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Tag: EFCC

  • Fayose paid Ozekhome N75m from Dasuki loot, says EFCC

    Fayose paid Ozekhome N75m from Dasuki loot, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Justice Abdulaziz Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos, to reject Chief Mike Ozekhome’s bid to unfreeze his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account, which has a balance of N75 million.

    The EFCC claimed the money, which was paid to Ozekhome as legal fee by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, was part of the N2.26 billion arms procurement fund, which a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), allegedly looted.

    It said Dasuki routed N1.22 billion of the N2.26 billion to Fayose through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.The commission stated this yesterday in a counter-affidavit it filed in opposition to Ozekhome’s application.

    Justice Anka froze the account on February 7, following an ex-parte application from the EFCC claiming the N75 million deposited into the account on December 15, was suspected to be proceeds of crime.

    He ordered Ozekhome to forfeit the money for 120 days pending investigation by the EFCC.

    Ozekhome is the counsel to Fayose, whose account was frozen by the EFCC for alleged money laundering.

    But the lawyer approached the court, saying the EFCC misrepresented facts to obtain the order and urged Justice Anka to lift the order.

    The SAN contended that the EFCC’s action was unconstitutional, had no legal justification and was a gross violation of sections 36, 37 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

    But in yesterday’s counter-affidavit deposed to by EFCC counsel, Idris Mohammed, the commission stated that after Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos placed a temporary restriction on Fayose’s account, the governor, through Ozekhome, went before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Ado Ekiti Division of the Federal High Court to obtain an order to unfreeze the account.

    The prosecutor said even though Fayose was aware the commission immediately appealed Justice Taiwo’s ruling, the governor went ahead to dissipate part of the contentious funds, paying N75 million to Ozekhome, who helped him to secure Justice Taiwo’s unfreezing order.

    The EFCC claimed Ozekhome ought to have “reasonably known that the N75 million was transferred to him” from Fayose’s account, which the EFCC claimed was used to retain proceeds of crime and alleged kick-backs from some contractors in Ekiti State.

    It urged Justice Anka not to unfreeze Ozekhome’s account.

    Justice Anka adjourned till March 7, for hearing.

  • EFCC recovers more vehicles, others from ex-Customs boss

    EFCC recovers more vehicles, others from ex-Customs boss

    Barely six days after 17 “exotic” vehicles were recovered from a Kaduna warehouse belonging to former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Abdullahi Dikko Inde, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), another set of items including vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles, have been seized.
    The items, which were recovered on Monday and Tuesday from another warehouse said to be the property of the former Customs boss include a 2013 model 32-seater Nissan bus, 42 cargo tricycles, one tipper truck, 16 motorcycles, over 500 rug carpets and two fire-proof safes.
    Zonal Head, EFCC in Kaduna, Bappa Ibrahim said yesterday that the recovery was made following tip-off .
    He said the operation, which led to the recovery of the items was a continuation of the anti-graft agency’s investigation on the former Customs boss.
    Ibrahim said the items were recovered from a warehouse, off Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway, around NASFAT village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
    The two safes, which were forced open by EFCC operatives in the presence of reporters, contained documents, an iron stamp, 50 and 20 naira notes, amounting to N1,560 and polythene bags.
    The Zonal EFCC boss declined comments on the documents found inside the safes, saying further investigations would be carried out on them.
    “The fresh operation, which started on Monday, 27th February, 2017 till today is a continuation of last week operation, which led to recovery of 17 exotic vehicles.”
    He called on the public to always assist the anti-graft agency with information, as the war against corruption is everyone’s and should not be left for the EFCC alone.

  • Ex-finance minister being investigated over $1.2b fraud – EFCC

    Ex-finance minister being investigated over $1.2b fraud – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed on Monday that it was investigating former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and a former Finance Minister in ration to $1.2billion fraud.

    Although the EFCC was silent on the identify the ex-Finance Minister, it said the fresh investigation was informed by its discovery of the role Adoke allegedly played in the Malabo Oil deal, through which some prominent Nigerians allegedly defrauded the Federal Government.

