK, US, EFCC to harmonise investigations

    Two Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives have been dispatched to the United Kingdom (UK) with more evidence in the investigation of former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, The Nation learnt at the weekend.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s  latest trouble borders on the uncovering of $1.7billion contracts involving her and two business associates.

    Mrs Alison-Madueke, who has temporarily forfeited some assets, may lose  five more. The assets are under verification.

    The anti-graft agency is also investigating the ex-minister on the whereabouts of $15.8billion NLNG dividends.

    She is being investigated alongside some former officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), which is the upstream arm of the NNPC in charge of oil exploration and production.

    But the United States, the UK, the EFCC and other agencies in some jurisdictions may harmonise the investigations.

    A source in EFCC said: “You know the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the United States released the details of the underhand deals surrounding the oil contracts bordering on the implication of the ex-Minister and two associates -Chief Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko.

    “What the DOJ released was just a fraction of corruption-related allegations against Mrs. Alison-Madueke. More revelations will soon be out from the EFCC and after the outcome of the investigation by the National Crime Agency( NCA) in the UK.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The EFCC has gone far in probing the whereabouts of about $15.8billion NLNG dividends  between 2000 and 2014.

    “In an audit report sent to EFCC by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative( NEITI), it was indicated that ‘it is doubtful if the entire $15.8 billion due from 2000 to 2014 is still intact’.

    “The funds were neither paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation nor the Federation Account.

    “Also, about  $7.85 billion out of the dividends was allegedly withdrawn in 2011 under the guise of funding Brass LNG Project.”

    Five more choice properties belonging to the former minister are said to have been identified.

    “We are trying to verify these assets and they will soone be confiscated in line with Section 7 of the EFCC Act,” another source, lwho pleaded ,not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation said.

    Section 7  states: “The commission has power to (a) cause any investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organisation has committed any offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.

    “(b) Cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”

    Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke the Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.

    “Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.’

    Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part : “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.

    (2)  Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”

    EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu is in Port Harcourt for what a source described as a “morale booster”trip following the recent shooting of an official.

    Magu, who arrived in Port Harcourt last night,  would also inspect some seized assets.

    The source added: “There are many high-profile suspects from Rivers-Bayelsa axis whose properties have been seized. Those concerned are ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan, some former presidential aides and Diezani, among others.

    “The EFCC chairman will assess some of the seized assets. We have already handed over some of the assets to some firms to manage.

    “Apart from meeting critical stakeholders, Magu will also pay a morale booster visit to to some staff in the Port Harcourt zone who are constantly being attacked, harassed and intimidated”.

  • Alleged threat to life: Adoke drags FG , EFCC before UN Human Rights Committee

    Alleged threat to life: Adoke drags FG , EFCC before UN Human Rights Committee

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has filed a petition before the UN Human Rights Committee(UNHRC) against the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing them of threatening his life.

    He said the government and the anti graft agency have embarked on  unmitigated acts of persecution, intimidation, harassment, threat of deprivation right to life, unlawful interference with right to family life and livelihood as well as filing of phantom criminal charges against him.

    He said some powerful forces were using state agencies, especially EFCC, because he resisted the use of his office for the control of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and the proceeds from the disposal the of the assets of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited held in OPL 245, to Shell and ENI.

    Adoke in the petition  which was filed by a solicitor, Mr. Femi Oboro, pleaded with the UNHRC to “ expeditiously consider the complaint and make its ruling and recommendations public” in order to end his persecution.

    The solicitor, in a statement distributed to reporters,  said Adoke has been unable to take care of his aged father.

    His words: “Mr. Mohamed Bello Adoke SAN is constraint to adopt this measure as a last resort aimed at protecting his right to life, right to family life and livelihood since the Nigerian authorities have taken measures to deprive him the opportunity to earn a decent livelihood since leaving office.

    “His constant harassment and raids on his home coupled with unmitigated media campaign have prevented him from practising his profession, attending to the needs of his family, particularly to his wife and children, attending to his aged father and other relations that depend on him for their sustenance.”

