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Tag: EFCC

  • Alleged N6.2bn fraud: EFCC writes AGF, seeks Kuku’s extradition

    Alleged N6.2bn fraud: EFCC writes AGF, seeks Kuku’s extradition

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wants  the former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr.Kingsley Kuku, extradited home.

    Kuku is wanted for questioning over alleged mismanagement of a N6.2billion contract during his tenure in charge of  the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    He was recently sighted in the United States of America (USA).

    The EFCC  has now  requested the assistance of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(SAN), for  Kuku’s extradition.

    The agency accuses Kuku of  abuse of office, conspiracy, procurement fraud, misappropriation, stealing of public funds and money laundering.

    But it has difficulty in establishing  Kuku’s precise address  in the United States, following intelligence that he has gone underground.

    The  anti-graft agency said its investigation had shown  that about N2.5billion of the N6.2billion in question was paid to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)-Foundation for Youth Development (FYD)- run  by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche.

    The NGO said yesterday that “the allegation is not true.”

    It said that on the contrary it gave a loan of N2.8billion to the amnesty programme “on the request of the former Special Adviser to the President to the Amnesty Programme.”

    A highly placed  source told The Nation that while the EFCC was able to confirm  Kuku’s entry into the USA, it cannot ,for now, say where he stays in that country.

    The source described  Kuku as vital to the ongoing probe of the alleged N6.2billion fraud,saying that the suspect awarded contracts running into billions of Naira even though his approval threshold  was only N100million.

    The source said such  action  was in violation of the Public Procurement Act (2007).

    “The EFCC has written to the AGF to assist it in invoking mutual legal assistance treaty between Nigeria and the United States to extradite Kuku,” the source said.

    “Efforts are being intensified to conclude investigation and determine the next line of action which may include prosecutorial action to serve as restitution to the aggrieved youths.

    “The commission has started the recovery of the money paid to Nwuche’s NGO as mobilization fee, while Kinsgley Kuku now taking refuge in the United States is being watch-listed as all efforts made to get him report to the commission have not yielded any positive result.”

    The investigation was triggered by a petition from some concerned youths in  the Niger Delta in 2015, alleging monumental fraud and stealing of stipends meant for ex-militants in the region who embraced  the  Presidential Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government introduced by  the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

    The programme continued during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan with  Kuku placed in its control.

    The concerned citizens alleged, amongst others, that the N65, 000 earmarked as monthly stipend for  each of  the ex-militants by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Amnesty Office was diverted from their account to unknown accounts.

    The petitioners  also claimed that “various contracts were awarded for the provision of vocational training and skill acquisition running to billions of Naira to enable contractors train the ex-militants, but rather than provide the needed training, the contracts were  executed poorly, selectively or money outrightly stolen.”

    The source added:”The complainants made reference to a company controlled by Nwuche who runs a Non-Governmental Organization which was awarded a contract to conduct overseas training for youths of the Niger Delta at a sum of over N6.2billion by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku.

    “They alleged that the said contract was not executed despite a huge sum of money already released. But Nwuche disputed the allegation when he interacted with our detectives.

    “Investigation revealed how a student hall was built at the alma mater of Kingsley Kuku, using the same money awarded to train the ex- agitators.”

    Another source said:”If all contracts awarded were religiously executed vis-a-vis the aspirations of the government, all the issues confronting the Niger Delta region would have been a thing of the past.

    “Two senior aides of the former Presidential Adviser Kingsley Kuku have already been charged to court after diligent investigation and the case is being tried in a law court.

    “Of the N6.2billion awarded to the said NGO under the said former lawmaker, N2.5billion was already released to the company as mobilization fees to execute the training of the Niger Delta youths.

    “But sadly the said contractor abdicated his responsibilities by claiming that the money was given to Kingsley Kuku as a loan to settle the stipends of the ex- Niger Delta agitators. “

    The NGO, responding to the allegations  against it, yesterday dismissed them as untrue.

    Its coordinator,  Kingdom Ajugo, said: “FYD gave the sum of N2.8billion as a loan to the Amnesty Programme on the request of the former Special Adviser to the President to the Amnesty Programme .

    “The loan was to stabilize the Niger Delta Region as, according to him, ex militants were threatening to disrupt oil production and the peace  in the Niger Delta  on account of non- payment of stipends. It was also to take care of some stakeholders and leaders.

    “The loan was given by way of cash payments to his SA and bank transfers to beneficiaries known to him in the open and several reminders for re-payment were sent and duly acknowledged.

