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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC files N4.8m corruption charge against recalled judge

    EFCC files N4.8m corruption charge against recalled judge

    •Seven SANS paid Industrial Court Judge, prosecution alleges

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a N4.8million unlawful enrichment charge against Justice Agbadu James Fishim of the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    Justice Fishim is one of the five judicial officers recently recalled from suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The case has been listed for prosecution at the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, although it is yet to be assigned to a judge.

    Justice Fishim, according to the charge seen by The Nation, will face 19 count of unlawful enrichment by a public official contrary to Section 82(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

    He is said to have illegally received various amounts of money “so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”

    He is accused of unlawfully receiving the N4.8m from seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), a non-Silk and a law firm between June 2013 and August 2015 through his account domiciled in First Bank Plc.

    The SANs are Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, Paul Usoro, Uche Obi, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, Chief Gani Adetola-Kaseem, Dr. Joseph Nwobike and a ‘Dr. Banire’.

    The others are a lawyer, Enobong Etteh, and Alliance Law Firm, said to be run by Obi.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that Fagbohungbe gave the judge a total of N1.3 million in four instalments of N200,000.00, N700,000.00, N250,000 and N250,000.

    Usoro allegedly gave him N1.1 million in three tranches of N350,000.00 N400,000 and N400,000.

    The EFCC claimed that Etteh gave the judge N400,000 in two instalments of N200,00, while Adetola-Kaseem was said to have given him N100,000.

    The EFCC further claimed that Uche Obi gave Justice Fishim N250,000 while his firm, Alliance Law Firm, gave the judge the same amount.

    Akintola, according to the commission, gave the judge N500, 000 in four tranches of N200,000, N100,000, N100,000 and N100,000.

    The EFCC also said Nwobike gave the judge N150,000 and N100,000 making a total of N250,000 while Banire gave him N500,000.

    All of the alleged transactions occurred in Lagos.

    The commission has listed 16 persons including six of the lawyers as witnesses in the case.

     

  • EFCC recorded 113 convictions in six months – Magu

    EFCC recorded 113 convictions in six months – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recorded 113 convictions nationwide between January and June, its Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, said on Friday.

    Magu, according to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told stakeholders at an interactive meeting that the convictions were made possible by their contributions and support.

    The EFCC boss reportedly vowed not to spare the corrupt despite the prevailing obstacles in the anti-graft war.

    “We will not fail to bring to book those who have corruptly stolen our commonwealth and thereafter organise to destabilise the anti-corruption initiatives.

    “I will not relent, I will fight for the interest of our citizens and our children’s future,” he said.

    Magu reiterated his position that corruption is at the root of recent separatist agitations in parts of the country, and urged all patriotic Nigerians to join forces against those tendencies.

    Civil society leaders, who spoke at the forum, urged the commission to step up its awareness creation activities on the prevention of corruption.

    They urged the EFCC to create communication strategies that would motivate the masses to join the anti-corruption crusade.

    NAN

     

  • Akpobolokemi: NIMASA employees’ statements to EFCC voluntary – Court

    Akpobolokemi: NIMASA employees’ statements to EFCC voluntary – Court

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Friday ruled that statements of two ex-employees of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) — Ezekiel Agaba and Ekene Nwakuche — to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were voluntary.

    Agaba, a former Executive Director of NIMASA and Nwakuche, a Personal Assistant, had alleged that their statements to EFCC were made under duress and therefore inadmissible.

    They alleged that an EFCC investigator, Orji Chukwuma, had coerced them into writing incriminating statements during interrogation at the Commission’s office.

    Agaba and Nwakuche are arraigned alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of NIMASA and four others on a 13-count charge of conspiracy to steal, fraud and stealing of N754 million belonging to NIMASA.

    The others are Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company — Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

    They all denied the charges.

    The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, had objected to the defence counsel, Mr E.D. Onyeke’s submission that the statements were in their original form and relevant to the facts of the case.

    NAN

     

     

  • Troops to begin solidarity march for democracy across Nigeria – DHQ

    Troops to begin solidarity march for democracy across Nigeria – DHQ

    There would be movements of troops across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in support of the nation’s constitution and democracy, the Defence Headquarters announced Thursday.

