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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC seizes two shopping malls from INEC chief

    EFCC seizes two shopping malls from INEC chief

    •Freezes N49m in account
    •INEC staff, ex-Military Administrator refund N503m

    Two choice shopping malls allegedly acquired by a serving Resident Electoral Commissioner with her share of a bribe dished out by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of last year’s general elections, have been seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    A sum of N49 million found in the bank account of the REC, Gesil Khan, has also been frozen by the EFCC.

    A total of N23.29b was disbursed under the poll bribery scam allegedly facilitated by ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, of which N185, 842,000 went to Khan.

    The anti-graft agency applied to the Federal High Court, Yenagoa for Interim Forfeiture Order in line with sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act to take over the account and the buildings which are located in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    The order was granted, The Nation gathered yesterday.

    Other beneficiaries of the largesse in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some PDP stalwarts are said to have refunded N503million to EFCC.

    Of the N503 million thus refunded, N200million came from a former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga ( rtd).

    A total of N450million was allegedly traced to him.

    The EFCC is yet to conclude its investigation of the INEC staff and PDP stalwarts who were implicated in the poll bribery scandal.

    Khan and other INEC officers are being   probed for allegedly collecting N681million altogether.

    The other INEC officers already grilled in connection with the matter  are: Fidelia Omoile (Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)-N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown (INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)-N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga-N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo-N214,127,000.

    A source familiar with the case said: “We have been able to trace two choice shopping malls in Yenagoa to the affected REC Khan. Following the development, we applied to a Federal High Court for Interim Forfeiture Order in line with sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act.

    “The court has granted our prayers to seize the two malls and appoint managers to take care of the properties in order to generate more revenue either for the government or the owner depending on how the trial ends.

    “We  do not want the assets to lie fallow hence we recruited managers to be in charge until investigation and trial are concluded.

    “During investigation, we discovered N49million in the account of REC Khan. Since she could not fully account for the sources of the money, we have frozen the account in line with our mandate.

    “We are treating the money as likely proceeds of bribery or money laundering. The account will remain frozen until a court of law decides otherwise based on facts we will present during her trial.”

    Sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act read in part:  “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the commission in the following circumstances- (a) the seizure is incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Court following an application made by the Commission in accordance with the prescribed rules

    “Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may- (a) place the property under seal; or (b) remove the property to a place designated by the Commission.

    “Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a Court.”

    Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.

    “Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.’

    Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part : “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.

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

    Investigation showed that about N503million has so far been recovered from the INEC staff and some PDP stalwarts by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency.

    The source added: “The Port Harcourt Zonal office has done excellently well in line with the vision of the EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. It has so far recovered about N904million from January to August 17, including N503million from INEC staff and politicians involved in the poll bribery scandal.

    “Out of the N503million, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) refunded N200million from the N450million traced to him.

    “Nkanga allegedly collected the money in two tranches, from a staff of Fidelity Bank in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State: Mr. Saint- Anthony Ejiowu.

     

     

    “The first tranche of the money, a sum of N350,000,000 was collected on March 27, 2015 while the second tranch of N100,000,000 was collected on March 31, 2015. Nkanga signed for the two tranches.

    “We will soon release the list of INEC staff that have refunded cash. But we have been sending brief to INEC management on all their staff under investigation and the status of each case.

    “So far, INEC management is cooperating with us. When it is time to arraign such staff in court, we hope they will release them accordingly.”

     

     

  • Prosecutorial powers: EFCC faults NBA President

    Prosecutorial powers: EFCC faults NBA President

    •Says: ‘It’s self-serving for NBA to recommend that EFCC be stripped of prosecutorial powers’
    •Accuses NBA President of bungling Ibori’s case

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday faulted a suggestion by the new President of the Nigeria Bar Association NBA, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), that the anti-graft agency be stripped of its prosecutorial powers.

    It said Mahmoud’s suggestion appears perfectly in sync with a cleverly disguised campaign by powerful forces that are uncomfortable with the reinvigorated anti-graft campaign of the EFCC.

    It said the same NBA President was the Attorney-General of the Federation’s counsel in the trial of former Delta State governor, James Ibori at the Federal High Court, Asaba; a case which EFCC lost.