    “These bank transfers and video evidence where the aide admitted receiving the funds and also identified other beneficiaries were given to the IPOs  who refused to follow up on these leads and instead were harassing FYD to refund the sum of N2.6billion paid as mobilization for the last set of contracts.

    “FYD is also owed N5.4billion for the provision of sea time training vessel by the Amnesty Office.

    “FYD has sued Kuku and the Amnesty Office for recovery and specific performance of the ongoing contracts.

    “The matter is currently sub judice and we are not interested in any media war as we are standing by the truth and  anybody with contrary facts should meet us in court.”

  • No one has claimed N15bn found in Ikoyi apartment – EFCC

    No one has claimed N15bn found in Ikoyi apartment – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that no one has come forward to claim the about N15 billion cash found in Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, 16, 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, 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.

    The Commission said Oke’s wife bought the flat from Fine and Country Limited for $1.658million 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 (BDC) 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 $1.6million 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.

     

  • Absence of EFCC counsel stalls corruption trial of senior advocate

    Absence of EFCC counsel stalls corruption trial of senior advocate

    The absence of  the  EFCC  prosecution   team in  court  on Friday  stalled the corruption trial of Dr Joseph Nwobike before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of the Ikeja High Court in Lagos.

    Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , is being tried by the EFCC for allegedly perverting the course of justice.

    He was also accused  of offering gratification to public officials,  including  court registrars and judges of the Federal High Court and National Industrial Court.

    At the last hearing  on March 28, the defence team led by Mr Olawale Akoni (SAN)  had argued  that the EFCC did not carry out  a thorough investigation  of  the allegations before charging  Nwobike  to court.

    But at the resumed hearing  on Friday, the EFCC  prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo,  and his team were absent in court.

    When the case was announced from the cause list, Miss Zainab Ettu, an  EFCC lawyer who was in the courtroom for a different trial, could not explain  her colleagues’  absence.

    “My Lord, I am here for another trial, I don’t know why Mr Oyedepo is not in court for this trial,” she said.

    Akoni, however, registered his displeasure about the development.

    “I am quite surprised by the absence of the prosecution;  he should have at least informed the court if he had some other engagements.

    “ There is apparently no reason for their absence, they should show some respect to  the court.

    “We have been on this matter since April 21, 2016;  the prosecution should come to court and prove its case against the defendant so that the defendant can defend himself.

    “I will be seeking your Lordship’s direction on at least imposing a time frame for all the parties in this case.

    “We have another court date on May 18, we will be praying for your Lordship to give us an additional date,” Akoni said.

    Adebiyi,  while responding to Akoni’s submission,  noted that the court would  not be sitting on May 18 because she had other official duties.

    “It is unfortunate that the prosecution did not show up in court, I will be attending a special court session on May 18.

    “The previously adjourned date of May 18 is hereby vacated and the case adjourned to May 23, June 5 and June  6,” she said.

    The judge instructed  Ettu  to inform her absent colleagues  of the adjourned dates.

    “Miss Zainab Ettu of the EFCC, who is in court for another matter,  is to inform Rotimi Oyedepo of the adjourned dates,” Adebiyi said.

  • Why DSS, EFCC are after me, by Kuku

    Why DSS, EFCC are after me, by Kuku

    Former Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Kingsley Kuku, has said the Department of State Services (DSS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are out to punish him for his perceived role in the 2015 elections.

    The former presidential adviser, in a statement yesterday, accused the agencies of deploying extra-legal means to deal with him rather than wait for the legal process to run its course.

    He debunked insinuations he absconded to the United States to evade arrest, saying he travelled in July 2015 for a pre-scheduled medical examination and had to undergo a surgery on his knee.

    “I was already in hospital when news got to me that I had been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly misappropriating funds during my tenure as chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    “In my condition, I could not honour the invitation, but my lawyer wrote to the commission on my behalf, formally informing it of my absence from the country and my promise to honour the invitation when I complete my medical procedure and fully recuperated.

    “The EFCC, however, responded with threats and harassment, which began with freezing of the bank account of the Keketobou Foundation, an educational and charity non-governmental organisation I set up in honour of my mother.

    “This was followed by the arrest and detention of some former workers of the Amnesty Office, after which two of them were arraigned for refusing to implicate me in their statements.

    “I was left with no other option than to approach the court to seek protection and enforcement of my fundamental human rights.

    “On April 5, 2016, Justice Okon Abang sitting at the Federal High Court, Lagos, restrained the EFCC, DSS, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Immigration, Customs, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), police and other security and investigative agencies, from arresting, detaining or prosecuting me, pending the determination of an appeal on an earlier ruling on February 17, 2016.

