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Tag: EFCC

  • Land swap: Reps order EFCC, ICPC to probe Ex- Minister, others

    Land swap: Reps order EFCC, ICPC to probe Ex- Minister, others

    The House of Representatives Thursdays ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC to investigate the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed over the FCT Land Swap Programme.

    According to the House, others to be investigated by the anti- graft agencies are Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Adamu Ismaila and the Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center (AIIC), Mr Faruk Sani.

    The investigation is to “ascertain their culpability or otherwise in the abuse of Financial Regulations, Due Process Procedures, and ICRC regulations with regard to the Land Swap Program.”

    The position of the House was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the report of the Herman Hembe- headed House Committee on FCT on the Investigation of the Abandoned Capital Projects and Alleged Malpractices Associated with the Land Swap Deals in the Federal Capital Territory.

    The previous FCT administration awarded and allocated over 7,600 hectares of land to companies and individuals under the Land Swap programme.

    “The EFCC/ICPC should as a matter of urgency, recover the said lands from the investors who are in breach of the terms of the land swap agreement entered into with the FCT,” the House said.

    The green Chamber also resolved that “relevant Security/Law Enforcement Agencies should investigate and track all monies expended outside the laid down Financial Guidelines for the Program, particularly, monies paid to the FCTA Land Swap Programme Account with the FCMB Plc, and the private personal account of Mustafa Usman Kaoje, the Accountant of AIIC and any other official of FCTA and AIIC.

    “That appropriate sanctions, as contained in Part V of the Financial Regulations, 2009 of the  Federal Republic of Nigeria be meted out by the relevant authorities on any officer found to have paid/collected money in cash/cheque without proof of exemption from the Federal Government E- Payment Policy;

    “That relevant security/law enforcement agencies should recover, for the FCT, all vehicles purchased with the Land Swap Project Funds for any official of FCTA, FCDA and AIIC;

    “That relevant security and other financial regulatory agencies should investigate the role of Aso Savings and Loans Plc, in conniving with some investors to misrepresent to the AIIC as to the financial standing of those investors with accounts in the said bank.”

    The House also recommended the termination of any Investor, who failed to meet the Basic Condition for participation/eligibility in the land swap program “particularly, the provision specifying that the Investor/Developer was to make available (in a dedicated project account) the sum of ₦350,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) as a Commitment fee on presentation of its Business plan.”

    The lawmakers advised that should the FCT Administration wish to continue the program, it

    “Should follow due process, adhere to relevant laws and ensure that only the most qualified investors are chosen to participate in the programme on a phase by phase basis.”

    Meanwhile, the House commenced a two-week Id-El- Fitri break to resume on the 12th of July.

     

  • Why EFCC operatives visited BoI, by Olagunju

    Why EFCC operatives visited BoI, by Olagunju

    The Bank of Industry (BoI) has assured of its commitment to manage the funds at its disposal for the growth of the industrial sector.

    The Development Finance Institution  (DFI’s),  Ag. Managing Director, Waheed Olagunju, who spoke at a briefing yesterday in Lagos, on the reason operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  visited  the bank on Monday, said the visit had nothing to do with any untoward act, but was in response to a petition on  the management of Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), which had since been resolved.

    Olagunju went on the memory lane, detailing the sequence of events that led to the EFFC’s visit to the bank. He said EFCC operatives visited the bank over a petition dated concerning the management of the  CTIN fund, lodged on November 2, last year.

    He regretted that some reports had misconstrued his absence on the day of the EFCC’s operatives’ visit to mean that he was being evasive, saying his absence was because he had to attend a stakeholders session on the Nigerian Automotive Industry in Lagos that day.

    “It is very unfortunate that some reports stated that I evaded arrest,” he said, adding: “But given my profile, I could not have any hiding place in the world. On Monday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, was in Lagos for a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Nigerian Automotive Industry to set an agenda for the automotive industry, which took place at Oriental Hotel.

