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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC to probe Ondo poly

    EFCC to probe Ondo poly

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to investigate the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State.

    Projects worth N263 million projects are to be looked into. This follows a petition by the Assembly of Concerned Staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic.

    The group, in a petition signed by its coordinator and secretary, Titus Igbayilaye and Sola Enikuomehin, listed the projects to include the N195m students’ online tuition fees payment and scratch cards.

    “A sum of N195 million, being school fees payment paid through online and scratch card payment by the students of the institution, could not be traced to the school account from 2014 till date. The money was however traced to another account that did not belong to the school management deliberately opened to defraud the institution,” the group alleged.

    The group also raised alarm on several projects alleging that that the projects were grossly-inflated.

    They want a probe of the N1750 each paid by 1600 students for an insurance scheme, the ICT building project and so on.

    When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwjaren’s mobile telephone line was not available but a source within the commission, who craved anonymity because he was not designated to speak for the commission, said the EFFC would send a team of crack detectives to the institution.

  • 2015 Polls: EFCC arrests REC,4 others over N650m scam

    2015 Polls: EFCC arrests REC,4 others over N650m scam

    •Anti-graft agency probes large scale bribery

    Alleged corruption in the 2015 general elections is back in the news following the  arrest   of the   Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) in Cross River State, Gesila Khan and four others  by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC).

    The suspects are being held for a N650.9million 2015 poll bribery scandal, EFCC sources said last night.

    Sensitive election materials for the 2015 presidential and senatorial polls were also retrieved from the residences of some of the suspects as were many documents on financial and landed properties.

    Some of the documents are receipts of payments made into their accounts.

    The suspects allegedly committed the poll bribery fraud in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

    There were indications that many INEC staff and Ad hoc workers benefitted from the bribe-for-poll results scandal.

    Khan, who was the REC in Rivers State during the last general election, allegedly pocked N185, 842,000 out of the bribe sum under probe by the EFCC.

    The other suspects  and the bribe cash against their names are Fidelia Omoile (Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)–N112,480,000; Uluochi Obi Brown ( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)–N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo–N214,127,000.

    According to investigation by our correspondent, all the suspects and their accomplices have made useful statements to EFCC.

    A top source said: ” During the preliminary grilling of Khan, she admitted that she went to a bank to identify one Peter Popnen (who is on the run) to collect N185, 842,000.

    “We have launched a manhunt for Popnen to ascertain how the deal was struck. As far Fideli Omoile, we discovered that her signature and driver’s license were allegedly used for some of the N112.48m transactions.

    “Regarding Uluochi, investigation confirmed that she had $75, 857 in her account with the Bank of America as at February. This indicated that she laundered some of the N111.5m poll bribery cash abroad.

    “In any case, EFCC is quizzing her on why she is operating a foreign account in violation of the Code of Conduct Act.”

    Another source in the commission said those who benefitted from the scandal appeared to be many.

    The source gave more details on the confessions of some of the suspects.

    “On his part, Effanga told interrogators that although he cashed the N241,127,000 at a branch of Fidelity Bank in Calabar, he only got $290,000 as his share.

    “But from his testimony, many INEC staff and Ad hoc workers benefitted from the loot. We are probing the sources of these slush funds which were deployed in some of these states to bribe INEC staff. Certainly, we are looking into many accounts which were used by some INEC staff.”

    Asked about Immaculata Asuquo, the source added: “She said she was directed by the REC in Akwa Ibom to go and identify Effanga in order to cash the N241,127,000.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that all the suspects had been granted bail but they could not fulfil the conditions.

    The source said: “EFCC may have no choice than to approach a court for a warrant to detain them.

    “I think we may go to court on Monday accordingly.”

     

  • AGF hails EFCC on anti-corruption war

    AGF hails EFCC on anti-corruption war

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) yesterday hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its pivotal role in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s efforts to curb corruption.

    Malami spoke during a visit to the commission’s Head Office, Abuja.