    “Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, in February 2016, gave a similar restraining order. These orders subsist as the appeal before the Appeal Court, Lagos Division has not been determined.

    “But in outright violation of these orders, I have become a victim of the ongoing unhealthy rivalry between the EFCC and the DSS, where I am being subjected to the worst form of media trial and have been serially libelled.

    “There were reports that the DSS accused the EFCC of shielding me from prosecution. But I stated earlier why I’m yet to return to the country and it’s not true the EFCC is shielding me from prosecution.

    “The DSS claimed that it was investigating me for acts bordering on economic sabotage and pipeline destruction, but I wonder where this came from because I have never been invited by the service. I’m a patriotic Nigerian, who, for over a decade, rendered selfless and committed service to Nigeria at different levels. I cannot turn around to destroy a house I co-built. Let posterity be the judge of my service.”

  • EFCC secures 62 corruption convictions in three months

    EFCC secures 62 corruption convictions in three months

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday said it has secured 62 convictions in the first three months of the year.

    Also, the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, said the anti-graft agency has posted some of its operatives to Nigerian embassies.

    Magu said the agency will “continue to fight corruption whether anybody likes it or not.”

    These details are contained in EFCC Alert, a monthly documentation of the commission.

    The document said: “At the end of the first quarter of 2017, the EFCC secured 62 convictions, with the record set to be increased before the end of the second quarter, as it intensifies efforts geared towards ridding the country of economic and financial crimes.

    “Perhaps, more significant, is the fact that the record also includes that of a former state governor and oil magnates, among others.

    Some of the convicts are ex- Adamawa State Governor, Bala Ngilari (N167, 812,500 fraud); former Caretaker Chairman, Ogori/ Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Gabriel Daudu (77 –count charge of N1.4b fraud); Hanna Abraham (14-year imprisonment for obtaining money by false pretence) and Obinna Nnamdi (two-year jail term for internet fraud).

    “Others are Uche Clinton and Emmanuel Okanni (N.8m BVN scam); Akintunde Abiodun (12- count charge bordering on stealing and forgery to the tune of N7, 806, 093); Frank Nwaotule (two- count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N5million); Usman Ahmed, Isiyaku Mohammed, Mohammed Badadi and Rilwanu Abdullahi (possession of fake Naira notes totaling N583, 000); Olugbenga Fabunmi, (one count charge bordering on Advanced Fee Fraud); Osagie Bliss (three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining by false pretense); Jehu Kwasu (two-count charge of forgery and obtaining by false pretense about N5 million); Christopher Ngene (three -count charge of fraud, N200,000); Abubakar Umar and Habu Dogo (currency counterfeiters jailed for seven years.

    Magu disclosed that the anti-graft commission has posted some of its operatives to Nigerian embassies.

    According to the document, Magu made the disclosure during an interaction with some Ambassadors-designate.

    He said: “We are making you our ambassadors to fight corruption wherever you go, because we alone at the EFCC cannot do the job without your support.

    “We have posted some of our operatives to these foreign missions, and we will need you to work with us.”

    You should be involved in tracing and recovery of our stolen assets and facilitating the repatriation of those funds and the perpetrators.

    “Corruption flourishes when good people fail to confront it. You should key into our mission of ridding Nigeria of corruption, as this will be your greatest service to Nigeria.”

     

     

  • Court resumes Dasuki’s aide trial, as EFCC retracts false publication

    Court resumes Dasuki’s aide trial, as EFCC retracts false publication

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, resumed the trial of Dasuki’s aide, Col. Nicholas Ashinze after the falsified publication by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was retracted.

    Ashinze is standing trial with Wolfgang Reinl, an Austrian, Edidiong Idiong and Sagir Mohammed, on a 13-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    Other defendants in the case are five companies – Geonel Integrated Services Limited, Unity Continental Nigeria Limited, Helpline  Organisation, Vibrant Resource Limited and Sologic Integrated Service Limited.

    The judge had on March 21 ordered the EFCC to retract an offensive press statement issued by EFCC which was published in Vanguard Newspaper.

    The statement referred to Col. Ashinze as a retired officer and that he was never charged by EFCC for any offence on diversion and misappropriation of a whopping sum of N36 billion.

    Kolawole had also ordered that the Deputy Registrar, Litigation, of the court to liaise with the Deputy Sheriff to ensure that the March 21 order was served on the Editor-in-Chief or the appropriate person in Vanguard Newspaper.

    He said the relevant officer of the newspaper must come before the court on May 4 to show where it (newspaper) got the March 8 publication on the N36.8 billion fraud charge against the defendant.