    “We were invited to this stakeholders’ meeting because we are the managers of the National Automotive Council (NAC) Fund, which was the first fund BoI started managing. BoI in its own right is one of the vital stakeholders of the automotive industry. So that was why BoI was invited and I had to attend and that was where I was when officials of the EFCC visited our office. I did not know that they were coming; there was no tip-off. I am a responsible Nigerian; if I am invited, I will definitely honour the invitation .

    ”I went to the EFCC office on Tuesday and they asked me questions and I also wrote statements. The management of BoI is in continuum. I was not the Managing Director in 2010 and I was not the line Executive Director when all those transactions took place; the EFCC told me that they received a petition from the CTIN regarding the fund.”

    Olagungu said the EFCC operatives showed him the petition and asked him what he knew about the matter.

    “I told them all these matters had been resolved with Aliko Dangote and CTIN. When I assumed office as Acting Managing Director, one of my priorities was to look into our partnerships within and outside the country and I was briefed about issues regarding the CTIN and also heard that the CTIN was not happy with BoI and I said  it was regrettable. But I said that should not happen between BoI and Dangote because they are also our partner,” Olagunju said

    He said the parties to the transaction have addressed the issues raised with the new terms reached on how to manage the funds which have grown from N9 billion in 2011 to N13. 2billion, pointing out that BoI was appointed in 2009 to manage the fund that accrued from levies on imported cement for the development of the cement industry.

    Olagunju said when the funds were released, BoI granted loans to entrepreneurs in the cement value chain, adding that between 2011 and 2015, the Federal Government transferred N9.6 billion to BoI based on the earlier scheme as approved by the Federal Executive Council.

    He said when the CTIN was  established, BoI was in 2013 asked to transfer the fund to the CTIN’s account with a private commercial bank. A directive that was not carried out by the then management of the bank. In late last year, the CTIN petitioned the Presidency, following which a probe panel set up.

    “However, BoI management had since resolved the matter amicably with CTIN since late February 2016, during which it was agreed that an interest rate of eight per cent should be applied to the fund retroactively to previous releases based on which the fund grew to N12.3 billion as at December 2015,” he said.

  • EFCC arraigns Nyako’s former aide, others for fraud

    EFCC arraigns Nyako’s former aide, others for fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Ja’afaru Maliki, an aide to former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, before Justice Balkisu Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State, a statement said yesterday.

    Signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity in Abuja, Wilson Uwujaren, the statement said Maliki was arraigned alongside the Director of Rural Access Mobility Project, a World Bank-sponsored project, Vwapamkai Bafyau and Director, Civil Works Farouk Tarja.

    James Zarma and Suleiman Mohammed, both Deputy Permanent Secretaries, and Mamman Malgwi, a Permanent Secretary, were also arraigned.

    The accused persons were arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and diversion of funds to the tune of N700 million. EFCC said the funds were meant for the development of the Yola by-pass phase I road project, which was awarded to Nasser and Associate Global International Limited.

    The statement added that a group, Adamawa Awareness for Change, petitioned the EFCC, which subsequently investigated the allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds leveled against the accused. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The matter was adjourned and their trial fixed for October 26, 27 and 28.

  • Judge faults EFCC’s arrest, detention procedure

    Judge faults EFCC’s arrest, detention procedure

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has faulted the procedure being adopted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in arresting and detaining suspects.

    The judge said it was wrong for the EFCC to arrest suspects before or during investigation. He also said the practice where the EFCC procures remand orders from Magistrates’ Courts, in cases on which they lack jurisdiction was unlawful.

    Justice Kolawole also declared unlawful and a violation of the provision of the law establishing it, where the EFCC freezes a suspect’s account without an order of court.

    “The practice of arrest before trial is not only absurd, it is a corruption of the due process of law and Constitution. The earlier the Magistrates’ Courts and other lower courts realised that they are being used to subvert the Constitution the better,” the judge said.