    The AGF, who was on his first visit to the EFCC since his assumption of office, expressed delight with the way the agency was “taking the bulls by the horn in the war against corruption”.

    A statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, acknowledged the strategic role of the EFCC to the success of the war against corruption.

    The minister, who said the government was not unawares of the commission’s needs, gave assurance of government’s preparedness to meet its identified challenges for optimal performance.

    He assured the commission of the cooperation of his office towards ensuring that justice is done to corruption cases.

    The Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu thanked the AGF for the visit and called for more support and cooperation.

    He added that the war against corruption cannot be fight and won alone by the commission.

    The AGF was later conducted round the facilities at EFCC Head Office as well as its permanent site along Airport Road, Abuja.

  • CCT trial: Justice Auta accedes to Saraki’s request

    CCT trial: Justice Auta accedes to Saraki’s request

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta has acceded to the request by Senate President, Bukola Saraki to direct one of the judges serving under him, Justice Abdul Kafarati to deliver judgment in his (Saraki’s) case.

    Saraki, who is standing trial for alleged false assets declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) had sued the Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar and others involved in his trial, before the Federal High Court.

    Saraki is, in the suit filed for him by his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, contending that his trial before the CCT, as currently constituted was a violation of his right and that there was no way he could get justice.

    It is also Saraki’s contention that, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was currently investigating Umar for alleged bribery and at the same time prosecuting him (Saraki) before the tribunal he (Umar) heads, it was impossible for the CCT Chairman to do justice and act independently in his (Saraki’s) case.

    Having taken arguments from parties in the case, Justice Kafarati had scheduled judgment for March 22, but when parties arrived court, he changed his mind at the last minutes and informed parties that he was withdrawing from the case and returning the case file to Justice Auta for reassignment to another judge.

    Justice Kafarati hinged his decision on publications by some on-line media, which he (the judge) said had cast him in bad light and portrayed him as a compromised judge.

    He said no matter in whose favour his judgment went, the losing party will habour the impression that he was influenced.

    On March 23, Oluyede wrote Justice Auta, demanding that he prevailed on Justice Kafarati to deliver his withheld judgment, no matter who benefits.

    Oluyede said: “It is our argument in the suit that the Code of Conduct Tribunal cannot act independently the way it is currently constituted because we believe It’s Chairman, Danladi Umar, who is currently under investigation by the EFCC, cannot be independent in deciding a case being prosecuted before him by the EFCC.

    “We have also contended that the EFCC, by admitting that the investigation of the case against our client was done by a special task force, as against the requirement by the provision in Schedule 3 of the Constitution, has usurped the exclusive duties of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). It is on that basis we argued that our client cannot get justice under the current arrangement and asked the court to quash the charge,” Oluyede said.

    Part of the letter he wrote to Justice Auta reads: “Although one cannot but sympathise with the hard-working judges, who are victims of these vicious attacks, nevertheless, we find ourselves in disagreement with his (Justice Kafarati) that the interest of justice would be served by his withholding of his judgment and returning the matter to your Lordship for reassignment.

    “In our view, the abdication by Justice Kafarati not only fails to meet the end of justice, it also gives momentum to the growth of blackmail tactics and dishonourable conduct targeted at obstructing the administration of justice.

    “It would therefore set a bad precedent if your Lordship accedes to Justice Kafarati’s request to allow him to withhold his prepared judgment in this action because of fear of ephemera public opinion.

    “We write to seek your lordship’s most urgent intervention to prevail on honourable Justice Kafarati to have his judgment read, so that the very essence of such an important application under the fundamental rights (enforcement procedure) Rules 2009 may not be completely lost and the entire judicial process brought to avoidable ridicule.

    “It is immaterial in whose favour the judgment goes so long as we can, through this resistance, defeat the on-line media terrorism being unleashed against the judicial system.

    “If this precedent is set, there will be no end to this, as it would mean that all a litigant that wishes to frustrate the administration of justice for any reason, need to is to sponsor spurious allegations against the judge and that will terminate the proceedings and frustrate the timely delivery of justice,” it said.