    It said the same ingredients from that case were deployed to send  Ibori to a 13-year jail term in London.

    The EFCC which made its position known in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said the recommendation of the NBA President was self-serving.

    It said the suggestion was in line with a larger plot to emasculating the agency.

    His words: “As the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu has repeatedly stated in his public pronouncements, the agency is open to suggestions that will improve its operations as it cannot pretend to have a monopoly of ideas on how to fight corruption.

    “Nevertheless, the Commission views with concern, the call by the NBA president that the EFCC be stripped of its prosecutorial powers.

    “According to him, “We need to define its mandate more narrowly and more clearly… I strongly recommend that the EFCC be limited to investigation… while prosecution should be handled by an independent resource prosecution agency.

    “The Commission’s discomfort over this seeming innocuous proposition stems from the fact that Mahmoud was silent on the reason for his position.

    “More importantly, the Commission cannot comprehend how the redefinition of EFCC’s mandate in narrow terms, ultimately whittling it down, fits into the clamour by Nigerians and the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for a vibrant and courageous anti-corruption agency.

    “Instead, Mahmoud’s suggestion appears perfectly in sync with a cleverly disguised campaign by powerful forces that are uncomfortable with the reinvigorated anti-graft campaign of the EFCC and are hell-bent on emasculating the agency by stripping it of powers to prosecute with the tame excuse that an agency that investigates cannot also prosecute.

    “The question Nigerians must ask the Mahmoud-led NBA is what is wrong with EFCC prosecution? Mahmoud is in a position to answer this question. He was the counsel of Attorney-General of the Federation in the trial of former Delta State governor, James Ibori at the Federal High Court, Asaba, a case which EFCC lost in questionable circumstances.

    “ Mahmoud is also the Commission’s counsel in the appeal against the infamous perpetual injunction from arrest and prosecution by former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, which is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, many years after it was filed.

    “It is too much of a strange coincidence that the suggestion to strip the EFCC of its prosecutorial powers is being floated few months after the Commission, in unprecedented fashion arraigned some senior lawyers for corruption.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has recorded more convictions in the last one year than all the states and federal ministries of justices combined.

    “Against this background, the current campaign appears to be self-serving, intended to create a cabal of untouchables who can be investigated but may never be prosecuted.

    “The EFCC however wishes to reassure Nigerians that there will be no sacred cows in the renewed fight against corruption in Nigeria.”

    Notwithstanding, the EFCC said it was a good omen that the NBA President has pledged to fight judicial corruption.

    It added: “The 56th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association came to an end August 26, in Port Harcourt with the bar making pronouncements on major issues of national importance.

    “One of the new commitments as articulated by the new President of the Association, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, is to reinvent the association by reclaiming its moral high ground through a campaign for ethical rectitude by members of the bar.

    “The NBA under my watch will fight judicial corruption. We shall make the legal profession unattractive for corrupt lawyers,” he said.

    “This is reassuring considering the evidence that senior members of the Bar have become complicit in cases of corruption and money laundering, leading to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigning two members of the inner bar for acts of corruption.

    “A Bar populated or directed by people perceived to be rogues and vultures cannot play the role of priests in the temple of justice.

    “The EFCC appreciates the NBA’s acknowledgement of the Commission’s strategic place in the fight against corruption in Nigeria and the modest achievements that it has recorded so it. It also welcomes the suggestion for reform.”

  • EFCC doesn’t torture suspects, says Magu

    EFCC doesn’t torture suspects, says Magu

    For the first time in 13 years, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday opened the doors of its interrogation rooms and its cells to reporters to inspect.

    Chairman of the anti-graft agency Ibrahim Magu said the Commission does not torture suspects because it is investigating non-violence crimes.

    He added that the anti-graft agency had always put the interest of the country above any other consideration.

    Magu, who personally conducted reporters round the EFCC cells and clinics for about an hour, asked Nigerians or organisations to feel free to go and inspect any detention facility of the commission in all parts of the country without notice.

    He said: “I am telling you that our detention facility is one of the best in this country. I will be modest to say it is the best. You can look at the comfort we have provided for suspects, including state of the art toilet facilities.

