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Tag: EFCC

$43m Ikoyi cash: NIA, NSA, CBN, EFCC shun Reps’ probe

THE suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, National Security Adviser Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele yesterday failed to honour the invitation of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

The House had given the Aminu Sani Jaji-headed committee the mandate to investigate the huge cash discovery through a resolution on April 26 and gave the committee two weeks to report to it for further legislative action.

The committee’s resolution came after President Muhammadu Buhari set up a three-man investigative panel headed by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to unravel the mystery surrounding the discovery of the amount.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction that the four parties did not communicate reasons for their absence and issued 24-hour summons to compel their appearance today.

But, Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, Wole Oke (Osun PDP), in a statement, warned of the dire consequence the probe might have on the country’s security, if not well-handled.

His statement said “the investigative hearing, its reports, findings and recommendations should be treated with utmost confidentiality. This will reduce or totally eliminate that risks of inadvertently revealing highly classified national security information to the public, foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence agents within and outside Nigeria, which could significantly hurt our national security.

“We must always avert our minds to the sacred provisions of Section 45(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), which treats interest of defence, public safety and public order with utmost primacy.”

On April 12, the EFCC uncovered local and foreign currencies totalling about 43.4 million USD, 27,800 GBP and N23.2 million in a flat located on the 7th floor of Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The money was claimed by the NIA, which eventually resulted in the suspension of its director general and constitution of a three-man investigative panel, headed by the Vice President and a resolution by the House to investigate the issue.

May 10, 2017
Alleged fraud: Suswam’s health stalls trial

The trial of former Governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, over alleged financial misappropriation before the Federal High Court, Abuja, was on Tuesday stalled on the ground of his ill health.
Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a nine- count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion.
They were alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owed by Benue Government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The offence, the EFCC said was punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.
At the resumed trial before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, counsel to Suswam, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN) informed the court that his client was currently on admission in an Abuja hospital.
According to Raji, following the detention of his client by the Department of State Services(DSS), and his release by the same authority, he took ill and is now on admission.
Raji showed a copy of the medical report from the hospital ,where Suswam was admitted, to the prosecuting counsel, Mr A.O. Atolagbe and the court.
He prayed the court for an adjournment to allow his client get the required medical treatment to enable him attend to his trial.
The prosecutor raised no objection to the application for an adjournment.
“I was informed this morning about the ill health of the first defendant, but I am yet to see the copy of his medical report.
“I can, however, now confirm that I have seen the medical report,” he said.
The judge adjourned the matter until June 21 and June 22.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Suswam’s case was on March 28, stalled because of his detention by the DSS.
His counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), had told the court that he was absent in court on that day on account of his detention.