    It was however learnt yesterday that Justice Auta has acceded to Saraki’s request and directed Justice Kafarati to proceed and deliver his judgement.

    The Nation learnt that Justice Auta’s decision was hinged on the fact that none of the parties in the suit complained about the conduct of Justice Kafarati and that the judge can not disqualify himself from further handling the case based on mere allegations made in the media.

    Lawyers representing parties in the suit confirmed this development to The Nation Tuesday. Investigation by The Nation also revealed that Justice Kafarati has rescheduled the judgment for this Friday.

     

  • SAN to court: EFCC charges against me unconstitutional

    SAN to court: EFCC charges against me unconstitutional

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Joseph Nwobike, yesterday told a Lagos State High Court that the five-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unconstitutional.

    Nwobike is standing trial before Justice Raliat Adebiyi for alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official.

    Yesterday, defence counsel, Mr. O. Akoni, informed the court that the charges against Nwobike were unconstitutional and he intended to make a no-case submission.

    Denying a claim by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, that the defence had filed “a harvest of motions”, Akoni told the court that his client looked forward to a speedy trial.

    He said: “We have another application, but we want it taken after the prosecution has closed its case so that we can start trial without delay. We intend to make a no-case submission.

    “I want us to move faster. We’re saying among other things that this charge is unconstitutional.”

    Opposing the defendant’s application, the prosecution said it was defective.

    “The applicant’s application violates S.158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, if read together with Section 212.”

    He argued that if such an application is found to be incurably defective, the court would have no option but to strike it out, “instead of keeping it in abeyance”.

    In her ruling, Justice Adebiyi upheld the defendant’s submission.

    “The defendant’s application will not prejudice the prosecution’s case,” the judge ruled.

    The case was adjourned till April 21 and 22 for the prosecution to open its case.

    On April 9, Nwobike was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on allegations that he gave the sums of N750,000 and N300,000 to Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court to influence the judge to pervert the course of justice.

    He denied the charges and was granted bail on self recognisance.

    Nwobike, in a statement to the EFCC, had explained that the money was not meant to bribe the judge. He said it was the judge who asked him for financial assistance in respect of his mother, who was undergoing dialysis due to failing kidney.

     

  • EFCC charges against me unconstitutional, SAN tells court 

    EFCC charges against me unconstitutional, SAN tells court 

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Dr. Joseph Nwobike, Monday told a Lagos State High Court that the five-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unconstitutional.

    Nwobike is standing trial before Justice Raliat Adebiyi on charges bordering on an attempt to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official.

    Monday, defence counsel, Mr. O. Akoni, informed the court that the charges against Nwobike were unconstitutional and he intended to make a no case submission.

    Denying a claim by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, that the defence had filed “a harvest of motions”, Akoni told the court that his client looked forward to a speedy trial.

    He said: “We have another application but we want it taken after the prosecution has closed its case so that we can start trial without delay. We intend to make a no case submission.

    “I want us to move faster. We’re saying among other things that this charge is unconstitutional.”

    Opposing the defendant’s application, the prosecution said it was defective.

    “The applicant’s application violates S.158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, if read together with Section 212.”

    He argued that if such an application is found to be incurably defective, the court would have no option but to strike it out, “Instead of keeping it in abeyance.”

    In her ruling, Justice Adebiyi upheld the defendant’s submission.

    “The defendant’s application will not prejudice the prosecution’s case,” the judge ruled.

    The case was adjourned till April 21 and 22 for the prosecution to open its case.

    On April 9, Nwobike was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on allegations that he gave the sums of N750, 000 and N300, 000 to Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court to influence the judge to pervert the course of justice.

    He denied the charges and was granted bail on self recognizance.