    The EFCC stated that  Adoke is presently being investigated along with “the Finance Minister for fraudulently using Federal Government’s excrow account to receive the bribe money paid by the applicants to Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd.”

    The commission made this disclosure in its counter-affidavit in reaction to applications by Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCO), seeking the vacation of orders made by a Federal High Court in Abuja on January 26, 2017  for the temporary forfeiture of Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, subject of the controversial Malabu Oil deal.

    The EFCC first referred to the alleged $1.2b fraud in its application for the temporary forfeiture orders.
    It stated, in the application, how Shell, Agip, former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete, Adoke and others allegedly short-changed the Nigerian government through the Malabu Oil deal.
    “Shell and Agip went into a fraudulent agreement with Malabu Oil and Gas in which the companies will pay signature bonus of $210m to the Federal Government of Nigeria while the sum of $1.2b would be paid to the owners of Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd,” it said.

    The EFCC added that, contrary to Shell’s claim that the $1.2b was for compensation, the investigation revealed that “the money was a bribe to Dan Etete and his cronies.
    “Shell was aware, at the time of consummating this transaction, that Dan Etete, the owner of Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, was already a convict and hence, was not willing to pay the said sum of $1.2b directly to Dan Etete and or Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd.
    “One Mohammed Adoke, who was the Federal Government’s counsel in series of arbitration instituted by Shell in London on the said oil well and, who later became the AGF, conspired with Shell/Agip to route the payment of the said sum of $1.2b bribe money through FG’s excrow account with JP Morgan Chase Bank,” EFCC said.
    In its counter-affidavit, which was argued yesterday,  the EFCC said, although it has filed charges against Adoke and some others, its fresh investigation was informed by new revelations.
    It said investigation so far conducted “revealed that the 1st applicant (Agip) conspired with others to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of the sum of $1.2b that should. Rightly have gone to the Federation Account,” it said.
    The EFCC added that contrary to claim by Agip and Shell that the forfeiture orders were wrongly granted by the court, its investigation revealed that the applicants (Agip and Shell) and others conspired to fleece the Nigerian government of over $1b in bribery and revenue.
    Arguing the counter affidavit yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer, Johnson Ojogbane, urged the court to dismiss the applications by Agip and Shell for lacking in merit.
    Ojogbane contended that contrary to the claim by the applicants,  OPL 245 was a tangible asset which was a subject of criminal investigation and prosecution.
    Ojogbane said, “OPL 245 is an oil block. It is a tangible oil block. The order my lord gave was to prevent any step or action on the oil block,” he said.
    Ojogbane contended that the argument by Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN) for the applicants, on the constitutionality the temporary forfeiture order was completely misconceived.
    He added that “Section 44(2)(k) Constitution allows the temporary taking of property for the purpose of any examination or inquiry.

