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Tag: EFCC

  • N10b probe: EFCC faults Dudafa’s health alarm

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday faulted a claim that the health of Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, was failing in detention.

    It said suspects arrested for alleged corruption prefer EFCC’s detention facility to prison custody.

    Dudafa is being probed over $47million and €5.6million Euros (N10 billion) which were withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The cash was shared to delegates that took part in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election on November 27, 2014.

    Dudafa, who was initially at large, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on April 18 by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) operatives and taken into custody.

    But a spokesman for Dudafa’s family, Engr. Thomas Akpoebi, alleged that the health of the former presidential aide has deteriorated in the last two weeks in custody.

    The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, however dismissed the claim.

    He said: “The commission will not be distracted by any false alarm regarding the health condition of any suspect as all suspects in the custody of the EFCC have access to the best available medical care.

    “All inmates also have access to their lawyers and family members at the designated visiting hours.

    “The quality of care in the EFCC holding facility is the reason why accused persons regularly plead in court to be remanded in EFCC custody.”

    In a statement on Monday, Akpoebi said Dudafa ‘s health began to “deteriorate about two weeks ago.

    He also debunked a report that the EFCC had released Dudafa.

    The statement said: ”We members of the Dudafa family are frightened at the level of deliberate neglect and abandonment Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa has been subjected in the EFCC custody since his incarceration about 50 days ago.

    ”This is the first time we are constrained to say something to the world since the arrest and detention of our brother and this is deliberate in order for the law to take its full circle despite the media trial that has been orchestrated.

    ”We are particularly disturbed that the EFCC told a national daily on Wednesday last week that Dudafa had been released.

    “This is far from the truth and an attempt to mislead the public in order to endanger our brother’s life in their custody. This is a despotic way of fighting corruption‎.”

     

  • EFCC begins investigation into alleged diversion of N107 billion in Benue

    Contrary to specu-lations that Benue State government has dumped the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Judicial Commission of Enquiry report, which indicted Gabriel Suswam and 51 others, Governor Samuel Ortom says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced investigation.

    Ortom, who disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists, said EFCC staff in Enugu have already paid assessment visit to Benue State.                        He said the report of the commission was submitted to that office and assured that the staff would certainly follow up.            The governor said his administration would follow rule of law in pursuing the matter and advised those that allegedly looted the treasury to return the loot.

    Ortom said he has given go-ahead to his commissioners to rebuke him if he adds a kobo to any contract and emphasised that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption.

    According to him, upkeep allowances for himself and the deputy governor have been reduced by N500, 000 because of decline in federal allocation.                        He used the occasion, which was organised to mark his one year in office, to say that the amnesty programme introduced last year was a huge success.

    He said life in Benue would have been miserable if the programme was not introduced and added that it was being replicated in some states.

    Ortom said the programme has been highly extolled in Africa and announced that he has been invited to speak on amnesty at a United Nations gathering in New York in June this year.

    “We have reduced criminality to a certain level; states like Kaduna, Kano and Nasarawa are talking of replicating the programme, why would anyone say it has failed”, he queried.

    He said if those criticising the programme had seen the over 600 weapons surrendered, they would have commended his administration instead of condemning it.

    On the 800 staff of Obi Local Government, who demonstrated over non-payment of salaries, the governor said he directed that they should be disengaged because they were illegally employed by the director in charge of general services and administration.

    In the area of sports, Ortom said he has told the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Lawrence Onoja Jnr, to submit a memo on its diversification.

    He said the state government would liaise with local governments and look for talents in football,  handball and so on, and disclosed that a professor has told him that openings exist for the provision of scholarship for the training of talented youths in America.

    On the murder of his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Denen Igbana, Ortom said he has handed the matter over to security agencies. He said the law should take its course and noted that Mr Igbana contributed to the release of over 13 kidnapped persons and contributed immensely to the success of the amnesty programme.

  • EFCC kicks as ex-NIMASA D-G seeks post-conviction bail

    EFCC kicks as ex-NIMASA D-G seeks post-conviction bail

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed a post-conviction bail application by former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Raymond Temisan Omatseye.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos on May 20 sentenced him to a prison term of five years and dismissed him from public service for awarding contracts above threshold while in office.

