The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Alleged Fraud: Court remands ex-Presidential Committee Chair in prison

    Alleged Fraud: Court remands ex-Presidential Committee Chair in prison

    A former Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMSS), Rabiu Hassan and a retired senior Air Force personnel, Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi were Wednesday ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja by Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The judge’s directive followed their arraignment on a three- count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

    Hassan, Atawodi and a firm believed to be owned by Hassan – Hypertech Nigeria Limited – were said to have defrauded the government to the tune of over N600m through suspicious contracts to procure military boats.

    A count in the charge reads: “That  you, A.V.M. Saliu Atawodi (retd.), whilst serving as the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS), Rabiu Hassan and Hypertech (Nig) Ltd on or about the 28th day of November, 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court with intent to defraud did conspire to obtain property by false pretence to wit: the sum of Six Hundred and Twenty Million Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (N620,910,0000 , property of the Federal Government under the pretence that the money represents payment for the supply of six piece of K-38 Armored patrol boats to Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) and which pretense you knew was false.’’

    They all pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which the prosecution lawyer, Mohammed Bello applied for a date for the commencement of trial.

    Lawyer to Atawori, Karina Tunyan, SAN, prayed the court to grant his client bail pending trial.

    Lawyer to Hassan, Shareef Mohammed, urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that his client, who acted as a whistle blower in the case, had not jumped the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC.

    Bello responded, saying he has filed a counter affidavit to the bail applications by both men.

    He added: “I agree that the complainant granted an administrative bail to the defendants and they did not jump bail. However, it is because they do not know what they are up against and bail is at the discretion of the court.

    ‘‘It is true that the second defendant is a whistle-blower, but the EFCC is an investigating agency; it investigates to establish a prima facie case and a prima facie case was established against the second defendant from the proof of evidence.’’

    Justice Kekemeke adjourned to May 16 for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that Atawodi and Hassan be remanded in Kuje prison.

     

  • EFCC detains Edo PDP aspirant over 700Million fraud

    A Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was on  Tuesday detained   by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC)in Port Harcourt over allegations of financial impropriety.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was alleged to have   bribed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials during the 2015 general elections.

    Source at the EFCC office in Port Harcourt confirmed to Nation that the aspirant was granted administrative bail Wednesday around 2:30pm and he is to appear on a later date already communicated to him.

    “He thought he could secure his bail on Tuesday night but you know the investigation here is always thorough and detailed and we have to keep him till Wednesday.”

    He was questioned over allegation of N700 million allegedly disbursed to Edo state for the 2015 general elections.

    When contacted on phone yesterday, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said he was on his way to Benin City but said he was invited as the coordinator for former President Goodluck Jonathan over the said funds and that he has explained to the anti-graft agency what he knows about the money and promised to give more details when he arrives the state capital.

    It would be recalled that some officials of INEC were recently investigated for allegedly compromising during the 2015 election by some powerful politicians in the then ruling party to manipulate the election in the favour of the PDP.

    Meanwhile this scenario came on the heels Ize-iyamu few days ago alleging that Governor Adams Oshiomhole has frittered over N1 trillion from the Federation Account since he came to power in 2008.

    He had also expressed worry over the high taxes on Edo people by Oshiomhole’s led All Progressive Congress (APC) administration.

    He spoke at a town hall meeting organised by House2House ‎Campaign in support of Ize-Iyamu.

    He commended the state government for improving the state economy through rapid internally generated revenue drive was commendable, but alleged that companies, shop and other viable business outfit and economically viable institutions have closed down and have left the state as a result of constant harassment by persons he alleged as touts operating as officials and agents government. For instance he said the tax policies have forced vehicle owners in the state to prefer to go to Delta State and other neigbouring states to register their vehicles.

     

  • $15b: EFCC to arraign ex-chief of Air staff today

    $15b: EFCC to arraign ex-chief of Air staff today

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it would arraign a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Umar Dikko at a Federal High Court in connection with $15 billion arms deals, today.

    Besides accounting for arms and equipment procured during his tenure, Umar may also face trial for allegedly benefitting from N558.2 million monthly from funds meant for salaries of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officials.

    A former Director of Finance and Accounts at NAF, Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau (retd), told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that all past Air chief marshals, diverted N558.2 million monthly.

    A media aide to the former chief of Air staff, however, said Air Marshal Umar had records of how he spent N558.2 million monthly on projects.