    “So it does not in any way offend the Constitution. The OPL 245 is a subject of criminal investigation and prosecution. It is not just investigation, there is a charge pending now before this court.
    “The application is not just to preserve the res (the subject matter), the activities surrounding OPL 245, is criminal. It can be described as proceeds of crime.
    “Other charges will be following. With th forfeiture, we are stopping criminality from progressing,” Ojogbane said.
    Ajayi (for Shell) argued that the OPL 245 was not such property that could be seized by an order of court as contemplated under Sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act, on which the EFCC relied in applying for the forfeiture orders.
    Ajayi said: “What we have is a chosen action, a mere licence, an intangible right that is incapable of destruction or being moved. It is a licence over thousands of miles on the ocean. The ocean cannot be destroyed.
    “Nothing can be destroyed; nothing can be taken away, nothing can be put under the seal of the EFCC, nothing can be seized by the EFCC,” he said.
    Ajayi  maintained that by virtue of sections 28 and 29 of EFCC Act, the Chairman of EFCC, in whose name the ex parte application filed by the anti-graft agency was initiated, was not the proper person to institute the action.
    Sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act, he argued, envisage that the ex parte application for interim forfeiture is filed in the name of the EFCC and not its chairman.
    “Having been brought by an improper person, the jurisdiction and powers of the court have not been activated,” he said.
    Ajayi further contended that the order of interim forfeiture was unnecessary as without it, neither Shell nor Agip could take any action on the OPL 245 except it was authorised by the Federal Government.
    He contended that under Section 28 of the EFCC Act, certain conditions precedent, including arresting of suspects and tracing of the assets had not been complied with before the application for forfeiture was filed.
    Fagbohunlu (for Agip)  argued that an order of forfeiture could  not be granted through an ex parte motion except through a motion on notice.
    He said, “Is it possible for the EFCC to attach and subsequently forfeit asset of a subject in the proceedings which from start to the  end is on an exparte basis?
    “My response is that the answer that my lord should give is an emphatic no,” he said.
    Fagbohunlu contended that it was against the spirit of the Constitution for an asset to be seized from someone without being heard.
    He added: “Sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act do not even purport that the proceedings for forfeiture of an asset can be conducted on ex parte throughout.
    “There is nothing in section 28 that says an interim order can be applied for through ex parte.That application has to be on notice.
    What then follows is the forfeiture proceedings which can be done ex parte,” Fagbohunlu said.
    Justice John Tsoho adjourned to March 13 for ruling.

  • Probe Gombe LG polls’ funds, CPPP tasks EFCC

    The Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (CPPP) in Gombe State has alleged misappropriation of the money appropriated for yesterday’s Council Election in the state, calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate it.

    The Acting Chairman of All Progressives, (APC), Idi Barde Gubana, stated this at a press conference organised by the CPPP while addressing newsmen on their position.

    “The commission failed to conduct the local government council election in Gombe State and there was no election materials taken to any polling unit in Gombe State.

    “Fraudulent result will be announced returning all PDP candidates as winners of the election that has not taken place,” the CPPP alleged.

    The coalition has therefore threatened to institute a legal action against Gombe State Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) if it goes ahead to announce the results of the said election, which it describes as fraudulent.

    It told the electoral body to “immediately refund all the monies collected from candidates for the purpose of participating in the local government election since election has not taken place anywhere in the state.

    Joel Jegafa, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, however, said “Elections were conducted and winners have emerged. Before the election, GOSIEC called all the political parties and they all agreed to participate, why the complaint today?

    “Why didn’t they boycott. I know there were states that did not even allow opposition to participate but Gombe is fair and just.”

    Also reacting, GOSIEC Commissioner, Public Affairs, Kalagar Kudi Lubo, said there was election, but that it started late due to the late hour security report they received regarding the election.

    He said the delay was spent on putting machineries in place towards forestalling the security challenge that may arise, based on the reports at their disposal.

     

  • Ex-Customs chief forfeits 17 exotic vehicles to FG

    Ex-Customs chief forfeits 17 exotic vehicles to FG

    A former Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, on Friday forfeited 17 exotic vehicles to the Federal Government barely 72 hours after the vehicles were uncovered from his warehouse in Kaduna.

    There were strong indications last night that Inde might face trial any moment from now.

    But his arraignment will begin when he returns from a medical trip abroad.

    According to a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday night, the forfeiture order was given by Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

    The statement said: “Justice Shuaibu gave an interim order forfeiting the 17 vehicles found in the warehouse of former Comptroller General of Customs,  Abdullahi Dikko Inde, to the Federal Government.

    “The order was sequel to an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking among others, the forfeiture of the vehicles to the Nigerian Government, pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of the case.

    “In his ruling, Justice Shuaibu held that the 17 vehicles which are now in the custody of the applicant ( EFCC) and as properly described and listed in the schedule marked exhibit EFCC 2 attached to the affidavit in support of the application are hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the interim pending conclusion of the investigation.”

    “Operatives of the Commission had on February 20 stormed the warehouse of the former Customs boss on Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna, and discovered the 17 exotic vehicles worth hundreds of millions of Naira, suspected to be proceeds of crime.”

