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Tag: EFCC

  • Absence of defendant stalls alleged recruitment scam case

    The absence of a 56-year-old former Fire Service staff, Dada Olatunji,on Wednesday stalled his trial in an FCT High Court, Abuja.

    Olatunji resident of Kubwa Abuja is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a one-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretense.

    The judge, Justice Mamman Kolo, adjourned the case till Oct. 17, for continuation of hearing.

    EFCC counsel Andrew Akoja said that he was informed that the defendant was remanded in Keffi Prison Nasarawa State, in a sister case at Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court.

    Akoja said the offence contravened sections 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

    He said that the former fire service staff collected N570,000 from Robert Matthew and Theresa Abah.

    The defendant collected the money under false pretense that the money represented payment for processing their employment at the Federal Fire Service, Abuja.

    The defence counsel, Mr Teslim Agboola, had told the court that the defendant was absent in court due to circumstances beyond his control.

    He said the defendant was remanded in Keffi Prison in a sister case at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court and his bail was yet to be perfected.

  • EFCC not a thorn in the flesh of Akwa Ibom govt, says governor

    EFCC not a thorn in the flesh of Akwa Ibom govt, says governor

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has okayed the anti-corruption fight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, saying the agency is not a thorn in the flesh of Akwa Ibom Government.

    Emmanuel, who spoke during a media parley at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital, said his government would continue to give the needed support to the commission.

    The governor while responding to questions from newsmen said he has never been distracted by the activities of the EFCC.

    He said: “EFCC is not a thorn in the flesh of Akwa Ibom State Government. I have never been distracted by the EFCC. Even the meeting I had today with the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, tomorrow they will write that I went to beg him. Please, let’s allow the anti-graft agency to do their work.”

    The governor also told reporters that N52billion would be needed to address continuous flooding on IBB Avenue and other areas inUyo metropolis.

    While asking the people to be patient with his administration, Emmanuel said his government is on top of every situation.

    Emmanuel said he had used his properties twice as collateral to collect loans to pay workers’ salaries.

    He said: “I am not a magician. Be patient with me. Twice, I have used my properties as collateral to get loan to pay salaries. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is here, you can ask him.”

    He advised civil servants to key into agriculture by planting cocoa instead of queuing in the bank for pension after their retirement.

    His words: “I tell our civil servants instead of queuing in the bank for pension after you retire, if you have good hactares of land, begin now to plant cocoa and by the time you retire, you make millions from your farm.”

    The governor said education at basic level is free and compulsory in the state, adding that during last WAEC his administration paid the sum of N600million as WAEC registration fees for students.

     

    He said: “Basic education is still free in Akwa Ibom. As at the last WAEC, we were the only state which paid N600million for WAEC registration fees for our students. Such a thing shouldn’t be done in this present economic situation in Nigeria but we did it.”

     

    The governor also asked his critics to have a rethink and support his government in order to move the state forward.

     

    He said: “What does it cost you to do 1000 ground breaking? It costs the state government nothing to do ground breaking. Going to newspaper to write that Udom Emmanuel has done 1000 ground breaking will not deter me.”

     

  • Banks to face trial for aiding corruption – EFCC

    Banks to face trial for aiding corruption – EFCC

    … ’Jonathan’s wife under investigation’

    Banks and their officials who helped in concealing stolen funds will soon have their day in court, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, said on Tuesday.

    He said it was unfortunate that some banks encouraged looting by creating an “enabling environment” for it.

    “The banking sector is creating a fertile ground for corruption,” the EFCC chairman said.

    Magu spoke in Lagos during an interactive session with the commission’s external lawyers and civil society organizations.

    He said it was as if the banks were telling looters: “Go and steal and I’ll hide it for you,” adding that must stop.

    “We’ll zoom in on the banks. We need to stop them from creating an enabling environment for corruption to thrive,” he said.

    Speaking with journalists on whether the commission would invite wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, for questioning over the $15,591,700 she claims belongs to her, Magu said investigation was ongoing.

    “We are on it. You see, we work for the long-term. We must complete out preliminary investigations before we come out,” he said.

    Magu told the forum that EFCC sometimes spends up to nine months investigating a case before inviting suspects for questioning, adding that no one who has stolen public funds would be spared.

