The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has impounded a N948million aircraft allegedly linked with a former governor of Borno State who is under investigation.
The aircraft was seized on Monday at the Maiduguri International Airport.
Anti-graft agencies have also placed two other private jets under surveillance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The grounding of the three aircraft is part of the ongoing investigation which traced some looted funds by some former political office holders to the purchase of private jets.
It was learnt that a Dornier aircraft 328 linked with the former governor had been earlier impounded, but it resumed operations without EFCC’s clearance.
Upon sighting the aircraft in Maiduguri on Monday, after months of watch-listing, EFCC detectives swooped on the crew and seized it.
The plane is marked N805PG and 5NBMH. It allegedly belongs to Skybird Air.
Detectives have interrogated the suspected beneficial owner of the jet, Mr. Samuel Ayodele, the Managing Director of Skybird.
A “beneficial owner” is a legal term where specific property rights (“use and title”) in equity belong to a person even though the legal title of the property belongs to another person.
An EFCC source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We impounded the Dornier 328 on Monday following suspicion in the manner in which it was acquired.
“Our detectives are working on clues that the aircraft belongs to a former governor of Borno State but it is being used by a front. We are already looking into relevant records; we want to establish who actually owns it.
“We are tracking how and when the aircraft was bought, where it was purchased, the mode of payment and the sources of funds. This is definitely an international transaction; it is easier to trace the inflows and outflows from any account.”
“There are also some petitions containing allegations against the former governor concerning the aircraft and some public funds. If the aircraft cannot be identified with the ex-governor, the EFCC will release it to the beneficial owner.”
Ayodele is said to have told detectives that the aircraft was originally with the defunct IRS Airlines, which bought it with a loan of about N948million from a bank.
The source quoted Ayodele as saying: “I bought the liability from the bank and took over the aircraft because IRS was not able to pay back the loan.
“It is a clean business. Since I graduated from school, I have been working in the aviation sector.”
According to Wikipedia, “The Dornier 328 is a turboprop-powered commuter airliner, initially produced by Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, which was acquired in 1996 by Fairchild Aircraft.”
Two other jets, suspected to belong to some former political office holders, have been placed on surveillance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“The movement of the jets is presently restricted until the conclusion of our ongoing probe. All relevant agencies in the aviation industry are collaborating with us on these two jets. We are working on information made available to EFCC that they were bought with looted funds,” a source said.
On the identities of the owners of the jets, the source said they would not be disclosed until the EFCC has made substantial progress in their investigation.
Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause on any serving or former public officer or any Nigerian under probe.
“Section 28 of the EFCC Act 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.’
Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.
(2) “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”
Tag: EFCC
-
EFCC seizes N948m aircraft linked with ex-governor
-
EFCC arraigns five students for internet fraud
•Suspects get N5m bail each
Five suspended students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) have been arraigned on a 53-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents and forgery.
They were arraigned at a Federal High Court, Akure, Ondo State capital, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last Thursday but were granted bail at a resumed hearing yesterday.
In his ruling on application for bail, Justice Abdu Dogo admitted the first to fifth defendants to bail of N5 million each with one surety.
The suspects are Adeleke Paul Fasakin (21); Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi (23); Abudu Adeniyi Tayo (a.k.a) Kolawole Tajudeen (20); Ifeobu Ugochukwu (21) and Olusola Franklin Akusanmi (21).
When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
But counsel to the first accused A. C. Ajakaye told the court that he had a pending application dated January 11, which has not been served on the prosecution and prayed the court to allow him move the motion for bail.
Similarly, counsel to the second accused Rotimi Olorunfemi, counsel to the third accused Kayode Akinwunmi, counsel to the fourth accused Toyese Owoade and counsel to the fifth defendant Adetunji Oso all aligned themselves with Ajakaye’s submission and prayed the court to allow them move the bail application of the second, third, fourth and the fifth accused persons.
The case was adjourned till February 16 for trial.
Fasakin, who also goes by the name “Tsunami Gang and Young Pablo Money” and the co-accused were arrested in July 2015, following series of intelligence gathering by security operatives.
The suspected internet fraudsters allegedly swindled unsuspecting foreigners and others to the tune of N16 million. -
Judge refuses out-of-court meeting with Fani-Kayode
Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Monday refused an application by former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, to hold a private meeting in his chambers.
Fani-Kayode, through his lawyer Norrisson Quakers (SAN), had sought to meet with the judge in private to discuss certain issues pertaining to the case, which he said were not meant for the public.
Quakers, while arguing the application, said the “facts” he has could “embarrass” the judge should he say them openly.