    Omatseye, who is challenging the verdict, is praying the court to grant him bail pending the determination of his appeal.

    According to him, given the number of years it takes to prosecute appeals, it is likely that he could have finished serving the prison term by the time the appeal is determined.

    Besides, Omatseye said he is a father of four children, one of whom is very ill and suffers from “severe medical conditions of epilepsy, a typical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mitral regurgitation, artrial fibrillation, enuresis, severe learning difficulties and development delays.”

    He said his wife stays full time in London with the sick child to enable him get proper medical attention. In his wife’s absence, he has been providing parental care to the remaining three children in Nigeria.

    Omatseye said he would not run away if granted bail. He said he was always in court during trial, adding that he was granted bail after his arraignment on self-recognition, having been a lawyer for 28 years.

    But the EFCC said the issues raised by Omatseye ought to be determined by the appellate court, adding that the reasons for the post-bail application “are based on appeal to pity and extraneous circumstances.”

    The prosecution said bail after conviction is only granted on the basis of very special and exceptional circumstances.

    “In the present application, no exceptional or very special circumstances have been shown to entitle the applicant to bail pending appeal.

    “The applicant has failed to show any special circumstances or reason to enable this honourable court to exercise its discretion in its favour and admit the applicant to bail.

    “We, therefore, urged this honorable court to dimiss the application,” the EFCC said.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogibia adjourned to June 6 for ruling.

  • FG sets up panel for prosecution of corruption, criminal cases

    FG sets up panel for prosecution of corruption, criminal cases

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday inaugurated a National Prosecution Coordination Committee, (NPCC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The committee is to ensure effective prosecution of high criminal cases in the country.

    The committee, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, is headed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami at the event attended by several government functionaries including the National Security Adviser, Brig-General Babagana Munguno, rtd, and heads of the ICPC and the CCB among others.

    Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the ceremony, said that the President is not interested in tele-guiding the anti-corruption agencies or prosecution authorities in the country.

    He said: “When you look at the way that the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies have acted in recent times you will notice that they are not under any kind of direction of influence of the President.

    “They are given the independence to act; they are given the authority and backing to act on their own and to use their own discretion appropriately at all times. You don’t get any situation where the president says go get that person or back off that person.

    “All of us know that the President is completely committed to fighting corruption and economic crimes and terrorism,” he added

    He said that such external influence does not exist under this administration, as the agencies are given the full authority to act and they do so using their best judgment.

    The administration, he said, expect the agencies to use their powers with fairness, devoid of any prejudice.

    According to him, the same responsibility has been given to the newly formed NPCC to bring justice to the people.

    Addressing the 20-member Committee, the Vice President said: “That is the sort of responsibility placed on your own shoulders as well, the responsibility to exercise prosecutorial power independently and without any direction except of course from the learned Attorney-General who is the constitutional and prosecutorial authority in the country.”

    “It is a very serious responsibility because it also involves making sure that people are treated fairly or that people are not pursued by reason of bias or any other such consideration,’’ he added.

    He said that it was important that those being prosecuted were not embarrassed needlessly by the prosecutors.

    He stressed that it is important that everybody observe “that the system is fair and that the system works in the interest of the Nigerian people. When the system is fair everybody buys into it and it is not difficult for people to relate with it and support it.’’

    The Vice President said that the selection of the committee members took into consideration not only their legal skills and learning, but also their integrity and strength of character in order to chart a new course in the nation’s criminal justice system.

    Even as he noted that legal background was important, he said that particular consideration was given to those who have courage and would not allow themselves to be cowed or influenced by tribe, religion, and friendships.

    He said: “Given the nature of economic crimes and the enormity sometimes of the money that is involved and the influence of those who may have to be prosecuted, you need more than legal skills. You need men and women of strong character and courage who will not only be able to turn down inducements of any kind but also act without consideration for tribe, friendship, religion or any other parochial considerations.’’