    “If you have any doubt, you can walk in to inspect our detention facility in Abuja or in any of our zonal offices at any time and without notice. We have nothing to hide at all.

    “We did not tell all these suspects that you were coming for inspection, we wanted you to meet them in a natural state and form your opinion.

    “We don’t torture people or suspects. Our kind of investigation is non-violence crime; we have no basis to torture people.

    “We investigate financial crimes in line with international best practices. If the EFCC invites you, we must have done a lot of background check and all we will ask you is to corroborate our findings.

    “After conducting the initial part of our investigation, we make sure we give bail to suspects. It is now left to these suspects to meet the conditions attached to the bail.”

    He, however, said the commission was not opposed to criticisms.

    He added: “I am happy that every action or inaction of this commission is subjected to interpretation and criticisms. These criticisms will give us room to improve.

    “We are all human beings, we are not perfect. There is no perfection in what we do. We have changed; we are still trying to change.

    “We work for the interest of this country and the interest of this country is above any other interest or person.”

    During the inspection, some of the inmates were reading newspapers, observing afternoon prayers inside a cell which has been designated as a mosque, or on siesta break.

    The cells and trash cans were filled with empty bottles of water provided by the commission.

    The President of the cell, who spoke with reporters and sought protection for his name and photograph, said: “None of us has experienced any torture since we were detained. We eat what we like and the medical service is made available to us for 24 hours.

    “Freedom is priceless. If there is anything we are missing, it is just our freedom but we know this detention is temporary.”

  • EFCC ensures proper investigation before suspects’ arrest – Magu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, said the agency would continue to ensure that proper investigation is carried out before arresting and detaining suspects in its facilities.

    Magu said this while taking journalists on an inspection tour of the commission’s facilities on Thursday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tour was organised by the EFCC to debunk reports that the commission tortures suspects in its custody.

    Magu said the commission has no reason to torture suspects in its detention facilities.

    He said the tour had become necessary to correct negative public perception of the EFCC and its operations.

    He added that contrary to public perception, the commission would not pick on any person until proper investigation and background check were carried out.

    “We do not torture people as it is being speculated, we do proper check on people before inviting them over,’’ he said.

     

  • EFCC arrests man over love scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Iwuchukwu Martin Uche for obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of $145, 000 (N58.290m).

    According to a statement issued by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the suspect swindled a Vietnamese woman.

    The statement said: “Uche, who claimed to be a military officer working for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Kabul, Afghanistan, allegedly, collected the money from his victim, H. Uyen, a Vietnamese woman, after promising to marry her.

    “The suspect, who also claimed to be a property agent operating in Nigeria and Ghana, allegedly told the victim that he needed the money to procure some documents for the planned wedding.

    “The money was allegedly wired to the suspect’s Diamond Bank account number:  0028998256. The suspect will soon be charged to court, after investigation is concluded.”

     

  • $10.3b probe: EFCC to seize Diezani’s assets in America

    $10.3b probe: EFCC to seize Diezani’s assets in America

    Ex-minister ‘acquired properties in associates’ names’

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister  Diezani Alison-Madueke is likely to lose some United States properties traced to her.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is  probing Mrs Alison-Madueke for over $10 billion slush funds. It has initiated a process for the seizure of the assets – in line with United States laws.

    EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu has just returned from the United States where he discussed  with the authorities how to attach the properties, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    In the last one year, the EFCC has traced assets and items worth about $10billion to Mrs. Alison-Madueke and her business associates, Mr. Kola Aluko and Chief Jide Omokore.

    Some of the assets include an $18million peoperty (over N6.3billion at N350 exchange rate) in Abuja.

    A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have located some assets allegedly owned by Diezani and some of her business associates in the United States. We are already collaborating with the US Government to attach these assets.

    “In fact, the EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, spent about one and a half weeks in the US to work with the relevant agencies to trace Diezani’s properties, some of which are believed to have been secured through business fronts like Kola Aluko.

    “We have submitted relevant documents to the US authorities in order to facilitate the seizure of the assets.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Some of these properties were acquired through some business fronts like Aluko and Omokore.

