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Tag: EFCC

  • Let the truth speak in the Bauchi EFCC case

    Let the truth speak in the Bauchi EFCC case

    Sir: In Hausa parlance, there is a popular saying: “If a bride does not mount a horse, it does not mean she was not prepared.” This proverb teaches patience, wisdom, and the danger of rushing to conclusions.

    In recent weeks, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under public criticism following the arrest, detention, and prosecution of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, over allegations bordering on money laundering and terrorism financing.

    Supporters of the Bauchi State Government, including Lawal Mu’azu Abubakar, a media aide and supporter of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, have strongly argued that the EFCC is acting politically and unfairly targeting the governor and his officials.

    On the other hand, a detailed investigative report by Premium Times, based on court documents, official memos, confessional statements, and financial records, presents disturbing allegations that cannot be brushed aside with sentiments or propaganda.

    The EFCC allegations did not come from political opponents, social media bloggers, or opposition propaganda units. They came from, official government records, statements from serving and former Bauchi State officials, cash delivery agents, banking and forex transaction trails, and court filings accepted by a Federal High Court.

    According to Premium Times, millions of dollars meant for “security commitments” were allegedly paid outside the banking system, through cash deliveries in restaurants, supermarkets, and private residences.

    Even more troubling is the allegation that Bello Bodejo, leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, received over $2.33 million from Bauchi State sources — some of it allegedly during periods when he was in detention.

    The EFCC further alleges that the Commissioner for Finance himself received nearly $7 million in cash, without acknowledgements or official documentation.

    These are not light accusations. They involve terrorism financing, one of the gravest crimes under Nigerian and international law.

    This is where many political communicators are getting it wrong. When allegations come from EFCC, DSS, DIA, or the courts, it is dangerous and irresponsible to dismiss them as “politics” without evidence.

    Statements like the one allegedly made by Al-Mustapha Haji Sufi on Albarka Radio, claiming the case is purely political, do not help the governor, the state, or the truth.

    If these allegations had come from rival parties, faceless groups, or campaign propaganda, then media defence would be justified.

    But when state funds, terrorism laws, and court processes are involved, the correct response is facts, documents, and explanations, not noise.

    The most important question remains unanswered:  Why was Bello Bodejo paid?

    What service did he render?  Which contract did he execute?  Who approved the payments and under what legal framework? Why were payments made in cash, outside the banking system?

    These are simple questions. They deserve clear and honest answers.

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    If the money was truly for security coordination, then the government should present official approvals, contracts, security briefs, and beneficiary records.

    Silence or political shouting will only deepen suspicion.

     Nigeria is fighting terrorism, banditry, and organised crime. The EFCC, despite its imperfections, is a statutory institution with the legal mandate to investigate financial crimes.

    Distracting investigators, attacking judges, or turning serious allegations into propaganda battles weakens democracy and endangers national security.

    Let the EFCC do its job. Let the courts decide. Let evidence speak.

    Bauchi people deserve clarity, not confusion. Nigeria deserves accountability, not propaganda. Security deserves truth, not politics.

    History will not remember who shouted the loudest. It will remember who stood with facts and integrity.

    This too shall pass — but only the truth will remain.

    •Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman), Bauchi.

  • Yahaya Bello: Kogi paid tax consultant N1.1b in eight months — EFCC

    Yahaya Bello: Kogi paid tax consultant N1.1b in eight months — EFCC

    David Ajoda, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and two others, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday that the board of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) paid the sum of N1,164,929,569 as commission to a tax consultant within eight months.

    Ajoda added that the money was paid from January to August 2019 when Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) engaged the tax consultant

    The witness also said that another N952.4m was withdrawn by the tax consultant from his account with Sterling Bank within the same eight months, leaving a balance of N212,525,569 in the account.

    Ajoda, led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), said the multiple withdrawals were allegedly undertaken by one Phillip Unar.

    Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), along with Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on an alleged money laundering charge.

    Ajoda said he did not know the details of the tax consultancy contract between Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and the consultant.

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    The prosecution tendered through the witness the account statement of the said tax consultant, which was admitted in evidence by the court.

    The witness told the court that before the tax consultant was engaged by the Kogi tax board, it had a credit balance of over N2 million in its account, adding that credit inflows into the account rose shortly after it was engaged.

    While being cross-examined by lawyer to Bello and Oricha, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Ajoda admitted that the name “Kogi State Government” did not feature in the bank transactions.