    The Vice President observed that the composition of the committee was notable as they take on their tasks at a time of an upsurge in pipeline vandalism among other criminal acts.

    He said: “This is a very important committee because the administration itself is committed to ensuring that we are able to deal with not only question of corruption which is a big item on our agenda but also other economic crimes. Terrorism has assumed different shapes and proportions of late, and the vandalism that we see in parts of the Niger Delta, which has affected so many different things including oil production, power supply,

    “We are in a very crucial time in our social development and a committee such as this is very necessary and historic because I do not know of any other of such committee in the history of this country,’’ he added.

    He congratulated the committee members for being chosen to perform the task and expressed the hope that the committee would be making a huge difference in the actual delivery of results in the next few months.

    Speaking earlier, the Attorney General and Justice Minister said that the committee comprised 12 ex-officio and eight external members of proven integrity and competence.

    To fast-track the work of the committee, he said that the ministry has created 20 prosecution teams with four members each and had requested the all agencies exercising police powers to recommend five experienced investigators to support the committee’s work.

    “The aim is to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of high profile criminal cases in Nigeria,” the minister said

    According to him, the committee was not a duplication of the existing anti-corruption agencies but would collaborate with such agencies for effective service delivery.

    Other members of the committee included Mr. Taiwo Abidogun-Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi, SAN, Mr. Chukuma Machukwu, SAN, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Mr. M.S. Diri, Director of Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Pius Oteh, Esq., Okoi Obono-Obla Esq., Mrs Juliet Ibekaku, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, Esq., Mr. Kehinde Oginni, Esq, Mr. Salihu Othman Isah-Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the Attorney-General, Al-Amin Ado Ibrahim, from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nafiu Yakubu, Tunji Oluborode, Esq., Eric Onokif Ifere Esq., Mrs Diane Okoko, Temitope Adebayo, Esq., DIG Abdulrahman Yusuf, RTD, Sylvester Imhanobe, Esq as Secretary to the Committee.

  • EFCC gets 140 convictions in six months

    EFCC gets 140 convictions in six months

    A former court registrar got 10 years for an $8.4 million scam and a secondary school leaver bagged 37 years for defrauding an American of $40million.

    These and many others, including former Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) chief Raymond Omatseye who got five years for a N1.5billion contract scam, are some of the 140 convictions the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has secured in six months.

    But EFCC Chairman Mr. Ibrahim Magu said Nigerians should expect a very rigorous war against corruption.

    He also said the anti-graft agency was not persecuting some arrested members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) because they are in the opposition.

    In his view, should Nigerians have the details of some of the dirty deals which some former leaders of the ruling party did, they will shed tears.

    Magu, in an address at the launch of “Clean Hands Against Corruption Campaign” at the Eagle Square in Abuja, said the EFCC had kept faith with Nigerians.

    Although Magu did not give the details, The Nation obtained a document containing some of those convicted in the last six months.

    They include  a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Raymond Temisan Omatseye (five years for a N1.5n contract scam); a Lagos Court Registrar, Mrs. Rosulu Idowu Oluronke (10 years for $8.4m); a  former  chairman, Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area,  Kogi State, Gabriel Daudu(154 years for N1.4billion fraud); ex-Adamawa Commissioner for Local Government Affairs John Elias Babani( 10 years for N51.5m fraud); George Uboh(3 years for selling vehicles belonging to the defunct Police Equipment Fund);

    The EFCC also secured court order to extradite a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company(NSPM), Ehi Okonyomon to Britain to face charges of corruption and money laundering on the N750m polymer bribery scandal.

      It also got an order to extradite a Nigerian fugitive, Franca Asemota, to Britain for alleged trafficking of minors.

    Magu said:  “Over the last 13 years, EFCC has been reshaping the face of law enforcement in Nigeria. Not that we have not had our fair share of challenges. However, over the past one year of the life of this administration, the commission has been revamped and has continued to set the pace in investigation, prosecution and prevention.

    “The past glory of the EFCC is now being restored as testified to by Nigerians and members of the international community.

