The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Court adjourns ex-governor Goje’s case to November 22

    Court adjourns ex-governor Goje’s case to November 22

    A Gombe Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday adjourned the five-year-old case involving former governor Danjuma Goje till November 22.

    Justice Babatunde Quadri adjourned the case to enable the prosecution tender the financial regulations and due process documents mentioned by the witness during proceedings, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Quadri set out four days – November 22 to 25 – as requested by prosecution for continuation of hearing in the matter.

    Goje is standing trial on a five-count charge of financial impropriety during his time as governor of Gombe.

    At the resumed hearing, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu, led a prosecution witness, Dr. Sani Gyauro, in evidence.

    Shittu had applied for an adjournment to enable him tender the financial regulations and due processes documents mentioned by Gyauro.

    “My Lord, in view of the relevancy of the financial regulations and due process documents regarding the subject matter of food procurement, I wish to apply to the court to adjourn this case and give us four to five days.

    “I wish to tender the relevant documents about the manner contracts for the procurement of food for the government was flaunted during ex- governor Goje’ tenure, ’’ he said.

  • Looted funds: EFCC will arrest more suspects, says Magu

    Looted funds: EFCC will arrest more suspects, says Magu

    Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu yesterday asked Nigerians to expect more arrest and trial  of  corruption suspects and recovery of looted funds.

    He also said that enforcement alone cannot win the war against corruption, identifying prevention as an effective and necessary weapon that must also be employed in conjunction with enforcement.

    He disclosed that a new campaign, “EFCC Women Against Corruption initiative”will be launched in November by President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Hajiya Aisha.

    Magu made the submissions in an address in Abuja at the “Unveiling of the EFCC creative youths initiative against corruption”.

    He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, as we know, the people most impacted by the mindless looting of our commonwealth, are women and children.  These are the most vulnerable in our society and must not only be protected, but armed with the necessary tools to fight a sustainable and winnable war against corruption.

    “Our children must see that there is a future away from corruption and be encouraged to take that path of honour, moral rectitude and creative employment of their talents, which had been shunned by so many of our corrupt leaders.

    “Let me clarify that EFCC will continue to vigorously enforce its mandate alongside engaging in preventive initiatives such as this.

    “Therefore, even as we appeal to the old and the young to shun corruption and other forms of fraud, expect to see more investigation, more arrests, more trials, more convictions and more recovery of stolen assets.”

    He assured the audience that the commission will do its best to prevent corruption in the country.

    The EFCC sought the support of all Nigerians to make the war against graft successful.

    He added: ”We are the first to recognise that enforcement alone cannot win the war against corruption.

    “Prevention is an effective and necessary weapon that must be employed in conjunction with enforcement and there is no group of Nigerians better equipped to wield that weapon than the youths.

    “Let us bear in mind that the task to rid the nation of the corruption cankerworm cannot be left to EFCC and other anticorruption agencies alone.

    “We are all stakeholders in the war and cannot let the future generations down; it is for their future that we must sacrifice our today.

    “Let us work together for our dear nation; let us join hands to build for our children the future we desire.”

    Magu praised Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka for championing the initiative to promote preventive action against corruption among the youths.

    He said: “I  really have to express my sincere appreciation to Professor Wole Soyinka, whose brainchild this Initiative is.  When I met him in January, he offered me this unique platform to carry forward the prevention mandate of the commission.

    “ I am really happy to see that we have reached this stage of the programme and with the support of all stakeholders, I am confident that the Initiative will definitely expand the anti-corruption mandate using as vehicle, the innate creativity of our young ones.

    ?”That is the essence of this Initiative, which is a forerunner of sorts to the EFCC Women Against Corruption initiative, that will be rolled out by the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, in November.

    “That project will bring on board the anticorruption train, Nigerian women from all walks of life.”

    END

     

     

     

  • APC members hail EFCC’s probe of Fayose

    APC members hail EFCC’s probe of Fayose

    •’Ekiti funds must be recovered’

    EKITI State All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for probing Governor Ayo Fayose for alleged money laundering and purchase of assets after assumption of office.

    The party leaders and members in Ado Ekiti Local Government, who rose from their monthly meeting at Ward 5 in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, urged the anti-graft agency to ensure that all Ekiti funds and assets purchased with state funds are recovered.

    Fifteen people were empowered with cash in aid of their businesses by a chieftain of the party, Faleye Rotimi.

    He said the gesture was to assist the less-privileged in line with the party’s manifesto.

