The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Alleged N22.8b fraud: Ex-Air Force chief, Amosun begins plea bargain

    Alleged N22.8b fraud: Ex-Air Force chief, Amosun begins plea bargain

    …EFCC opens case September 12

    A former Chief of Air Staff,  Air Marshall Adesola Amosun  (Retd) and 10 others facing a N22.8b fraud trial are in talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enter plea bargain with the Federal Government.

    The EFCC tendered a draft copy of the terms of the potential plea bargain before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos on Friday.

    Amosun is standing trial alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, all of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and eight private firms.

    The firms include Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited and Trapezites BDC Fonds and Pricey Limited.

    Others are Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

    The defendants were arraigned by the anti-graft agency on June 29, on a 26-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, money laundering, concealing of proceeds of crime and conversion of funds belonging to the Air Force to their personal use.

    They were alleged to have committed the offences between March 5, 2014, and May 4, 2015.

    According to the Commission, the offences contravene Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    But they entered a plea of innocence following which Amosun, Adigun and Olugbenga were granted bail of N500m each with two sureties in the like sum.

    Justice Idris also ordered them to deposit their passports in the custody of the court pending trial.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter on Friday, EFCC’s  prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the defendants had began plea bargain negotiations with the government.

    He tendered a draft copy of the terms of the plea bargain to the court, and indicated that the defendants were already in possession of their copies of the terms.

    Oyedepo urged the court to allow the Commission to open the defendants’ trial.

    But defence counsel, comprising Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Mr. Rotimi O. (SAN) and Mr. A. Etuokwu, opposed the commencement of trial.

    They informed the court that the business of the day was for report of compliance with the order of the court regarding the verification of the defendants’ bail conditions.

    The EFCC, they argued, failed to inform the court that it had yet to obey the order

    Amosu’s lawyer, Chief Ayorinde said: “The prosecution left out a fundamental issue, which is the court admitting bail to the accused. As at now, the accused are still in the custody of the Commission or prisons’ custody. We have satisfied all the conditions.”

    In his argument, Quakers said the prosecution was not in a position to tell the court that it was ready for trial.

    “We are in court to inform it as to the state of affairs as par the bail. We are surprised that the prosecution failed to tell the court the steps taken on the bail. Let the prosecution tell the court the report of their finding,” he said.

    Although Quakers admitted that the defendants’ lawyers met with the EFCC for the plea bargain, he said since the first meeting, the Commission failed to communicate with them, and only served them the draft of the agreement in court yesterday.

    He added that though the defendants initiated the idea of a plea bargain, they needed to be out of the EFCC custody before they would be able to negotiate properly with the prosecution.

    “When a man is in a custodian environment, anything you want him to say, he would say; anything you want him to do, he would do. We should not be stampeded or boxed into a corner,” Quakers said.

    He argued further that defendants were entitled under Section 36(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution to be given adequate time and facility to prepare their defence.

    Olugbenga’s lawyer, Mr. Etuokwu, while aligning himself with the submissions of the two senior lawyers, urged the court to discountenance the prosecution’s applications to commence the trial today.

    But, opposing them, Oyedepo referred the court to its former ruling which stated that the matter was slated for trial.

    “The court will also see that we did not oppose the bail applications. We didn’t induce them to approach us for plea bargain.

    “On the issue of verification, we are in the process of complying with the court order. The accused persons took their pleas and on the second day, the Court Registrars forwarded some documents to the Commission for authentication, and we took our time during the holidays to verify these documents.

    “I urge the court to allow us, if they said they no longer believe in the plea bargain, we are ready for trial”.

    After back and forth arguments by the parties, Justice Idris, in a bench ruling, upheld the defendants’ request and ordered the EFCC to conclude the verification of the defendants’ bail conditions on or before Monday, July 11.

    The court also noted that the defendants had shown a “clear, positive and strong intention” to settle with the government.

    The judge adjourned till September 12 and 13, 2016 for trial.

    According to the charge, the accused persons are alleged to have converted of N21, 467, 634, 707.43 billion, property of the NAF, which sum was derived from stealing, to their personal use.

    They were also accused of indirectly converting N5, 291, 306, 950.28 Billion, N3.6bn property of the (NAF).

    In another instance, the EFCC also alleged that Amosun and the others stole N323, 319, 283.81 from the accounts of the NAF to purchase for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja.

