A member of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State, Nse Bassey Ekpeyong, is facing a nine-count charge of forgery.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ekpeyong for presenting to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a National Diploma certificate purportedly issued by the Abia State Polytechnic in November 2012, with the intent that it might be acted upon as genuine.
This, according to the EFCC in the charges filed at the Federal High Court ,Uyo, is contrary to Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same law.
He is also alleged to have on December 18, 2014, at the INEC headquarters, altered the same document, with intent to present it as genuine ,contrary to Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same law.
The commission also accused Ekpeyong of presenting an Abia State Polytechnic National Diploma statement of result in Business Administration with registration No.2009NDE/3829/BA dated November 22, 2012 with intent to present it as genuine, contrary to Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same law.
In count four, EFCC accused him of altering the same statement of result ,while in count five he is accused of forging a West African Senior School Certificate No. NGWASSCP 557610.
He allegedly presented the same WASCE certificate to INEC with intent to present it as genuine.
EFCC further said Ekpeyong altered Form C.F.001 with intent that it might be acted upon by INEC, and that sometime between July 18 and 25, 2016 admitted in written statements before an officer of the commission, Usman Adoke, that the certificates were genuine.
Tag: EFCC
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EFCC slams Akwa Ibom Rep with 9-count forgery charge
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EFCC planning to cook up allegations against me, Melaye alleges
Senator Dino Melaye claimed yesterday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was plotting to cook up allegations against him.
Melaye on his twitter handle @dino_melaye said that he had credible information that the commission had already started carrying out forensic investigations on all his bank accounts.
He, however, said that he was ready for the commission’s investigation:
“I have credible information that EFCC is trying to cook up allegations against me. Forensic checks on all my accounts. I ready for una,” he said.
On Thursday, the social media was awash with the news that the EFCC planned to arrest 23 senators for questioning including Senator Melaye.
Other Senators who were said to be on the purported interrogation list of the EFCC include Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio as well as Sen. Stella Oduah.
During the week, the Senate rejected the appointment of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu after a two hour screening.
The screening of Magu went sour when Melaye introduced a report by the Department of State Security (DSS) which stated that Magu was “unfit for the position”.
The report alleged that the EFCC boss hobnobs with corrupt individuals and was living in a N40 million house which was rented for him by an individual under investigation by the commission.
The report went on to say that Magu would constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.
However, Magu denied the N40 million house allegation saying that his house was rented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking after the confirmation hearing, Magu said that he remained the chairman of the commission, countering the Senate President Saraki who said during plenary on Wednesday that “Magu ceases to be the chairman of the commission going by the rejection.” -
Four judges involved in Nwobike’s bribe scandal-EFCC witness
Mr Daniel Danladi, a detective with the Special Task Force of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday at an Ikeja High Court exposed judges and judicial officers, who allegedly received bribes from Dr Joseph Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Nwobike is being tried by the EFCC before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi for allegedly offering gratification to a public official and perverting the course of justice.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Danladi, led in evidence by EFCC lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, displayed a document entitled: “Extraction Report” on the screen in the courtroom.
In his testimony, Daladi named four judges who were allegedly involved in the gratification scam as Justice Mohammed Yinusa, Justice H.A Ngajiwa and Justice Musa Kurya, all of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Justice James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court, Lagos.
He said the report contained details of 14,317 text messages from Nwobike’s Samsung Galaxy Note 4 mobile phone, seized from him by the anti-graft agency during investigations in the alleged corruption case.
According to him, some of the text messages in the report contained details of bank transactions as well as messages allegedly sent by Nwobike to the judicial officers and judges.
Danladi testified that “the result of the extraction report clearly showed that the defendant was conveying money to judges of the various the courts.
“He also wielded influence over which judge should hear his cases.
“This is contrary to the statement that the defendant gave to the EFCC that the only judicial officer he gave financial assistance to was Hon. Justice Yinusa.”
Danladi further gave details of judicial officers who Nwobike was allegedly in contact with.