    “We’ll not spare anybody. We can’t protect anyone from answering to the people. Determination is key. I believe we’ll go a long way, and that our tomorrow will be better than our today,” he said.

    The EFCC chairman said the commission did not characterize all lawyers as “rogues,”saying the statement was misinterpreted.

     

  • EFCC seizes three mansions from Shema

    EFCC seizes three mansions from Shema

    Detained former Katsina State Governor  Ibrahim Shema’s three mansions have been seized over his alleged involvement in a N74.6billion fraud. The houses remain seized until the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concludes its probe of the allegation.

    Shema was subjected to another round of grilling yesterday by the commission.

    Operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed Katsina on Monday following preliminary interaction with the ex-governor.

    The detectives sealed off the ex-governor’s houses at 1 GRA Modoji Road, Barhim Estate, Madachi Road and Makera Estate, Kirni Road.

    A source in the EFCC, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to talk to the media, said: “Our investigative team on Monday grilled the ex-governor for some hours on more contracts executed during his tenure.

    “Also, in line with the ongoing probe, we have placed three houses of the ex-governor in Katsina under Interim Assets Forfeiture  – in line with Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.”

    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.”

    Responding to a question, the EFCC source added: “We have restricted the movement of the ex-governor to the country until the conclusion of the investigation.

    “Shema is still in our custody. We have a warrant to detain him for a while.”

    Following a petition by the government of Katsina State, the EFCC quizzed Shema on alleged diversion of N18.6billion by himself, his sons and cronies.

     

    It also asked the ex-governor to account for alleged mismanagement of over N56billion in seven years and N30billion security votes by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    Shema’s Media Team head, Oluwabusola Olawale, in a statement in Abuja, said: “We have reiterated it on different occasions that former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has nothing to fear and he is ever ready to defend himself, but he should not be subjected to political and media trial.

    “All he wants is fairness, justice and equity in accordance with the rule of law. Former Governor Shema left Katsina State as a debt-free state despite the massive infrastructural development during his eight year tenure.”

  • Ex-First Lady threatens N5b suit against Efcc

    Ex-First Lady threatens N5b suit against Efcc

    Former First Lady  Dame  Patience Jonathan has threatened a N5 billion suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if it fails to unfreeze her accounts with Skye Bank.

    She gave the agency 14 days to unfreeze the accounts being investigated.

    Mrs Jonathan’s ultimatum and threat were contained in an open letter, issued by her counsel, Messrs First Law Solicitors, signed by its Senior Partner, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere and addressed to the  EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

    She noted that the anti-graft body’s actions against her were both malicious and unconstitutional, adding that the said freezing of her accounts grossly violated her fundamental rights, targeted at her for political reasons.

    Mrs. Jonathan said she will not hesitate to file a legal action against the EFCC at the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in The Gambia if the commission continues to bar her access to the accounts in the next 14 days.

    The letter reads: “Sir, it is our Client’s brief that there is no formal criminal complaint of economic and financial crime as defined by the EFCC ACT 2004 written by any person or institution against her which warranted the EFCC to freeze her accounts. It is also our client’s brief that the EFCC failed to obtain a court order as required by Section 34 of the EFCC Act before her accounts were frozen.

    “It is our client’s further brief that, up until the writing of this open letter, she has not received any formal invitation to appear before the commission for questioning; whereas her accounts domiciled with SKYE Bank Plc have since been frozen by the commission without recourse to her.

    “We are very much aware of numerous instances where EFCC used strong-arm tactics to dispossess hardworking Nigerians of their legitimately earned money; only to turn around to brazenly and shamelessly loot the recovered loot. This is one of such unfortunate instances. Clearly, it is a failed politically-motivated attempt by the EFCC to steal our Client’s money using the cover of the present political climate.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be counter-productive and inimical to the public interest if the Attorney-General of the Federation and/or the EFCC heeded the calls to commence the arrest and prosecution of our client based on suspicion. If they did otherwise, they shall be violating the extant provision of Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which clearly prohibits criminal proceedings that were not in the public interest. Besides, suspicion; no matter how strong it may seem; cannot ground a conviction.