May 9, 2017
Wike seeks order restraining DSS, EFCC from searching his homes

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS) and the police from searching his homes.
He prayed the court to declare that the search will violate his constitutionally-guaranteed immunity.
The governor accused the security agences of a witch-hunt, and an attempt to implicate him in an unspecified crime.
Wike, through his lawyer, Mr. Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN), prayed the court to determine whether Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution precludes defendants from applying for and obtaining any process of court compelling his appearance.
The governor sought an order that the defendants, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies, cannot apply for, obtain, issue, or in any way, execute any search warrant at his residence when his tenure as governor has not expired.
He also asked for an order of injunction restraining the defendants from applying for, issuing or entering his residence in Abuja, or anywhere else in Nigeria, by virtue of a search warrant or any court process, which shall compel or require his presence.
The governor asked the court to bar them from searching his apartment with a view to removing any item during his tenure as governor, since his immunity is preserved by Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.
In an affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), said he knows Wike, who was sworn in as Rivers State governor on May 29, 2015, for a four-year term.
He said the governor held a news conference on April 29, in Port Harcourt, where he said the inspector-general of Police intends to raid his (Wike’s) Abuja residence on Ortega Close, off Hassan Usman Katina Street, Asokoro Extension.
“The intendment of the raid, according to the plaintiff, is to incriminate him in an unspecified crime through the recovery of huge sums of money, firearms and expensive wristwatches.
“The plaintiff’s news conference received wide publicity in the print and electronic media. I was further informed by the plaintiff at his Hassan Usman Katsina home, about 8pm on May 1, and I do believe him, that he knows, on good authority, that the defendants had begun the process of either applying for, or obtaining, or have already obtained a search warrant to be executed at either his aforementioned residence or some other residence of his in Port Harcourt.
“I know as a fact that a search warrant is a process of court. I also know that the plaintiff or his privy, is obligated to be present during the conduct of the search at his premises.
“I further know, as a fact, that the owner of a building is obligated to give unhindered access to his premises to the defendants, while the defendants are executing a search warrant.
“If not restrained by a court order, the defendants shall proceed to execute the said search warrant,” he said.
The respondent said Wike has not committed any criminal offence, besides being vested with constitutional immunity.
“The actions of the defendant shall violate his constitutional immunity; the defendants are witch-hunting him to silence and tarnish his hard-earned reputation.
“The defendants shall lose nothing if this application is granted. I make the depositions herein in good faith, believing the facts stated herein to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” the affidavit added.

May 9, 2017
Wike seeks order restraining DSS, EFCC from searching his homes

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS) and the police from searching his homes.

He prayed the court to declare the search would violate his constitutionally-guaranteed immunity.

The governor accused the security agences of witch-hunting, and trying to implicate him in an unspecified crime.

Wike, through his lawyer, Mr. Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN), prayed the court to determine whether Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution precludes the defendants from applying for and obtaining any process of court compelling his appearance.

The governor prayed for an order that the defendants, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies, cannot apply for, obtain, issue, or in any way, execute any search warrant at his residence when his tenure as governor had not expired.

Wike sought an order of injunction restraining the defendants from applying for, issuing or entering his residence in Abuja, or anywhere else in Nigeria, by virtue of a search warrant or any court process, which shall compel or require his physical presence.

He also wants the court to bar them from searching his apartment with a view to removing any item during his tenure as Rivers State Governor, since his immunity is preserved by Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

In an affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), said he knows Wike, who was sworn in as Rivers State Governor on May 29, 2015, for a four-year term.

He said the governor held a news conference on April 29, in Port Harcourt, where he said the Inspector-General of Police intends to raid his (Wike’s) Abuja residence on Ortega Close, off Hassan Usman Katina Street, Asokoro Extension.

“The intendment of the raid, according to the plaintiff, is to incriminate him in an unspecified crime through the recovery of huge sums of money, firearms and expensive wristwatches.

“The plaintiff’s news conference received wide publicity in the print and electronic media. I was further informed by the plaintiff at his Hassan Usman Katsina home, about 8pm on May 1, and I do believe him, that he knows, on good authority, that the defendants had begun the process of either applying for, or obtaining, or have already obtained a search warrant to be executed at either his aforementioned residence or some other residence of his in Port Harcourt.

“I know as a fact that a search warrant is a process of court. I also know that the plaintiff or his privy, is obligated to be present during the conduct of the search at his premises.

“I further know, as a fact, that the owner of a building is obligated to give unhindered access to his premises to the defendants, while the defendants are executing a search warrant.

“If not restrained by a court order, the defendants shall proceed to execute the said search warrant,” he said.

The respondent said Wike has not committed any criminal offence, apart from being vested with constitutional immunity.

“The actions of the defendant shall violate his constitutional immunity; the defendants are witch-hunting him to silence and tarnish his hard-earned reputation.

“The defendants shall lose nothing if this application is granted. I make the depositions herein in good faith, believing the facts stated herein to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” the affidavit added.

May 8, 2017
EFCC and Ekweremadu’s blackmail
SIR: Last week on a national TV at 10pm, one watched the PDP caucus of the National Assembly allege that the Presidency, using the EFCC, wants to arrest Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and all other former PDP governors who are now senators as well as dissenting voices in the APC.