    “This is because we have kept faith with our mandate and the expectations of Nigerians. In just six months of this year, we have secured over 140 convictions, including some involving elusive ‘high-profile’ criminals.

    “We have recovered billions of dollars’ worth of stolen funds and blocked numerous avenues for money laundering.”

    But Magu did not disclose the amount because of plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to speak on the matter on May 29.

    The EFCC has been accused of being discriminatory in its treatment of fraud cases. Magu denied this.

    He said: “We do not prosecute innocent people; there is no issue of persecution at all. If you see the impunity on what has been done in the past few years, you will shed tears.”

    He urged Nigerians to hold the EFCC accountable for its actions.

    He said: “Due pressure must be mounted not only on the commission to carry out diligent investigation and prosecution and to inform the people of its activities.

    “Nigerians need to also take more seriously their watchdog role over their lawmakers to make them more alive to their responsibility to pass laws that are adequate and functional and the Judiciary to meet the yearnings of Nigerians for justice.

    “On our part, we will continue to do all within the bounds of law to fulfill our mandate, with God’s guidance and the support of the people.

    “We are convinced that the work we are doing at EFCC  is nothing if it does not lead to real and sustainable change permeating all strata of the society.”

    Nigerians, said Magu, should expect a more rigorous anti-graft war.

    He said: “I have said it before but let me emphasise that where hapless Nigerians are defrauded, EFCC will swiftly come to their aid; where powerless Nigerians are short-changed, EFCC will intervene; where there is impunity, EFCC will step in and level the field.

    “Nigerians will continue to see on my watch, a very rigorous war against corruption because I am convinced that there is no better time than now to fight and win the war.

    “I am happy to note all the people and institutions that have agreed to partner with us to defeat the corruption monster.

    “Let me warn that it may be rough and ugly, as corruption has and will always fight back, but victory is certain for the people. Nigeria can and will surely be better.”

    A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who also spoke at the occasion, said: “If any Nigerian is serious at all about the necessity for the greatness of the nation, then, he or she must take the fight against corruption seriously. This is because the consequence of not taking the fight against corruption seriously is that the nation will forever be mortgaged.

     The Chairman, House Committee on  Financial Crimes and Anti-corruption, Kayode Oladele, said it was important to start the fight against corruption from the grassroots.

    A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Mr. John Olushola Bayeshea (SAN), said if care was not taken, corruption may kill Nigeria.

  • Judge faults EFCC over detention of Jonathan’s cousin

    Judge faults EFCC over detention of Jonathan’s cousin

    A High Court the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja has faulted the Economic and Financial. Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its continuous detention of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin Roberts Azibaola.

    The commission has detained Roberts since March 23 following his arrest over his alleged involvement in the diversion of $40million meant for oil pipeline security contract awarded his firm, One-Plus Holdings.

    Shortly after Azibaola filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit to challenge his detention, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck granted an ex-parte application by AziBaola, declaring his continued detention without trial unconstitutional.

    The judge later ordered his production in court by the EFCC.

    Ruling on a separate motion by Azibaola yesterday, Justice Goodluck described Azibaola’s prolonged detention, without trial, as reprehensible and a conduct that smacks of anarchy.

    The judge also noted that a warrant she issued for the EFCC to produce the applicant in court since March had not been complied with by the commission.

    The judge observed that “rather than comply with the production order, the respondent (EFCC) wilfully and knowingly side-stepped this court’s production warrant by releasing the applicant (Azibaola Robert) to security operatives who allegedly took the applicant to Lagos on the same day and time the respondent was required to present the applicant before this court.

    “As an organisation that is set up to enforce compliance with the law, the respondent must lead by example,” the judge said.

    Justice Goodluck said the EFCC or any other security agency was under the obligation to obey an order of court directing the production of a particular suspect in its custody.

    The judge was of the view that “the conduct of the respondent is unsalutory and condemnable.

    “It undermines the integrity of the court and portends anarchy.? No person being a natural or jurisdic person is greater than the court. All persons are subordinates to the rule of law.

    “It is hoped that this rude conduct will never repeat itself. Let nobody pull the wool over the face of this country,” the judge said.