    The march for democracy according to the Director of Defence Information, Major Gen John Enenche, would involve the Nigerian Army, The Nigerian Air Force, The Nigerian Navy, The Nigerian Police Force, The Brigade of Guards, The Department of States Security, DSS, The National Intelligency Agency, The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).

    Others are the Nigerian Customs Service, The Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Prisons Service, the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Federal Fire Service.

    The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA would not be left out in the march which Major Gen. Enenche, said would hold quarterly henceforth.

    Enenche however did not mention whether the march was in response to the tension generated in the polity following the alert sounded by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai that some civilians were approaching soldiers for selfish political interests, nor was it in response to the quit notice given to the Igbo ethnic group by the Arewa Youth Forum.

    Major Gen. Enenche who addressed journalists as the Chairman of the Forum of Security and Response Agencies, noted that the movement of troops throughout Nigeria would begin on 1st of July.

    Supported at the briefing by the Spokespersons of all the aforementioned agencies, Major Gen. Enenche added that the march was not just for physical fitness of members of Security and Response Agencies, but also for upholding the constitution of the country.

    Asked whether the march was in response to hate speeches that have been generating tension in the polity, Gen Enenche said no.

    He maintained that it is a corporate excersize meant to foster interaction and good understanding among the Security and Response Agencies, especially in the face of comtemporary security challenges in the country.

    Gen. Enenche said the exercize tagged “Together We Are” would be conducted on quartely basis and the slogan would be Together We Are: Protecting Lives and Property,  Ensuring Unity and Progress,  Supporting Democracy,  Upholding the Constitution, and Defending National Interests.

    Although Gen. Enenche did not disclose the routes of the solidarity march for security reasons, he however said there was no need for panic regarding the exersize.

    His words “The physical fitness of members of the Security and Response Agencies is germaine to the effectiveness of its members, especially in the face of contemporary security challenges in the Country. In the same vein, group interaction through an exercise such as route march is an enhancer of espirit de corps and harmony among members of the Security and Response Agencies.

    “It is in view of these, that a Route March Exercise titled “TOGETHER WE ARE” is to be conducted on quarterly basis involving the Military, Para Military and Security Responses Agencies in Nigeria. The slogan for the Exercise is: ”TOGETHER WE ARE ”

    a. Protecting Lives and Property.  b. Ensuring Unity and Progress.  c. Supporting Democracy.  d. Upholding the Constitution.  e. Defending National Interests.

    “Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Long Live the Security Agencies.

    ” The maiden “TOGETHER WE ARE” route march exercise will take place across the Nation on 1st July 2017. The general public is hereby notified that there will be movement of troops and other security agencies in the course of this exercise.

    ” Your cooperation and understanding is highly solicited. Be rest assured that; Together we, as members of the Security and Response Agencies in Nigeria are always there to; Protect  Lives and Property; Ensure Unity and Progress, Support Democracy, Uphold the Constitution and Defend our National interests. ”

    Gen. Enenche appealled to the media to assist in passing the right message across to Nigerians, saying at this period in the nation’s history we should be working together for the peace, progress and stability of the country.

  • How ex-Naval chiefs transferred billions into private accounts, by EFCC witness

    How ex-Naval chiefs transferred billions into private accounts, by EFCC witness

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos heard yesterday how a former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, allegedly set up a diagnostic centre with funds allegedly belonging to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

    It was at the resumed trial during which an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Tosin Owobo, testified before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court.

    He was testifying in the trial of Air Marshal Amosu and former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    The anti-graft agency accused them of converting N21 billion from NAF through various companies, namely Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo said his team’s investigation discovered an account owned by Amosu and his wife in the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in the name of Solomon Health Care.

    He said: “We discovered that it is a hospital and diagnostic centre located in Ikeja owned and operated by Amosu and his wife. Our team also visited the premises at 24, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja in Ikeja when they just started operations.

    “Some equipment were just being installed by General Electric such as MRI scanners, X-Ray Machines and other sophisticated medical equipment”, he said.

    Owobo, who had earlier testified that Amosu transferred N677 million from NAF to Delfina Oil and Gas and others between March 2014 and April 2015, said Solomon Health Care was funded with money transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas and others.