He said the prosecution counsel should also be allowed to be present during the private meeting.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Fani-Kayode and former Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The charges border on conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and corruption and money laundering.
They were charge along with former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State, Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company said to belong to him, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.
Quakers, who said he was just briefed by Fani-Kayode on Sunday evening, said he needed some time to study the case-file so as prepare adequately for his client’s defence.
He is taking over from Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), who represented Fani-Kayode when he was arraigned.
Quakers said: “I’m coming into this matter for the first time. I was briefed yesterday (Sunday) evening. I need time to study the case.
“That aside, I had applied to enable I and the prosecution counsel to see the judge in chambers. It’s imperative that parties approach the court in chambers.
“It is our duty to protect the dignity of the court. The rules allow the court to hear certain applications in chambers. We owe it a duty to protect the court from embarrassment.
“I have at my possession facts that will assist the court to determine whether to proceed or not,” he said.
Usman’s lawyer, Chief Ferdinand Orbih and Danjuma’s lawyer, S. I. Ameh (SAN), did not oppose the application.
They also urged court to give Quakers time to prepare for the case having just been briefed.
But, EFCC’s lawyer, Nkereuwem Anana, said while Fani-Kayode reserved the right to change counsel at any time, it should not impede trial.
-
EFCC graduates 331 operatives
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday graduated 331 cadets of the Detective Assistant Grade.
The operatives were trained alongside 1,498 officers of the Nigerian Air Force at the Ground Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna.
A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said “the colourful passing out parade climaxed six months of rigorous training to equip the officers with the relevant skills of law enforcement.
The statement said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S. B. Abubakar, who doubled as the Reviewing Officer, congratulated the operatives of the EFCC for their gallantry and brilliance.
The statement quoted Abubakar as saying: “I want to congratulate the operatives, I am sure you will find the training useful in your career.
“I have been briefed that you demonstrated commitment, hard work and courage during training. These attributes are essential in your career progression.”
The Chief of Air Staff expressed delight over the collaboration among law enforcement agencies which made NAF to train EFCC operatives alongside NAF recruits .
“This cooperation remains a practical step towards enhancing inter-agency partnership, necessary to effectively respond to the national security imperative,” the Chief of Air Staff added.
Abubakar admonished all the graduands to be loyal to the Federal Government by being patriotic, vigilant and be of good conduct.
He also charged them to always remember that their duty is to protect all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic or religious inclinations.
-
Subsidy scam: Oil magnate faints in court
An oil magnate, Mrs. Ada Ugo-Ndali, fainted in the dock on Friday shortly before she was convicted of a N1.7 billion subsidy fraud by a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.
Justice Lateefat Okunnu found Ugo-Ndali, the Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, and the company Chairman, Mr. Walter Wagbatsoma, guilty of N1.7 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering judgement in the matter on Friday, the judge discharged and acquitted the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) representative, Fakuade Ebenezer, of forgery allegations.
After reading the judgement, Justice Okunnu stood the matter down for a 15 minutes break for allocutus plea by the convicted persons.
When the judge returned at 1:15 p.m. to hear the defendants plea for mercy, the second defendant, Ugo-Ndagi suddenly slumped and fainted in the dock.
When the woman was finally revived, she was breathing heavily just as counsels frantically called for medical assistance and ambulance.
She was later assisted out of the court into a waiting black jeep by her lawyers.
The vehicle sped out of the court premises immediately Ugo-Ndagi was brought in.
The development forced Justice Okunnu to adjourn sentencing of the convicts till Monday.
Wagbatsoma, Ugo-Ndagi and the oil company were arraigned on July 7, 2010 for collecting N1.7 billion from the Federal Government as fuel subsidy payable to Ontario Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.
They were arranged on an eight -count charge of obtaining money under false pretence from government, forgery and altering of documents.
-
EFCC doubts Metuh’s ill -health claim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday expressed doubt over claim by former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, that he was ill and on admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The EFCC urged Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to discountenance Metuh’s claim of ill-health in the absence of a truly certified medical report to that effect.
EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, spoke the commission’s mind while opposing an application for adjournment on health ground, made by Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), at the resumption of proceedings in the trial of the ex-PDP spokesman and his company, Destra Investment Limited.
They are standing trial on seven-count charge of money laundering.
At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, Metuh was absent in court.
When asked by Justice Abang why his client was not in court, Ikpeazu said Metuh was on admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Ikpeazu said, “The first defendant is absent because he is sick. He was rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja on Sunday after he collapsed while trying to stand up from his seat to sing in his church.”
He said Metuh was also taken from the National Hospital to an Indian hospital in Karu, Abuja, for further examination and later back to the National Hospital, where he was still being admitted in the hospital’s Ward A4.