     

  • EFCC recovers 17 vehicles from ex-Customs chief’s warehouse

    EFCC recovers 17 vehicles from ex-Customs chief’s warehouse

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday recovered 17 exotic vehicles in a warehouse of a former Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, located at Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna.

    It also arrested and detained two suspects – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe – in connection with the vehicles.

    The suspected warehouse has been sealed off at the time of fling this report.

    According to a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the vehicles were retrieved after the commission got intelligence report on the ex-Customs chief.

    The statement said: “The recovery was sequel to an intelligence report the Commission received that stolen money and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime were being warehoused at the former custom boss’ premises.

    “Upon receipt of the intelligence, a team of operatives from the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC was deployed to carry out the investigation on the matter.

    “On arrival at the location, two individuals who were identified to be the custodians of the property – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe – were presented with a search warrant.

    “In the course of the search, a total of 17 vehicles among which are brand new cars, shuttle busses and SUVs were found in the premises.

    “Consequently, the vehicles and the two individuals were conveyed to the Commission’s zonal offices in Kaduna and Kano respectively. Investigation revealed that the warehouse in question actually belongs to the former customs boss.

    “The two suspects arrested are in custody assisting the EFCC in investigation.”

    The particulars of the vehicles recovered include:

    • Black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number WBAFR7108BC262936.
    • Ash colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number KMHTC6AD4CU056038.
    • Dark Blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386.
    • Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080.
    • Black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661.
    • Black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number WBA3A91040F268895.
    • Silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018.
    • Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.
    • Yellow colour Toyota FJ Jeep, 2007 model with chassis number JTEZU11F68K001301.
    • Black Toyota Avensis, 2013 model with chassis number SBIBL76L20E037245.
    • Dark ash colour KIA Cadenza, 2011 model with chassis number KNALN414BC5093288.
    • Silver colour Porsche Cayene, 2009 model with chassis number WPIZZZ9PZ9LA12738.
    • Golden colour Honda Accord, 2013 model with chassis number IHGCR2634DA620609.
    • White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 2006 model JNITF4E25Z0715833
    • White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 1996 model with chassis number JTFJXO29P605023996.
    • White Toyota Hiace Bus, 2010 model with chassis number JTGJXO2P4B5020268.
    • White Nissan Bus, 2009 model with chassis number JNITA4E250011697.

    EFCC quizzed   Dikko on June 16, 2016 over alleged N42billion fraud but could not detain him due to his alleged frail health.

    The EFCC also traced how about N2.6billion was withdrawn from Customs coffers and remitted into the accounts of some companies floated by a former Assistant Comptroller General of Customs who served under Dikko.

  • Ex-NAF chief kicks as EFCC seeks to tender evidence

    Ex-NAF chief kicks as EFCC seeks to tender evidence

    Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd) on Wednesday raised objections to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bids to tender some letters from banks on how a fraud was allegedly perpetrated at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

    The commission arraigned the former NAF chief along with 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.

    At their trial on Wednesday, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, who continued his examination of an investigator, Tosin Owobo, sought to tender some letters.

    Owobo said as part of his investigation, he wrote some banks for details of transactions by companies linked to the defendants.

    The banks which responded to EFCC’s enquiry, the witness said, included Heritage Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Skye Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Fidelity, Keystone and Diamond Bank.

    Oyedepo then sought to tender one of the letters from FCMB in evidence.

    But defence counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde and Norrisson Quakers (SAN), objected to the move.

    Ayorinde said the witness was not the maker of the documents even though he claimed to have come across them in the course of investigation.

    He said the documents were certified by EFCC rather than the banks.

    “Only the bank can certify the documents. I therefore urge your lordship to reject these documents as being inadmissible,” he said.

    Quakers said the letters were not public documents but emanated from a private institution and therefore inadmissible.

    “Only the banks can certify the documents, not the EFCC. EFCC, not being the custodian or originator of the documents, is in no position to certify them.

    “We urge the court to allow the documents to fly out of the window,” he said.

    But, Oyedepo said the documents were admissible because they form part of the official act or record of an official act.