If one may ask, does the office of the Deputy Senate President have immunity against arrest?

From one’s reading of the relevant section of the 1999 constitution as amended, the category of public officers who are immune from arrest are the President, Vice President, governors and deputy governors.

Thus one is appalled and ashamed that our senators can be so irresponsible to resort to cheap blackmail against an agency of the state in an obviously orchestrated plot to intimidate and distract the anti graft agency from its statutory functions.

This irresponsible and irresponsive act of blackmail by our senators using the office of the Deputy Senate President is nothing but legislative rascality which stands condemned.
- Nelson Ekujumi,
<ekujuminel@yahoo.com>
May 8, 2017
Ikoyi N43.4m: FG may seize Osborne Towers apartment
•Lobbyists storm Villa for SGF, NIA DG
•Anxiety over Osinbajo panel’s report

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is considering pushing for the seizure of apartment 7B at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, from where it made the famous haul of $43million cash.

That will be in addition to its Friday application to the Federal High Court in Lagos for the final forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

The commission said that no one has come forward to claim the $43,449,947 (about N13 billion), N23, 218,000 and £27,800 (about N10.6milion) cash found in the apartment.

Already, lobbyists are finding their way to the Presidential Villa to plead for soft landing for the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayo Oke.

Some heads of security agencies are said to be canvassing a second opinion on the probe of Oke.

Ahead of the submission of the report of the Presidential Investigative Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo tomorrow, there was anxiety last night among government officials who were implicated in the $43.4million haul.

Lawal is being probed over alleged N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for the clearing of ‘invasive plant species’ (weeds) in Yobe State.

Oke, on the other hand, is being investigated in connection with the $43.4million cash haul.

Investigation however revealed that apart from seeking the forfeiture of the $43.4million, EFCC might take over apartment 7B.

A reliable source in EFCC said: “The anti-graft commission will soon initiate moves to seize the apartment 7B in Osborne Towers in line with its mandate.

“The circumstances surrounding the purchase of the apartment have been faulted by this commission at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

“Therefore, we are set to invoke sections 26 and 28 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004.”

“So, we are not only interested in the cash, we want to take over the apartment. But we are awaiting the decision of the committee bring led by the Vice President.”

Section 26 reads in part: (1) “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the Commission in the following circumstances – (a) the seizure incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Court following an application made by the Commission in accordance with the prescribed rules.(2) Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may – (a) place the property under seal; or(b) remove the property to a place designed by the Commission.

“(3) Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a Court.

Section 28 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.”

Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.”

It was also gathered that lobbyists have been mounting pressure on Presidency officials for soft landing for Lawal and Oke.

It was also learnt that the ongoing probe of the two officials has divided members of the kitchen cabinet of the President.

A source in the presidency said: “Even there is a split among the kitchen cabinet members on Lawal and Oke. The sympathy is more for Oke in view of his high rating in the intelligence community. He is considered a first class diplomat.

“As a matter of fact, Oke was the first to initiate the recovery of Abacha loot during the tenure of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as a desk officer at the Nigerian High Commission in London. All attempts to make him compromise on Abacha loot failed.

“Of all the security chiefs, he was the only one who wrote an accurate report to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan that he would lose the 2015 presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari at the risk of his job.

“This is why he was baffled when the $43.4million was linked to the campaign funds for Jonathan.

“Oke has also travelled with the President with his initiatives making the foreign trips of Buhari attracting investments.

“What the lobbyists, including some security chiefs, are saying is that Oke should not be humiliated out of office. They said he should either be allowed to go on voluntary retirement or compulsorily retired.

“Some security chiefs are of the opinion that Oke’s trial might set a dangerous precedent.”

Asked to be forthcoming, the presidency source said: “The whole thing is messy and complicated.”