    “We hereby categorically and emphatically state that, Her Excellency, Mrs. Patience Ibifaka Jonathan should be left alone.

    “Furthermore, there is no established legal or political precedent for what the EFCC is currently doing to our client. How many former First Ladies in Nigeria have received the Patience Goodluck Jonathan Treatment (PGJT) to have warranted the EFCC to engage in the effrontery to freeze our client’s accounts and subject her to public opprobrium, ridicule and disgrace?

    “Consequently, we urge the EFCC to de-freeze our client’s accounts within 14 days from today, September 18, 2016 and tender a public apology to our client.

    “Take notice and notice is hereby given that if the EFCC fails, refuses and/or neglects to comply accordingly, we shall file an action at the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in The Gambia, demanding five billion naira (N5 billion) in exemplary and punitive damages.”

  • Patience Jonathan threatens EFCC with N5bn suit

    Patience Jonathan threatens EFCC with N5bn suit

    A former first lady, Patience Jonathan, has threatened to file a N5 billion suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if the commission fails to defreeze her accounts with Skye Bank within 14 days.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s threat was contained in an open letter, issued by her attorneys, First Law Solicitors and signed by its Senior Partner, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere and addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

    She insisted that the anti-graft body’s actions were malicious and unconstitutional, adding that the said freezing of the accounts was gross violation of her fundamental rights.

    The ex- first lady, however, said she would not hesitate to file a legal action against the EFCC at the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in the Gambia if the commission continues to bar her access to the accounts in the next 14 days.

    The letter reads: “Sir, it is our client’s brief that there is no formal criminal complaint of economic and financial crime as defined by the EFCC Act 2004 written by any person or institution against her which warranted the EFCC to freeze her accounts. It is also our client’s brief that the EFCC failed to obtain a court order as required by Section 34 of the EFCC Act before her accounts were frozen.

    “It is our client’s further brief that, up until the writing of this open letter, she has not received any formal invitation to appear before the commission for questioning; whereas her accounts domiciled with Skye Bank Plc have since been frozen by the commission without recourse to her.

    “We are very much aware of numerous instances where EFCC used strong-arm tactics to dispossess hard working Nigerians of their legitimately earned money; only to turn around to brazenly and shamelessly loot the recovered loot. This is one of such unfortunate instances. Clearly, it is a failed politically-motivated attempt by the EFCC to steal our client’s money using the cover of the present political climate.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be counter-productive and inimical to the public interest if the Attorney General of the Federation and/or the EFCC heeded the irresponsible calls to commence the arrest and prosecution of our client based on suspicion. If they did otherwise, they shall be violating the extant provision of Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which clearly prohibits criminal proceedings that were not in the public interest. Besides, suspicion; no matter how strong it may seem; cannot ground a conviction.”

     

  • Lawal condemns PDP over call for Buhari’s resignation

    Lawal condemns PDP over call for Buhari’s resignation

    • encourage Nigerians to work for the good of all

    The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian chapter, Ayoola Lawal has vehemently condemned the calls from some quarters for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It will be recalled that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) recently called for the resignation of the President over the current economy situation in the Country, a move Lawal described as insensate and rakish.

    According to Lawal in a statement over the weekend, the call for President Buhari’s resignation to instigate chaos by playing on emotion and suffering of the people caused by the same opposition party, is a move that is dead on arrival.

    His words: “It is well known and established that the present administration is not the cause of the inevitable recession Nigeria and her people are passing through right now, even if the solution has to be from it.

    “I sometimes ask myself what has happened to the values of integrity and honor that Nigerians were once known for. The very mentally sick people, who looted the collective wealth of the Nigerians and presently causing pain and suffering for million of Nigerians, while painting the convincing image and deceiving the world that Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and the state of our economy is very robust when Nigeria was secretly blending to meet up her financial obligations, are also the very people calling for the resignation of the Mr. President when they can no longer run away from the reality of facing the wrath of the law.

    “In the light of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovering of unfathomable stealing and senseless looting, they now want to use the masses as the proxy to achieve the aim they could not naturally achieve by playing on the emotions of suffering Nigerians to ignite chaos, but the truth is that Nigerians are wiser than yesterday.