    “The documents were addressed to EFCC. The body that can confirm what EFCC received as part of its official record is the EFCC itself.

    “I also submit that the document having been properly certified can even be tendered from the Bar.

    “The witness is an investigating officer and can tender the documents he recovered even if he is not the maker,” he said.

    On the defence counsel’s submission that EFCC cannot certify the documents, being a party in the case, Oyedepo said the commission was not a party.

    “The case is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defendants. The document is relevant to the proceedings,” he said.

    Justice Ibrahim Idris adjourned till Thursday for ruling on the matter.

     

  • Alleged N16m poll bribe: EFCC to arraign INEC’s deputy director

    Alleged N16m poll bribe: EFCC to arraign INEC’s deputy director

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it had concluded arrangements to prosecute a deputy director of the Independent Electoral Commission ( INEC,) in Akwa Ibom State and former Electoral Officer in Rivers State, Gogo Anderson Waribo, for allegedly collecting N16 million of the N23.29 billion poll bribery cash.
    A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect would be put on trial as soon as investigation was concluded.
    The statement said: “Waribo allegedly collected N16 million linked to the N23 billion slush fund linked to Diezani Allison-Madueke during the 2015 general election, with the aim of influencing the outcome of the election.
    “He was arrested by EFCC operatives following intelligence report that some INEC officers conspired with some staff  of Fidelity Bank to defraud the Federal Government of several millions of naira.
    “Although he denied the allegations, investigation revealed that the INEC deputy director’s name was on the list of the “bribe takers”.
    “It was revealed that he received N16 million through his First Bank account on March 27, 2015 and gave N5 million to Peter Popnen, an ex-INEC official.
    He will be arraigned as soon as investigation is completed.
    “The EFCC has been probing the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on her alleged involvement in a $115 million (N23, 299,705, 000) 2015 poll bribery scandal.”
    About four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks, two resident electoral commissioners (RECs), more than 16 INEC directors and others are under investigation.
    The INEC queried about 200 workers, who were allegedly implicated in the alleged N23.29 billion poll bribery scandal during the 2015 general elections.
    Also, a panel headed by a National Commissioner, Alhaji Baba Shetiima Arfo, was set up to investigate the involvement of some INEC workers in the scam.
    Besides internal sanctions by INEC, the indicted personnel will still be put on trial by the EFCC.