    He said part of the funds was used for pilot training, among others.

    In a statement, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said “a former Chief of Air Staff M D Umar Dikko is to be arraigned by the EFCC on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, before Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.”

    Although EFCC was silent on the charges against Umar, a top source said “the allegations against Umar have to do with procurement of arms, aircraft,  and maintenance of Alpha-Jets. They are in connection with some  areas  in the report of the Special Presidential Committee on arms procurement, headed by AVM JON Ode.

    “Umar will also be answerable for what he did with the excess of N558.2 million from the monthly salaries of NAF officers and men.”

    Some areas of investigation referred to EFCC by the Presidency are: • how 10 contracts totalling $930,500,690.00 were awarded;

    • payment of N4, 402, 687, 569.41 for unexecuted contracts
    • procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00;
    • four used Alpha-Jets for NAF at US$7,180,000.00 funded by ONSA;
    • cannibalisation of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets;
    • excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33 million instead of $6 million per one;
    • delivery of radars without vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own Strange transfer of $2 million to Mono Marine Corporation Nigeria Limited owned by some Air Force officers;
    • N15 billion lavished on maintenance of Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters;
    • N2.5 billion contracts awarded to Syrius Technologies (Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria;
    • Award of seven contracts worth N599,118,000.00 to Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), but only two was delivered

    But a media aide  to the ex-chief of Air staff said the money in question was not missing as there were records of what was done with them.

    In a statement in Abuja, the aide said: “This (N558.2 million) was what Air Marshal Umar used to execute the laudable projects for which he is known in the Nigerian Air Force.

    “They were used to reactivate and maintain aircraft for which no funds were released from the normal budgets. They were used for training programmes, including pilot training, which reached a height under his watch.

    “Remember that it was in the process that the Nigerian Air Force got the first female combat pilot. Part of the fund was used for payment of estacode allowances of officers, who were on training; renovation and building of offices and residential accommodation for officers and men.

    “There are records of these and they are not hidden. Nigerians will, through this, see the real Air Marshal Umar and his sacrifice to the Nigerian Air Force.”

     

  • EFCC charges Adegboruwa with criminal conspiracy

    EFCC charges Adegboruwa with criminal conspiracy

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a criminal charge against activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    He was accused of dealing in a seized property that was a subject of EFCC’s investigation without authorisation.

    The commission said he and Jonathan Udeagbala committed the alleged offence on August 13, 2013 in Lagos.

    Adegboruwa was said to have been arrested on Monday at his Lekki office by EFCC operatives.

    The defendants allegedly conspired to lease the property at House 105, NICON Town Estate, Lekki.

    EFCC said the property was a “subject of interim orders of attachment made by Justice Christopher Balogun of the Lagos State High Court.”

    The order, the commission said, was made on June 18, 2012.

    Adegbora allegedly leased the property to Shelf Drilling Nigeria Limited for N61, 631,944.65.

    The money was allegedly credited to his Zenith Bank account, numbered 1010240758.

    The alleged offence is punishable under Section 32 (1) of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004.

    The charge, dated May 5, has been assigned to Justice ‎Oluremi Oguntoyibo‎, who was recently transferred from Ilorin Division to replace Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia.

    Adegboruwa‎ represents ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), on whose behalf he filed an application challenging sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    He is also part of a legal team led by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) who sought to quash the summons issued for Tompolo’s arrest by Justice Ibrahim Buba. The case is now on appeal.

    Adegboruwa is known for his public interest litigation.

    He successfully sued the Lagos State government over tolling on the Lekki Bridge.

    He also got a judgment banning the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Both are now on appeal.

    ‎Sources said Adegboruwa will be arraigned Wednesday

  • EFCC freezes INEC chiefs’ accounts over N23.29b scam

    EFCC freezes INEC chiefs’ accounts over N23.29b scam

    •‘Lecky not chairman of disciplinary panel’

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives have stepped up their probe of the alleged N23.29billion bribe pumped into the failed bid to change the results of the 2015 presidential election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up a disciplinary panel after the EFCC interrogated 16 of its directors. Now, the EFCC has frozen the bank accounts of those implicated in the probe.

    But, an INEC source yesterday told The Nation that the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee is headed by a National Commissioner and not Dr. Mustapha Lecky as reported yesterday.

    Also yesterday, it was gathered that some of the INEC officers implicated in the bribery committed the same offence during the April 25, 2009 Ekiti State governorship rerun.