  • EFCC probes clues in payment of N1b to ‘ghost’ workers

    EFCC probes clues in payment of N1b to ‘ghost’ workers

    Detectives are probing fresh clues on the alleged diversion of public funds to pay 23,000 ghost workers.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was shocked to discover that most of the slush accounts used for the pay fraud have either irregular Bank Verification Number (BVN) or no BVN at all, it was learnt yesterday.

    The fresh clue raises the suspicious that the pay fraud cases may be more than the N1billion so far uncovered by the EFCC.

    Some civil servants were said to have fled from their duty posts following the smashing of the syndicate behind the ghost workers.

    More workers might be picked up in the next few days by the anti-graft agency, a source close to the investigation said.

    A top source in EFCC said: “The fact that the commission’s investigation revealed additional 200 ghost workers indicates that the size of the scam could be more than what the ministry reported. The amount involved is certainly more than N1 billion.

    “The latest clues at our disposal have shown that more civil servants were involved in the IPPIS scandal. We are analysing all these fresh clues.

    “We are also on the trail of most of the culprits and their accomplices outside the civil service.”

    “It is amazing how the members of the syndicate were able to penetrate the banks to perpetrate the fraud,” the source added, adding:

    “It is apparent that members of the syndicate were working in collaboration with some staff of one or two banks.

    “We are, however, conducting due diligence on all the accounts to sift the wheat from the chaff. In fact, some of the accounts made available by the Ministry of Finance do not belong to ghost workers. We will not allow the innocent to suffer.”

    The EFCC has released on bail Ronke Usman, one of those implicated in the alleged ghost workers fraud.

    She has been granted bail pending the conclusion of the investigation. But her husband, Dayo Usman Aliyu, is still being detained.”

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun recently summoned the managing director of a first generation bank over the alleged complicity of the bank in the payment of salaries to 23,000 ghost workers on the payroll of the Federal Government.

    Also, the Minister asked the Director General of Pension Commission, Ms Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, to appear before a probe panel in her ministry on how Pension Funds Administrators(PFAs)  allegedly generated fake PFA numbers for the “ghost workers”.

    After the initial probe by the ministry, the Minister handed over the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In its preliminary findings, the EFCC smashed a nine-man syndicate behind N1billion salary fraud for 599 ghost workers.

    The anti-graft agency also arrested  the couple said to be members of the syndicate.

    The couple work in the office of  the Accountant-General of the Federation, where gaps in the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System(IPPIS) were exploited.

    Another suspected member of the syndicate, Bede Anyanwu, who is an accountant with the Federal Ministry of Environment, was quizzed and released on administrative bail.

  • EFCC arrests two impersonators

    EFCC arrests two impersonators

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested the duo of Abbas Attahiru and Mohammed Sufiyanu for offences bordering on impersonation and obtaining money by false pretense.

    This, is contained in a statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the commission`s Head of Media and Publicity on Friday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, Attahiru and Sufiyanu’s arrest followed a complaint by a-would-be victim that the suspects, claiming to be staff of EFCC, informed him of a petition purportedly written against him.

    The suspects, the statement added, promised to give the would-be victim a “soft landing” provided he was ready to part with some money.

    This, he added, made him to suspect a foul play and contacted the commission where he was asked to play along.

    The statement re-emphasised that the EFCC does not solicit for nor accept payments or gratification from persons or organisations under any guise to settle matters.

    It added that the suspects were apprehended at the complainant’s home after collecting N100, 000 which was part of their agreed fee to quash the case.

    According to the statement, the suspects will be charged to court as soon investigations are concluded.

     

  • EFCC arraigns NAMA MD, directors for N2.8b ‘theft’

    EFCC arraigns NAMA MD, directors for N2.8b ‘theft’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive Ibrahim Abdulsalam at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N2.8 billion.

    He was charged with Nnamdi Udoh (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Investment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.

    They were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi on 21-count charge.

    EFCC said on August 19, 2013, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975.00 to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd under the pretense that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    The alleged offence is contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3).

    The prosecution said the defendants conspired to deliver various amounts to Delosa Limited on different dates under the pretence that they were payment for clearing NAMA’s consignment.