    Oboro said althoughAdoke has engaged appropriate authorities in the country, the state is bent on persecuting him,adding: “My client has taken reasonable steps to engage with appropriate Nigerian authorities such as the Office of the President, Vice President, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Director- General of the Department of State Security Services and the Chairman of the EFCC to explain his plight.

    “But it appears that the state through its agencies, especially the EFCC,  is bent on persecuting and humiliating him in order to satisfy the whims and caprices of some powerful families and political associates of the present administration intent on punishing him for refusing to allow his office to be used to further their personal interests especially with respect to the ownership and control of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and the proceeds from the disposal the of the assets of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited held in OPL 245, to Shell and ENI.

    “The complaint will afford the UNHRC the opportunity to apprise Nigeria’s criminal justice system, the operational modalities of law enforcement agencies such as the EFCC, the Constitutional mandate of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, on whether such agencies and persons are conducting their operations in accordance with human right standards and norms applicable to civilized democratic societies and/or they can be allowed to ride rough shod over the rights and liberties of citizens under the guise of fighting corruption.

    “We expect the UNHRC to expeditiously consider the complaint and make its ruling and recommendations public in order to end my Clients persecution and once more provide an enabling environment for Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN to enjoy his family, return to the practice of his profession and assume his roles as the bread winner for his immediate and extended family.”

  • EFCC to file appeal against acquital of Ngilari, set to sanitise depots

    EFCC to file appeal against acquital of Ngilari, set to sanitise depots

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) is heading to the Supreme Court to seek the reversal of the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of a former Adamawa State governor, Bala Ngilari on corruption related charges. The anti-graft agency sees the judgment as a travesty of justice.

    The EFCC in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren,yesterday said ‘pundits’ consider the decision of the Appellate Court as “shocking, and the last thing that the current war against corruption being spearheaded by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, needs.” “It is curious that Justice Omoleye, delivering the ruling, alluded to the fact that Ngilari was not “a procurement entity” and that as a former governor cannot be charged “as if he was an ordinary procurement officer.

    “The Commission has therefore resolved to appeal the ruling, because the EFCC believes that the judgment is a travesty of justice.” Ngilari was prosecuted by the EFCC along with Ibrahim Andrew Walye, his former secretary, and Sanda Jonathan Lamorde, his finance commissioner for allegedly approving a contract in favour of El-Yadi Motors Limited to the tune of N167,812,500 for procurement of 25 vehicles without following due process.

    Justice Nathan Musa who first tried Ngilari had sentenced him to five years in prison on all the counts without an option of fine,saying in his ruling: “All the allegations are criminal in nature, and the onus of proof is on the prosecution to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, as well as it is clearly indicated that the provision of the Adamawa State Bureau for Public Procurement Law 2013 was violated in the award of the contract.”

    The EFCC said:“Rather than allow the rule of law to reign supreme, Ngilari secured a suspicious bail hinged on a letter sighting his “bad health situation”. “The emergence of the letter, itself was shrouded in suspicion and controversy, as the Controller of the Nigeria Prison Service, Adamawa Command, reportedly expressed ignorance of the letter. This subsequently incurred the wrath of the authorities at the prison, which issued query to officials involved.” Meanwhile, the Acting chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu said the commission will sanitize all petroleum depots in the country. He asked the Nigerian Products Marketing Company (formerly Pipelines and Products Marketing Company), to initiate new thinking in order to bring sanity into the sector.

    Magu made the disclosure while receiving senior management staff of the organization on a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters. The EFCC boss, while commending the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Umar Adiya over his appointment, described the sector as ‘critical’ to the country’s economy. Magu said: “I am happy to see you here. This sector is critical. I assure you that we have intelligence on the activities in the depots and we will soon sanitize it. We have a strategy to check the fraudulent activities in the depots. We will partner with you to put your house in order.”

    He said the Commission would not mind raising joint teams that will, from time to time, deal with established cases of malfeasance. He said the EFCC has the “capacity to help the NPMC fight corruption in the downstream sector of the oil industry.” Adiya praised the commission for its giant strides towards eradicating corruption in the country. He said the visit was necessary as the EFCC was one of the stakeholders of the Company. He said: “We felt that any corporate system should identify with stakeholders that can help run their system.