    “Truth be told, times are hard, but Nigerians should brace up for worse things to get better. So help us, God. Many other countries around the world are suffering same. Ours is only bad because past administration failed, like Mr President said, to save for the raining day.

    “It is a known fact that the strength of any country is often judged by the strength of her economy and it is undeniable that over dependent on mono-economy for so long without saving and investing for rainy days always lead to pain and suffering for a nation that her leaders intentionally refused to plan ahead for the citizens and be proactive for the well being of the governed.”

    The APC Scandinavia chief implore all Nigerians to be patient and continuously demand accountability from elected leaders.

    “It will be amazing if the majority of Nigerians in diaspora continue to contribute their bit to the development of Nigeria especially in these trying times and refuse to slip into the half-glass-empty perspective about Nigeria and Africa.

    “Let us support the present administration and always remember Mr. President Buhari and his ministers in prayer for success in the revamping of our dear Nation, Nigeria,” he summed.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”APC Scandinavia” count=”6″ show_more=”on”]

  • Alleged N74.6bn fraud: EFCC grills Shema for eight hours

    Alleged N74.6bn fraud: EFCC grills Shema for eight hours

    For about eight and a half hours, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday grilled a former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, for alleged N74.6 billion fraud.

    There were strong indications last night that Shema might be detained for some days.

    But the ex-governor expressed regrets that he was dragged before the EFCC because he left Katsina State as a debt-free state.

    According to a top source, Shema arrived at the EFCC’s office in Abuja at about 9.30 am while his interrogation started around 10 am.

    As at 6.54 pm yesterday, the ex-governor was still answering questions from a team of investigators on how contracts were awarded during his tenure.

    Shema was the governor of the state between 2007 and 2015.

    The source said: “The ex-governor, who initially made a statement, was ushered into the interrogation room at about 10 am where he interacted with our detectives.

    “We confronted him with a copy of the petition by the Government of Katsina State on alleged diversion of N18.6 billion by him, his sons and cronies.

    “We also asked him to account for alleged mismanagement of over N56 billion in seven years and N30 billion security votes by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “So far, we have interrogated the former governor for eight and a half hours.

    “From the look of things, we may have to detain him for some days. We have isolated a lot of issues for him which requires more time.”

    The Head Media Team of Former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, Oluwabusola Olawale, in a statement in Abuja, confirmed the interrogation of the governor.

    The statement said: “We have reiterated it on different occasions that the former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has nothing to fear and he is ever ready to defend himself. But he should not be subjected to political and media trial.

    “All he wants is fairness, justice and equity in accordance to the rule of law.

    “Former Governor Shema left Katsina State as a debt-free state despite the massive infrastructural development during his eight-year tenure.

    “We appreciate the concern of well-meaning Nigerians who have expressed support and solidarity for Ibrahim Shehu Shema over the politically motivated, wicked and malicious allegations by Governor Aminu Bello Masari of APC.

    “The whole agenda is a campaign of calumny by Governor Aminu Bello Masari of APC to pull Ibrahim Shehu Shema down because he feels too small to occupy the big shoes and meet the giant strides of Ibrahim Shehu Shema as his predecessor in office.”

  • Jonathan’s wife sues EFCC, Skye Bank over frozen accounts

    Jonathan’s wife sues EFCC, Skye Bank over frozen accounts

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Skye Bank at the Federal High Court in Lagos over the freezing of her bank accounts.

    She is demanding N200million in the fundamental rights enforcement suit.

    Mrs. Jonathan said four of her frozen accounts with Skye Bank in the name of four companies have a balance of $15, 591,700.

    An aide, Sammie Somiari, deposed to an affidavit on behalf of the former first lady.

    EFCC reportedly placed a No Debit Order on the four accounts in July in the course of probing a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa.

    The EFCC has filed an amended 17-count against Dudafa and seven others, including the four companies.

    They were accused of conspiring to conceal $15, 591,700, which the EFCC claimed they ought to have known formed parts of proceeds of crime.

    Somiari said Mrs. Jonathan was abroad for an urgent medical treatment.

    The deponent said Dudafa helped Patience to open the four banks accounts which the EFCC froze.