    EFCC said they paid the firm N274,021,452.00 between January 31 and April 15, 2013; and between August 19 and December 31, 2013, they paid it N151,136,320.

    The defendants also paid the firm N403,485,057.70 between January 15 and December 17, 2014, as well as N285,906,834.10 between January 14 and September 16, 2015, the prosecution alleged.

    EFCC said the defendants induced NAMA to pay Air Sea Delivery Ltd the sum of N409,010,344.70 under the pretense it represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s goods. EFCC said they also paid Air Sea N230, 585,636.20 between January 14 and September 16.

    According to the agency, another company, Sea Schedules System Ltd, got N227, 634,567.20 between September 11 and December 15, 2014, under the pretence that it cleared NAMA’s consignments. Also between January 14 and September 3, the defendants paid Sea Schedules the sum of N314,378,212.80.

    The defendants were accused of conspiring among themselves on January 2, 2013 to convert N858,507, 609.56, property of NAMA, which was derived from stealing, contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    Between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N191,616, 651.56 belonging to NAMA to themselves.

    EFCC said they allegedly converted N728,870,158 between 2013 and 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    Their lawyers, who said they had filed bail applications, prayed the court to remand the suspects in EFCC’s custody, where they had been held since February 12.

    But EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, who said he needed to respond to the motions for bail, urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.

    “EFCC’s detention facilities are overstretched. Arrests are being made every day. EFCC cannot afford to keep more detainees,” he said.

    The commission listed an initial 20 witnesses, including representatives of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank Plc, who will testify during the trial.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until April 12 for commencement of trial.

  • EFCC arraigns NAMA MD, directors for N2.8b ‘theft’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on Thursday arraigned Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive Ibrahim Abdulsalam at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N2.8billion.
    He was charged along with Nnamdi Udoh (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd before Justice Babs Kuewumi on 21 counts charge.
    EFCC said on August 19, 2013, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst themselves to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975.00 to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd under the pretense that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.
    The alleged offence is contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3).
    The prosecution said the defendants conspired to deliver various amounts to Delosa Limited on different dates under the pretence that they were payment for clearing NAMA’s consignment.
    EFCC said they paid the firm N274,021,452.00 between January 31 and April 15, 2013; and between August 19 and December 31, 2013, they paid it N151,136,320.
    The defendants also paid the firm N403,485,057.70 between January 15 and December 17, 2014, as well as N285,906,834.10 between January 14 and September 16, 2015, the prosecution alleged.
    EFCC said the defendants induced NAMA to pay Air Sea Delivery Ltd the sum of N409,010,344.70 under the pretense it represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s goods. EFCC said they also paid Air Sea N230, 585,636.20 between January 14 and September 16.
    According to the agency, another company, Sea Schedules System Ltd, got N227, 634,567.20 between September 11 and December 15, 2014 under  the pretence that it cleared NAMA’s consignments, and between January 14 and September 3, the defendants paid Sea Schedulesthe sum of N314,378,212.80.
    The defendants were accused of conspiring amongst themselves on January 2, 2013 to convert N858,507, 609.56, property of NAMA, which was derived from stealing, contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
    Between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N191,616,651.56 belonging to NAMA to themselves.
    EFCC said they allegedly converted N728,870,158 between 2013 and 2015.
    Count 13 reads: “That you, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd And Multeng Travels And Tours Ltd, between the 1st day of January and the 30th day of December, 2015  within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N336,803,308 property of NAMA, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
    The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Their lawyers, who said they had filed bail applications, prayed the court to remand the suspects in EFCC’s custody where they had been held since February 12.
    But EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, who said he needed to respond to the motions for bail, urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.
    “EFCC’s detention facilities are overstretched. Arrests are being made everyday. EFCC cannot afford to keep more detainees,” he said.
    The commission listed an initial 20 witnesses, including representatives of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank Plc, who will tesfify during the trial.
    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until April 12 for commencement of trial.