    He added: “It is as a result of incidents, such as this, that make the Judiciary to be opened to public ridicule and opprobrium of issuing black market orders of remand by courts, who ex-facie (on the face of it), lack the jurisdiction to try the offences being investigated.

    “And these are, in my view quite unfortunate. The statutory agencies seem to side-track the obligations and rights created by the Constitution to protect citizens’ fundamental rights from being abused and violated,” the judge said.

    Justice Kolawole spoke in a judgment he delivered yesterday in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Abdulazeez, a  senator and son of former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.

    The Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Justice Ishaq Bello had, on January 12, 2016, faulted the practice where magistrates grant remand warrant in relation to cases on which they lack the jurisdiction to entertain. He directed magistrates in the FCT Judiciary to desist forthwith from granting remand orders to investigating agencies in such instances.

    Justice Kolawole, in the judgment yesterday, did not comment on the constitutionality or otherwise of the provision of Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows magistrates to remand suspects on holding charge for a maximum of two weeks in situation where the prosecution required time to tidy up its case.

    He said the practice was a “jaundiced interpretation” of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Lufadeju vs. Johnson in SC/247/2001, where the Supreme Court upheld the powers of the Magistrates Courts to issue remand warrants even where they lacked jurisdiction to try the offences charged.

    Abdulazeez, who is currently standing trial (before another judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja), with his father and some others on money laundering related offences, was arrested by the EFCC on February 12, 2015 and released on February 17, 2015. His account, frozen by the commission since July 14 of 2014, is yet to be released till date.

    The applicant argued that his detention for three days without being taken before any court was a violation of his right to personal liberty as guaranteed under Section 35 of the Constitution.

    Justice Kolawole, who held that EFCC had a justifiable reason to have arrested the applicant, found that the detention of Abdulazeez for three days, without taking him before a court of competent jurisdiction was a breach of the provision under Section 35 of the Constitution.

    He held that the decision by the EFCC to deploy its administrative powers to freeze the applicant’s bank account since July 14, 2016, without obtaining a court order to that effect, was a violation of the provision of the EFCC Establishment Act.

    Justice Kolawole noted that the respondent (the EFCC) did not furnish his court with information of the outcome of its investigation of the allegations against the applicant, and whether or not charges had been filed against him.

    He said the pendency of the suit before his court was not sufficient to restrain the EFCC from taking further steps in the case. He said all the respondent was required to do was to inform the court of its intention to file charges.

    Justice Kolawole awarded N12.5million in exemplary damages against the EFCC and in favour of the applicant.

     

  • EFCC traces N4.7b arms cash to Fayose, Obanikoro

    EFCC traces N4.7b arms cash to Fayose, Obanikoro

    Detectives uncover how ex-minister flew N1.2b
    to Akure for Ekiti poll

    Detectives have traced about N4.745billion of the diverted $2. 1billion arms cash to a former Minister of State (Defence),  Musiliu Obanikoro and Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    The cash was sourced from the SAS Imprest Account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under ex-NSA Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) prior to the conduct of the June 21, 2014 Ekiti State governorship election, according to an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation.

    Others linked with the sharing of the slush funds include Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele(Alias Abbey); Mrs. Helen Olayemi Fayose; Obanikoro’s sons — Gbolahan and Babajide —  Ikenna Ezekwe; Sylvan Mcnamara Limited(a company allegedly  run by the Obanikoros); Spotless Hotel, owned by Fayose and De Privateer Limited, which is owned by  Agbele.

    About 30 bureaux de change changed N759, 384, 300 (out of the N4.745billion) into dollars.

    A curious aspect of the findings by the EFCC is how Obanikoro, as a minister, flew N1.218billion to Akure on June 12, 2014 for Fayose a few days before the election.

    According to documents obtained by our correspondent, EFCC investigators discovered that a firm, Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, allegedly owned by Obanikoro and his sons,   was used to launder the N4.745billion.