    Amosu, Adgun and Olugbenga, were also alleged to have between July 17, and September 16, 2014, “used the British Pounds Sterling equivalent of sum of N663, 443,291 million, removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase for yourselves two properties situated at 50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW41TH) and 93B Shirehall Park, London NW4 2QU, United Kingdom.”

    Other counts include purchasing a property situated at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja with N202, 920, 200 million, belonging to the NAF and jointly removing N428, 139, 539 million, from the NAF accounts “to renovate and purchase medical equipment for their hospital, Solomon HealthCare Limited, locatesd at 24, Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.”

  • Fayose bought N1.35b properties under six months in office, says EFCC

    Fayose bought N1.35b properties under six months in office, says EFCC

    Detectives have uncovered how Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose bought N1.35billion properties within six months in office.

    The five properties include four duplexes in Lagos and one in Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned three more people for quizzing on Friday in respect of the ongoing investigation of the governor.

    One of those invited, Oyin Daramola, who is an estate agent, is said to have told the EFCC team  that she did a legitimate business.

    She said she had never been fraudulent in all her business transactions.

    Besides, Dramola, two others are to present evidence of their business fidelity.

    Ahead of the Friday session, the anti-graft agency has relocated Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, from Lagos to Abuja.

    The governor was inaugurated on October 16, 2014 but by April 2015, he had acquired the properties in Lagos and Abuja.

    The four duplexes, which were bought at $1.3m each, are located on Tiamiyu Savage Street on Victoria Island in Lagos.

    Each of the mansions is a four-bedroom duplex.

    According to EFCC’s findings, while chalets 3 and 4 were purchased through Siqnathor, chalets 6 and 9 were owned by Noga Hotel

    The fifth duplex was bought from the Skye Bank Plc at N200million.

    Although the transactions were handled by  Still Earth belonging to Oyin Daramola, the governor has refused to pay estate agency fees up till the time of filing this report.

    Instead, he offered to pay fees through the award of contracts to the estate agent in Ekiti State to defray the commission on the five properties.

    Agbele allegedly brokered the deals.

    Another source, who was privy to the preliminary investigation, said: “They approached Oyin Daramola through Abiodun Agbele whom she knew in Ibadan.

    “Upon seeing Agbele who came to seek assistance to buy the four duplexes in Lagos, it was obvious he was looking so poor and could not afford the huge cost.

    “ Agbele then said his friend, who wanted the duplexes, will call her. It was then Fayose later called Oyin Daramola. We have the call logs and the transcript of the conversation or negotiation already.

    “Investigation confirmed that Fayose did not pay the agency fees but only offered to give contracts to Still Earth belonging to Daramola in Ekiti State to pay the required fees.

    “Unknowingly, he wanted to award the contracts for kick-back to feather his nest.”

    For questioning are Daramola of Still Earth, her former accountant and a consultant, simply called Titilayo of Philberth company.

    “We are going to interact with these three people on Friday as part of the ongoing investigation of the governor. We had a preliminary interface with Daramola, who was innocently manipulated by Agbele and the governor for a legitimate business,” the EFCC source said.

    Daramola reportedly told the EFCC team:  “I did legitimate business, I am not fraudulent. I don’t do dirty business deals.

    “You can check my background and business records, I have never been involved in shady transactions. Even the purchase of the duplexes, I made sure every process is documented without cutting corners. I have no cause to live a dubious life.”

  • Buhari using ‘corrupt EFCC to fight corruption’

    Buhari using ‘corrupt EFCC to fight corruption’

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari “is using a corrupt Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stamp out corruption in Nigeria”.

    He insisted that the President must start the corruption fight from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as his immediate aides.

    “EFCC opinions remain their opinions and if they are so sure of whatever information they have, they should go to court and stop subjecting Nigerians to media trial. No amount of media trial from the same elements that orchestrated my removal in 2006 can erode my popularity among Ekiti people,” the governor said.

    Fayose said any property that might be linked to him or his company was bought legitimately and his properties were duly declared in his assets declaration form.

    He insisted that sources of such funds were not illicit.

    The governor, who spoke through a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “As a promising candidate of my party, I cannot stop Nigerians from supporting my election like every other candidate of other political, including President Buhari,” Fayose said.