  • $200 billion loot:  EFCC raids Dubai firm’s office in Abuja

    $200 billion loot:  EFCC raids Dubai firm’s office in Abuja

    As part of the ongoing probe of the laundering of over $200billion loot in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by former political office holders, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) yesterday stormed the office of a Dubai property firm, The First Group Company,  in Abuja.

    The company is also being investigated for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians by luring them to invest in real estate in Dubai.

    A prominent Nigerian lost about $402, 000 (N136.6m) in a phony real estate transaction with the company, it was learnt.

    Two officials of the company were arrested. They were undergoing interrogation at the anti-graft agency’s office last night.

    Some documents and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) containing a list of high profile patrons were retrieved by the EFCC.

    The EFCC team raided the company’s seventh floor office at the Bank of Industry building in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after obtaining a search warrant.

    An EFCC source said: “Our operatives searched the office as a result of a plethora of complaints received through petitions from concerned Nigerians about the activities of The First Group Company, a real estate outfit incorporated in Dubai (UAE).

    “We executed a duly endorsed search warrant and vital documents as well as CPU relevant to the facts in issue were recovered.

    “They specialise in aiding and abetting money laundering and foreign exchange malpractices by top civil servants and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).”

    The EFCC is working on clues that some former governors, ministers and top civil servants laundered money through the company to buy choice properties in Dubai, using such proxies, including their children and relations.

    “Two employees of the company (an accountant and the senior client service/ legal executive) were arrested and are being interrogated,” the source said.

    The investigation of the company is said to be in line with the agreement between the Federal Government and the UAE to trace about $200billion loot stashed away in the Emirate by ex-governors and ministers.

    The source said the First Group Company was also being probed for allegedly swindling some Nigerians.

    “So many unsuspecting Nigerians have fallen victims of their antics by parting with their hard-earned money running into millions of dollars. Iinvestigations into the allegations are ongoing,” the source added.

    Under searchlight for stashing funds or acquiring properties in Dubai are seven ex-governors, six former ministers, a former presidential aide implicated in the $2.1billion arms deals, ex-military chiefs under probe, agents / fronts of some of these public officers and about five chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who are undergoing interrogation.

    A Federal Government team, comprising the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu and detectives from the anti-graft agency some months ago met with their UAE counterparts to collate  intelligence notes on the PEPs.

    President Muhammadu Buhari in January signed a “Judicial Agreement on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth with UAE.”

    Calls were made to both the Abuja office and Dubai Headquarters of the affected office last night but these did not how through.

    While Dubai line  +97144550100 was on automatic answering machine, the Abuja lines of +2349903600 and +23494611454  did not connect.

    Although some of the cases involving The First Group were handled by Barrister Ismail Muftau from Jackdon, Etti and Edu, it was difficult to get the counsel when this newspaper went to bed.

  • N1.150b poll bribe: EFCC  probes ex-envoy, ex-governor, others

    N1.150b poll bribe: EFCC  probes ex-envoy, ex-governor, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC)  is probing Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Amb. Hassan Adamu, a former  Acting Governor of Taraba State, Sani Danladi Abubakar, and others  over their alleged sharing of about N1.150billion, out of the N23.29billion poll bribery funds allocated to their states.

    The others are a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Joel Ikenya Danlami,  a former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Mark Bako Useni, a former National Secretary of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Sa’idu Umar Kumo from Gombe State and the Chairman, Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Chief Joel Madaki.

    Each of the three states received N450million from Fidelity Bank totaling N1.150billion.

    Ikenya has refunded N2million. Useni paid back N1million.

    The bribe which was facilitated by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, was given to all the 36 state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    A top source in the EFCC said: “The former acting Governor of Taraba State, Senator Sani Danladi Abubakar (Taraba North) was the chair of the sharing committee of the N450million campaign slush fund for the re-election of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Other members are Senator Ikenya and Hon. Useni.”

    EFCC’s investigation is said to have revealed the role played by the trio in the collection and sharing of the fund.

    Ikenya and Useni allegedly signed and collected the fund on behalf of the state PDP before proceeding to the Government House to share it.