“The defendant was in regular phone contact with one Mr Jide and Mr Baruwa of the Federal High Court and one Mrs Helen Ogunleye, who is the registrar to Justice Musa Kurya.
Pointing to the screen in the courtroom, Danladi revealed details of how Nwobike influenced the adjudication of the cases he was handling in which the EFCC was a party.
“On Nov. 5, 2015, the defendant sent a text message to Mr Jide stating he wanted his matter which was Mrs Timi Akpobolokemi and others Vs the EFCC with suit number FHC/L/CS/1665/2015 to go before Hon. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.
“He acknowledged receipt of the text message and some days later the matter was assigned to Ofili-Ajumogobia.
“In FRN Vs Dr Oluwafemi Thomas and others, he suggested that that matter should go to Hon. Justice Saidu with Mr Jide confirming receipt of the text.
“In a matter in which EFCC was a party, the defendant sent a text to Mr Baruwa of the Federal High Court stating that he wanted the matter to be assigned to Justice Abang’s court.
“Investigations revealed that the matter was assigned to Justice Abang as agreed between them,” Danladi said.
Danladi further revealed how the defendant unduly influenced matters that the anti-graft agency had at the Federal High Court in which he was counsel for the opposing party.
“In text message exchanges with Mr Jide the defendant influenced a number of cases including; Simon Adomene V the EFCC with suit number FHC/L/CS/1471/2015 anf Dr Oluwafemi Thomas V The EFCC with suit number FHC/L/CS/1445/2015.
“He suggested that these cases as well as some others should be assigned to Justice Yinusa, our investigations revealed that they were assigned to the judge.
“On March 20, 2015, the defendant paid N750,000 into the UBA account of Hon. Justice Yinusa and a few days later a court order was granted by the judge in the defendant’s favour.
“Our investigations revealed that the defendant paid money into the First Bank Account of Hon. Justice James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court.
“We wrote to First Bank where the judge operates three different bank account and they confirmed such payments.
“On Dec. 29, 2015, payment of N100,000 was made into the Justice Agbadu -Fishim’s First Bank account with number 2006900216.
“On Dec. 2, 2015, N150,000 and N100,000 was paid into the judge’s account with number 3008199491 and on Sep. 10, 2015, N100,000 was paid into that account by the defendant.
“Our investigations revealed that the defendant gave Mrs Helen Ogunleye, the registrar to Justice Musa Kurya N250,000 as well as undisclosed sums to her boss the judge.
“Investigations revealed that money was also paid to Justice H.A Ngajiwa by the defendant through a company account owned by the judge,” he added.
The witness proceeded to read aloud the text messages which were allegedly exchanged between the defendant and the registrar.
“The text message sent on March 25, 2014 revealed the registrar asking for financial assistance from the SAN for her brother who wanted to study medicine in Russia.
“A text message sent on Dec. 15, 2014 the SAN told the registrar that a sum of N250,000 was for her while some undisclosed money in an envelope was meant for her boss Justice Musa Kurya.”
Danladi further testified and read out a text message in which Ogunleye acknowledged receipt of the money.
The witness also testified that Justice Agbadu-Fishim was invited by the EFCC and he admitted receiving the funds from the defendant.
“We invited Justice James Agbadu-Fishim to our office sometime in late 2016, he made statements confirming that the defendant paid money into his account.”
Danladi told the court that Mr Jide was also invited by the commission where he admitted exchanging text messages with the SAN.
Earlier during the trial, counsel to Nwobike, Mr O. Akanni (SAN), opposed Danladi’s evidence.
“This evidence does not have any relevance to this case, the test of admissibility is relevance and there is not a single charge before this court that relates to payment of money to judges.
“The charged relate to payment of money to specific individuals and Section 1 of the Evidence Act is very clear.
“ it states that evidence has to be relevant to the fact in issue,” he said.
Responding to Akanni, Oyedepo said:“The payment of monies to judges is the basis of our case in counts one to eight while counts nine and ten border on the attempt to pervert the course of justice.