    He said that on January 16, 2015, N145 million was transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas to Solomon Health Care.

    On January 20, 2015, the sum of N45 million was transferred to Solomon Health Care, while over N93 million was transferred to the diagnostic company from Trapezites BDC (Bureau de Change) on January 30, 2015.

    The witness said that another N106 million was also transferred on to Solomon Health Care from Trapezites BDC on the same day.

    Other amounts transferred to Solomon Health Care, he said, were N55 million (April 17, 2015); N55 million (May 6 2015) from Mcallan Oil and Gas; N78 million (June 1, 2015) and N81 million (June 1, 2015) from the same company.

    He said the balance in Solomon Health Care’s account as at April 39, 2015 was N360, 640,636.25.

    Owobo said the EFCC also had cause to investigate Timsegg Investment, which he said had Gbadebo as director.

    The investigator said: “The accounts of Timsegg Investment received direct transfers from from NAF accounts. Timsegg had accounts with UBA and FCMB. We wrote the banks, and we analysed their responses and made further discoveries.”

    Owobo claimed that Gbadebo transferred N12 million from NAF Airmen Subsidy Account to Timsegg; N25 million from NAF Airport Operation Account and N20 million from NAF account on June 4, 2014.

    According to him, N10 million was transferred on July 4, 2014; N24 million (July 30, 2014); N10 million (August 29, 2014); N29 million (October 8, 2014) from NAF Jet Account and N24 million and N65million (October 8, 2014).

    Others are: N14 million from NAF Operations account on October 31, 2014; N15 million (December 2, 2014) from NAF Jet Account; N20 million (May 5, 2015) from NAF Operations Account; N19 million (May 27, 2015) from NAF account and N19 million (July 3, 2015) from NAF Operations Account.

    The funds, according to the witness, were all transferred to Timsegg’s account.

    “We discovered that most of the funds were being fixed on term basis. Upon expiration, cash withdrawals were made by Gbadebo. The funds were paid to him as his share from NAF and were for his personal use”, he said.

    Owobo said a property on 40A Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, was discovered to belong to Adigun, the second defendant, which he said was acquired with money from Delfina Oil and Gas.

    Justice Idris will rule today on an application by Oyedepo to visit some of the property allegedly acquired by the defendants which cannot be brought to court as exhibit.

    “I humbly apply for my Lord to visit the locus for the purpose of admissibility of the properties mentioned in the charges, especially those within jurisdiction”, Oyedepo prayed.

    But, defence counsel Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) opposed the application on the basis that there was no basis for it.

    Justice Idris adjourned until today for ruling.

  • How ex- NAF chiefs transferred billions to private accounts – EFCC

    How ex- NAF chiefs transferred billions to private accounts – EFCC

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Tosin Owobo, testified on Wednesday that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), allegedly set up a diagnostic centre with the funds he allegedly diverted from the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

    He was testifying in the trial of Amosu and former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    EFCC accused the ex- NAF chiefs of converting N21billion from NAF through various companies, namely Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Limited, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo said his team’s investigation led to an account owned by Amosu and his wife in United Bank for Africa (UBA) in the name of Solomon Health Care.

    “We discovered a hospital and diagnostic centre located in Ikeja owned and operated by Amosu and his wife. Our team also visited the premises at 24, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, when they just started operations.

    “Some equipment were just being installed by General Electric such as MRI scanners, X-Ray machines and other sophisticated medical equipment,” he said.

    Owobo, who had earlier testified that Amosu transferred N677million from NAF to Delfina Oil and Gas and others between March 2014 and April 2015, said Solomon Health Care was funded with money transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas and others.

    He said on January 16, 2015, N145million was transferred from Delfina Oil and Gas to Solomon Health Care.

    On January 20, 2015, the sum of N45million was transferred to Solomon Health Care, while over N93million was transferred to the diagnostic company from Trapezites BDC on January 30, 2015.

    The witness said another N106million was also transferred to Solomon Health Care from Trapezites BDC on the same day.

    Other amounts transferred to Solomon Health Care, he said, were N55million on April 17, 2015; N55million on May 6, 2015 from Mcallan Oil and Gas; N78million on June 1, 2015 and N81million on June 1, 2015 from the same company.