    The directors of the company, which was incorporated in November 2011, are: a close aide of the ex-Minister, Ikenna Ezekwe(700,000 shares) of 51 Simpson Street, Ebute-Metta; Idowu Oshodi(299,000 shares) of 8, Prince Tayo Adesanya Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi; and Elizabeth Adebiyi(1,000 shares) of 3, Adedoyin Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere.

    “To set the stage for the use of the company for money laundering, the board of directors on May 7, 2012  passed a resolution that the company should open an account and appointed Mr. Gbolahan Obanikoro, Ikenna Ezekwe, Ms. Theresa Matuluko (Secretary) and Mr. Babajide Obanikoro as the signatories to the account.

    “The board added that the signing combination be that any of the signatories can sign alone.”

    According to the EFCC, when it was time to illegally draw the N4.745billion from ONSA for election, Obanikoro made the account of Sylvan Mcnamara Limited available and coordinated the disbursement.

    The breakdown of the disbursement is N759, 384, 300 changed into dollars through bureaux de change; N160million spent on cars through Balmoral International Limited; N1, 219, 490,000 ferried by Obanikoro in two flights to a branch of Zenith Bank at Plot 13, Alagbaka Estate, Akure to evacuate the cash and received by Fayose’s associate, Abiodun; balance of about N2billion withdrawn by Obanikoro and his two children in cash.

    Some of the bureaux de change and the amounts credited to them include  A.A.G.B.S Oil and Gas  (N168,000,000.00); Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd (N167,500,000.00); Northline Ltd (N835,000.00);  Northline Ltd (N83,750,000.00); Five Star Ltd N(37,600,000.00); A.B.A Trading Ent (N268,301,500.00); Villagolf Bureaux De (N1,425,000.00); Ahmad Ahmad &Omar (N350,000.000); Northline Ltd  (N1,680,000.00); Northline Limited A (N2,325,300); Rehoboth Homes  (N20,000,0000); Northline Ltd (N5,932,500.00); Northline Ltd (N842,500); Northline Ltd (N842,500.00).

    The EFCC also exposed how N1, 219, 490,000 was allegedly flown to Akure Airport on June 12, 2014 to Fayose through his associate, Abiodun Agbele (aka Abbey).

    The Nation yesterday stumbled on a document on the EFCC’s findings. It reads: “On June 12, 2014, the sum of N1, 219, 490,000 was flown from Lagos to Akure Airport by Musiliu  Obanikoro through a chartered plane (HS 125 jet) with a tail number N638MA. The plane belongs to Okin Travels which is a subsidiary of Elizade Motors. But the aircraft was then managed by OAS Helicopters for commercial/ chartered service.

    “The ex-minister was accompanied by his military Aide-de-Camp who introduced himself as A.O. Adewale.

    “The N1, 219, 490,000 was in two consignments but flown in the same aircraft twice in the morning and in the evening. From FAAN records, the first cash of N724, 500,000 arrived at Akure Airport at an estimated time of 9.38am and the second was at 17.57hours.

    “A bullion van was brought by Zenith Bank to the tarmac at the airport in Akure to evacuate the cash to Zenith Bank at Plot 13, Alagbaka Estate, Akure.

    “Obanikoro handed over the funds to Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele (alias Abbey). This Abiodun in company with the bank officials moved the money to Zenith Bank in Akure.”

    The EFCC gave details of how the N1, 219, 490,000 was shared to Fayose and others by Agbele.”

    The document said: “The N1, 219, 490,000 was not deposited in any account but it was kept in a vault in the bank. It took the bank officials about 10 days to count. The bankers refused to make entry until it was counted,

    “Shortly after confirming the figure, Abiodun was used to coordinate the disbursement of the funds. On June 26, 2014, the wanted associate (Abiodun Agbele) paid N137million into Ayodele Fayose’s account 10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose’s BVN on the teller is 22338867502. On August 22, 2014, he paid N50million into the same account. By the records from the bank, Abiodun paid another N118, 760,000 into Fayose’s account on 27/8/14.