    At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Ofem Uket, informed the court that the said statement which was misreported had been retracted and published on ThisDay Newspaper dated April 12.

    The prosecution also told the court that he has in his possession a certified true copy of the retracted newspaper report and has given the defence counsel a copy of the report.

    Ernest Nwoye, Afam Osigwe and Chukwudili Anozie, counsel to Reinl, Idiong and Mohammed (1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants), however, objected to the admissibility of the retracted report.

    In their objection, they stated that the EFCC did not follow the order of the court in retracting the statement, rather they apologised which was against the order of the court.

    In the midst of the objection, counsel to Mohammed, Mr O. Jimoh, opposed the argument of his co-defence counsels on the admissibility of the retracted publication, stating that justice had already been done.

    He, however, cited a paragraph on the retracted publication which read: “the error in the figure was a mix-up in the body of the release as the headline reflected the correct information.

    “The reference to Ashinze as retired is regretted. We have since discovered that he is a serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army.”

    Counsel to Vanguard Newspaper, Mr F. Chude, who was present in court, apologised on behalf of the Newspaper over the invalidity of the report on Col. Ashinze.

    Chude informed the court that the Editor-in- chief of Vanguard was not aware of the court summon but was unable to come with the reporter, who covered the court proceedings.

    The judicial correspondent of Vanguard, Mr Ikechukwu Nnochiri apologised to the court for the misleading report, stating that it was predicated on a press release from the EFCC.

    Justice Kolawole in a short ruling said that he was satisfied with the retraction made by the EFCC in respect to the March 21 order.

    The judge also held that court is satisfied with the explanation and apology by Mr Nnochiri and he is hereby discharged and acquitted and the order of the court to summon him is hereby revoked.’’

    An EFCC investigator Hassan Seidu, who is a witness in the ongoing trial, continued his testimony on how the defendants got N5.6 billion from Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Seidu said in the course of their investigation, the EFCC requested from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) a certified true copy of registration of six companies which was sent and forwarded through the executive chairman of EFCC.

    The defence team opposed to the admissibility of the document, stating they are not reliable after the prosecution prayed the court to admit the documents in evidence.

    In their argument, the defence said there is no evidence of payment of the prescribed fees as approved by the Minister of Trade.

    More so, that the said document has no name and certified signature, hence, the document failed to meet the provision of Section 379 sub.1 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015.

    The counsel, however, urged the court to take judicial notice as no prove of payment was made in relations to the documents and asked the court to “consign the document to the dustbin.’’

    The prosecution while addressing the court withdrew the document and promised he will do the needful in certifying the documents.

    The judge adjourned the matter until June 12, 20, July 5 and 11 for further hearing.

  • Ex-NAF chief diverted N677m in tranches – EFCC

    Ex-NAF chief diverted N677m in tranches – EFCC

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Tosin Owobo, on Thursday alleged that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), diverted over N677 million from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) between March 2014 and April 2015.

    He was testifying in Amosu’s trial before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    EFCC arraigned Amosu June 29, 2016 alongside a former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    Companies arraigned with them are 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.

    EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos through the companies.

    Testifying while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Owobo said the diverted fund was moved in several tranches into Hebron Housing and Properties Company’s Limited’s account in Ecobank.

    For instance, he said on April 30, 2014, over N55million was paid into Hebron’s account from NAF.

    Owobo said N93million was also paid into the account from NAF’s account.

    The witness said on July 4, 2014, N104million was transferred to Hebron’s account.

    He said N18.4million was also transferred to the account from the NAF Special Emergency Operations Account.

    Other sums transferred included N14million on September 9, 2014 from NAF account; N14.7million on October 9, 2014; and N55.8million from Ministry of Defence’s account on December 15, 2014.

    Other sums allegedly diverted are N36million on February 5, 2015 from NAF Special Emergency Operations Account and N26million on March 24, 2015, among others.

    “Some of the funds were moved from NAF account domiciled in Zenith Bank,” he said.

    Oyedepo sought to tender a letter by the United Bank for Africa in respect of Solomon Health Care Limited.

    Justice Idris will rule on the letter’s admissibility on Friday.

  • EFCC:  Ekweremadu is raising false alarm

    EFCC:  Ekweremadu is raising false alarm

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) yesterday accused Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu of raising false alarm that the agency was plotting to raid his residence and plant monies.

    It said the antics of planting monies and guns in suspects’ houses were alien to the commission and that the alarm by the Deputy Senate President was not only strange but “smacks of a scripted propaganda to distract the commission by putting it on the defensive.”