    He said the balance in Solomon Health Care’s account as at April 39, 2015 was N360, 640,636.25.

     

  • Gunmen shoot EFCC top investigator

    Gunmen shoot EFCC top investigator

    Some gunmen have shot a top investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Austin Okwor.

    The victim was said to be handling some sensitive cases including those involving corrupt judicial officers.

    But the EFCC said the investigator, who escaped death by the whiskers, was already responding to treatment.

    A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the incident has been reported to the police for investigation.

    The statement said:  “A top investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 24, 2017 escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen opened fire on him in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “Mr. Austin Okwor an operative in the Property Fraud Section of the EFCC Zonal office in Port Harcourt, had closed late for the day and as he left office, he was suddenly accosted by a gang of daredevil hoodlums who opened fire on him.

    “Luckily for him, he was able to shake off his assailants but not without sustaining some bullet wounds as they kept firing at him. He was rushed to a private hospital in Port Harcourt where he is receiving treatment.

    “According to Ishaq Salihu, Head of the Zonal office, the incident has already been reported to the police in Port Harcourt.

    “Okwor is one of the operatives investigating some sensitive cases including that pertaining to corrupt judicial officials.

    “Before the incident, the officer had been receiving threat messages. One of such messages which he received sometime in May 2017 was reported to the police.

    “This incident underlines the hazards which operatives of the Commission are daily exposed to in the discharge of their duties.

    “In 2010, precisely September 14, the head of the Commission’s Forensic Unit, Abdullahi Muazu was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Kaduna.

    “Six months earlier a team of prosecutors returning to Enugu after a court appearance in Owerri, Imo State was attacked by gunmen who opened fire on them. Sergeant Eze Edoga the police escort was cut down while a senior counsel with the Commission, Joseph Uzor, was critically wounded but survived.”

     

     

  • Kola Aluko’s $50.9m New York penthouse to be auctioned

    Kola Aluko’s $50.9m New York penthouse to be auctioned

    Nigerian energy businessman Kola Aluko, declared wanted by the EFCC, has been identified as the owner of Apartment 79, a penthouse apartment in One57, one of New York City’s most expensive residential buildings.

    However, the apartment would be sold to the highest bidder by a Luxembourg based Banque Havilland, in a foreclosure auction in July, the New York Post reported.

    The penthouse sale is seen as the most expensive foreclosure in New York City.

    Aluko, 48, is believed to be hiding out on his yacht, which he rented to Jay Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for 900,000 dollars a week.

    The energy businessman, who is a friend of stars such as Jay Z and Jamie Foxx, has not been seen for a while, which has sparked rumours that he is hiding away on his yacht, which was last registered in the Bahamas in May.

    Aluko was reportedly last seen in Hong Kong in May and his yacht is currently in the Bahamas, according to the report.

    His bank has also listed the yacht, the Galactica Star, as collateral in the foreclosure, but the yacht is ‘out of range’ at the moment.

    Aluko rented the Galactica Star to Jay Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for 900,000 dollars a week and allegedly showed up at the Ja Rule Fyre Festival in the Bahamas in late April with his yacht.

    The businessman is also close friends with Leonardo DiCaprio and made a large donation to DiCaprio’s environmental charity as well as attended the actor’s birthday party in New York City in 2013.

    The energy tycoon sold a 2.4-acre estate in Montecito, California, to Gwyneth Paltrow for an undermarket 4.9million dollars.

    In 2012, he bought an 11,478-square-foot house in Bel Air for 24.5 million dollars, then sold the property in 2016 for 21.5 million dollars.

    He also owns a home in Beverly Hills that was also purchased in 2012 for 14.7 million dollars.

    Aluko is also avoiding Nigerian authorities who tried to freeze his assets in February as part of a money-laundering probe.

    Apartment 79 was sold to a Aluko in December 2014 for 50.9million dollars, making it the eighth most expensive unit in the building, according to New York City property records.

    Less than a year later however, he took out a 35.5million dollars mortgage from Banque Havilland in Luxembourg to help pay for the apartment.