    He claimed that since the money he got for his election was from legitimate sources and not from the Office of the National Security Adviser

    (ONSA) as being alleged, how the money was spent remained his own business and not that of anyone.

    The governor debunked the allegation by the EFCC that he received bribe from contractors in Ekiti, saying: “If they have anything against me, they should keep their gun powder dry.

    “Because in 2006, when they took me to court, their allegations crumbled like pack of cards because court decisions are founded on facts and law, and not on media trial as being done by the EFCC as tele-guided by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their desperation to set the people against me, knowing that they are not on ground.”

    He added: “Having failed to buy the conscience of Ekiti House of Assembly members, the APC people have become increasingly afraid of

    1. The agencies of the Federal Government should know that no matter how hard they try, Ekiti electorate will not be deceived by their blackmail and media trial.

    “The EFCC should be told in clear terms that this is 2016 and not 2006 when impeachment notices against governors were signed on the table of EFCC operatives. Those who are tele-guiding the EFCC now should also be reminded that they did more than what they are doing now in 2006, yet I was overwhelmingly voted for by the Ekiti people eight years after the orchestrated impeachment, which the Supreme Court declared illegal.”

    He maintained that he would continue to speak his mind on issues affecting Nigerians and can never be cowed.

    “Nigerians are suffering. States can no longer pay workers salary, a litre of kerosene is now N220,  a bag of rice is now N20,000 and some people will sit in Presidential Villa and expect that all of us should keep silent?  That’s not possible!

    “No amount of media trial by agents of the Buhari-led APC government will make me to stop baring my mind on the cluelessness of the Federal Government,” Fayose vowed.

  • EFCC: Fayose got contracts kickback to buy mansions

    EFCC: Fayose got contracts kickback to buy mansions

    Anti-graft agency states details of N1.299b case

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose got left kickbacks from contractors and lavished the cash on mansions, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged.

    The governor’s N1.299 billion bank account has been frozeen. He is in court contesting the order, which the EFCC has defended. The case is coming up September 30 at the Federal Gigh Court, Ado-Ekiti.

    The agency did not state how much kickback Fayose got, but it named some contractors who allegedly paid him.

    Besides, said the EFCC, the properties were qcquired in other peoples’ name, among them the governor’s sister, the EFCC said.

    In an affidavit in support of its freezing of Fayose’s account, the EFCC said.

    The EFCC said: “That apart from fraudulently retaining the sum of N1, 219,490,000.00 being part of the N4, 745,000,000.00 stolen from the treasury of the Federal Government through the office of the National Security Adviser, the Applicant (Fayose) has also received gratification in form of kick back from various contractors with the Ekiti State Government, such as Samchese Nigeria Ltd, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd.

    “That the Applicant received these kick-backs and gratification through Still Earth Ltd and Signachorr Nigeria Ltd.

    “That, in turn, the Applicant (Fayose) instructed the Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Ltd to use the funds to acquire properties for him.

    “ That in complying with the Applicant’s instruction, Still Earth Ltd and Signachoor Nigeria Ltd acquired properties on behalf of the Applicant in the name of a company known as J.J. Technical Services Ltd belonging to the applicant and his wife. Attached and marked Exhibit EFCC 08 are copies of the deeds of assignment for the said properties.

    “That the Applicant also used the name of one Mrs. Moji Ladeji (the applicant’s sister) to acquire a property situate at No.44, Osun Crescent Maitama Abuja from the proceeds of the alleged offences of receiving gratification and kick.”

    The agency opened up on how N1, 299,490,000.00 was wired into Governor Ayodele Fayose’s accounts by one of his associates, Abiodun Agbele, who collected the slush funds from a former Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Obanikoro ferried the cash to Akure Airport in a chartered aircraft with Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to  Gyro Air Limited.

    About N300million was put in a fixed deposit account No. 9013074033 in the name of Fayose on the 7th day of April, 2015.

    But Agbele retained N263million on the instruction of the governor.

    The anti-graft agency also uncovered a mansion in Abuja which Fayose allegedly bought in the name of his sister, Mrs. Moji Ladeji, after collecting kickbacks from some contractors with the Ekiti State Government, including  Samchese Nigeria Ltd, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd.