But a source close to the panel said: “Oke has not satisfactorily answered three questions:
- where he got the $43.4m from;
- why was Apartment 7B bought in the name of his wife instead of NIA
- how the cash got to Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi instead of bank
“Oke actually admitted that NIA got $289million Special Intervention Funds for nine projects. He also said the $43.4million was part of the Special Intervention Funds.

“The NIA on Friday said it is normal to use proxy for classified actions whether the covert front is a relation or not is immaterial.”

But it could not be immediately ascertained what will be the fate of the SGF.

A third source said:”As for the SGF, the Senate report has made his fate more complicated. But these lobbyists are still reading political meanings into the report of the Senate.

“It is left to Buhari to take a final decision based on the findings of Osinbajo’s panel”

As the committee submits its report tomorrow, there was anxiety among some top government officials implicated in the $43.4m haul and PINE contracts.

“You seem to focus on the SGF and Oke but some officials were also implicated in all these.

“There is a system failure and all those involved might be sanctioned in one way or the other.

“This is why there is disquiet in some parastatals whose officers were implicated,” the source added.
May 7, 2017
Soyinka wants EFCC to prosecute opposers of anti-graft war

Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, yesterday in Lagos, called for the prosecution of those he described as detractors in the fight against corruption in the country.

He made the call at the opening of his Vision of the Child Art Exhibition, 2017 edition, at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme: Enhance the Heritage; Advance the Future, in celebrating Lagos at 50.

He said that most times, the anti-corruption agency was sent on the wrong track or wild goose chase, resulting to no prosecution.

“When we talk about corruption, is it not time we legislate against detractors, who deliberately create distraction. Say for instance, the money just found in Lagos.

”One governor claimed that the money belongs to his state government, claiming a proceed from the sale of some turbines and so on.

”It is a criminal act of distraction. He knew very well that he was lying, that the money was not his, but belongs to someone else.

”Obviously, acting in the interest of those accused of corruption that to me, is connivance and collaboration with corrupt people.

”I think such people should be criminalised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” he said.

Soyinka, who commended the art works of the children, expressed the hope that with children exposing the corruption acts of the adults Nigeria would be in for better days.

The Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said the commission’s operation was not limited to investigation and prosecution of offenders, but also to enlighten the public on the dangers of corruption.

He said the painting exhibition was one way to educate and enlighten people about corruption, stressing that the paintings exposed some ways in which adults were involved in corrupt practices.

“My views of the Nigerian child, from the across the plains, the hills, the forests and the swamps of Nigeria are those of innocence and boundless creativity.

”However, like most of the older generation, many of our youths seem also to be trapped in cocoons of corruption, which we have built around them.

“However, Professor Soyinka’s “Vision of the Child” project and the sheer breadth and depth of these paintings by these youngsters, demonstrate very well that our children have an acute awareness of what is going on around them and are breaking free of the shackles of corruption.

“They also show the determination of the younger generation for their voices to be heard. The uncomfortable questions they are asking us are; how and why did we allow this beautiful country to be turned into the cesspit of corruption?

“These paintings speak to all strata of our society and to every flank of the war against corruption and the common message I see running through all of them is: we will never give up on the ideals of a just and equitable society.

“The vision I see so eloquently expressed in these wonderful pieces of art is that of the irrepressible Nigerian spirit, refusing to be put down and reaching out for the Nigeria of our collective dreams: the Nigeria where our commonwealth is used for our common good and not looted by a few greedy, self-centred lot.

“I can confirm to you that corruption is already fighting back. But, even though massive resources have been deployed to fight back at EFCC, we draw strength and encouragement to carry on from the likes of these children and Prof Wole Soyinka.

”We draw the courage to soldier on from millions of ordinary Nigerians whose desires are for equity and social justice,” he said.

Magu said that the EFCC was not personal in the discharge of its mandate; stressing that its personnel only fear God, with the guiding principles by the Rule of Law and the overriding interest of the country.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, 38 students selected from different schools, participated in literary and painting works at the exhibition.