    “Based on the transfers, Fayose moved N300million to a Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. He has the same BVN-22338867502.

    “After that, Abiodun deposited another N100million from the N1, 219, 490,000 into Spotless Hotel Account run by Fayose and  Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose’s BVN is 223338867502 and Helen’s BVN in the account is 22298990256.

    “The governor and Helen are the two directors and signatories of Spotless Hotel account.”

    In the course of the investigation, the EFCC team dug up how De Privateer Limited (a company owned by Abiodun Agbele) with Account No. 1013835889 received N219, 490,000 on June 18, 2014.

    “On June 19, 2014, the same account received N300million and another N200million on June 23, 2014. The BVN of the account is 22235692890.

    A top official of the EFCC said: “Fayose benefited from the ONSA slush funds when he was yet to be a governor. So, the fact that he has immunity now as a governor does not mean we should not investigate him.

    “The EFCC also has the right to interact with all those connected with the illegal withdrawal of public funds and the diversion of the cash.”

    Regarding the fate of Fayose’s associate, the source added: “We will invite him for interrogation; we have already initiated the process.”

  • Court strikes out Jonathan’s cousin’s suit against EFCC

    Court strikes out Jonathan’s cousin’s suit against EFCC

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere yesterday struck out a motion filed by Azibaola Robert, a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The motion wanted the court to restrain the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining or investigating him.

    Justice Babatunde Candide-Johnson struck out the suit on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution.

    Azibaola had also filed a similar motion before Justice O.O. Goodluck of an Abuja High Court. It was also dismissed.

    It was thereafter that he filed two separate motions before Justice C.M.A. Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Justice Candide-Johnson.

    On June 9, Azibaola and his wife, Stella, were arraigned at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on an alleged $40million contract scam.

    Trial Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each, and two sureties in like sum.

    Before their arraignment, Azibaola, who was in detention at the EFCC, asked the Lagos Court for an order nullifying and setting aside the remand order obtained by the commission.

    He also asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC or any person whatsoever acting for/on behalf of the Commission from arresting or detaining him and demanded special damages in the sum of N200, 000,000 (Two Hundred Million Naira Only).

    According to the anti-graft agency, between 2012 and 2015, Colonel Sambo Dasuki allegedly awarded fictitious contracts to the tunes of N2.2 billion, $1.6 billion dollars and €9,905,477.00 respectively to Azibaola and his companies and proxies.

    Also the sums of $40 million and N650 million were said to have been traced to the bank account of Azibaola as monies paid by the former NSA.

  • Ex-NIMASA chief: EFCC forced me to make a statement

    Ex-NIMASA chief: EFCC forced me to make a statement

    A former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development Captain Ezekiel Agaba yesterday alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) forced him to make a statement against his will.

    He alleged that EFCC starved him for two days and threatened to further detain him if he refused to write what the operatives wanted.

    Agaba said he demanded that his lawyer must be present before his statement was taken, but the request was allegedly refused.

    His testimony followed an objection by his lawyer Edoka Onyeke that his client’s statement to EFCC was not made voluntarily.

    Agaba was arraigned along with former NIMASA Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Others undergoing trial with them include Agaba’s former aides Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan as well as Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

    EFCC charged them with converting N2.6billion between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Testifying in a “trial within trial” to determine whether the statement was made voluntarily, Agaba said EFCC operatives came to his office last August 18 to conduct a search, after which they took him to their Ikoyi office.

    Agaba said from EFCC’s office, the operatives took him to his Lekki home and his house and vehicles were also searched.

    “We got back to EFCC at about 11.45pm. Orji Chukwuma, one of the operatives, brought out a sheet of paper that I was going to write a statement. I requested to see my lawyer. They refused and said I should write even though I hadn’t slept for 18 hours. I continued writing till about 1am when they took me to their detention centre,” he said.

    Agaba said he was brought back to the interrogation room the following day. He contacted a lawyer, Lanre Olayinka, who allegedly was not allowed access to him.