    Ajoda equally admitted that bank account belongs to customer and that such customers can make withdrawals unhindered as long as such withdrawals are within the stipulated laws.

    He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations permitted N5m maximum withdrawal for individuals while corporate entity is N10m maximum per withdrawal.

    The witness added that the tax consultant did not breach CBN regulations in the multiple withdrawals. Hence no report of suspicion was made against the tax consultant.

    He said Bello’s name and his co-defendants did not feature in the bank statement as beneficiaries of any of the withdrawals.

    The witness added that there is a difference between the Kogi State Government and Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, arguing that both are separate entities.

    Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned further hearing till February 10.

  • Delta council boss, five others dragged to EFCC over alleged N800m loan scam

    Delta council boss, five others dragged to EFCC over alleged N800m loan scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to investigate the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Delta State, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, and five others over the alleged collection of an unapproved ₦800 million loan from a commercial bank.

    The move followed a petition by 15 councillors of the Bomadi Legislative Arm, dated January 8, 2026, and submitted to the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate on January 14, 2026.

    The petition is titled, ‘Alleged Forgery and Fraudulent Loan Obtaining by Hon. Dagidi Andaye and Five Suspended Councillors of Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.”

    The councillors alleged that the loan was obtained without legislative approval and that their signatures were forged to secure the facility.

    The allegations have sparked impeachment proceedings against the council chairman, with a notice reportedly forwarded to the Delta State House of Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and security agencies.

    Andaye is accused of financial impropriety, financial recklessness, abuse of office, and alleged political intimidation of councillors.

    Also named in the petition are Hon. Doubra Wurukeseiye, the impeached Leader of the Bomadi Legislative House; Hon. John Tome; Asu Eteku, Head of Personnel Management; Adibor Senior, the council treasurer; and Hon. Porbeni Cletus.

    The petition to the EFCC read, “We, the undersigned 15 Councillors of Bomadi Local Government Area Legislative House, Delta State, bring to your attention a grave case of forgery and financial impropriety of Hon. Dagidi Andaye, Chairman, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, and five suspended councillors — Hon.Doubra Wurukeseiye, Hon. John Tome, Asu Eteku (HPM Bomadi LGA), Adibor Senior (Treasurer), and Hon. Porbeni Cletus.

    Read Also: Glitches: EFCC returns N802.4m to First Bank

    “They allegedly forged our signatures to secure an N800 million loan without legislative approval.

    ‎”This act constitutes a serious breach of public trust, financial crime, and undermines governance.

    ‎”Forgery is a severe offence under the Nigerian Law, punishable by up to 14 years Imprisonment.  We urge the EFCC to treat this matter with utmost urgency, investigate, recover the fraudulently obtained loan, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

    ‎The petition was signed by 15 councillors, namely Hon. Peres Alari, Hon. Barbar Harris, Hon. Muturu Justice Ebimene, Hon. Ebi Nanakumo, Hon. Bariki Godsday Desmond, Hon. Edougha Felix, Hon.bIsaiah Selekekeme Emmanuel, Hon. Komuko Pius, and Hon. David Ambari.

    ‎‎Others are Hon. Egbebo Rofina Tamaraudebaemi, Hon. Musa Rita, Hon. ThankGod Tiriki, Hon. Forcados Segun Olobio, Hon. Coleman Donobebe Dennis, and Hon. Massah Austine.

    Efforts to get the council chairman, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, responding to the legislators’ allegations, hit a brick wall as calls to his mobile phone rang out several times. Also, he did not respond to a text message sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report.

  • Glitches: EFCC returns N802.4m to First Bank

    Glitches: EFCC returns N802.4m to First Bank

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over  N802,420,000, which it recovered  of  N1.3billion, to the First Bank Nigeria Plc.

    The cash was intercepted from a customer by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the commission following glitches in the bank.

    The customer and his relationship, who took advantage of the errors, have been  charged to court.

     According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the money was retrieved from a suspect, Ojo Eghosa Kingsley, who took unlawful possession of over N1.3 billion belonging to the bank.

     The statement said: “The bank,  in its petition to the EFCC,  had alleged that system glitches led it to erroneously credit the account of Kingsley, a customer of the bank with the said amount.

    “The commission in its investigation discovered that the suspect,  upon the receipt of the money,  transferred a good measure of it to the bank accounts of his mother, Itohan Ojo and that of his sister, Edith Okoro Osaretin, and committed part of the money to the completion of his building project and the funding of a new flamboyant lifestyle.