May 7, 2017
Soyinka urges EFCC to prosecute detractors on fight against corruption

Nigeria’s Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, on Saturday in Lagos, called for the prosecution of those he described as detractors in the fight against corruption in the country.

Prof. Soyinka made the call at the opening of his Vision of the Child Art Exhibition, 2017 edition, at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme: Enhance the Heritage; Advance the Future, in celebrating Lagos at 50.

He said that most times, the anti-corruption agency was sent on the wrong track or wild goose chase, resulting to no prosecution.

“When we talk about corruption, is it not time we legislate against detractors, who deliberately create distraction. Say for instance, the money just found in Lagos.

‘‘One governor claimed that the money belongs to his state government, claiming a proceed from the sale of some turbines and so on.

‘‘It is a criminal act of distraction. He knew very well that he was lying, that the money was not his, but belongs to someone else.

‘‘Obviously, acting in the interest of those accused of corruption that to me is connivance and collaboration with corrupt people.

‘‘I think such people should be criminalised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” he said.

Soyinka, who commended the art works of the children, expressed the hope that with children exposing the corruption acts of the adults Nigeria would be in for better days.

Speaking , the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said the commission’s operation was not limited to investigation and prosecution of offenders, but also to enlighten the public on the dangers of corruption.

Magu said the painting exhibition was one way to educate and enlighten people about corruption, stressing that the paintings exposed some ways in which adults were involved in corrupt practices.

“My views of the Nigerian child, from the across the plains, the hills, the forests and the swamps of Nigeria are those of innocence and boundless creativity.

‘‘However, like most of the older generation, many of our youths seem also to be trapped in cocoons of corruption, which have built around them.

“However, Professor Soyinka’s “Vision of the Child” project and the sheer breadth and depth of these paintings by these youngsters, demonstrate very well that our children have an acute awareness of what is going on around them and are breaking free of the shackles of corruption.

“They also show the determination of the younger generation for their voices to be heard.

‘‘The uncomfortable questions they are asking us are; how and why did we allow this beautiful country to be turned into the cesspit of corruption?

“These paintings speak to all strata of our society and to every flank of the war against corruption and the common message I see running through all of them is: we will never give up on the ideals of a just and equitable society.

“The vision I see so eloquently expressed in these wonderful pieces of art is that of the irrepressible Nigerian spirit, refusing to be put down and reaching out for the Nigeria of our collective dreams: the Nigeria where our commonwealth is used for our common good and not looted by a few greedy, self-centred lot.

“I can confirm to you that corruption is already fighting back.

‘‘But, even though massive resources have been deployed to fight back at EFCC, we draw strength and encouragement to carry on from the likes of these children and Prof Wole Soyinka.

‘‘We draw the courage to soldier on from millions of ordinary Nigerians whose desires are for equity and social justice,” he said.

Magu said that the EFCC was not personal in the discharge of its mandate; stressing that its personnel only fear God, with the guiding principles by the Rule of Law and the overriding interest of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 38 students selected from different schools, participated in literary and painting works at the exhibition. (NAN)

May 6, 2017
World Bank support to EFCC in capacity building

The World Bank is to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the areas of facilities and capacity building to further strengthen the anti-graft war in the country.

A statement by the commission spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the bank’s Director of Governance, Global Practice, Dr. Edward Olowo-Okere, gave the indication when he visited the EFCC head office in Abuja.

Uwujaren quoted Olowo-Okere as saying that the assistance would be rendered under an operation of the World Bank called “Economic Governance Project.”

“It is supposed to be a follow-up project to the one approved by the World Bank in 2004,” Olowo-Okere said.

The World Bank director lauded the commission for the tremendous feat it had attained in the last 14 years of its establishment.

Responding, the EFCC acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, commended the bank for its assistance, saying it had contributed in no small measure to the successes recorded by the commission so far.