    Party leaders, who attended the meeting, include ex-Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker Femi Bamisile; ex-House of Assembly member Tope Olanipekun; ex-Commissioner for Culture Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; ward and local government executives.

    Addressing the gathering, Ayodele said the people were happy with the EFCC probe, maintaining that illicit funds traced to the governor must be recovered.

    Ayodele said: “We are happy with EFCC for investigating Fayose and what is happening to our treasury. Fayose must face the music for the way he has been handling our funds and the arms funds diverted to his campaign.”

    Former Chairman of the State Sports Council Ade Adetola called for the understanding of Nigerians.

    He said the 16 years of “destruction of the economy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration” could not be rectified within two years by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ward Chairman Olumide Ajibade said the recession was not caused by Buhari, but by “unprecedented corruption wreaked on Nigerians by the PDP government”.

    He urged Nigerians to repose their confidence in the President.

     

     

  • APC members hail EFCC’s probe of Fayose

    EKITI State All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for probing Governor Ayo Fayose for alleged money laundering and purchase of assets after assumption of office.

    The party leaders and members in Ado Ekiti Local Government, who rose from their monthly meeting at Ward 5 in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, urged the anti-graft agency to ensure that all Ekiti funds and assets purchased with state funds are recovered.

    Fifteen people were empowered with cash in aid of their businesses by a chieftain of the party, Faleye Rotimi.

    He said the gesture was to assist the less-privileged in line with the party’s manifesto.

    Party leaders, who attended the meeting, include ex-Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker Femi Bamisile; ex-House of Assembly member Tope Olanipekun; ex-Commissioner for Culture Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; ward and local government executives.

    Addressing the gathering, Ayodele said the people were happy with the EFCC probe, maintaining that illicit funds traced to the governor must be recovered.

    Ayodele said: “We are happy with EFCC for investigating Fayose and what is happening to our treasury. Fayose must face the music for the way he has been handling our funds and the arms funds diverted to his campaign.”

    Former Chairman of the State Sports Council Ade Adetola called for the understanding of Nigerians.

    He said the 16 years of “destruction of the economy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration” could not be rectified within two years by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ward Chairman Olumide Ajibade said the recession was not caused by Buhari, but by “unprecedented corruption wreaked on Nigerians by the PDP government”.

    He urged Nigerians to repose their confidence in the President.

  • Ex- NAF chief Amosu, others in plea bargain with EFCC

    Ex- NAF chief Amosu, others in plea bargain with EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), charged with laundering N21billion, may plead guilty to the offence.

    He and 10 others said they were negotiating a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The defendants opposed a bid by EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, to begin their trial.

    They sought for more time to conclude the plea bargain.

    A plea bargain, according to Wikipedia, is any agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor.

    EFCC arraigned Amosu along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    Companies arraigned with them are Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Limited, Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

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

    They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime,” an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a).

    Arguing his bail application before Justice Mohammed Idris after Amosu’s arraignment in June, his lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), said his client had returned “collossal sums.”

    “He (Amosu) has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies,” the Senior Advocate said.

     

  • More looters will be prosecuted – EFCC

    More looters will be prosecuted – EFCC

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday asked Nigerians to expect more arrest and trial of corruption suspects and recovery of looted funds.

    He also said enforcement alone cannot win the war against corruption.

    Magu said prevention is an effective and necessary weapon that must be employed in conjunction with enforcement.

    He disclosed that a new campaign, “EFCC Women Against Corruption initiative” would be launched in November by the Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari.

    Magu made the submissions in an address at the “Unveiling of the EFCC Creative Youths Initiative against Corruption” in Abuja.

    He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, as we know, the people most impacted by the mindless looting of our commonwealth, are women and children.  These are the  most vulnerable in our society and must not only be protected, but armed with the necessary tools to fight a sustainable and winnable war against corruption.

    “Our children must see that there is a future away from corruption and be encouraged to take that path of honour, moral rectitude and creative employment of their talents, which had been shunned by so many of our corrupt leaders.

    “Let me clarify that EFCC will continue to vigorously enforce its mandate alongside engaging in preventive initiatives such as this.

    “Therefore, even as we appeal to the old and the young to shun corruption and other forms of fraud, expect to see more investigation, more arrests, more trials, more convictions and more recovery of stolen assets.”

    He assured the audience that EFCC will do its best to prevent corruption in the country.

    He however sought the support of all Nigerians to make the war against graft successful.

    He added: “We are the first to recognize that enforcement alone cannot win the war against corruption.