    The mansion is located at No.44, Osun Crescent Maitama Abuja, one of the posh districts in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Others linked to either the movement and sharing of the slush funds include Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro; the ex-Minister’s company, Sylvan Mcnamara Limited;  two Zenith Bank officials, Mr. Alade  and Mr.Lawrence Akande;  Lieutenant Colonel A.O. Adewale;  Fayose’s company, Spotless Investment Ltd; Gyro Air Limited and De-Privateer Limited, which is owned by Fayose’s associate, Agbele.

    These disclosures were contained in an affidavit deposed to by an Investigating Officer, Tosin Owobo, in the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

    The affidavit revealed the blow-by-blow account of how the EFCC traced the arms purchase funds from the Office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) to Fayose’s accounts.

    The affidavit was in response to an application by Fayose to the court praying for the de-freezing of his accounts by the EFCC.

    The anti-graft commission said it took action after “receiving a damning oral intelligence report showing that the 2nd Respondent herein (Zenith Bank) was in custody and in fact had in its possession the sum of N1, 299,490,000.00.”

    The affidavit reads:  “That contrary to the paragraphs 5-16 of the Applicant’s Affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, I know as a fact that the 1st Respondent received an oral damning intelligence report showing that the 2nd Respondent herein was in custody and in fact had in its possession the sum of N1, 299,490,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) being proceeds of economic and financial crimes.

    “That upon the receipt of this intelligence, the Commission analysed it and found same to be worthy of investigation.

    “That so far our investigation has revealed as follows: That between the 5th and 17th day of June, 2014 the former state Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, in grand conspiracy with the Applicant and the former National Security Adviser, Col. M.S Dasuki (retd.) fraudulently removed the sum of N2,260,000,000.00 from the account of the office of National Security Adviser which sum was fraudulently transferred to a company known as Sylvan Mcnamara Limited with account No. 0026223714 domiciled with Diamond Bank Plc. Attached and marked Exhibit EFCC 01 is copy of the mandate of the account belonging to Sylvan Mcnamara Limited and the extract of inflows from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the said account.

    “ That the principal signatory to this account is one Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, the son of the said former State Minister of Defence Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.

    “That on the receipt of these proceeds of crime, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, fraudulently conveyed the sum of N1,219,490,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) to Akure for the use of the Applicant.

    “That before the conveyance of the funds to Akure Airport Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, one Mr. Alade Oluseye, a staff of the 2nd Respondent was informed by his colleague in the bank, Lawrence Akande, that a particular customer of the 2nd Respondent will be bringing cash to the Akure Airport for lodgment and that since the volume of the cash is quite heavy, there will be a need for the said Alade Oluseye to use the 2nd Respondent’s Bullion Van to convey the cash.

    “That on the 17th day of June, 2014 Mr. Alade Oluseye in the company of one Abiodun Agbele, a front of the Applicant, went to the Akure Airport wherein they took cash delivery of the sum of N724,500,000.00 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and his acclaimed Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale.

    “That on the 18th day of June, 2014 another sum of N494, 990,000 was also delivered to Mr. Alade Oluseye by the said Minister in the same manner.

    “ That the total sum of N 1, 219,490,000 was conveyed to Akure Airport by Senator Obanikoro through a chartered aircraft with Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to Gyro Air Limited.”

    The EFCC also confirmed how Fayose instructed, Agbele to transfer the N1, 299,490,000.00 into various accounts.

    The commission said: “That on the 19th day of June,2014, after Mr. Alade Oluseye took delivery of the money being the proceeds of crime, Mr. Abiodun Agbele, the front of the Applicant, received an instruction from the applicant to collect the money and made cash deposit in the sum of N219,000,000.00 to De-privateer Ltd account No. 1013835889 domiciled with the Zenith Bank Plc. Attached and Marked exhibit EFCC 02 is a copy of the statement of account of DE- Privateer Ltd domiciled with the 2nd Respondent.

    “That on the same day, Abiodun Agbele made another cash deposit of N300million being part of the proceeds of crimes to the said De- privateer Ltd’s with the 2nd Respondent(Zenith Bank)

    “That on the 23rd June, 2014, N200million, being part of these proceeds of crime, was also deposited to the said De-Privateer Ltd’s account domiciled with the Respondent by Biodun Agbele whilst acting in concert with the Applicant.