    He said Dudafa, on March 22, 2010 brought two Skye Bank officers, Demola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi, to meet Patience at home to open five accounts.

    The deponent claimed that Patience is the sole signatory to the accounts, adding that after the five accounts were opened, Mrs. Jonathan later discovered that Dudafa opened only one of the accounts in her name while the other four were opened in the names of companies belonging to Dudafa.

    The four companies, whose accounts have now been frozen and charged with money laundering along with Dudafa are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited.

    Somiari said: “The applicant (Mrs. Jonathan) complained about this to Honourable Dudafa, who at his prompting and instance promised to effect the change of the said accounts to the applicant’s name and to effect this change, Dudafa brought the said bank manager, Mr. Dipo Oshodi, who purported to have effected the changes. This was about April 2014.

    “The applicant is not a director, shareholder or participant in the companies named in the aforementioned four accounts.

    “The bank official, Mr. Dipo Oshodi, as it would appear did not effect or reflect the instruction of the applicant to change the said accounts to her name(s) despite repeated requests of the applicant.

    “Besides, the ATM credit cards bearing the said companies’ names were brought to the applicant by Mr. Dipo Oshodi of the 2nd respondent bank, who promised to replace them once the cards bearing the changed names were available but he never did.

    “However, since 2010 up until 2014 and thereafter, the applicant had been using the cards on the said accounts and operating the said accounts without let or hindrance.

    “Even in May, June and July 2016, the applicant traveled overseas for medical treatment and was using the said credit cards abroad up until July 7, 2016 or thereabouts when the cards stopped functioning.”

    In her fundamental rights action, Mrs. Jonathan is urging the court to compel the EFCC to immediately remove the No Debit Order placed on her accounts.

    She also wants the court to order Skye Bank to pay her damages in the sum of N200m for what she termed a violation of her rights to own personal property under Section 44 of the Constitution.

    The case has been adjourned till September 15.

  • Diverted benefits of deceased PHCN workers: EFCC seizes N6.8bn from Jonathan’s cousin, firm

    Diverted benefits of deceased PHCN workers: EFCC seizes N6.8bn from Jonathan’s cousin, firm

    This is not the best of time for  Roberts Azibaola, a cousin to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen N6, 811, 846,443.05 found  in the accounts of some companies belonging to him and Bestworth Insurance Brokers Ltd.

    The frozen cash was part of the N27, 188,232,208.20 benefits of the deceased staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), which were diverted.

    This is coming a week after soldiers sealed off the construction site of    Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited owned by  him for alleged security threat.

    The army authorities said the site shares boundary with the Lungui Barracks of the army on the Kubwa/Asokoro Expressway, Abuja.

    Of the N27, 188,232,208.20, the sum of N951,637,223 was deducted as Value Added Tax (VAT)  and Wihtholding Tax and  paid through Diamond Bank and UBA Plc for direct credit to the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS).

    About N26, 236,594,986 was  allegedly looted by some top officials of the Jonathan administration, while  N1.8billion was spent on the purchase of vehicles for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation.

    The commission also confirmed yesterday the seizure of a N585million property which the Chief of Staff to the ex-President, Brig. Gen. Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa (rtd) allegedly bought with his  share of the diverted cash.

    Another N1billion from the N26.236b cash was  allegedly paid  to Kebna Studios and Communication Nigeria Ltd controlled by a former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki.

    These highlights were contained in the findings of the EFCC in its ongoing probe of the alleged looting of the terminal benefits of the defunct PHCN.

    Those under probe are Arogbofa; Dikki;  Kebna Studio and Communication Limited;  a former Accountant-General of the Federation, Otunla Dapo; the Managing Director of Kakatar Group, Azibaola Roberts; Director of Funds in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mohammed K. Dikwa; Innovative Alternative Limited and a top official of Bestworth Insurance Brokers Limited who was said to be on the run as at press time.

    The EFCC said in part: “Sometimes in 2014, the above named conspired amongst themselves and used Bestworth Insurance Brokers Ltd to divert N27,188,232,208.20 from the Federal Government of Nigeria through the BPE.