    About 53 officials were queried over the rerun, but they escaped disciplinary action.

    According to sources, most of the affected directors and officials have become jittery over the ongoing probe of the bribery scandal.

    It was learnt that the tension followed the identification of some choice properties allegedly owned by some Resident Electoral Commissioners, directors and administrative officials.

    A source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is disquiet within INEC on the invitation of 16 directors and the setting up of a disciplinary committee by the management of the electoral commission.

    “It is obvious that heads will roll in INEC, going by the determination of the new management to clean up the system. Some of the directors are contemplating resignation to avoid being humiliated out of the system.

    “It is sad that some of the directors implicated in this bribery scandal were also part of the scandal during the Ekiti State governorship rerun in 2009.

    “Some of these directors and officers were queried but they were not sanctioned as expected. This was why they had the courage to get involved in the latest N23.29billion poll bribery scandal.

    “Until this bribery became public knowledge, they had been trying to suppress it to survive again.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “All is set for the disciplinary procedure against some of these RECs and officers. But the panel will be headed by a National Commissioner and not Dr. Mustapha Lecky as earlier reported. And Lecky is not having health issues at all. He is in Abuja.”

    A source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “The accounts of some RECs and directors involved in the poll bribery scandal have been frozen. This is the only way we can recover some of the bribe money.

    “Some choice properties of these electoral officers have been identified and may be attached temporarily under the Assets Forfeiture Clause.

    “In fact, one of the RECs under investigation owns a  posh hotel in a state capital in the Southsouth.

    “On Monday, we also interacted further with the Managing Directors of some banks linked to the bribery.

    The EFCC has been probing the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on her alleged involvement in a $115m (N23, 299,705,000billion) 2015 poll bribery scandal.

    About four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks and more than 22 INEC officers, including RECs, are under investigation too.

     

  • N23.3b bribe: INEC chiefs to face disciplinary panel

    N23.3b bribe: INEC chiefs to face disciplinary panel

    EFCC quizzes 16 directors

    Some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials have been summoned to the agency’s Abuja headquarters in connection with the alleged N23.29billion bribe the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing.

    The EFCC has quizzed 16 top INEC officials, including 10 directors, over the scandal.

    Those invited are two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and an administrative officer.

    The RECs are Gesila Khan and Austen Okojie, who have been under investigation by the EFCC and other security agencies.

    On the list too   is an Administrative Secretary in Delta State,  Uluochi Obi Brown.

    Khan has been  quizzed for allegedly collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe. Brown allegedly got   N111,500,000.

    Okojie’s infractions were unknown as at press time but the INEC management is said to have “a security report” on him.

    The officials will appear on Wednesday  before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee chaired by a National Commissioner, Mustapha Lecky.

    More RECs and INEC officials may face the panel based on EFCC’s investigation.

    The indicted officials may be dropped by the Presidency if the allegations against them are established “beyond reasonable doubt”.

    The INEC management has stepped into the poll bribery scandal to cleanse the system of corrupt elements.

    REC Gesil Khan allegedly collected  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

    A retired INEC official, Sani Isa,  was grilled for alleged N 406,206,000 bribe, allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC) in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Apart from EFCC’s findings, the INEC management is also looking into the scandal which has battered the image of the commission.

    “The Secretary of INEC, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, has sent a letter of invitation to the affected RECs and Administrative Secretary.

    “Apart from the confidential report of the EFCC, I think INEC may revisit the report of a committee sent to Rivers and Akwa Ibom during the 2015 poll when there were issues in the two states.

    “So far, EFCC has not accused Okojie of involvement in the bribery but I think he is being invited to face the disciplinary panel on the basis of the report of the committee which looked into issues in Akwa Ibom during the 2015 poll when he was the REC in the state.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Although the chairman of the disciplinary committee is on a medical trip abroad, the INEC management may find a way out.”

    As at press time, the EFCC has quizzed 16 top INEC officials over the scandal.

    They include four directors at INEC headquarters, six directors at the state level and six Heads of Operations in the Southwest

    Another source said: “Actually, EFCC wrote a letter to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, seeking permission to interrogate these top officers.

    “They were all subsequently released to the anti-graft agency for a comprehensive session.

    “The outcome of the interrogation  led to the discovery that a former INEC chairman and two ex-National Commissioners coordinated  the bribery ring which led to the disbursement of the N23.29billion by Fidelity Bank.