    “Prevention is an effective and necessary weapon that must be employed in conjunction with enforcement and there is no group of Nigerians better equipped to wield that weapon than the youths.

    “Let us bear in mind that the task to rid the nation of the corruption cankerworm cannot be left to EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies alone.

    “We are all stakeholders in the war and cannot let the future generations down; it is for their future that we must sacrifice our today.

    “Let us work together for our dear nation; let us join hands to build for our children the future we desire.”

     

  • Alleged N3b fraud: EFCC ‘hasn’t’ cleared’ FAAN MD

    Alleged N3b fraud: EFCC ‘hasn’t’ cleared’ FAAN MD

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday denied clearing Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma of alleged N3billion fraud and other corrupt allegations.

    It said there was no iota of truth in the allegations that the FAAN boss was given clearance after paying bribe to some of its officials and those of the Ministry of Transport.

    The anti-graft agency requested those with evidence of such bribery to present them.

    The EFCC made the clarification in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has been drawn to  a report entitled, ‘N3b Found In FAAN MD’s Bank Accounts Sparks Discontent Over His Clearance By EFCC And Shabby Running Of The Agency’, which appeared in an online news portal, with claims that  the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma was cleared of corruption allegations by the commission after paying bribe to unnamed officials of the EFCC and the Ministry of Transport.

    “The EFCC is scandalized by this report which is capable of raising doubts in the mind of the public regarding the integrity of the agency.

    “ As an agency that has zero tolerance for corruption, the Commission views with seriousness issues of integrity and has repeatedly asked those with evidence of corruption among the ranks of its officers to come forward, which in this case should have included the names of the officers allegedly involved, and the time and place where they collected the alleged gratification.

    “But there was no such evidence in the report which to all intent and purposes appears contrived.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC wishes to state that at no time did it issue any clearance to any managing director of FAAN, which makes the story specious,

    “The Commission urges the media to be a little circumspect in their reportage.”

     

     

  • Alleged N3b fraud: EFCC denies clearance for FAAN MD

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on Monday denied that it has cleared the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma of alleged N3 billion fraud and other corrupt allegations.

    It said there was no iota of truth in the allegations that the MD was given clearance after paying bribe to some of its officials and those of the Ministry of Transport.

    The anti-graft agency however asked those with evidence of such bribery to come forward with evidence.

    The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has been drawn to a report entitled, ‘N3b Found In FAAN MD’s Bank Accounts Sparks Discontent Over His Clearance By EFCC And Shabby Running Of The Agency’, which appeared in an online news portal, with claims that the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma was cleared of corruption allegations by the commission after paying bribe to unnamed officials of the EFCC and the Ministry of Transport.

    “The EFCC is scandalized by this report which is capable of raising doubts in the mind of the public regarding the integrity of the agency.

    “As an agency that has zero tolerance for corruption, the Commission views with seriousness issues of integrity and has repeatedly asked those with evidence of corruption among the ranks of its officers to come forward, which in this case should have included the names of the officers allegedly involved, and the time and place where they collected the alleged gratification.

    “But there was no such evidence in the report which to all intent and purposes appears contrived.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC wishes to state that at no time did it issue any clearance to any managing director of FAAN, which makes the story specious.

    “The Commission urges the media to be a little circumspect in their reportage.”

  • Anti-graft war: Goje, Nyame, Nnamani, Ladoja, Borishade, 38 other high-profile cases held up, says EFCC

    Anti-graft war: Goje, Nyame, Nnamani, Ladoja, Borishade, 38 other high-profile cases held up, says EFCC

    Forty-three high-profile corruption cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) between 2007 and 2015 are still pending in courts, the anti-graft agency said yesterday.

    The cases include those involving 16 former governors.

    The other pending matters are related to oil subsidy scandal, money laundering and violation of the Public Procurement Act.

    However, the commission, according to an official document obtained by The Nation, was able to secure 125 convictions of other accused persons between January and September 2016.

    Some of the pending  high-profile cases are those preferred  against ex-governors  Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), the late Audu Abubakar (Kogi), Timipreye Sylva (Bayelsa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Adebayo  Alao-Akala (Oyo), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Aliyu Akwe Doma (Nasarawa), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa).