    “I was told that I was not allowed to go home because I was seen as being uncooperative. Between 9am and 10pm, I was not given food. I was given water which I requested. On 20th of August, I requested for bread and tea from an inmate.

    “Again, I requested for my lawyer, and they said I was not the one they were looking for, that why should I bother myself? I was not allowed access to a lawyer.

    “I was not allowed to write freely. I was threatened with not going home, which was like a death sentence to me because I had never experienced anything like that before.

    “I wanted to explain the circumstances of the transactions, but they cut that part off and asked me to write about the actual transfers. I was not given the opportunity to write the full story,” Agaba said.

    Asked whether there was a video recording of the interrogation, Agaba said: “Unless the video was hidden, there was no video at any time. All my protests were not recorded. I did not see any video.”

    Under cross examination by EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, Agaba admitted that his daughter Pamela brought food and fruits to him at EFCC.

    He also admitted that NIMASA’s legal officer came to stand surety for him, and he was released on bail to the lawyer on August 20.

    Agaba said he would not be surprised if it was shown to him that Olayinka signed a visitor’s register having come to see him. He said he was cautioned before making the statement.

    When Oyedepo asked him to identify anywhere in the statement where EFCC operatives asked him to confess to the crime, he said he was never forced to admit to the crime.

    Asked if he made any official complaint to EFCC chairman about being maltreated, or filed any fundamental rights suit, or petitioned the National Human Rights Commission, Agaba said he did not.

    “I didn’t make any formal report that I was maltreated,” he said.

    The trial-within-trial continues today.

     

  • EFCC shelves planned arraignment of Diezani’s associates

    EFCC shelves planned arraignment of Diezani’s associates

    •Court fixes July 4 for Omokore, others’ plea

    The scheduled arraignment of some associates of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke before a Federal High Court in Abuja was put off yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Jacobs told the court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, that the defendants were not available. He also sought time to enable the prosecution prepare its witnesses.

    Those named in a charge filed last week are businessman, Jide Omokore, a former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

    Others are Victor Briggs, Abiye Memnere, David Mbanefo, and Omokore’s companies – Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

    The Nation gathered yesterday that the actual reason for the postponement was to enable the prosecution tidy up some errors noticed at the last minutes in the charge.

    It was learnt that the charge contained some errors capable of weakening it.

    Justice Nyako adjourned to July 4 for the defendants to plead to the charge.

     

     

     

  • EFCC set to investigate 38 sacked Soldiers

    EFCC set to investigate 38 sacked Soldiers

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said that it will launch a probe into the activities of the 38 soldiers who were compulsorily retired by the Nigerian Army.

    The soldiers were retired last week by the military authorities following allegation of fraud in the arms deal.

    A human rights group, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Advocacy Centre, protested to the headquarters of the commission yesterday in Abuja, demanding the probe of the soldiers.

    The chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, told the protesters that his office would look into their demands.

    Represented by the Director of Publicity in the commission, Mr. Osita Nwajah, the EFCC boss said he would justice to the entire petition that comes before him and added that the one brought by the right group would not be an exception.

    Magu said: “We commend the Human Rights and Advocacy Centre for leading the war against corruption. The war is total and it is not limited to individuals or organisations. It is not limited to any professional group. It is for every Nigerian.

    “We are very encouraged by this solidarity visit and the request you have made. The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, a man of courage, who has demonstrated this by the mandate Nigerians gave him, will do justice to every petition that comes before him.

    “This petition you have brought before him will not be an exception.”

    Leaders of the rights group, Adah Douglas and Barrister Oboh John, who spoke on behalf of the group at the anti-graft agency’s office, said that the Nigerian Army had taken a stand and therefore had no reason to doubt them.

    The group said that the sack of top corrupt army officers was timely and inevitable having been carried out in accordance with the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The group told the EFCC chairman that the proper thing the Federal Government of Nigeria ought to have done ab initio was to out rightly dismiss the affected officers and hand them over to the EFCC for prosecution, particularly due to their involvement in the defence procurement fraud.