    “The INEC management is awaiting EFCC’s report on these 14 directors before wielding the big stick if they are found guilty.

    “Sensing danger, one of the Administrative Secretaries implicated had offered to resign his appointment. This resignation will still not prevent his arraignment if he has a case to answer.”

    There were indications last night that the RECs might be dropped by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari if they are found guilty.

    Many directors might be fired too depending on the report of the EFCC and INEC management.

    “There is already tension in the system because many INEC officers benefited from the bribe. It was discreetly done but the scam has been uncovered by EFCC.

    “Those involved are jittery that their days are numbered because the administration of Buhari will not condone nonsense. In fact, a few directors have been seeking advice on whether or not to quit before being shown the way out.”

    A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is believed to be central to the huge bribe of poll officials to alter the 2015 presidential election results.

    About $115m( N23.29b) was involved in the bribery, with four  oil firms contributing $88.35million.

  • Jonathan’s ex-ministers ask EFCC to go after donors

    The Forum of Former Ministers under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to go after those who donated $115million (N23.29billion) to Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign Organisation instead of arresting ex-ministers.

    It said participation in a presidential campaign is a lawful political process worldwide and it requires huge some of capital to accomplish.

    It said that there was nothing wrong for ex-ministers or campaign coordinators to go to bank and collect funds.

    The forum which made its position known in a statement through its Secretary, Dr. Abubakar O Sulaiman( former Minister of National Planning), asked the EFCC to probe Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation funds too.

    The statement said: “The above caption and story therein in The  Nation Newspaper that  tends to criminalise ex ministers and other PDP stakeholders that participated legitimately in the Goodluck presidential campaign is not only unfortunate but a calculated attempt by the anti-graft agency to smear most of us of our good names.

    “It must be stated unequivocally that participation in a presidential campaign is a lawful political process worldwide and it requires huge some of capital to accomplish.

    “So if few days to presidential election, coordinators and party leaders took deliveries of funds from Presidential Campaign Organisation from the headquarters in the 36 states of the federation and FCT direct from a bank,almost at the same time,following banking procedure of receipt and in a more transparent manners, what shaddy deal has taken place?What crimes have these Nigerians committed? How have they violated any law of our Land?

    “If the anti graft agency is suspicious of the source of the monies since it couldn’t be traced to arms fund this time around, I think it is better polite for her to go after the so-called donors of the funds than vilifying the innocent people that have served this country in their little way.

    “The continuous media trial of ex-Ministers and PDP stalwarts only attest to the witch-hunt allegation levied against this government.”

    The forum insisted that ex-ministers who went to Fidelity Bank to collect funds had no plan to steal public funds.

    It added: “No reasonable person with the intent to steal and enrich himself with our Commonwealth would go before a bank,sign for a huge sum of money, allow himself to be captured by CCTV and go home and sleep believing he has done a good job. It is logical and commonsensical that money mobilised a day or two to election was indeed meant for election.

    “In case the anti-graft agency believes she needs to be sure the monies were indeed received by the various chapters of the party, there are better avenues and procedure to exploit , more discreet, more civil than creating the impression before Nigerians that we have shared N25 billion among ourselves.

    “ Rather than maligning the integrity of Aminu Wali, Ahamba, Anyanwu, Nurudeen and a host of other names yet to be mentioned, why not judiciously complete your investigation with a view to ascertain the unlawful source of the funds if there is any and bring the culprit to book.

    “The ongoing attempt at assembling all that participated in funds mobilization for party agents and party officials for Jonathan elections across the 36 states is to say the least amount to raw political witch-hunt and persecution.

    “ I believe strongly that lovers of democracy in Nigeria would not watch and allow the disparaging of people’s names to go unquestioned.

    “The EFCC should once again review her method of militancy and unprocedural measures.

    “If this current attempt amounts to auditing the election funds of Jonathan presidency, it is equally fair and apt enough to probe into president Buhari presidential campaign funds too.Let’s be just,fair and Godly in the discharge of our official engagements.”