    “With the recovery of the money from the identified bank accounts, the EFCC handed it over in drafts to First Bank.”

     The Acting Director, Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC,  Deputy Commander of the EFCC,  DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, while handing over the money,  said the EFCC will continue to discharge its mandate effectively in the overall interests of the society.

    Read Also: Adeyanju backs EFCC, faults opposition over reaction to Malami’s case

     Sa’ad added: “The EFCC Establishment Act empowers us to trace and recover proceeds of crime and restitute the victim. In this case,  First Bank was the victim and that is exactly what we have done.

    “We will continue to discharge our duties to ensure that fraudsters do not benefit from fraud and that economic and financial crimes are nipped in the bud.”

    In his response, Olalere Sunday Ajayi, Business Manager, First Bank, Benin, who received the drafts on behalf of the bank,  commended the EFCC for the swiftness and the professionalism it brought to bear in the handling of the matter and expressed the bank’s gratitude to the Commission.

    He described the EFCC as one of the most effective and reliable institutions.

    Kingsley and all other suspects in the matter have been charged to court for stealing by the EFCC.

  • Assets forfeiture: Let’s stop the theft, not chase it

    Assets forfeiture: Let’s stop the theft, not chase it

    • By Obadiya John

    Sir: In the bustling courtrooms of Abuja, Lagos, and beyond, a familiar ritual plays out: high-profile asset forfeitures, multi-billion naira recoveries, and protracted legal battles against former public officials. To the average citizen, these headlines—often involving hundreds of duplexes, luxury vehicles, and billions in repatriated cash—feel like a victory.

    However, as the figures grow larger, a haunting question remains: Why is the tap of corruption still running so freely? While our anti-graft agencies, the EFCC and ICPC, deserve credit for clawing back stolen wealth, the sheer volume of these recoveries is not a badge of honour; it is a diagnostic report of a failing system. We are celebrating the return of the water while the house is still flooding.

    In recent years, the scale of asset recovery has reached historic levels. The figures are, by any objective measure, staggering. In 2024 alone, the federal government disclosed a combined recovery of over N277 billion and $105 million in cash and assets. By 2025, the ICPC realized N1.86 billion from the auction of 23 forfeited assets—the highest in its history.

    The EFCC has been even more aggressive. Between late 2023 and September 2025, the commission recovered over N566 billion, $411 million, and 1,502 properties. One of the most staggering examples remains the final forfeiture of 753 duplexes in Lokogoma, Abuja. While these figures enjoy strong political endorsement—including the president’s vow that “every stolen asset will be recovered”—they tell a story of massive theft that was allowed to happen in the first place. Forfeiture, in this context, is a damage-control exercise rather than a deterrent strategy.

    The irony of Nigeria’s corruption crisis is that we do not lack the legal tools to prevent looting. Our law books are filled with preventive measures designed to “stop the thief at the door.” The Public Procurement Act (2007) was established to ensure transparency and competition in government contracts; the Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007) aims to prevent reckless spending outside the budget; the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act requires public officers to declare assets to prevent “unjust enrichment”; and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (2022) provides a framework to stop illicit funds before they leave the country.

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    So, what happened? The answer lies in institutional capture and legal formalism. Nigeria has the “form” of the law but lacks the “spirit” of enforcement. Many of these preventive laws are treated as mere administrative hurdles. When internal oversight units, such as Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), are underfunded or intimidated by their superiors, the law becomes a dead letter.

    There is a dangerous tendency to view asset recovery as a source of national pride. But we must ask: Is it “pride” to catch a man who has already spent years impoverishing a community?

    Recovery is a slow, expensive, and often inefficient process. Research suggests the efficiency rate for recovering traced proceeds can be as low as 45% due to long legal battles and the depreciation of seized assets like vehicles and buildings. More importantly, by the time money is recovered, the damage—unbuilt hospitals, broken schools, and lost lives—is already done.

    A pilot who prevents a crash is more successful than a search-and-rescue team that finds the black box after a tragedy. Nigeria is currently focusing on the black box.

    To move beyond being a nation that simply “reacts well to theft,” Nigeria must shift from a “policeman-chasing-thief” model to a “system-securing-vault” model. This requires three critical reforms: Automating government payments and procurement to remove the “human interface” where bribes and negotiations typically occur; Moving beyond a mere policy to a formal law that provides concrete protection and rewards for those who report looting before the funds are diverted; and ensuring that internal auditors and procurement officers have security of tenure so they cannot be fired or transferred by the same politicians they are meant to monitor.