“The evidence of the witness is to sustain counts nine and ten and the Evidence Act doesn’t only refer to the facts in issue but also facts remotely relevant to the facts in issue.”
In his ruling, Justice Adebiyi said:“The testimony of the witness is relevant to the case.
“The prosecution should direct the witness to incidents that occurred within the Federal High Court.”
The case was adjourned to March 28 and March 31 for continuation of trial.
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EFCC arrests “Sheikh” over N11m internet fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Saheed Omoniyi over alleged N11 million fraud perpetrated through the Internet.
Mr Ayo Oyewole, the Head of Public Affairs, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, told newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday that Omoniyi, 24, lured his victims to defraud them by posing as a renowned Islamic cleric.
He said that the suspect had impersonated a popular Lagos-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sulaiman Onikijipa on the internet seeking donations from his unsuspecting followers.
Oyewole said that the suspect had lured the unsuspecting followers of the popular cleric to pay donations into an account purportedly opened by the Sheikh.
He stated that the commission got wind of Omoniyi’s fraudulent activities through a petition sent to the anti-graft agency by the Islamic cleric.
Oyewole stated that the commission’s investigations revealed that the suspect had obtained over N11 million before his arrest on Monday, March 13.
He said that the suspect was arrested on his way to the bank to withdraw the latest donations of one million naira into the fraudulent account.
Oyewole stated that Omoniyi, who hails from Offa in Kwara State, had made confessional statement to operatives of the commission.
He said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was concluded. (NAN)
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Seized funds: Court remands ex-NNPC GMD in prison
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday remanded the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, in Kuje prison pending ruling on his bail application.
The court will rule on the ex-NNPC chief’s bail application March 21.
Yakubu, who is standing trial on a six-count charge of fraud and false declaration of assets, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives recovered about N3billion in the former NNPC chief’s Kaduna home last month.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed ordered that Yakubu be remanded in prison listening to his bail application.
The accused counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), in his application, urged the court to grant his client’s vail on self-recognisance.
But EFCC’s lead prosecuting counsel, Ben Ikani, opposed the bail application.
The prosecutor, however, urged the judge to impose stringent conditions if he eventually decides to grant bail to the defendant.
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EFCC: Fayose paid Ozekhome from N1.2b Dasuki’s slush fund
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose paid an intial N75million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) ,Mike Ozekhome, from an alleged N1.2billion the governor allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The commission said it froze Ozekhome’s account because the money was suspected to be a proceed of crime.
Ozekhome prayed Justice Abdullazeez Anka to unfreeze his firm’s account, which the court froze at EFCC’s instance on February 7.
Opposing the application, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo argued that Ozekhome ought to have known that the money he received was proceeds of “fraudulent activities”.
He said: “EFCC received an intelligence report that Mr Ayodele Fayose received N1,219,490,000 from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, who conveyed the money through an aircraft to Akure airport.
“It discovered that N137million was paid into an account, 1003126654, operated by Fayose on June 26, 2014.
“On August 22 and 27, 2014, N50million and N118million were also credited to the account.”
Oyedepo said having discovered the funds were “proceeds of crime”, EFCC approached Justice Mohammed Idris of the court’s Lagos division for an order freezing the account.
The lawyer said the order by Justice Idris was not appealed by either Fayose or the bank, where the money was lodged.
“The N75million is from the proceed of the alleged crime fraudulently taken from ONSA and kept in Fayose’s account from where it was transferred to Ozekhome,” he said.
Oyedepo said EFCC could freeze any account suspected to have received criminal funding even if it was not in possession of the person committing the unlawful act.
He said nothing had been shown to contradict the fact that the money came from the ONSA,adding that Ozekhome cannot claim ignorance of the source of the money.
Arguing his application to defreeze the account, Ozekhome said it was not a lawyer’s duty to investigate the source of his legal fees.
Besides, he said at the time Fayose paid him the money, the governor’s account had been defreezed by an order made by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the court’s Ekiti Division on December 13.