Ikpeazu said in view of some further examinations being carried out on his client, the hospital was unable to issue any medical report for him to present in court.
He urged the court to adjourn to the next day to enable him obtain a medical report from the hospital.
-
EFCC grills five ex-NNPC bosses over $153m transfer
Commission moves to seize ex-minister’s posh estate
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives have questioned two former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) and three former Executive Directors (EDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over their roles in the transfer of $153m to some banks.
The cash was wired from NNPC’s account to the banks on the directive of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke whose multi-billion naira estate the EFCC plans to seize.
One of the former executive directors is said to have admitted playing a role in the transfer of the money, which belongs to the corporation.
An EFCC source confirmed that the five ex-officials and a few others had been quizzed in connection with the transfer of the funds. He declined to name the former officials, saying it could jeopardise the probe.
“We are however not stopping at this bend because we discovered that some of these officials were used for many illicit transactions,” the source said, adding:
“By the time we extend our investigation to crude oil lifting, you will appreciate the sleaze during the tenure of Diezani as minister of Petroleum Resources. A syndicate was used to perpetrate the fraud in the oil firm.”
An NNPC source confirmed the interrogation of the former officials.
The source said: “This corporation is following the development. The EFCC is on top of the $153million palaver; it has actually been inviting some of our past officials for questioning.
“The good thing is that some of these former officials are still on NNPC’s pension roll. They can be recalled at any time for clarification of some issues.
The source declined to name those quizzed by EFCC, saying he would need to check with the administration and security departments.
The source said NNPC could not react to the ruling of a Federal High Court on the $153million without “getting necessary legal advice”.
“Our board is meeting on the $153million saga and other matters on January 30. What we are doing now is to get the proceedings of the Federal High Court of Friday. We have a very articulate Legal Department which will study it.
“NNPC is a corporation with a board and a chairman. The legal advice will determine our next step after the board’s meeting.
“If the court indicts any former officials, the corporation can still exercise disciplinary control on them.”
The EFCC has started the process of seizing a sprawling estate in Yenagoa, which was traced to Mrs Alison-Madueke.
The asset will be placed on temporary forfeiture pending the arraignment and trial of the ex-minister either in Nigeria or in the United Kingdom.
A source in the commission said: “Since we recorded the breakthrough, our legal unit has been working round the clock on how to seek the nod of the court for a temporary forfeiture order.
“We have obtained relevant data from Bayelsa State Geographic Information System. As a matter of fact, the estate is coded as BGIS/OK/02/16/310 by the agency.
“We will file the required application for the seizure of the estate pending the arraignment and the conclusion of the trial of the ex-Minister. This is a standard benchmark allowed by the law. We are certainly heading for the court.”
Sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act read in part: “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the commission in the following circumstances- (a) the seizure is 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.
“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 designated by the Commission.
“Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a Court.”
Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.
“Section 28 of the EFCC Act 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.’
Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part : “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.
(2) “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”
-
$153m: EFCC uncovers Diezani’s hidden estate
•Magu jets out to London over ex-minister’s case
•Five bank chiefs may face trialWho owns this sprawling estate in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State? The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suspects it belongs to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
It was discovered by operatives of the anti-graft agency in the course of their investigation of public funds allegedly stolen by the former minister.
The investigators conducted a search on some of the houses on the estate.
Acting Chairman of the EFCC , Mr. Ibrahim Magu has already left Nigeria for London in connection with the investigation of the ex-minister and some upscale properties traced to her at home and abroad.
About five bank chiefs are likely to face trial over the $153million allegedly withdrawn by the ex-minister from the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation( NNPC) in December 2014.
The Nation gathered that the EFCC team,acting on intelligence,uncovered the sprawling estate which is coded as BGIS/OK/02/16/310.
It is located on Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Street, off Goodluck Jonathan Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
A source familiar with the investigation said: “Following our obtaining a court order to recover some assets belonging to Diezani, we were able to gather intelligence which led to the location of the hidden estate in question in Bayelsa State.
“Our operatives also conducted searches in some houses on the estate based on tip off on the ex-minister.
“We will follow due process in invoking the relevant laws on asset forfeiture on all the mansions in the estate.”
Section 7 of the EFCC Act says: “The commission has power to (a) cause any investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organization has committed any offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.
“(b) Cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”
Sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act read in part: “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the commission in the following circumstances- (a) the seizure is 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
“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 designated by the Commission.
“Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a Court.”
Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.
“Section 28 of the EFCC Act 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.’
Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part : “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.