    The EFCC is one of our stakeholders. We are here to appreciate your tremendous support to us at NPMC, especially in the area of revenue leakages. “We are also here to show our support and cooperation as we move forward in what you are doing for us particularly. As for my team, we are spread all over Nigeria, especially, inland deport where we sell products to the entire market. “From time to time, we will not hesitate to call on you for further support when we encounter difficulty that might require your intervention.”

  • Senators to fast-track NFIU

    Senators to fast-track NFIU

    A bill which aims to separate the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) scaled first reading in the Senate yesterday.

    This is coming less than 24 hours after the upper chamber raised the alarm over the suspension of Nigeria by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Unit.

    The Bill, sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), seeks to create autonomous NFIU, which will not be domiciled in the EFCC.

    The move to create an independent NFIU is line with the demand of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Unit which had given the country December 2017 deadline to comply or risk expulsion from the group.

    The Senate had on Wednesday debated the suspension of Nigeria from the Egmont Group for failing to grant autonomy to the NFIU.

    The upper chamber declared its intention to give an accelerated hearing to the Bill to ensure that the NFIU becomes independent before the December 2017 deadline given by Egmont Group.

    Shortly after the Bill scaled first reading, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, directed the Business and Rules Committee to ensure that the Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on Tuesday next week.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi told reporters that the Senate does not want anybody to doubt the supportive role of the upper chamber to the fight against corruption in the country.

    The Senate Abdullahi said, has its own input to make to ensure the success of the anti-graft war.

    He noted that for any anti-graft agency to succeed in its task, it must share intelligence report with sister agencies in the world.

    He said: “Our worry is that Nigeria was suspended from the Egmont Group basically because NFIU has not been granted autonomy and still domiciled in EFCC. The essence of it is that in sharing intelligence, there are protocols that must be respected. The Senate is committed to ensuring that the right thing is always done. We must be proactive. If you strengthen the NFIU you are strengthening other intelligence units in the country.”

  • Justice Nganjiwa seeks court’s approval for foreign training

    Justice Nganjiwa seeks court’s approval for foreign training

    Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Bayelsa Division, who is facing a $260,000 and N8.65 million (about N81,705,000) corruption charge, on Thursday applied for court’s permission to travel abroad for training.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 23 arraigned the judge before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on a 14-count charge of unlawful enrichment and making of false statement to EFCC officials.

    Justice Nganjiwa pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self- recognizance due to his status as serving judge.

    Justice Akintoye, however, directed him to deposit his passport in the court’s custody and adjourned till October 6 for trial.

    She also urged the judge “to present himself for trial for the entire duration of trial.”

    But, Justice Nganjiwa, through his counsel, I. B Mohammed, brought a motion on notice before Justice K .O. Dawudu of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, seeking permission to travel abroad for a training programme.

    However, hearing of the motion was stalled after Mohammed told Justice Dawudu, a vacation judge, that the EFCC refused service of the hearing notice.

    Mohammed alleged that the court’s Sheriff tried to effect service on the anti- graft agency at its Ikoyi, Lagos office, on July 19, as ordered by the court, but was rebuffed by a legal officer.

    He said the officer declined service, saying he could only accept the processes if he was so instructed by the prosecutor handling the case.

    The prosecuting EFCC counsel during Justice Nganjiwa’s arraignment was Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo.

     

  • Senate begins move to separate NFIU from EFCC

    Senate begins move to separate NFIU from EFCC

    •How false petition led to Nigeria’s suspension

    Senators yesterday began moves to make the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) independent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Comission (EFCC).

    The Senate Committee on EFCC is to articulate a bill within four weeks for the immediate autonomy of NFIU, which is domiciled in the EFCC.

    The decision was taken after a debate on Nigeria’s suspension from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.

    The Senate blamed Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, Interior Minister Abdulrahman Danbazzau and EFCC Acting Chair Ibrahim Magu for Nigeria’s suspension.

    The Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units provides the backbone for monitoring international money laundering activities across the world.

    The Senate also said it was ready to do everything necessary to reverse Nigeria’s suspension moreso when “the group warned that if Nigeria fails to comply with the group’s demands for a legal framework granting autonomy to the NFIU by January 2018, the country will be expelled from the global body”.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Financial Crimes, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), moved a motion on “dire implications of the suspension of Nigeria from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units”.