    “That on the 26th day of June,2014, the said Biodun Agbele on the instruction of Applicant further dissipated the proceeds of crime by depositing N137,000,000.00  into account No. 1003126654 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent in the name of the Applicant. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 03 is a statement of account of the said account domiciled with the Respondent.

    “That on the 22nd and 27th day of August, 2014 Biodun Agbele also deposited N50, 000,000.00 and N118, 760,000.00 into the said account which sum formed part of the proceeds of crime.

    “That in further dissipating the proceeds of crime deposited and retained in the account referred to in paragraphs (d) and (g) above, the sum of N300,000,000.00 was put in a fixed deposit account No. 9013074033 in the name of the Applicant on the 7th day of April,2015. Attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 04 is a copy of the statement of the said account.

    “That this N300, 000,000.00 (three hundred million naira) is still in the account. That on the 17th day of June, 2014, Abiodun Agbele made another cash deposit in the sum of N100,000,000.00 being part of this proceeds of crime to a company known as Spotless Investment Ltd with account No. 1010170969 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent. Attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 05 is a copy of the statement of account of the said Spotless Investment Ltd.

    “That on the 23rd day of June, 2014, N 49,000,000.00 being part of the proceeds of crime, was also deposited to the said Spotless Investment Ltd Account with the Respondent.

    “That there is still a balance of N89, 454,765.00 in this account, being part of the proceeds of the crime.

    “ That Abiodun Agbele, whilst acting in concert with Alade Oluseye of the 2nd Respondent and the Applicant, after fraudulently receiving N1, 219,490,000.00 (One billion, two hundred and nineteen thousand, four hundred and ninety thousand naira) from Senator Obanikoro also fraudulently retained cash in the sum of N263, 000,000.00 (Two hundred and sixty three million naira) on the instruction of the Applicant.

    “That we have interviewed Mr. Alade Oluseye Sunday and his colleague Lawrence Akande and have informed us in writing about how these transactions were conducted. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 06 and 07 are copies of their statements.”

    The anti-graft agency said it had also uncovered how Fayose received kick-backs from some contractors with the Ekiti State Government, including Samchese Nigeria Ltd, Tender Branch Concept Nig. Ltd, Hoff Concept Ltd, Calibre Consulting Ltd.

    Part of the cash was lavished on a property at No. 44, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, which was bought in the name of Mrs. Moji Ladeji ( Fayose’s sister)

    The EFCC said it decided to freeze Fayose’s accounts in line with its mandate in Section 34 of  its Establishment Act.

    It also said it followed due process in freezing the accounts by applying to a court for an order of interim attachment.

    The  commission said: “That the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in the exercise of his statutory mandate contained in Section 34 of the EFCC Act, having satisfied himself that the various sums of money in the account No. 1003126654, 9013074033, 1010170969 and 1013835888 domiciled with the 2nd Respondent were made through the commission of the an economic and financial crimes, to wit: stealing and receiving gratification approached the Federal High Court Lagos Judicial Division, for an order directing the manager of the 2nd respondent to freeze the said accounts.

    “That in his wisdom, Hon. Justice M.B Idris granted the 1st respondent’s application wherein an order of interim attachment was made on the aforementioned accounts. Attached and marked exhibit EFCC 09 is a certified true copy of the said order.

    “ That the said order was a preservative order to prevent further dissipation of proceeds of crimes.

    “ That I was informed by Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa of counsel in our office, 15A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos at about 8:40 p.m. on the 2nd day of July,2016 and I verily believe him as follows:

    “That the 1st Respondent is statutorily empowered to investigate all economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

    “ That it is within the statutory powers of the 1st Respondent to preserve exhibits and proceeds of economic and financial crimes during investigation for possible prosecution.

    “ That the 1st Respondent(EFCC) has statutory power to investigate the Applicant. That the 1st Respondent has not encountered the Applicant by instituting any proceeding against him.

    “That the Applicant cannot use this Honourable Court as a shield against criminal investigation. That the order of interim attachment was neither directed at nor instituted against the Applicant.

    “That whilst the Applicant enjoins immunity against civil and criminal proceeding being a serving governor, proceeds of an economic and financial crimes allegedly committed by the Applicant do not enjoy such privilege.