(2) “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”
On the EFCC boss, Magu’s trip to London,a second source said: “We are getting closer to the biggest fraud trial in the UK. The Acting EFCC chairman has left Abuja for London to compare notes with his colleagues.
“The EFCC is collaborating with prosecutors in the United Kingdom by providing incontrovertible evidence against the ex-minister.
“Some of the UK investigators visited Nigeria in 2016. A few of our crack detectives have been in and out of the UK too.
“Magu’s trip is part of the crystallization and consolidation of evidence against Diezani.”
It was also gathered yesterday that about five bank chiefs may face trial in connection with looted funds traced to ex-Minister Diezani.
“Although we are presently preoccupied with the recovery of looted public funds by the ex-minister, we cannot rule out the prosecution of some people at the end of the day,” a source told The Nation yesterday.
“Some bank chiefs, maybe about five, may face trial but we are not making this a priority now. We want to retrieve every dollar stolen from NNPC accounts.
“Some of these bank chiefs are pleading that we should allow them to refund the funds credited to them without prosecution. But the weight of evidence will determine our position at the end of the day.
“The truth is that many bank chiefs were engaged by the ex-minister to perpetrate fraud.
“So far, all the banks implicated are cooperating with the EFCC. We hope that in two weeks’ time, the $153million would have been forfeited to the Federal Government.
Four banks have been fingered in how Diezani laundered $153,310,000.
The EFCC told a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday that the huge cash was wired from NNPC accounts to Fidelity Bank before it was given to Sterling Bank , Access Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc for safe keeping.
EFCC said the banks “aided and abetted the massive fraud perpetrated by the minister.”
Access Bank is holding $5million out of the total sum.
The breakdown of how the loot was hidden is as follows: Access Bank ($5million); Sterling Bank (N23, 446, 300,000); and First Bank (N9,080,000,000).
-
Alleged gratification: Court remands Perm Sec in prison
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday remanded a Permanent Secretary in the Katsina State Civil Service, Sule Yusuf Saulawa, in prison.
Saulawa was arraigned before Justice Sanusi Tukur of the Katsina High Court on one-count charge of obtaining by false pretense contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The accused person allegedly obtained the sum of N2.5million, while he was attached to the office of the Deputy Governor of Katsina State from a complainant, who is the chairman of Many Agro Allied and Chemical Company Nigeria Limited and Diamond Fertilizer Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Musa Baba.
The accused person was alleged to have collected the cash on the pretext that it was required for bidding documents that would enable the office award the complainant a contract to supply fertilizer to all the local government areas in the state.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwajuren, the accused person however pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in court.
-
EFCC quizzes ex-governor over cash traced to judge’s account
•I didn’t give out bribe funds, ex-governor tells detectives
A Former Governor has denied the remittance of N15 million to a judge’s bank account.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes that the cash was paid to the Federal High Court’s Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia as “medical assistance”.
All judges, who hail from South South State, were said to have benefited from the “medical assistance account”.
A source in the anti-graft commission said: “Following the discovery of suspicious remittances of N15 million in three installments into the account of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, our detectives invited the ex-Governor for interrogation.
“During the interaction, he admitted offering of medical assistance to judges from state, including Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, as part of the policy of his administration.
“We are still investigating the curious medical assistance payment because the National Judicial Council (NJC) takes care of medical bills of all serving and retired judges.
“We will look at records and verify the list of such beneficiary judges nationwide. We may re-invite the ex-governor, if necessary.”
The former governor was said to have told EFCC detectives that the “medical assistance” was neither slush nor bribe funds.
Besides, said a source, he stresses that the state government had no case before all beneficiaries to have warranted any hidden motive behind the gesture.
He denied a likely perversion of the course of justice.
The United States (U.S.)-based medical student daughter of the embattled judge is stranded in the country because of the seizure of her passport by the EFCC.
It was not immediately clear if any slush money had been traced to the girl’s account.
Another source said: “This student is doing her clinicals in the U.S. But she is stranded because of her mother’s travails. The judge has been appealing to the EFCC to save her daughter’s career by releasing the seized passport.
“The family is just appealing to the EFCC to release the girl’s passport for her not to lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
But an EFCC official insisted yesterday that “it is not a case of arbitrary seizure of the girl’s passport; we are investigating alleged links between the mother and the daughter on some suspected cases of money laundering”.
EFCC operatives on December 8, last year visited Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos home.
“The operation was meant to interview her daughter and son, who allegedly did not honour previous invitation from the EFCC,” the source said.
The EFCC, on November 28, last year, arraigned Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, before Justice O.H Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on a 30-count charge of offering gratification to a public servant, unlawful enrichment, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and giving false information to an officer of the commission.