    “The said account was originally approved to be released to Great Nigeria Insurance Plc (GNIP) as Group Premium Insurance (death and accident) claim to the next- of- kin of ex-PHCN staff who died in service and those that suffered incapacitation to accidents.

    “Both covert and overt  investigations aimed at determining the veracity of the information were discretely carried out into the Insurance Brokers Ltd domiciled with Skye Bank, Unity Bank and Keystone Bank.

    “Efforts were also made to locate, identify and profile the operation of the company at both their Kaduna and Lagos offices.

    “Consequent upon this, Benjamin Ezra Dikki (former DG of BPE) and Brig. Gen. Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa (rtd), erstwhile Chief of Staff to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria were indicted in connection with N1.5b traced to their benefit. The totality of these efforts led to the following findings:

    “That the FGN decided to privatize the PHCN through BPE. The proceeds from sales were remitted to the OAGF.

    “That the Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Ministry of Labour in a bid to resolve a dispute emanating from the staff of the PHCN over unpaid insurance claims diverted the matter to BPE which advised that the claim be paid from the proceeds of the privatized PHCN.”

    The EFCC gave the details of how the fraud was perpetrated by convincing the National Council on Privatization (NCP)  to approve the disbursement of the funds.

    The report added: “The National Council on Privatization (NCP) during its 3rd meeting held on 4th August 2014, amongst others, recommended the release of N27,188,232,208.20 to Great Nigeria Insurance Plc  as settlement of insurance claim which the President approved.

    “Based on the above, on the 10th December 2014, the sum of N26,236,594,986 was released to Bestworth Insurance Brokers Ltd of J415 Ibadan Street, Kabba Road, Kaduna.

    “The principal proprietor of the company is yet to be arrested and the sum of N951,637,223 only deducted FIRS VAT and WHY was paid through Diamond Bank and UBA Plc for direct credit to FIRS.”

    The EFCC said it has frozen about N6.8billion in more than nine  accounts and seized a N585million property from the ex-Chief of Staff.

    It said: “Bestworth Insurance Brokers Limited maintains a corporate standard current Ac No. 1771645118 with Skye Bank Plc; Ac No. 0025251085; 0025860162; 0025872242 with Unity Bank and Ac. No 1040199787, 10052599665, 05102001142, 107102000361; 10440359482 with Keystone Bank Plc. An order has been obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction to freeze these accounts to aid recovery.

    “Further investigation disclosed that the insurance broker distributed these funds to various companies including Kakatar Group controlled by Azibaola Roberts, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan into whose account the sum of N2.5bn was paid.

    “This commission has traced and frozen the sum of N2bn in the accounts at S/No (f) above in a related cased being investigated involving Kakatar Group while suspect charged to court.

    “Additionally, the sum of N150m was traced to a property purchased by Brig. Gen. Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa (rtd), Chief of Staff to the former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “The said property was bought at N585m. Investigation has established money laundering offences against the suspect as more than half of the payments were  cash-based transaction. Property has been sealed pending conclusion of investigation.

    “Similarly, the sum of N1bn paid in four installments was traced to Kebna Studios and Communication Nigeria Ltd controlled by Benjamin Ezra Dikki, former DG of BPE.

    “The sum of N300million was equally traced to Dilly Motors Ltd who produced documents that indicated delivery of vehicles to the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation worth N1.8b and that part of these included the said money traced to the company.

    “This commission has recovered 36 brand new vehicles and more than 100 motorcycles parked at a facility in Mabushi Area of Abuja. Investigation has established a direct link between the recovered vehicles and the N300m paid to Dilly Motors Ltd.

    “Meanwhile, a credit balance of N2,004,846,443.05 traced to Bestworth Insurance Brokers Ltd. Skye Bank Acct No: 17711645118 has been frozen. Forfeiture proceedings shall be initiated for the purpose of full recovery.

    “Other transfers made to accounts of Bestworth Insurance Brokers Ltd domiciled with Unity Bank Plc were also traced and the sum of N2,507,000,00 found in the accounts were frozen for possible recovery.

    “The investigation is yet to be concluded. The development is however worrisome as persons entrusted with the keys to the nation’s treasury conspired amongst themselves to loot hapless citizens and the families of the deceased employees of PHCN of their much-needed benefit”.