    “We even have a in which houses on a street in Switzerland have been traced to an associate of Diezani.”

    The EFCC is working with anti-graft agencies in Britain and the United States.

    “Don’t forget that the EFCC initially secured a Mareva Injunction from Justice O.O. Oguntoyinbo to freeze some foreign accounts and seize some assets linked with Diezani’s associates in the United Kingdom,” the source said.

    Accounts have been frozen in some of overseas financial institutions. They include BNP Paribas (Switzerland), LGT Bank (Switzerland), Standard Chartered Bank (London),Barclays Bank (London), Standard Energy (Voduz, Switzerland), HSBC (London), Corner Bank (Lugano, Switzerland) and Deutsche Bank (Geneva).

    Section 34 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004 empowers the Commission to freeze any account suspected of being used for financial crimes.

    The section stipulates that “the chairman of the commission or any officer authorised by him may, if satisfied that the money in the account of a person is made through the commission of an offence under this Act or any enactment specified under Section 6(2) (a)-(f) of this Act, apply to the court ex parte for power to issue or instruct a bank examiner or such other appropriate authority to freeze the account.”

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

    Also the EFCC has interrogated five more suspects since her interrogation.

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

    Although NCA detectives have visited the country this year in line with the probe, it was unclear as at press time when she will be formally arraigned in court in the UK.

    While the UK investigation was in progress, the EFCC uncovered another $115million poll bribery scam in which the ex-minister was implicated.

    But Mrs Alison-Madueke has described allegations against her as “cold-hearted” and inhuman because she is ill.

    Her statement said in part: “Coming at such a critical time in my life when I am battling cancer, this poorly executed propaganda bares on its face like tribal marks, a clearly malicious attempt to victimise an innocent woman in what appears an exaggerated plot to validate and give credibility to the anti-corruption crusade under Nigeria’s new regime.

    “People who are battling cancer or those who have lost their loved ones to this medical condition understand what I am going through at this time.

    “This is what makes me ponder at the cold-heartedness of those who will go any length to defame and destroy in the name of propaganda. What happened to our shared humanity?

    ”I have absolute regard for the law and believe that people who have breached the laws that govern societies should be made to face the wrath of the law.

    “But in a civilized society, a responsible government owes its citizens absolute commitment to the principles of rule of law, equity, fairness and justice. I have been wrongfully and maliciously maligned and those behind this reckless action know it.

    “I leave them to posterity, their conscience and above all the Almighty God who is the final judge of all.”

     

  • $1.092b Malabu oil: EFCC quizzes ex-Perm Sec, businessman top oil firms CEOs

    $1.092b Malabu oil: EFCC quizzes ex-Perm Sec, businessman top oil firms CEOs

    •Closes in on six former ministers connected with the deal

    After months of preliminary findings, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigation into the controversial $1.092bbillion Malabu Oil Block deal (OPL 245) by interrogating a former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance and a businessman.

    Also, some Chief Executives of some International Oil Companies (IOCs) have been interrogated by the anti-graft agency.

    But as press time, the EFCC was closing in on six former Ministers under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who were part of the deal.

    The payment of 25 per cent balance of about $1.092b into an escrow account for the Federal Government.

    According to findings by our correspondent, the EFCC is seeking the whereabouts of $1,092,040billion paid by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited (SNEPCO) and Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) into an escrow account, it was learnt

    By the terms of Block 245 Resolution Agreement, Shell agreed to the release of the outstanding Signature Bonus and to appoint an escrow agent for the payment of to FGN a sum of $1,092,040billion to the Federal Government.

    It was learnt that $982,040,000 was the total contribution of NAE to the settlement but SNEPCO contributed $110,000,000 to make up the required $1,092,040billion for the purpose of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) settling all and any existing claims and or issues over OPL 245 in accordance with the agreement.

    There were fears that the $1,092,040billion in an Escrow Account was “used for the settlement of the FGN-Malabu Oil Limited agreement on OPL 245.”

    The EFCC was said to be trying to unravel whether or not the cash was paid to the government or if the appointed escrow agent managed the $1,092,040billion and shared to some beneficiaries for the settlement of dispute between the government and Malabu Oil Limited.