    The Senate said it was concerned that in view of the “non-cooperating stance of the executive branch”, the legislative branch would have to urgently leverage its institutional mechanism to ensure that Nigeria’s suspension from the EGMONT Group was reversed.

    The upper chamber noted that it was all the more urgent, considering the December deadline given to the country to comply to avoid expulsion. Besides, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) High Level Mission to Nigeria plans a visit to the country in November 2017 to appraise Nigeria’s preparedness to be granted the status of observer and later membership of the FATF, especially with regard to the needed co-ordination by the three line ministries of Justice, Finance and Interior.

    It noted that the granting of the requisite autonomy to the NFIU has been “aggressively and progressively resisted by the EFCC.”

    The Senate added that its Committee on EFCC, in order to provide the needed autonomy for the NFIU to meet its primary mandate, technically and logistically, considered the NFIU’s budget separately from EFCC’s in the 2017 budget “but for the non-provision of budget sub-heads by the Budget Office and the reluctance of the EFCC to do the administrative necessity required”.

    Adopting the report, the Senate said it was informed that if expelled, “the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation Reviewing Group will be served a notice against Nigeria, and most countries, including the United States, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, etc., would alert their financial institutions and services through the issuance of advisories such as the Financial Criminal Enforcement Network Advisory and Foreign Assets and Cash Directive, to warn them to apply extra care and diligence in transacting with Nigeria and Nigerians.”

    The Senate resolved to:

    *pass a law creating a substantive and autonomous Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, and make the Unit legally and operationally autonomous with powers for the employment, reward, training, promotion and discipline of its workforce independently;

    *empower the NFIU to, in line with international best practices, exchange and relate with all countries on issues affecting its mandate at the bilateral and multi-lateral levels;

    *urge the three Line ministries of Justice, Finance and Interior to do all within their powers to ensure that Nigeria’s suspension is immediately reversed and ensure that all conditions specified by the EGMONT Group are met to re-admit and improve Nigeria’s standing within the Group while increasing their levels of cooperation and co-ordination to ensure that Nigeria achieves membership of FATE; and

    “urge the Executive branch to include in any supplementary budget estimate that may be presented to the National Assembly before the end of the year a separate budget for the NFIU in view of the need to lift the suspension of Nigeria as soon as possible.

    The Senate also noted  ”the meddlesomeness of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC in the affairs of the NFIU by his interference in the operations and staffing of the Unit leading to the departure of many competent hands; and divulging confidential information concerning the activities of the EGMONT group.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Senate would work swiftly to ensure that the suspension was lifted.

    Saraki said: “Clearly, this suspension is a setback in our fight against corruption and, as such, we must move swiftly because we cannot afford to be cut off from the EGMONT Group. We must move swiftly and ensure that this suspension is lifted. And one of the things that we need to do is to ensure that we pass this bill as soon as possible to give independence to NFIU and any of the other activities that must have led to this must be stopped. And the Committee on Anti-Corruption should carry out their oversight to ensure that the sooner we get the suspension lifted, the better for our image and the fight against corruption.”

  • Alleged fraud: Court orders temporary forfeiture of Lagos hotel

    Alleged fraud: Court orders temporary forfeiture of Lagos hotel

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of Victoria East Park Hotel and Suites on Igbogbo-Mayegun Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, to the Federal Government, over an alleged N53.7 million fraud.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor authorised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize the hotel for 21 days to enable it conclude its investigation of the alleged fraud.

    The order followed an ex parte application filed by the EFCC, stating that the hotel was acquired with proceeds of fraud by one Ebiesuwa Fredrick.

    The anti-graft agency accused Fredrick of being the ringleader of a fraudsters’ syndicate in Ibadan and with accomplices in Lagos.

    EFCC counsel, Ayanfeoluwa Ogunsina, said the commission sought to take over the hotel in order to prevent it from being disposed of while investigation was ongoing.

    Ogunsina said the EFCC was investigating Fredrick and other members of his alleged syndicate who were still at large, following a petition from one Dunni Olagbegi, who claimed to have been defrauded of N53.7million by the suspects.