    “That the 1st Respondent has the power to direct the 2nd Respondent to place a stop order on any account if it discovered in the course of its duties that such accounts are suspected to be involved in any crimes. That the Applicant will not be prejudiced should this application be dismissed.

    “That it will serve the course of justice to refuse this originating summons.. That I make this counter affidavit in good faith, knowing and believing the facts deposed herein to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act of Nigeria.”

  • NEITI, EFCC partner to enforce accountability

    NEITI, EFCC partner to enforce accountability

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) is to sign a pact with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enforce accountability in the extractive sector.

    NEITI’s Director of Communications Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji said this yesterday in Lagos.

    He was speaking at a capacity-building training for 25 media personnel, sponsored by the Natural Resource Governance Institute at the Pan-Atlantic University in Ibeju Lekki.

    Orji said NEITI was interfacing with the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to prosecute economic offenders in the extractive sector.

    “We have gone to borrow teeth from the EFCC so that we can bite companies found wanting in accountability and transparency,’’ he said.

    Orji said NEITI’s management and the EFCC were fashioning out a memorandum of understanding on the modalities for a smooth relationship.

    The NEITI chief said to ensure accountability and transparency in the oil and gas sector, NEITI should  partner anti-graft bodies to track funds accruing to government.

    “To ensure that anyone found guilty of misappropriating the country’s oil revenue is prosecuted, NEITI is partnering EFCC to study audit reports of companies to identify areas where financial crimes have been committed.

    “The extractive industry remains the backbone of the economy, which necessitates NEITI’s efforts toward ensuring accountability and transparency in the sector.’’

    He restated that in the 2013 audit report of the extractive sector, the Federal Government’s total revenue flows to the federation account stood at $58.07 billion while its revenue losses stood at $3.8 billion.

    Orji said 41 oil and gas companies and 16 government agencies were involved in the 2013 audit report.

  • EFCC drops Diezani, Aluko from $1.6b charge

    EFCC drops Diezani, Aluko from $1.6b charge

    •Court grants N50m bail each to Omokore, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made last minute adjustment to a $1.6 billion charge it filed against associates of former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The commission applied for the exclusion of the names of the former minister and a businessman, Kolawole Akanni Aluko, who were mentioned in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2016.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke (said to be at large) was named in Count 8 of the charge and accused of “abetting the commission of money laundering,” by those listed in the charge.

    Aluko (also said to be at large) was accused of engaging in conspiracy, money laundering and fraud.

    The EFCC decision to drop the former minister and Aluko from the charge was informed by the insistence of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako that it was impossible to proceed with the arrangement yesterday when the two co-defendants were not in court and had not been served with the charge.

    Although the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) argued that the arraignment was possible without the duo of Mrs. Alison-Madueke and Aluko, who were merely mentioned in the charge, but not as defendants, the judge insisted that both names must either be excluded or they be served with the charge and produced in court before arraignment could take place.

    After Jacobs applied for the exclusion of the ex-minister and Aluko from the charge, the judge directed that the charge be read to the defendants.

    Those arraigned were: businessman Jide Omokore, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC), Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere, former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abiye Membere, Manager, Planning and Commercial of the NNPC, David Mbanefo and two companies linked with Omokore  –  Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

    They were arraigned on a nine-count charge and accused of obtaining under false pretence and engaging in money laundering estimated at about $1,646,140,379.90.

    Omokore was alleged to have used the Strategic Alliance Agreement signed between the NPDC and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited to swindle the NPPC subsidiary and the Federal Government of billions of dollars through the lifting of crude oil from some oil wells between March 2013 and May 2014.

    The other accused persons who were senior management staff of the NNPC are accused of conspiracy in inducing the NPDC to facilitate the lifting of crude by Omokore, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited.

    “They were also accused receiving car gifts from Omokore, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

    Following their plea of not guilty, Based on their plea, Jacobs, SAN, asked the court for a date for the commencement of trial.

    Following an application from the defence team, Justice Nyako granted bail to the defendants at N50million each with a surety.

    The judge said such surety must either be a director in the federal Civil Service or must have a landed property in the jurisdiction of the court.