    The EFCC has begin grilling all those implicated in the Malabu Oil deal beginning with a former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, who generated a memo in 2011 for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to approve the transaction.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have interrogated the ex-Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance who admitted that he wrote a memo to Jonathan on Malabu Oil deal only in line of duty as a civil servant.

    “The ex-Permanent Secretary has made useful statement and we have a copy of a 2011 memo to the ex-President in our custody.

    “Also, we have grilled a top businessman whose disclosures have assisted in getting a long list of highly-placed Nigerians involved in the oil block saga.

    “Some Chief Executives of some International Oil Companies (IOCs) have testified before our team on how the agreements were struck and how $1,092,040billion was remitted into an escrow account.

    “But we are closing in on six former Ministers during the administrations of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Jonathan. Some of the former ministers actually signed the agreements on Malabu Oil deal.

    “One of the ex-Minister, who was once in charge of Finance, completed the process on Malabu Oil deal.”

    Asked why the EFCC was not forthcoming on the list of all those interrogated, the source added: “We do not want any disclosure which might prejudice the ongoing investigation.

    “The truth is that the Malabu Oil deal has international dimension. Some of our operatives had traveled abroad to collaborate with some security and crime agencies.

    “At the appropriate time, we will release the names of all those implicated, those interrogated and those with prima facie case against them.

    “The findings so far have been weighty but we are getting closer to a breakthrough on Malabu Oil deal. We are going to interact with many top Nigerians and we don’t want to manage the investigation in a way that some of these people would have been presumed guilty before concluding our probe.”

    The controversy over OPL 245(Malabu Oil Block deal) started in April 1998 during the administration of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

    But it spread to the governments of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Besides the judgment of a  Federal High Court, the Federal Government  of Nigeria(FGN)  faced the challenge of  an ICSD Arbitration instituted by Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited(SNUD) in which the company was claiming in excess of $2billion damages from the FGN for wrongful revocation of OPL 245 previously granted to it.

    There were agreements between Federal Government and other parties on the oil block  on  November 30, 2006 and April 29, 2011.

     

  • FMBN seeks EFCC’s assistance on debt recovery

    The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has solicit the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the recovery of its huge bad debts from developers and others, who obtained housing loans from it but misappropriated the fund.

    Acting Managing Director of the apex mortgage bank, Richard Esin, made the request when he paid a courtesy call on the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, at the weekend, in Abuja.

    Esin informed the anti-graft boss that, but for the resilience of the bank, it would have been unable to meet the financial requests of thousands of Nigerians including members of staff of the commission because of defaulting developers.

    He disclosed that the concerned developers have a huge debt overhang with the bank, explaining that they obtained construction finance from the bank to build estates, but diverted the funds into other non-productive and non-regenerative activities.

    According to him, some developers completed the estates, sold the housing units and failed to remit the proceeds to the bank.

    Esin said some Primary Mortgage Banks, which obtained funds from the bank for Mortgage Finances, for on-lending to qualified National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors, declined to disburse the funds to the applicants; while others obtained equity contribution from would-be mortgagors, but refused to deploy same in the provision of mortgage finances to the applicants’ benefit.

    Esin expressed worry that despite the revocation of their operational licences, some of the operators of the Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) are still deceptively encouraging innocent and unsuspecting mortgagors to continue to repay their mortgages to them through fictitious accounts with no intention of remitting same to FMBN.

    He appealed to Magu to assist in the recovery of bank funds from contractors and vendors who were mobilised to execute various contracts for the bank, but failed to execute same and misappropriated the bank’s money.

    “These activities are fraudulent, and constitute financial crimes. We, therefore, seek the EFCC’s kind assistance in the recovery of these funds which belong to the Nigerian workers,” he said.

    Speaking further, Esin informed Magu that his management remains committed to helping members of staff of the commission own houses, noting that after the historic MoU between both organisations, the FMBN has disbursed N3 billion in 10 batches to 156 staff members of the commission.

    He further disclosed that N1.6 billion worth of NHF loans for 113 members of staff of EFCC packaged by FGMB are currently awaiting board approval, while N1.3 billion has been approved as NHF loans for EFCC staff, but not disbursed because the targeted houses are no longer available.  “FMBN will work with other interested PMBs to revive the scheme once they are able to provide the bank with a suitable and acceptable security,.” he said.