He said the judge, on January 31, also refused EFCC’s application to stay execution of the December 13 judgment.
Ozekhome said the EFCC obtained the order freezing his account 47 days after Fayose transferred the N75million.
“The account frozen by Justice Idris had been defreezed by Justice Taiwo and made operational after it was found that material facts were suppressed,” he said.
The Senior Advocate said the N75million was part-payment for professional fees having handled eight cases for Fayose and his aides.
He said the total sum owed his chambers by Fayose was N250million.
Ozekhome said he wrote Fayose demanding payment, and that the governor sought his understanding because his account was frozen.
The SAN said when Justice Taiwo defreezed Fayose’s account, he (Ozekhome) sent the governor a reminder to pay the money.
“There was no encumbrance on the account from which the money was transferred,” Ozekhome said.
He said it was wrong for EFCC to conclude that the money was proceeds of crime when Fayose, who enjoys immunity, had not been tried or convicted.
Besides, Ozekhome said EFCC never served him with the order as required by the court’s rules, adding that the freezing of his account brought opprobrium on him.
“They did it in bad faith,” he said.
On whether EFCC violated Justice Taiwo’s order, Oyedepo said nowhere in the judgment did the judge set aside Justice Idris’ ruling.
Justice Anka adjourned till April 3 for ruling.
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Fayose paid N75m into Ozekhome’s account from N1.2bn Dasuki’s funds — EFCC
The EFCC on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, made a payment of N75 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, from the N1.2 billion the governor received from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it froze Ozekhome’s account because the money was suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ozekhome had urged Justice Abdullazeez Anka to unfreeze his firm’s account which the court ordered at EFCC’s instance on Feb. 7.
Opposing the application, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that Ozekhome ought to have reasonably known that the money he received as part payment for legal fees was proceeds of “fraudulent activities”.
He said: “EFCC received an intelligence showing that one Mr Ayodele Fayose received N1.2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.”
He said Obanikoro conveyed the money in an aircraft to Akure airport for delivery to Fayose in neighbouring Ekiti.
Oyedepo said it was investigated and it was discovered that the sum of N137 million was paid into an account no. 1003126654 operated by Fayose on June 26, 2014.
“On August 22 and 27, 2014, the sum of N50 million and N118 million was also credited to the account.”
Oyedepo said having discovered that the funds were proceeds of crime, EFCC approached Justice Mohammed Idris of Lagos division for an order to freeze the account pending conclusion of investigations.
The lawyer said that the order by Justice Idris was not appealed by either Fayose or the bank where the money was lodged.“The N75 million is from the proceeds of the alleged crime fraudulently taken from the ONSA and kept in Fayose’s account from where it was transferred to Ozekhome.
“ EFCC is empowered to freeze any money suspected to be proceeds of crime even if it is not in possession of the person committing the unlawful act.”
He argued that nothing had been showed to contradict the fact that the money came from ONSA, adding that Ozekhome could not also claim not to know the source of the money.
Arguing his application to unfreeze the account, Ozekhome said it was not a lawyer’s duty to investigate the source of his legal fees.
Besides, he said as at the time Fayose paid him the money, the governor’s account had been unfrozen by an order made by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Ekiti Division of the court on Dec. 13. 2016.
He said that the judge on Jan. 31 also refused EFCC’s application to stay execution of the judgment of Dec. 13, 2016.
Ozekhome said EFCC obtained the order freezing his account 47 days after Fayose transferred the N75 million.
“The account frozen by Justice Idris had been unfrozen by Justice Taiwo and made operational after it was found that material facts were suppressed,” he said.
The Senior Advocate said that the N75 million was part payment for the professional fees having handled eight cases for Fayose and his aides.
He said that the total sum owed his chambers by Fayose was N250 million and that he wrote Fayose demanding payment of the fees, and that the governor sought for his understanding because his account was frozen.