    Forfeiture and recovery are necessary, but they are woefully insufficient as standalone strategies. We must recognize that when catching crooks becomes the sole goal, the system still fails; true victory lies not in the arrest, but in the impossibility of the theft. Celebrating recovery is not enough; we need prevention to ensure that public wealth remains where it belongs: in the service of the people.

    •Obadiya John,

    obadiyajohn@yahoo.com

  • Glitches: EFCC returns N802.4m to First Bank

    Glitches: EFCC returns N802.4m to First Bank

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over  N802,420,000, which it recovered out of  N1.3billion to the First Bank Nigeria Plc.

    The cash was intercepted from a customer by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the commission following glitches in the bank. 

    The customer and his relationship manager, who took advantage of the errors, have been  charged to court.

     According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the money was retrieved from a suspect, Ojo Eghosa Kingsley, who took unlawful possession of over N1.3 billion belonging to the bank.

     The statement said: “The bank,  in its petition to the EFCC,  had alleged that system glitches led it to erroneously credit the account of Kingsley, a customer of the bank with the said amount.  

    “The commission in its investigation discovered that the suspect,  upon the receipt of the money,  transferred a good measure of it to the bank accounts of his mother, Itohan Ojo and that of his sister, Edith Okoro Osaretin, and committed part of the money to the completion of his building project and the funding of a new flamboyant lifestyle.

    Read Also: Olukoyede: EFCC not victimising Malami, I inherited his case

    “With the recovery of the money from the identified bank accounts, the EFCC handed it over in drafts to First Bank.”

     The Acting Director, Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC,  Deputy Commander of the EFCC,  DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, while handing over the money,  said the EFCC will continue to discharge its mandate effectively in the overall interests of the society. 

     Sa’ad added: “The EFCC Establishment Act empowers us to trace and recover proceeds of crime and restitute the victim. In this case,  First Bank was the victim and that is exactly what we have done. 

    “We will continue to discharge our duties to ensure that fraudsters do not benefit from fraud and that economic and financial crimes are nipped in the bud.”

    In his response, Olalere Sunday Ajayi, Business Manager, First Bank, Benin, who received the drafts on behalf of the bank,  commended the EFCC for the swiftness and the professionalism it brought to bear in the handling of the matter and expressed the bank’s gratitude to the Commission. 

    He described the EFCC as one of Nigeria’s most effective and reliable institutions.

    Kingsley and all other suspects in the matter have been charged to court for stealing by the EFCC.

  • Olukoyede: EFCC not victimising Malami, I inherited his case

    Olukoyede: EFCC not victimising Malami, I inherited his case

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Ola Olukoyede has faulted the persecution claim by the immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    He described it as unfortunate that some Nigerians were buying into the narrative when Malami’s probe started before his appointment.

    Malami is standing trial alongside some family members on 16 counts of money laundering involving about N8.7 billion.

    Speaking on a national television yesterday, Olukoyede dismissed Malami’s claim of vendetta against him, saying the commission has not wavered in investigating and prosecuting those suspected to have been involved in corruption cases.

    “There’s nothing like that. The particular case predated my appointment. And, I didn’t give a nod to initiate proceedings until I found that we have a water-tight investigation,” he said.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Court grants EFCC’s request for temporary forfeiture of Malami’s 57 property

    The EFCC boss denied being indicted by Justice Ayo Salami’s panel.

    Olukoyede said: “I challenge those making such claims of indictment against me by Justice Ayo Salami Panel to publish the report.

    “Let me tell Nigerians that the commission’s investigation panel cleared me of any wrongdoing. The presidency at the time also cleared me. Also, the law enforcement agencies handed me a clean bill.

    “I can say clearly that there’s no report anywhere that I’ve been involved in any fraudulent dealings, whether as the commission’s chief of staff, secretary, and now, the chairman of the commission.”

    Noting that the commission, under his watch, made notable achievements last year, he said: “Our big win in 2025 was our ability to review and revive old cases that Nigerians thought were dead.

    “Some of the cases affect past governors and ministers, and many such cases are in courts.

    “We were able to recover assets. Nigerians are aware of the Lokogoma assets. One major recovery was a university.”

    The EFCC recovered Nok University in Kachia, Kaduna, after a court ordered its final forfeiture because it was built with stolen public funds by a former civil servant.

    It was converted to the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, turning the illegally acquired asset into a public institution.