    It said Ekweremadu has nothing to worry over if there is nothing in his cupboard.

    It, however, said that no amount of scare-mongering will dissuade the EFCC from enforcing its mandate to rid Nigeria of corruption.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said the alleged plot only existed in infantile imagination.

    The statement: “The commission wishes to state in very strong terms that it is not aware of any plot to set up Ekweremadu for any arrest.

    “ If any agency is plotting to plant monies and guns in Ekweremadu’s residence, it is certainly not the EFCC as such antics are alien to the commission.

    “This is not only very strange but smacks of a scripted propaganda campaign to distract the commission by putting it on the defensive.”

  • Ekweremadu raising false alarm on raid – EFCC

    Ekweremadu raising false alarm on raid – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday accused the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, of raising false alarm that the agency was plotting to raid his residence and plant monies.

    It said the antics of planting monies and guns in suspects’ houses were alien to the commission.

    It said the alarm by the deputy senate president was not only strange but “smacks of a scripted propaganda campaign to distract the commission by putting it on the defensive.”

    It advised Ekweremadu to sleep easy if he is not involved in the looting spree that seems to be the pastime of many Nigerians in the corridors of power.

    EFCC, however, said no amount of scare-mongering would dissuade the commission from vigorously enforcing its mandate to rid Nigeria of corruption.

    A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the alleged plot only existed in the fertile imagination of Ekweremadu.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to the alarm purportedly raised by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, at Wednesday plenary of the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

    “The distinguished Senator alleged that there were plots by the Commission to set him up by planting monies and guns in his residence.

    “Ekweremadu who claimed that he was tipped off about the purported plot by an ‘EFCC covert investigative journalist privy to the design, told his colleagues that the agency had secured a warrant and plans to storm his home on May 6, 2017, under the guise that it was working on information provided by a whistle blower regarding huge amount of money of (sic) currency in the apartment said to be belonging to you Ike Ekweremadu.”

    “He said going by the script of plot he is to be arrested, detained for three weeks and charged to court while his constituents would be mobilized to protest and seek his recall from the National Assembly!

    “The commission wishes to state in very strong terms that it is not aware of any plot to set up Ekweremadu for any arrest.

    “If any agency is plotting to plant monies and guns in Ekweremadu’s residence, it is certainly not the EFCC as such antics are alien to the commission.”

     

     

  • Court convicts INEC staff for accepting N70m bribe from Diezani

    Court convicts INEC staff for accepting N70m bribe from Diezani

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for accepting over N70million bribe from former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general election results.

    Justice Mohammed Idris convicted Yisa Adedoyin for receiving cash payment of N70,050,000.00 after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him along with Christian Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir.

    They allegedly collected N264.88million bribe on March 27, 2015 from the former minister ahead of the election.

    Nwosu had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted for receiving N30million bribe.

    But, Justice Idris rejected his plea bargain agreement with the EFCC which involved payment of N500,000 fine and forfeiture of properties acquired with the money.

    The judge said Nwosu should either accept a heavier sentence, which includes N10million fine, or change his plea.

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

    Adedoyin, who earlier pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to guilty.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke, said to be at large, was named in the charge.

    Prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to convict Adedoyin following his plea and to accept the plea bargain agreement reached with him on May 2.

    It was agreed in the plea bargain that Adedoyin would forfeit a parcel of land measuring 100ft by 100 at Taoheed Road, Budo-Osho Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area in Kwara State.

    “That a fine of N10million is proposed to this Honourable Court to be imposed on him upon his conviction on count four of the amended charge.

    “That in paying the fine of N10million, the defendant shall raise a draft of N5million in addition to the sum of N5million already recovered from him,” the agreement reads in part.

    Reviewing the facts of the case, Oyedepo said EFCC received an intelligence in late 2004 that Mrs. Alison-Madueke received gratification from various oil companies such as Northern Bet Oil and Gas, Auctus Integrated Company and an oil magnate Adesanya Laitan.

    “The total sum received was $115,010,000. It was kept in the custody of a bank which received instructions to convert the sums to naira and distribute to the 36 states and the FCT.

    “Our investigation established that the second defendant (Adedoyin) in conjunction with the first defendant (Nwosu) signed a receipt for N264,880,” Oyedepo said.

    He tendered the receipt and Bashir’s statement in evidence.

    “We discovered that though he signed for a total of N264,880, we found as a fact that he received N70,050,000 from the third defendant.

    “Out of the N70million, he only benefited N28million, which has been forfeited. The property he acquired with it has been recovered. We have the deed of assignment and plan,” Oyedepo said.