    The group said: “This would have paved way for recovery of billions of naira and serve as deterrence to other criminally minded public officials. We are even more worried by the emerging facts that the sacked officers are hell bent on using their illegally acquired wealth to disrupt the fragile peace we are presently enjoying in Nigeria.”

    The group called on the EFCC to arrest the sacked army officers and activate Sections 28, 29 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004 by tracing and attaching all their assets and properties as well as freezing their bank accounts in the interim.

    They said: “That the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should press charges of corruption and economic crimes against the sacked army officers. When they are eventually convicted, the Commission should ensure the confiscation and forfeiture of their illegally acquired assets and properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria pursuant to Section 30 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

    “That Mr. President must be wary of the monstrous plans by the sacked officers in conjunction with other top officers hiding within the military and paramilitary to throw Nigeria into unimaginable crisis.

    Every attempt to truncate our democracy and return Nigeria to the dark days of military rule must be resisted.

    “That all local and international sister Civil Society Organizations must brace up to the challenges of wrestling Nigeria out of the greedy hands of the sacked “officers” who in their hay days in service were actually “politicians”. The quest for justice for the innocent souls lost to the dreaded Boko Haram sect as a result of corruption and ineptitude of these shenanigans must be sustained.”

    The protesters, numbering about 500 marched to the Unity Fountain where they are holding a sit out till evening and with a demand to occupy the EFCC headquarters after one week, if the commission fails to act.

  • N450m poll cash: EFCC relocates ailing ex- Governor Ngilari to hospital

    N450m poll cash: EFCC relocates ailing ex- Governor Ngilari to hospital

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday relocated a former Governor of Adamawa State, James Bala Ngilari to a hospital in Gombe for access to quality medical care.

    The former governor is in EFCC custody for investigation over the N450million poll bribery funds allegedly allocated to the state by ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Madueke, according to the EFCC lavished about $115million oil cash (N23.29billion) on poll bribery scam.

    Ngilari, sources said, suffered a health snap in EFCC custody and the anti-graft agency decided to relocate him to a hospital.

    A top source said: “Ngilari was taken to the hospital in the commission’s ambulance after he complained of ill health. He was admitted at the emergency ward and was quickly attended to by two male medical doctors who were on duty.

    “The former governor had problems with blood pressure that had shot up yesterday. The doctors battled to reduce the pressure to normal level, stabilize it and watch his response to the treatment so far given to him.

    “The prescribed medicine has been given in order to control the pressure. The doctor has decided to place him under observation until tomorrow.

    “Ngilari had been complaining of health challenges especially his high blood pressure and pile. He could barely sit for a long time without complaining of pain.”

    The source promised that the EFCC would give Ngilari the best medical care.

    “Our target is to treat all suspects well in line with international standards. We have always given all suspects in custody access to decent facilities. In fact, all detainees are allowed to arrange for their meals if they wish. They also have access to their relations and friends any time,” the source added.

    Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Alh. Hassan Adamu (Wakilin Adamawa) had claimed that he handed over the N450million to ex-Chief of Staff to the acting Governor, Mr. James Ngilari, Alhaji Hamman and the accountant to the Government House, Mrs. Aisha Waziri, who counted the money and confirmed the figure.

    He said he left at that point and did not know how the money was shared neither did he personally benefit from it.

     

    Before the sudden health snap, ex-Governor Ngilari had denied authorizing his former aides to take custody of the funds.

    In a previous appearance, the Adamawa Peoples Democratic Party chairman, Mr. Joel Madaki confessed to EFCC that he was, in conjunction with Ambassador Hassan Adamu, a signatory to the document authorizing the release of the money.

    He however said he immediately gave the money to the former acting governor of the state for disbursement to the beneficiaries as envisaged by the donor.

    ‘I did not know how Ngilari distributed the money,” Madaki added.