  • Diezani’s N23b: EFCC traces N15b to ex-ministers, others

    Diezani’s N23b: EFCC traces N15b to ex-ministers, others

    •Identifies 14 directors of oil firms behind scandal from CAC
    •Ex-Ministers battle for bail, colleague shocked

    THOSE QUIZZED SO FAR

    • MD of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo
    • Head of Operations, Martin Izuogbe
    • Cross River PDP chairman, Ntufam John Okon— N500m
    • REC Gesil Khan — N185, 842,
    • Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—    N112,480,000
    • •Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000
    • Former Deputy Director of INEC in Cross River state,    Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000
    • Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.
    • Former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs

       Dr Nurudeen Muhammad  N 500,000,000

    • Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the last dispensation, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali—

        N950,000,000

    • Retired INEC staff, Sani Isa — N 406,206,000
    • INEC Staff in Kano and Jigawa— N 250,000,000
    • Oil chief—Leno Adesanya ($1.85m).

    AMOUNTS TRACED

    • N 5,097,064,000—Seven

       North-West               states

    • N681m to REC and five others
    • N500m to Cross

       River PDP chairman

    • N359m to INEC

       officials in Oyo and             

        Ogun

    • N49.7m profit from Fidelity Bank
    • N700m to two politicians

       in South-East

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has located the whereabouts  of  N15billion of the N23.29billion ($115m)  allegedly offered as bribe by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  in connection with the 2015 elections.

    The bribe was for the purpose of compromising the result of the elections which the party’s presidential candidate Dr. Goodluck Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fourteen directors of four oil firms suspected of substantially bankrolling  the N23.29b poll bribery scandal have also been identified by the anti-graft agency while some former Ministers arrested in connection with the scandal were battling for bail last night.

    They are: former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Muhammad (N 500,000,000) and ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the last dispensation, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali (N 950,000,000).

    Some of their former colleagues are shocked by the alleged involvement of the ex-ministers in the disbursement of the slush funds.

    Well placed sources said last night that the EFCC had traced over N15billion of the bribe cash as follows: the Seven North-West states- N5,097,064,000;  REC and five others- N681m to;  Cross River PDP chairman- N500m; INEC officials in Oyo and Ogun- N359m; Fidelity Bank- profit of N49.7m from the deal; two politicians from South-East- N700m.

    The source said: “EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu and his crack team have gone far in tracing more than N15billion of the N23.29billion which was shared to party leaders and INEC officials in the six geopolitical zones to influence election results and to stop APC from being declared as the winner of the 2015 presidential election.

    “Some of the beneficiaries have started refunding the cash given to them. We have the list of all beneficiaries from Fidelity Bank. This is one of the reasons why we kept the MD of the bank and Head of Operations in custody. Our priority is to recover the bribe cash.

    “By the time we get reports from all the geopolitical zones, we would have tracked down the bribe sum. Findings confirmed that the poll bribery cash was shared between February and April 2015 in a desperate and untidy manner.

    “Our concern is not about any party but the use of proceeds from stolen oil to bribe INEC officials.”

    The $115million (N23.29b) bribery scam was allegedly facilitated by the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    One of the 14 bank directors has been quizzed by the anti-graft commission, The Nation gathered yesterday.

    The oil barons are believed to have contributed $88.35million of the $115million (N23.29b) remitted to Fidelity Bank by the ex-Minister.

    Investigation revealed that the EFCC obtained the list of 14 directors of the firms from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    A source said: “From the list obtained from CAC, about 14 directors of the four oil firms involved in the bribery scandal have been identified.

    “We are screening the list to know the roles played by each of the directors in the bribery offer. We will invite these barons for interrogation any moment from now. We will also release their names to the public soon.

    “Some of these directors or owners of the oil firms are stakeholders in a few other oil companies which were highly favoured by Diezani.”

    Besides  Diezani Alison Madueke, who is under investigation abroad, some of those quizzed so far are   the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc,  Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo; Head of Operations, Martin Izuogbe; Cross River State’s  Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ntufam John Okon (N500m); former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Dr Nurudeen Muhammad(  N 500,000,000); ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the last dispensation, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali– N 950,000,000; Retired INEC staff, Sani Isa — N 406,206,000; Leno Adesanya ($1.85m); Sen. Chris Anyanwu and Mike Ahamba(N700m).

    Others are REC Gesil Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe deal; Fidelia Omoile (Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)–N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)–N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo–N214,127,000.

    Sources said last night that the ex-Ministers, who were taken into custody on Wednesday, have been battling for bail.

    “We will grant them bail as appropriate after we may have concluded our investigation. Their counsel were mounting pressure on us for bail as at Friday but I cannot tell you the exact status now,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, the camp of ex-ministers in the administration of former President Jonathan was split yesterday following revelations on how huge cash was disbursed to some of their colleagues for the 2015 poll.