    “When interrogated, the two former office holders claimed they distributed the money to the 16 local government areas of the state. They gave N140million(at N28m each) to five local government areas and N264million ( at N24m each) to the remaining local government areas,” said the source, who added.

    “Useni admitted he collected Takum Local Government’s  N24m.

    “They confessed to have personally benefited individually from the fund. The former minister admitted to have taken N4million. He presented a GTB draft of N2million and promised another draft for the same amount today. His co-suspect deposited a draft for N1million and the balance to be paid later.

    The investigators are going after the chair of the sharing committee in order to recover his personal share of the slush fund, The Nation learnt.

    “The EFCC has intensified its investigation of all gravy funds with the aim of recovering as much from the beneficiaries,” the source said.

    On Gombe and Adamawa states, the source added: “Senator Kumo signed and collected N450million campaign fund for the re-election of former President Jonathan.

    “He admitted that out of the said amount, he got only N2m which he promised to pay back.

     The  Adamawa PDP chairman and Ambassador Adamu (Wakili Adamawa) allegedly signed and collected N450million campaign  fund for Adamawa State.

    Madaki, in his statement reportedly, admitted that out of the said amount, it was only N5million that passed through his office, which he reportedlly promised to pay back.”

  • EFCC declares Omisore wanted over N700m arms cash

    EFCC declares Omisore wanted over N700m arms cash

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday declared a Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore wanted in connection with alleged N700million paid to a company in which he has interest by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

    The said money was paid to the ex-Deputy Governor when ONSA was under the administration of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

    The cash was allegedly paid between June and November 2014.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The EFCC today declared a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore wanted.

    “The former senator is wanted in connection with a case of receiving and misappropriating the sum of over N700, 000,000.00 from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between June and November, 2014.

    “Omisore has been elusive and refused to report to the Commission after invitation was extended to him on April 7, 2016 requesting him “to come and make clarification on the ongoing investigation”.

    “Instead of responding to the Commission’s investigation Omisore had approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

    “Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf consequently ordered that Omisore should only be arrested through a due and legal process.

    “The EFCC thereafter obtained a warrant to effect the arrest of the politician.”

    As part of the N700million probe, the EFCC had invited Omisore for interrogation in connection with a N442, 600,000 security contract which was awarded to a firm linked to him by the ex-NSA

    Omisore was a director of the company as at the time of the award of the contract and a payment of N370million out of the project sum was effected.

    Part of the N370million was allegedly made into the account of the ex-deputy governor.

    Based on the recommendation of a Presidential Committee, EFCC was scrutinizing records of how the contract was executed with nothing to show for it.

    The anti-graft agency through a letter, CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/ STF/Vol.3/116 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 interview the undersigned on Monday, 11th of April 2016 at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7 at 10am.

    “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 accordingly to our instructions. 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.

    “On his behalf, we humbly request that the interview be rescheduled for 14th April 2016 for him to come to honour your invitation.

    “We deeply regret any inconvenience this request may cause you.”

    But rather than coming for interrogation on the appointed date, Omisore approached the High Court of to restrain it from performing its statutory functions.

    In an affidavit deposed to by Detective Nuru Buhari Dalhatu, dated May 6, 2016, and obtained exclusively by The Nation, the EFCC urged the court to ignore Omisore’s application.

    The affidavit reads: “That the EFCC is investigating cases of alleged payments made by the office of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to individuals and companies with nothing to show for it.

    “That in one of the alleged cases the EFCC is investigating, the name of the applicant (Omisore) featured prominently as revealed by intelligence report.

    “That the EFFC wrote a letter of invitation to Omisore inviting him for an interview as to why his name featured prominently in an alleged case being investigate by the commission.

    “That the applicant upon the receipt of the EFCC’s letter to attend the interview scheduled for Monday, 11th April 2016, instead of honouring the invitation, wrote a letter through his lawyer that the interview be rescheduled to Thursday, 14th April 2016.

    “That the applicant instead of honouring the invitation in line with his rescheduled date of April 16 decided to institute this action to restrain the EFCC from performing its statutory function.