    An EFCC investigating officer, Chris Odofin, who deposed to an affidavit filed in support of the application, accused the suspects of hypnotizing their victims.

    He said: “The antics of these fraudsters include luring people into their criminal den where they present one of them as a pastor, hypnotize their victims, make the victims take an oath never to reveal what they say or do and then use all sorts of deceitful methods to collect money from the victims.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the respondent (Fredrick) is a member of the syndicate of fraudsters that specialise in duping unsuspecting members of the society and have duped several people through this means and are still on the prowl, seeking more people to devour.

    “The respondent and some members of his syndicate are based in Ibadan while they also have accomplices in Lagos.

    “They launder the proceeds of their criminal activities through acquisition of landed properties within and outside Ibadan with a view to legitimizing and integrating their ill-gotten wealth into the mainstream economy, despite the fact that they have no legitimate sources of income.”

    Justice Obiozor, in a bench ruling, granted the application.

    The judge directed the anti-graft agency to paste the court’s order in a conspicuous place within the hotel premises.

    He adjourned further proceedings in the case till August 9.

  • Senator allegedly embezzled N47billion while a Governor

    Senator allegedly embezzled N47billion while a Governor

    Seven lawmakers on trial for ‘money laundering’

    Eighteen senators are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N367.5billion fraud, it was learnt yesterday.

    Seven are on trial. Some of the cases date back to 10 years.

    A senator is being investigated for alleged stamp duty infractions.

    One or two Senators (outside the list) are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the N19billion and $86million London-Paris Club refund in which seven governors have been implicated.

    The Nation stumbled on a fact-sheet which indicates that 11 of the senators under investigation are from the North. The others are from the South.

    Those facing trial include two from Northcentral, three from Northwest, one from Northeast and one from Southeast.

    Those being investigated cut across the six-geopolitical zones.

    Most of the N367.5billion alleged fraud border on money laundering, misappropriation, unexecuted contracts, diversion of public funds to campaigns, and others.

    In one of the cases, a senator is being probed for alleged diversion of about N108billion while he was a governor in one of the states in the South-South.

    A senator allegedly embezzled about N47billion when he was a governor. Investigators believe he was aided by his wife and son.

    A senator is standing trial for alleged mismanagement of N1.2billion ecological funds; another allegedly diverted to other uses N1billion meant for the repair of a collapsed dam.

    The other strands of the fraud include laundering of N40billion by a senator from the North-East; diversion of N3billion to the campaign by a North-West Senator; 149-count charge of mismanagement of N15billion by a senator from the North-Central and the arraignment of a North-West senator for allegedly N52billion fraud.

    There are N9billion case involving a senator from the South-East; N2.1billion contract fraud by a member of the Upper Chamber from the South-South; N10.2billion fraud traced to a senator from the North-West and N2billion diverted funds credited to a senator from the North-Central.

    Two aides of a senator, who is being probed for alleged illegal deduction of N3.5billion from the London-Paris Club refund have been quizzed.

    Three new senators from the North-Central, South-East and South-West have been under investigation for some infractions, including alleged Stamp Duty collection fraud.

    An EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The case files of all these 18 senators are already with us. Seven of them are already on trial.

    “But, certainly, 11 others will be prosecuted at the appropriate time. It may interest you that some agencies in a few international jurisdictions are interested in some of the cases against some of these senators.

    “It might also interest you that some of these cases predated the appointment of the present Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. But since continuity is a cardinal principle of the EFCC, Magu has decided to ensure that the matters in court are pursued to logical conclusion. There is also no waiver for all cases undergoing investigation.”

    In response to a question, the source added: “Magu has no personal problem with any senator. He inherited most of these cases.”

    Meanwhile, it was learnt that some of the senators have also made a “strong case for the discontinuation of either their investigation or prosecution by the EFCC as part of the conditions for supporting  Magu.

    “In one of the lobbying sessions, a senator from the North-East said he committed no crime to have been subjected to trial by the EFCC.

    “Although a Senator from the North-Central was aggrieved, he was reported to have said: ‘I won’t block the nomination of Magu because he is probing me. I have forgiven him. But I know I did not commit any fraud and I will be vindicated in the end.”