    When Aluko failed to pay the loan back a year later, the bank took possession of the 6,420-square-foot apartment, according to court documents.

    Now the bank is planning to auction off the four-bedroom apartment on July 19 to regain the mortgage plus interest.

    “It’s probably the most-expensive foreclosure we’ve ever seen in luxury development. I don’t know of a foreclosure that’s larger than that,” Donna Olshan, president of high-end Manhattan brokerage Olshan Realty Inc., told newsmen.

    One57 was built by Extell Development Co. and was the tallest residential building in Manhattan until 432 Park Ave was completed a few months later.

    Construction started on the building in 2009 and finished in 2014, creating a trend of similar ultra-luxury high-rises on 57th street, which has now been coined ‘Billionaire’s Row’.

    Amenities in the building include a 24-hour doorman and concierge, fitness center, yoga studio, private dining room, catering kitchen, library, valet service and on-site parking.

  • NITDA seeks EFCC’s partnership to tackle IT fraud by MDAs

    THE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) have collaborated  to strengthen anti-graft war, especially on the procurement of Information Technology (IT) products and service among the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

    Its Director-General, Dr. Isa Pantami, who spoke when he led the agengy’s management team to EFCC Headquarter in Abuja, said the alliance has become imperative in the face of wanton corruption being perpetrated by MDAs, especially in the procurement of IT products and services as most of the projects pass through less scrutiny during budget defence at the National Assembly because of the expertise required to ascertain the needs and specifications of IT requirements.

    “Many MDAs consider IT projects  as conduit pipes to siphon public funds and I believe partnering EFCC will bring sanity to the sector and by then the commission will be empowering NITDA in strengthening its regulatory function through which it will also be developing  and promoting the local content in the IT sector,” the NITDA chief said.

    Dr Pantami said the two organisations could form a working group, which would also serve as a desk to deal with sharp practices in the IT procurement, adding that the EFCC may help in asking MDAs to produce procurement clearance issued by the NITDA in the course of investigations.

    The NITDA,  as IT regulatory body in the country, he said,  is responsible for subjecting IT product to value-for-money analysis, reduce projects duplication, justify the spending of public funds on IT projects and advise MDAs on the alternative options of IT products and service with a view of reducing cost, especially on sharing of software among themselves.

    To Pantami, the alliance would strengthen existing relationship between the two organisations, adding that “supporting NITDA would go a long way in blocking loopholes in IT procurements”.

    He commended the EFCC’s Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, for his doggedness, fearlessness and outstanding performance, which he displayed in acting capacity, saying the feat could take some people 20 years to achieve as substantive chairman of the commission.

    Pantami said Nigeria needs fearless people like Magu who do not think of the consequences of their action to move forward as a nation

    Magu assured Pantami that the EFCC would accede to NITDA’s request so as to bring some level of sanity to the procurement of IT products and services among MDAs in the country.

    He described the partnership as timely, especially now that the Commission is in the process of completely digitalising its operation, adding that he will consult with the NITDA on IT projects under investigations.

    Describing corruption as a threat to the unity of Nigeria, Magu said the Commission cannot fight corruption alone without the consensus of all, urging the citizens not to lose hope because of corruption case judgments delivered in courts.

    Magu said the cause of agitations from different quarters in the country today is because of corruption that has ravaged the nation. “Absolutely there is a political will to fight corruption and this is not in doubt. This is the time to save this country from the shackles of corruption,” he said.

  • N49m intercepted at Kaduna Airport has been forfeited to FG —EFCC

    N49m intercepted at Kaduna Airport has been forfeited to FG —EFCC

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that, nobody has come to claim ownership the N49 million discovered at the Kaduna International Airport in March. Meanwhile, the Commission said it has gotten an interim court injunction for the money to be forfeited to the Federa government.

    It will be recalled that, EFCC on Monday 13th March, 2017 discovered and intercepted an abandoned sum of N49 million in N200 and N50 mint notes at the Kaduna International Airport. The money consisting of N40 million in N200 notes and N9 million in N50 notes were wrapped in NSPM polythene wrappers and packed into five sacks. Two sacks contained only N200 notes, two sacks others had N200 and N50 notes, while the third sack contained only N50 notes.