    “That from the letter of invitation, the EFCC neither threatened the arrest and indefinite detention of Omisore nor did it violate or intends to violate his fundamental right to personal liberty and dignity.

    “That Omisore is using this action and those instituted by other respondents as a shield to frustrate further investigation of the case which his name featured prominently under investigation.”

    A company, Fimex Gilt Limited, submitted proposals to ex-NSA Dasuki towards combating the scourge of terrorism and the illegal influx of terrorists into the country through porous borders.

    The scope of the N442million proposals was as follows:

    • Border protection and Intelligence Services Programme
    • Supply of Armoured Personnel Carriers
    • Provision of training support for non-conventional counter-terrorism methods

    The Managing Director of Fimex Gilt Ltd, Adetona David Famadewa alleged that the company was able to “establish a relationship with the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) through a third party, to wit: the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

    He said N370million was paid out of N442million and the contract was not “renewed due to the change of government.”

    He said N52, 600,000 remains outstanding to date out of the contract sum.

    But after facing a contract Review Committee, the company was directed to “refund the entire payment it received from ONSA.”

    The company was also among 241 others referred to EFCC for further investigation leading to the invitation of Omisore.

    The EFCC is probing how part of the N370million paid to Fimex Gilt Limited was remitted into Omisore’s account.

    Although the ex-deputy governor was not immediately available, he had sworn to an affidavit to plead with the court to save him from being arrested and humiliated.

    He said although he was a director of the company when the contract was awarded to it, he had since resigned.

    He said he loaned the company through its MD the “funds required to perform the contract.”

    He added: “That upon the company’s receipt of the payment from ONSA for the contract, the MD repaid to me the prior sum I had lent to Fimex Gilt Limited after I had resigned as a director of the company.

    “That since resigning as a director of Fimex  Gilt Limited, I have no further interests, affiliations or dealings with same and I was in no way involved in the performance of the contract between  ONSA and  Fimex  Gilt Limited.

    “That based on the statements and threats by the EFCC and ONSA, I am in fear of their breaching or being likely to breach my fundamental rights for purely political motives and purposes.

    “That there is imminent danger that I would be arrested and detained indefinitely by the EFCC and ONSA.”

  • PenCom partners EFCC against defaulting employers

    PenCom partners EFCC against defaulting employers

    •Says non-remittance of pension is financial crime

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute companies deducting pension contributions from the emoluments of their employees and not remitting same.

    Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, made this known in a report made available to reporters in Lagos. She said the Commission is aware of this worrisome development, which she said PenCom views as a financial crime.

    She noted that the employees whose pensions are deducted and not remitted often initiate investigations into the pension liabilities of companies by way of complaints.

    However, she said, instances abound where complaints of this nature gravely expose the employee to loss of job – an ultimate price for whistle-blowing on ground of the perpetuated illegalities of their employers.

    According to her, over 73,403 employers have been registered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) by the Commission.

    She said: “About seven million employees working with public and private sector employers have registered with Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) for the management of their pension contributions.

    “The number of companies whose employees have so far registered is 73,403. Of this number, 43,918 employers with more than three employees have largely complied with the provisions of the PRA. The remaining 29,485 with less than three employees are mostly the non-compliant organisations. These categories of employers are usually more of portfolio companies and in some cases are companies that had either been liquidated or ceased to exist.”

    Speaking on remittance of monthly contributions, she said regular remittance of contributions is an important aspect of compliance with the law.

    “The monthly remittance by private sector has gradually improved and the returns for the month of December 2015 indicated that N45 billion or 70 per cent of the total expected remittance was remitted to 1,607,361 Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) holders.

    “The engagement of recovery agents in 2012 contributed in the improvement of the amount of average monthly remittance of pension contributions from N35 billion in 2011 to over N55 billion in 2015.

    “Through the efforts enumerated above, the pension assets of the industry have grown steadily from N110.69 billion in 2006 to N5.302 trillion in December, 2015. Similarly, the membership of the various pension schemes has grown from 1.6 million in 2006 to 6.89 million in December, 2015,” she added.