  • Alleged N1b fraud: 300 house owners petition EFCC

    Alleged N1b fraud: 300 house owners petition EFCC

    THREE thousand house owners in Abuja have asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged collection of over N1 billion from them under false pretence.
    They pleaded with the anti-graft commission to assist them to recover funds already paid to a developer (names withheld).
    In a petition to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, the 300 house owners said they suspected they might have paid N2 billion to an “impostor”.
    The petition was submitted to the EFCC under the platform of Winning Clause Estate Residents Association, at Plot 67 Kafe District, Gwarinpa Extension, Abuja.
    It was signed by Mr. Mike Arowosegbe and Mr. Taiwo Adisa, chairman and general secretary of the association. It was acknowledged by EFCC on February 20, 2017.
    The house owners requested for a thorough investigation of the activities of Winning Clause Limited and its promoters, an estate developer and recovery of the “monies” collected from them “under false pretense”.
    The petition reads in part: “We are representatives of the residents’ and home owners’ association of the above-named estate located at Plot 67, Kafe District, Gwarinpa Extension, Abuja.
    “Between 2009 and 2011, most of us subscribed to an Estate located at Plot 67, Kafe District, Gwarinpa Extension, Abuja, then known as Saraha City Estate and which belonged to Saraha/Proform Limited at the time.
    “By 2012, when many had completed their buildings and actually stated living in the houses, another developer named Winning Clause Limited entered into the fray and claimed it was the rightful owner of the plot.
    “A court action was instituted by the claimants and after some pushing and shoving, the parties resolved to enter into a Consent Judgement in October 2013 and the judgement was delivered by the Abuja High Court number 24 on November 28, 2013.’’
    The house owners said with the judgement, the said Plot 67, Kafe District was transferred to Winning Clause Limited and their members elected to work with the company in accordance with the consent judgement.
    But the residents explained that while they were all along trying to cope with “highhandedness’’ of a top official  of Winning Clause Limited all the while, the house owners were taken aback by the emergence of another claimant to the company in January.
    Attaching a letter by a counsel to one Mrs. Halimat Abdulazeez, which has effectively placed a caveat on the said company, the petitioners said contrary to the judgement of the court, the said top official of Winning Clause Limited had imposed series of levies and fees on their members under false pretense and forced them to pay “humongous” amounts under threats to life and property.
    “She had effectively deployed agents of the FCT administration during the tenure of Senator Bala Mohammed, who allocated the plot to her company in March 2011.
    “Right now, the said top official of  Winning Clause had through various accounts in at least four banks collected about N1 billion from our members.
    “Our members have also paid  at least N70 million as infrastructure fees for which the company has refused to give account after failing to undertake the infrastructural development the money was paid for.
    “Our fear is that besides the said N1billion the company had collected as land charges, the money collected under the guise of infrastructure could go down the drain if the activities of the company are not checked.”
    Explaining the seeming dirty deals enveloping Winning Clause Limited’s transactions with its members, the petitioners said their earlier checks at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) had revealed that the said top official was not a director of the company and had confronted her with this fact in November 2016, but refused to provide any concrete answers.
    The owners of over 300 duplexes feared that they might have paid money to “an imposture under false pretenses”, but said they could not be blamed as those of them paid different sums, especially following the demolition of gate houses of most of their homes by officials of Development Control in 2013.
    The association accused Senator Bala Mohammed of revoking the allocation of Plot 67, Kafe District, Gwarinpa, earlier done in 2005 and allotted then to Proform West Africa (which entered into alliance with Saraha Homes) illegally.
    According to the petitioners, “Our  investigations revealed that the company initially registered its office as Sapele Street, NSPMC Quarters, Garki II, Abuja, (a residential building)  and later 6B, Senanga Street, Off Accra Street, Wuse Zone 5 (office of its former lawyer, PIN Ikwueto, SAN). Currently, it has no office in town, except the one it occupies in our estate.
    “Our members are becoming apprehensive that dealing with a company without a visible office in town and any known address outside the operational office within the estate could place them in disadvantage.
    We, therefore, respectfully ask for your kind protection in this regard.
    The following accounts – being operated by Winning Clause: Zenith Bank No. 1013260014; United Bank for Africa No. 1018229182; Heritage Bank No. 5100154481; Heritage Bank N0. 5100211533; Diamond Bank No. 0075600939, and Access Bank No. 0718901620 – were said to have been used to collect the monies from the house owners.

  • Alleged poll bribe: EFCC to arraign INEC’s deputy director

    Alleged poll bribe: EFCC to arraign INEC’s deputy director

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday said it has concluded arrangements to prosecute a Deputy Director of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, and former Electoral Officer in Rivers State, Gogo Anderson Waribo, for allegedly collecting N16 million out of the N23. 29 billion poll bribery cash.

    A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect will be put on trial as soon as investigation is concluded.

    The statement said: “Waribo allegedly collected N16 million linked to the N23 billion slush fund linked to Diezani Allison-Madueke during the 2015 general election, with the aim of influencing the outcome of the election.

    “He was arrested by EFCC operatives following intelligence report that some INEC officers conspired with some staff  of Fidelity Bank to defraud the Federal Government of several millions of naira.

    “Although he denied the allegations, investigation revealed that the INEC deputy director’s name was on the list of the “bribe takers.”

    “It was revealed that he received N16 million through his First Bank account on March 27, 2015 and gave N5 million to Peter Popnen, an ex- INEC official.

    He will be arraigned as soon as investigation is completed.

    “The EFCC has been probing the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke on her alleged involvement in a $115 million (N23, 299,705, 000) 2015 poll bribery scandal.”

    About four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks, two RECs, more than 16 INEC directors and others are also under investigation on the matter.