  • EFCC vows not to bow to blackmail, pledges fairness

    EFCC vows not to bow to blackmail, pledges fairness

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it will not bow to blackmail to drop charges against some Political Exposed Persons(PEPs).

    It said it will remain non-political and non-partisan in line with the EFCC Establishment Act.

    It said anti-graft suspects undergoing investigation and prosecution were both in the ruling party and in the opposition.

    The commission  raised the alarm over plot to launch campaigns of calumny against it  and its Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede by politicians and groups having vested interests in suspects.

    The EFCC made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale.

    It said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wishes to alert the public of planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and groups having vested interests in suspects being investigated or facing prosecution by the commission.

    ‘A motley crowd of paid jobbers comprising  politicians , academics,  so-called civil society activists and some Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora have been recruited by these disgruntled elements to orchestrate campaigns of calumny through sponsored media attacks targeting the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and the institution itself with phantom allegations of political bias in the execution of the commission’s mandate.

    “Their objective is to befuddle the works of the commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the commission into a timid mode, where it will be afraid to investigate opposition politicians for fear of being labelled as partisan.

    “This campaign is likely to intensify as the political space becomes charged, in the months leading to the 2027 general election.

    Read Also: Court grants EFCC’s request for interim forfeiture of N30.7m linked to alleged fraud in NNPC 

    “The commission wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch, and EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

    The anti-graft commission restated its resolve to be non-political.

    It vowed to investigate and  prosecute  any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party.

    It added: “The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the commission. “As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the commission.

    It said its declaration of all suspects and defendants on trial as innocent was based on the law and the  EFCC Establishment Act.

     The commission said it was not out to shield any individual or group from prosecution.

    The EFCC said: “It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations. Commentaries about presumption of innocence of a defendant in court are in line with the provisions of the Constitution and not intended as defence of any individual or group. “Additionally, the commission has no alliance or working relationship with any political party. All these facts are unassailable. 

    “ The EFCC will not be pressured or blackmailed into making public disclosures of politically exposed persons being investigated for one alleged corruption case or the other.  “Therefore,  the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour,  in the fulfilment of its mandate.”

  • EFCC vows not to bow to blackmail, pledges fairness

    EFCC vows not to bow to blackmail, pledges fairness

    …Raises the alarm over plot to launch campaigns of calumny against Chairman, commission 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it will not bow to blackmail to drop charges against some Political Exposed Persons(PEPs).

    It said it will remain non-political and non-partisan in line with the EFCC Establishment Act.

    It said anti-graft suspects undergoing investigation and prosecution were both in the ruling party and in the opposition. 

    It raised the alarm over plot to launch campaigns of calumny against the commission and its Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede by politicians and groups having vested interests in suspects. 

    The EFCC made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale. 

    It said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wishes to alert the public of planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and groups having vested interests in suspects being investigated or facing prosecution by the commission.

    ‘A motley crowd of paid jobbers comprising  politicians , academics,  so-called civil society activists and some Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora have been recruited by these disgruntled elements to orchestrate campaigns of calumny through sponsored media attacks targeting the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and the institution itself with phantom allegations of political bias in the execution of the commission’s mandate.

    “Their objective is to befuddle the works of the commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the commission into a timid mode, where it will be afraid to investigate opposition politicians for fear of being labelled as partisan.

    “This campaign is likely to intensify as the political space becomes charged, in the months leading to the 2027 general election.

    “The commission wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch, and EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

    The anti-graft commission restated its resolve to be non-political. 

    It vowed to investigate and prosecute any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Court grants EFCC’s request for temporary forfeiture of Malami’s 57 property

    It added, “The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the commission. 

    “As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the commission.

    It said its declaration of all suspects and defendants on trial as innocent was based on the law and the  EFCC Establishment Act. 

     The commission said it was not out to shield any individual or group from prosecution. 

    The EFCC said, “It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations. Commentaries about presumption of innocence of a defendant in court are in line with the provisions of the Constitution and not intended as defence of any individual or group. 

    “Additionally, the commission has no alliance or working relationship with any political party. All these facts are unassailable.   

    “The EFCC will not be pressured or blackmailed into making public disclosures of politically exposed persons being investigated for one alleged corruption case or the other.  “Therefore,  the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour,  in the fulfilment of its mandate.”

  • JUST IN: Court grants EFCC’s request for temporary forfeiture of Malami’s 57 property

    JUST IN: Court grants EFCC’s request for temporary forfeiture of Malami’s 57 property

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the temporary forfeiture of 57 property suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities associated with the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and moved by its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

    An enrolled copy of the order, seen on Wednesday, revealed that the affected landed property are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states.