    Other high-profile suspects on trial are ex-Minister Babalola Borishade; a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye; Sani Teidi Shuaibu and other pension scam suspects; Esai Dangabar and seven others over police pension fraud; Mamman Tukur and others on N1.2billion oil subsidy scandal; Walter Wagbatsoma in connection with oil subsidy; Abdullahi Alao and others (N2.6b oil subsidy scam); NASAMAN Oil Services Limited for N4billion oil subsidy case; Chidi Adabanya (N2b obtained from Shell Petroleum Development Company);  and others.

    The document indicated that the cases are on hold because of the following reasons:  preliminary objection, trial within trial; interlocutory appeal at the Supreme Court, assigning of trial judges to election petitions tribunals, abuse of court process, illness of defendants, abscondment of accused persons, filing of fresh charges, and jumping of court bail among others.

    The EFCC claimed that it has secured 125 convictions mainly on money laundering, criminal conspiracy, theft stealing, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining money by pretence.

    The convictions were secured at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja and other zonal offices.

    The breakdown is as follows: Abuja (24); Lagos (44); Kano (19); Port Harcourt (22); Enugu (13) and Gombe (3).

    A top source said: “We have many high-profile cases in court since 2007.  We are not talking of the 2016 cases on the arms scandal which have remained at preliminary stage.

    “Apart from the cases of former governors, you will not believe that none of those implicated in the oil subsidy scandal has been successfully tried by the court.

    “The defence has always come up with one application or the other. In the face of the law, the hands of the judges are usually tied because they cannot make extra-judicial pronouncements.

    “Some judges have also not been helpful due to influence by accused persons and cultural constraints. This is why a case is being made for special court for anti-corruption cases.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Some of the assets of these accused persons have been put under Interim Forfeiture and if the cases are not heard expeditiously, they might depreciate.”

    But the delay in trying cases has slowed down the anti-graft war in the country.

    President Muhamadu Buhari had on July 18 raised the alarm about slow management of corruption cases by the court.

    He said: The judiciary must fight delay of cases in court as well as fights corruption in its own ranks, perceived or otherwise.

    “We expect to see less tolerance to delay tactics used by defense lawyers or even the prosecution in taking cases to conclusion.”

    “So far, the corruption cases filed by government are not progressing as speedily as they should, in spite of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, essentially because the courts allow some lawyers to frustrate the reforms introduced by law.”

  • EFCC probes ex-MILAD, other over Diezani’s N4bn hotel deal

    EFCC probes ex-MILAD, other over Diezani’s N4bn hotel deal

    A former state military administrator is not telling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) how he came about the N4billion in  Abuja with which he built a four-star hotel in Abuja that was later sold to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The anti-graft agency has already  invited all those connected with the transaction between the ex-MILAD and the embattled ex-Minister.

    The Nation gathered authoritatively last night  that the hotel could  be seized by the EFCC.

    The  ex-MILAD is also said to have been   implicated in a $318m mono-rail project in Rivers State.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that EFCC investigators,after  examining    the ex-MILAD’s accounts, are now  seeking  details of the offices held by the retired Brigadier-General, his pay slips,retirement benefits and accruing pensions.

    The  investigation of the ex-MILAD may extend to his stakes in some high net worth companies including one of the firms involved in a $318m rail project.

    A top source familiar with the probe said: “Apart from establishing the purchase deal, we are looking into the accounts and business activities of the former MILAD, who retired as a Brigadier-General. We want to establish how he came about the N4billion hotel and whether or not he is a business front for some political office holders.

    “We are in touch with the army authorities to seek the details of the offices held by the former Brigadier-General, his pay slips and retirement benefits and accruing pensions. We want to trace his records.

    “We have just discovered that he was allegedly involved in a $318million rail project in Rivers State. This dimension is expanding the scope of our ongoing investigation of the ex-MILAD.

    “At a point, the former MILAD was linked to botched plans to buy Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar. You can see that we have his dossiers.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “So far, we have invited all those connected with the hotel deal between the ex-MILAD and Diezani for interrogation. Some of them include bankers and estate agents.

    “One crucial aspect of the investigation of Diezani’s hotel deal is that there were elements of e-transactions when the hotel was bought. We can easily trace all the links.”

    The source said after diligent investigation, the EFCC might seize the hotel in line with the Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause in EFCC Act.

    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.

    “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”

    The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK arrested and quizzed Diezani and four others on October 2, 2015 for alleged bribery and corruption and money laundering.

    The  EFCC is understood to have also quizzed three to five more suspects since the interrogation of Diezani by the NCA.

    NCA last year obtained permission from a Westminster Magistrate’s Court to seize 27,000 pounds from Diezani and two other women.