    A reliable source in the camp said: “I am just ashamed to read about this scandal because I never knew such a scandal was being perpetrated. It is mind-boggling.

    “Some of these ministers implicated in the bribery scandal were pretentiously running to their colleagues to beg for money during and after the general election. They thought they had covered their track.”

    Another ex-Minister said: “I am shocked beyond words. I was in the cabinet but more of a passenger. Even the ex-President was not fair to some of us.”

     

  • N2.5b deal: EFCC invites Fani-Kayode for grilling

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday formally invited a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for questioning over the N2.5 billion allegedly withdrawn illegally from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

    Fani-Kayode is suspected to have received N840 million of the slush funds allegedly disbursed for the 2015 presidential campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman and ex-Imo Governor, Achike Udenwa both of whom also got from the funds have already had their own sessions with EFCC interrogators.

    Nenadi is believed to be the operator of an account, titled: “Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited,” where a substantial part of the funds was lodged and disbursed to party chieftains.

    The largesse, according to EFCC, was shared as follows: Fani-Kayode (N840million); Goodluck Support Group (N320million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350million); Nenadi Usman (N140million); Olu Falae (N100m) and Okey Ezenwa (N100million).

    A letter forwarded to the ex-minister and signed by the Acting Head, CTGI / Pension Fraud Section, EFCC, Mohammed Umar Abba said: “This Commission is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, fraud and money laundering involving Joint Trust Dimension Limited in which you featured prominently.

    “In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned, scheduled as follows: Monday 9th May, at Block B, Idiagbon House, 5 Fomella Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 11, Abuja, by 10am.

    “This request is made pursuant to Section 38(i) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and Section 21 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

     

     

  • TUC to ICPC, EFCC: expose states that mismanaged bailout funds 

    TUC to ICPC, EFCC: expose states that mismanaged bailout funds 

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify their investigations into how states utilised the bailout funds. Twenty-three states got the fund last year to offset workers’salaries, allowances and retirees’ pension.

    In a statement by its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, TUC lamented what he called the uncontrolled greed and quest for materialism by some governors and politicians.

    The attitude, it said, was worrisome, especially at a time of economic crunch and owing of workers’ salaries.

    ”The Congress is unimpressed by the porous explanations in the national dailies by some governors and their commissioners for information on how the monies were spent. As a labour centre we get first-hand information from our members in all the states of the federation.

    “We, therefore, know that some state governments are being economical with the truth when they make statements purporting that they have settled all their indebtedness to their workers. Even where a particular state government pays some of the outstanding entitlements, does that automatically translate to a liquidation of the entire debt?” Kaigama asked, noting that officers of the ICPC and EFCC should beware of the mischievous posturing in bank transfer documents presented by the states.

    The TUC president said it was inexcusable for any governor to neglect the payment of workers and divert the funds. He said weighing such actions against the backdrop of the recent happenings in the Senate raised serious concern about some politicians’ integrity.

    Endorsing the actions of the ICPC and EFCC, the Congress said the commissions should not give room to intimidations by any individual or group, who might want to upturn the course of  justice.

    ”We know that corrupt politicians will want to employ all antics to oppose the work of both commissions; all stolen wealth must be recovered. And any state that fails to make prompt payment of salaries and pensions will definitely face the wrath of Nigerian workers,” Kaigama said.

    He said as a labour centre, the fight against corruption and its effects on the growth and development of the nation is of very special interest to labour and all Nigerians.

    He added that the success of the crusade is the insurance that most Nigerians have to decent living, and the guarantee that the nation will stand strong and take its place among the leading nations of the world. Kaigama said the upsurge of corruption in Nigeria in recent times is particularly disturbing.

    “Indeed, statistics reveal that Nigeria is 163rd out of 172 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, with its yearly corruption level in recent years averaging $5 billion.  It has done unquantifiable damage to the national life.

    “For instance, the menace of corruption leads to slow movement of files in offices, fuels police extortion, accentuates traffic jams, port congestion, queues at passport offices and petrol stations, ghost-workers syndrome, election irregularities, inflation of budgets and contract fees,” he said.

    Kaigama noted that corruption pervades most establishments in Nigeria, private or public. He said apart from the political class, the justice system is another culprit.  “As a result of corruption, justice is perverted and judgment is often delivered in favour of the guilty that are able to pay their way through,” he said.