    She adjourned to October 19 for the commencement of trial

    Part of the charge reads:

    *That you Olajide Jones Omokore, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Ltd and Kolawole Akanni Aluko (now at large) between May and October 2013 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, induced the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria to deliver to you 5,652,227 barrels of crude oil (Brass blend) valued at the sum of US$616,013,615.27 (six hundred and sixteen million, thirteen thousand, six hundred and fifteen US dollars, twenty seven cents) through the medium of a contract (Strategic Alliance Agreement), which delivery was induced by false pretence to wit: the representation that you had technical competence, professional skills and funds (both local and foreign) necessary to support NPDC in petroleum operation for the OML 60, 61, 62 and 63 and you thereby committed an

  • Omisore’s bail conditions stringent, says spokesman

    Omisore’s bail conditions stringent, says spokesman

    Former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) bail condition as stringent.

    In a statement by his media aide, Diran Odeyemi, Omisore explained that the EFCC “after several hours of interrogation, asked him to produce two serving directors as sureties in any of the Federal ministries or agencies with landed property in millionaires’ quarters of Maitama or Asokoro area of Abuja.

    According to him, the sureties must submit the original Certificate of Occupancy of their landed properties.

    He added: “We know too well of a standing instructions to serving civil servants not to stand as sureties in any matter and wonder why EFCC is giving a condition they have already blocked.

    “We will approach the court to seek Omisore’s release and wonder why EFCC has turned itself to an agent of persecution instead of prosecution.”

  • EFCC gets report on Army suspects

    EFCC gets report on Army suspects

    Legal experts are studying the report of the panel which probed arms contracts in the army, it was learnt yesterday.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received the report from the Presidency for “necessary action”.

    The commission sent it to legal analysts ahead of the interrogation of some former Chiefs of Army Staff.

    There were indications that some of the suspects might be grilled as from next week, depending on the legal opinion on some findings by the Presidential Committee on the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector.

    But it was uncertain last night if affected serving officers will be arraigned before a court martial or a conventional court.

    The Army had on April 3 said indicted officers might be tried by a court martial.

    The panel, headed by Air Vice Marshal J.O.N. Ode, last week submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari its report on how over $15billion was spent on arms and military hardware.

    The scope of the audit report was for the period between 2007 and 2015.

    The Nation had exclusively reported that Ode met with the President penultimate Friday on the findings of the committee.

    It was, however, learnt that the President has referred the report to the EFCC for what a source termed as “necessary action”.

    A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The report has been handed over to EFCC by the Presidency.

    “We have sent the document to legal analysts before we begin to invite retired and serving military officers for interrogation.

    “Very soon, we will start questioning some of those implicated and prefer charges against them as may be appropriate.”

    As at press time, the names of those affected were still being kept under wraps by the EFCC and the military because of what a source described as the “sensitive nature of the findings on the army.”

    Another source said: “The list of those indicted is being carefully managed for security reasons. It will be released to the public.”

    There are indications that some former Chiefs of Army Staff are among those recommended for further investigation by the EFCC.

    “The only outstanding issue is whether or not those indicted will be tried at a conventional court or a Court Martial. The Army prefers Court Martial but the snag is that since some Air Force officers were arraigned at a normal court, it will be wrong to treat Army officers differently,” the source said, adding:

    “I think the Army and the EFCC will sort out the logistics based on facts available and if these findings will not cause security breaches.”

    A terse statement on April 3, 2016 by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said 12 Army officers had been sent to EFCC for investigation.

    The statement said:  “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public that 12 Army officers have been sent to the EFCC for investigation.

    “These comprised three serving Major-Generals and one retired, three Brigadier-Generals, four colonels, and one Lieutenant Colonel.

    “However it should be noted that at the end of the commission’s investigations, those found culpable will be tried by a Military Court Martial.”

  • Fani-Kayode, Usman granted bail

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday granted former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and his Finance counterpart, Senator Nenadi Usman, bail for N250 million each.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    They were charged alongside the former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company said to belong to him, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

    Danjuma was also granted bail for N250 million.

    Justice Muslim Hassan held that there was no basis for denying them bail since the alleged offence was a bailable one

    He noted that denying them bail, especially as the court’s vacation would begin next Monday until September 9, would not serve the interest of justice.

    He granted them for N250 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

    “The sureties must show evidence of having landed properties in Lagos.

    “The defendants and sureties must submit their international passport with the court’s registry, ” the judge added.

    Justice Hassan directed the EFCC to verify the bail terms within seven days before letting the defendants go home.