  • EFCC arrests ex-Delta Perm Sec Obuh, two others

    EFCC arrests ex-Delta Perm Sec Obuh, two others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  has arrested a former Permanent Secretary, Government House, Asaba and PDP governorship aspirant in the 2015 governorship race, Mr Tony Obuh.

    Others picked up are Mr. Friday Aghedo, a retired civil servant who was secretary to Obuh in Government House, and Permanent Secretary, Bureau of special Duties

    Mr. Benson Oburo,  who had also served as Permanent Secretary, Government House, Asaba,

    According to  a source in EFCC,  Obuh was picked up in Asaba on Thursday.

    He was  being quizzed at the commission’s head office in Abuja.

    The source said: “Details of their alleged offence were hazy at press time, but it is in connection with the alleged mismanagement of funds of the Delta State Government.”

  • ‘Doctor’ held for N6.7m love scam as EFCC releases N.5m to magistrate

    ‘Doctor’ held for N6.7m love scam as EFCC releases N.5m to magistrate

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) has released a draft for N500,000 to a retired Chief Magistrate, Dr. Veronica Ibeziako, after she was swindled by fraudsters while seeking treatment abroad.

    Also, the anti-graft agency arrested Chike Nnaemeka, alias Dr. Justified Isioma Nnaemeka Emerald, for an alleged N6.7 million love scam.

    A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity  Mr. Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the two cases.

    Uwujaren said: “The EFCC, through its Southeast Zonal Head of Operations, Mr. Obioha Okorie, yesterday released a draft for N500,000 to Dr. Ibeziako, a retired chief magistrate in Anambra State, being funds recovered for her by the commission.

    “ The former magistrate was swindled by fraudsters while seeking financial assistance to enable her proceed for treatment abroad.

    “According to the victim, she was billed for a surgical procedure abroad, which was going to cost N3 million, but ended up being defrauded of N500,000.

    “Although investigation into the matter is on, the recovered fund was released to the victim to enable her attend to her financial and medical needs.”

    Nnaemeka was arrested  for conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence, amounting to about N6.7 million.

    In a statement by the EFCC, Nnaemeka, who claimed to be a gynaecologist, allegedly collected the money, under different requests, from his victim, Ani Nkechi Joy, an employee of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) after she was introduced to him by one of her classmates at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

    Following their meeting, the suspect, who also claimed to be an orphan and a prince of Ihekpe Kingdom in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, was joined in a traditional wedding with the victim on June 6, 2015.

    In her petition, the complainant said: “During the wedding preparation, he brought up so many stories bordering on cultural issues that I or anyone from my family is not supposed to visit his home town until after my marriage. He also said the tradition of his place as a prince demands that I sponsor every financial aspect of the traditional marriage, but that he would refund me to the last one naira I spent.”

    The EFCC said the complainant became “ensnared in the suspect’s web of lies when he claimed to have property that Zenith Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc were purportedly interested in.”

    “The suspect was said to have shown the complainant some documents to the property, while also requesting her to provide money to enable him complete the process.

    “Unsuspectingly, the complainant allegedly transferred money to the suspect, after being assured that he would refund her.

    “ But on December 23, 2015, the suspect allegedly left the house on the pretence that he was going to sign the agreement papers with the bank to finalise the transaction.

    He, however, did not return home until December 29, 2015.

    “ According to the complainant, the suspect allegedly claimed the lawyer to the bank had died and that his lawyer would not allow anyone else to sign the papers, except a lawyer.

    “At this stage, the complainant became suspicious and made efforts to inquire about the suspect’s real identity and what he did for a living from some of his acquaintances.

    “Also, the complainant alleged that the suspect stole $3,000 belonging to her boss.

    “When the complainant asked the suspect about the missing money, the suspect allegedly said the chief priest of his village said it was a spirit that stole it.

    “But investigation showed that the suspect, who is married with three children, also lied that his mother passed on some years back.

    “The suspect will soon be charged to court after investigation is concluded.”