    In the ruling, Justice Nwite said, “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made, forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the properties described in Schedule One below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

    The judge ordered the EFCC to publish the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily to invite “any person(s) or body (ies) who may have interest in the properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of the publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties, should not be made.”

    The judge proceeded to adjourn the matter until January 27 for the EFCC to report on compliance with the order for publication.

    According to court documents filed by the EFCC, the affected property includes:

    *Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 Within Cadastral Zone, A06 Maitama; File No: AN enhancement 11352, which was purchased in December 2022 at N500, 000, 000.00 (value after enhancement at N5, 950, 000, 000);

    *Two Winged Large Storey Building Situate at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone, A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, which was purchased Dec. 2018 at N7, 000, 000, 000.00.

    *Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Comprising a five storey Building (Now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi, with 53 rooms/suites), which was purchased in Sept. 2020 at carcass level at N850, 000, 000. 00 with additional N300, 000, 000 to take possession (value after completion N8, 400, 000, 000).

    *Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, Comprising Terraces, purchased in Jan. 2021 at N360, 000, 000.00.

    *Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (MEETHAQ HOTELS LTD, MAITAMA WITH 15 ROOMS), which was purchased in Feb. 2018 at N430, 000, 000.00 (current value after rehabilitation is N12, 950, 000, 000).

    *Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (NO. 11A YAKUBU GOWON CRESCENT) ASOKORO DISTRICT, which was purchased in July 2021 at N325, 000, 000.00.

    *SHOP NO. C82 CITISCAPE — SHARIFF PLAZA, PLOT 739 CADASTRAL ZONE A07, AMINU KANO CRESCENT, WUSE Il, FCT, ABUJA, which was purchased in March 2024 at N120, 000, 000.00.

    *NO. 4 AHMADU BELLO WAY, NASARAWA GRA, KANO, which was purchased in Dec. 2022 at N300, 000, 000. 00

    *PLOT 157, LAMIDO CRESCENT, NASARAWA, GRA, KANO, purchased in July 2019 with no specific amount stated.

    *A PLAZA, COMMERCIAL TOILETS, LAUNDERING, WAREHOUSE TANKS ADJACENT TO BIRNIN KEBBI MARKET, which was purchased in 2021 at N100, 000, 000.00.

    *100 HECTARES OF LAND ALONG BRININ KEBBI, JEGA ROAD, which was purchased in 2020 at N100, 000, 000.00.

    *4 BEDROOM BUNGALOW GESSE PHASE, BIRNIN KEBBI, which was purchased in 2023 at N101, 000, 000.00.

    *SHOPS NOS. A36, B3 VEGAS MALL, WUSE 2, ABUJA, which was purchased in July 2023 at N158, 000, 000.00.

    *NO. 26, BABBI DRIVE, BUA ESTATE, ABUJA, purchased in 2022 at N136, 000, 000.00.

    *NO. 27, EFAB ESTATES AVENUE, 59™ CRESCENT, GWARIMPA, ABUJA, purchased in Jan. 2016 at N120, 000, 000.00.

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    *4 BEDROOM/ 2 ROOMS BOYS QUARTERS AT NO. 10B, DOKA CRESCENT ABAKPA GRA, KADUNA, purchased in Jan. 2018 at N40, 000, 000.00.

    *PLOT NO. 13, IPENT 7 ESTATE, KARSANA DISTRICT, ABUJA, purchased in June 2018 at N85, 000, 000.00.

    *A BEDROOM DUPLEX & BOYS QUARTERS AT NO. 12 YALINGA STREET, OFF ADETOKUNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT, WUSE Il, ABUJA, purchased in Oct. 2018 at N150, 000, 000.00.

    *TWO WAREHOUSE SHOPS B40 AND B46, WUSE MARKET, ABUJA, purchased in July 2020 at N50, 000, 000.00.

    *TWIN HOUSES AT ZONE E, APO LEGISLATIVE QUARTERS, CADASTRAL ZONE B01, PLOT 14014, GUDU DISTRICT, ABUJA, it was purchased between Feb and May 2017 at N250, 000, 000.00.

    *Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage, namely.

    Others are nine units of three-bedroom, bungalow, three units of two-bedroom, bungalow, and 5.4 hectares of land, which were purchased between Feb. 2023 and Sept. 2023 at N187, 000, 000.00, among other assets listed in the schedule.