     

  • N4.745b ‘fraud’: Drama as EFCC holds Omisore

    N4.745b ‘fraud’: Drama as EFCC holds Omisore

    Only my body will follow you, ex-Deputy Governor tells EFCC team

    After about three months of hide and seek, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested a former Deputy Governor of Osun State,  Otunba Iyiola Omisore.

    He was arrested in Abuja for the N4.745billion  allegedly allocated to him and others by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

    Of the slush funds, about N1.310billion was allegedly traced to Omisore and three companies.

    His suspected accomplices include Governor Ayodele Fayose and former Minister of (State) Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, who is in the United States.

    The arrest of Omisore was with a tinge of drama. He reportedly locked himself up in the master’s bedroom to evade arrest by EFCC operatives, sources said.

    EFCC operatives climbed a balcony to enter the room where a “jittery” Omisore was arrested. Found in his room, said the source, are $21,000 and about N1million cash.

    Sensitive documents relating to transfer of funds to slush companies by ONSA, the National Assembly and some companies were also recovered from Omisore, The Nation learnt.

    Omisore reportedly told the EFCC team: “I will not follow you; only my corpse will follow you.”

    He reportedly surrendered when the siege to his house was daunting.

    According to a top source in EFCC, the arrest of Omisore followed a successful trail of his movement to Abuja.

    The source said: “We had intelligence report that Omisore was at his 1, Kainji Crescent in Maitama, Abuja. We set out at 6am to invite him but when we got there; we were told he was not in town.

    “We went into the compound and gained access to the house. We started searching the rooms one by one. At a point, we discovered that the master’s bedroom was locked. We asked them to open it but they said, they had no key to it. Having been aware of our presence, Omisore had firmly locked up himself to evade arrest.

    “We surrounded the place with armed policemen and entered the master bedroom through the balcony. When we met him, we showed him a court warrant of arrest and a search warrant fully endorsed by a competent court.

    “We searched his  room afterwards and we discovered documents linking him to those  companies used for laundering of money from ONSA , National Assembly and some firms which they forced to part with cash to fund political campaign.

    “Some of the documents on landed properties which he bought with these slush funds.

    “When we finished the search,  we showed him the warrant of arrest but he retired into a mild drama that he would not go to the EFCC office.

    “Omisore, who knew the game was up said: ‘I will not follow you, only my corpse   will follow you.’ The suspense continued until his lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, asked him to go to  EFCC headquarters.

    “After then, we took him to the office and obtained  a statement from him. During interrogation,  he admitted that  he is a director of some of the companies linked to him . ONSA, National Assembly and some firms that paid huge funds into the accounts of these companies .”

    According to the source, Omisore told detectives that the companies paid the funds  under investigation to him but they were the money he loaned them.

    “We have served him bail conditions, it is left to him to meet these terms to regain freedom. So far, we have detained him,” the source said.

    About N1.310billion was traced to Omisore and  three companies out of the N4,745billion.

    According to a report by the EFCC, the funds were  remitted as follows: Fimex Gilt Limited(N160m)-8/8/2014in UBA; Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)—9/7/14 in First Bank; Sawanara (N300m)—1/8/14 in First Bank and Metropolitan Consortium(N350m)-1/8/14 in First Bank.

    A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Preliminary findings have shown that N1.310billion out of the N4.745billion from ONSA was remitted to the three firms and the accounts of these three companies belong to Omisore. This is one of the reasons we have invited the former Deputy Governor but he is yet to show up.”

    The anti-graft agency through a letter, of April 7, 2016 invited Omisore for interrogation.

    The letter, signed by Abubakar Madaki on behalf of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, reads in part: “The commission is investigating an alleged case in which your name featured prominently.

    “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview the undersigned on Monday, 11th of April 2016 at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7 at10am.

    “Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.”

    Instead of honouring the invitation, Omisore wrote a letter through one of his lawyers, Wole Jimi-Bada and Co. that the interview should be rescheduled to Thursday, April 14, 2016.

    The counsel said in part: “Your letter dated 7th April 2016 and addressed to our client and delivered to his gateman at our client’s residence has been passed on to our chambers.

    “We regret to inform you that our client travelled briefly out of Abuja but will return by Wednesday evening. Consequently and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the interview scheduled for Monday, 11th April 2016 as requested in your letter under reference.