NAN

May 6, 2017
EFCC seeks total forfeiture of $43m as court’s deadline expires

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that no one has come forward to claim the $43,449,947 (about N13 billion), N23, 218,000 and £27,800 (about N10.6milion) cash found in an apartment on Osborne Road, Ikoyi Lagos.

It, therefore, prayed Justice Muslim Hassan to make an order of final forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

The judge, while ordering a temporary forfeiture of the money on April 13, directed EFCC to advertise the order in a newspaper so that anybody who owns the money can claim it within 14 days.

EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said no one showed up in court to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had reportedly claimed ownership of the money found at Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, following which the Federal Government launched a probe and suspended NIA Director-General Ayodele Oke.

EFCC, in an affidavit in support of the application for final forfeiture of the sums, deposed to by a Detective Inspector Mohammed Chiroma, said Oke’s wife, Folasade, allegedly owns the apartment in which the monies were found.

It said she bought the flat from Fine and Country Limited for $1.658 million between August 25 and September 3, 2015 in the name of Chobe Ventures Limited.

According to EFCC, Mrs Oke and her son, Master Ayodele Oke Junior, were the directors of Chobe Ventures.

EFCC, which tendered the receipt of payment, said Mrs. Oke paid for the apartment in cash in tranches without going through a financial institution.

This, Oyedepo said, violates the Money Laundering Act.

She allegedly paid $700,000, $650,000 and $353,700 to a Bureau de Change company, which converted the sums into N360,000,000 with which she bought the property from Fine and Country.

“The circumstances leading to the discovery of the huge sums stockpiled in Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, leaves no one in doubt that the act was pursuant to an unlawful activity.

“The very act of making cash payment of $1.6 million without going through any financial institution by Mrs. Folashade Oke for the acquisition of Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, is a criminal act punishable by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Amendment Act.

“I refer My Lord to sections 1(a), 16(d) and 16(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Amendment Act,” Oyedepo said.

According to EFCC, Chobe Ventures was merely incorporated to retain proceeds of suspected unlawful activities.

Oyedepo said Chobe Ventures did not challenge the temporary forfeiture order despite being served with the motion on notice at its 8, Ogunmodede Street, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos office.

“In view of the failure of Chobe Ventures Limited, in whose custody these properties we are seeking to forfeit were found, to show cause before My Lord why the property (money) should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, your Lordship should hold that Chobe Ventures Limited has admitted all the facts deposed to in our affidavit and order the final forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government,” Oyedepo said.

Justice Hassan also heard an application by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to stay the forfeiture proceedings.

The lawyer sought an order directing the EFCC to furnish the court with a report of its preliminary or final investigation on the source of the money, its owner, and how the currencies got into the building.

He is also praying for an order compelling the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the police to immediately begin a thorough investigation of the cash.

Ogungbeje, in a motion on notice, is praying for a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the investigation by the Osinbajo panel.

According to him, the court should not order a permanent forfeiture of the money since there are claims and counter claims as to its ownership.

“Nigerians are interested in the sources, owners of the monies, owners of the building and how the monies got into Osborne residential apartment,” he said.

Ogungbeje’s lawyers, Messrs Sanni Saheed and Yakub Eleto, contended that making a final forfeiture order on the money without the conclusion of the Osinbajo’s panel’s investigation would overreach the panel.

But Oyedepo described Ogungbeje as a meddlesome interloper who has no locus to bring the applications.

He urged Justice Hassan to dismiss the application with a heavy cost against Ogungbeje for time wasting.

Justice Hassan adjourned till June 6.

Reacting last night, a top source in NIA said: “If one uses normal civil procedure for security duties, then nothing will work.

“The details EFCC is given is the normal security ways of doing things. There must be cover story for all acts.

“It is normal to use proxy for classified actions.

“In most cases, the proxies are not even aware of the full details of the assignment they are embarking on.

“Intelligence agencies uses fronts for actions.”

May 6, 2017