He also said when Justice Taiwo unfroze Fayose’s account, he (Ozekhome) sent the governor a reminder to pay the money after which he made the N75 million.
“There was no encumbrance on the account from which the money was transferred,” Ozekhome said, recalling that the bank in Ekiti also allowed Fayose to withdraw N5 million in cash from the account.
He said it was wrong for the EFCC to conclude that the money was a proceed of crime when Fayose, who enjoys immunity as a sitting governor had not been tried or convicted.
Justice Anka fixed April 3 for ruling.
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Senate seeks replacement for Magu
Following Senate’s non-confirmation of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Commission, the Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to send the name of another nominee for the position.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the Senate had played its constitutional role as an arm of government on the matter.
He said there is need to fill any vacuum that might be created in the commission following Magu’s rejection.
“With the screening being carried out in a transparent manner, we see democracy at work.
“I believe we have played our part; we have followed the Constitution and due process.
“We hope that the executive will quickly act and bring in another name as soon as possible so that the activities of the agency will not be crippled,’’ Saraki stated.
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EFCC: Fayose paid Ozekhome from N1.2b received from ONSA
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, made a part-payment of N75 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, from an alleged N1.2billion the governor allegedly received from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The commission said it froze Ozekhome’s account because the money was suspected to be proceed of crime.
Ozekhome prayed Justice Abdullazeez Anka to unfreeze his firm’s account which the court froze at EFCC’s instance on February 7.
Opposing the application, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that Ozekhome ought to have reasonably known that the money he received as part-payment for legal fees was proceed of “fraudulent activities.”
He said: “EFCC received an intelligence showing that one Mr. Ayodele Fayose received N1, 219,490,000 from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who conveyed the money through an aircraft to Akure airport.
“It investigated the intelligence and discovered that the sum of N137million was paid into account numbered 1003126654 operated by Fayose on June 26, 2014.
“On August 22 and 27, 2014, the sums of N50million and N118million were also credited to the account.”
Oyedepo said having discovered that the funds were “proceeds of crime,” EFCC approached Justice Mohammed Idris of the court’s Lagos division for an order freezing the account pending conclusion of investigation.
The lawyer said the order by Justice Idris was not appealed against by either Fayose or Zenith Bank Plc where the money was lodged.
“The N75million is from the proceed of the alleged crime fraudulently taken from the ONSA and kept in Fayose’s account from where it was transferred to Ozekhome,” he said.
Oyedepo said EFCC is empowered to freeze any money suspected to be proceed of crime even if it is not in possession of the person committing the unlawful act.
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EFCC seizes N49m cash at Kaduna airport
Who owns the N49 million “crispy notes of N200 and N50 denominations” abandoned at the Kaduna International Airport?
This is the puzzle the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying to resolve.
The EFCC found the cash on Monday night, packed in sacks.
A man believed to be the owner ran away before EFCC operatives could question him.
The cash was discovered by EFCC Zonal Office in Kaduna in five large black 150kg sacks during routine baggage screening at the airport.
A top source in the commission said: “Upon careful scrutiny of the sacks, it was discovered that they contained fresh crispy naira notes of N200 denomination in 200 bundles totaling N40million and N50 denomination in 180 bundles totaling N9million.
“The bundles were all sealed, purportedly emanating from the Nigerian Security and Minting Company (MSPMC) as seen in the label on the packs.
“The five sacks were sighted unattended and without tags containing fresh bulk items suspected to be money from the aroma perceived from the sacks.
“The owner of the money later showed up but could not state the exact money in the sacks or present any document authenticating the genesis of the monies.
“However, his inability to give any concrete explanation made him become uncomfortable and he disappeared before the arrival of EFCC operatives.”
Another source said the EFCC was working on clues that the fleeing suspect might be a courier for a syndicate.
“We will get to the root of this crime. There is a way we can collaborate with some agencies to trace the source of the N49million.
“We will also deploy forensic equipment and retrieve CCTV footage at the airport to identify the suspect,” the source said, pleading not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation.