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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC alleges another SAN gave judge N750,000

    Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike, paid N750,000 into the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged yesterday.

    The allegation is contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to a further and better affidavit filed by Rickey Tarfa (SAN).

    Justice Mohammed Idris yesterday ruled that Tarfa could adduce new evidence through the further affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

    In the further and better affidavit, the lawyer said the bank account, which EFCC said Tarfa used to bribe Justice Yunusa, belongs to him, and not to Justice Yunusa as EFCC alleged in its counter-affidavit to Tarfa’s suit.

    The lawyer said Tarfa gave him N225,000 on January 7, 2014 to help finance his masters in Law degree.

    But EFCC has alleged that Tarfa was not the only SAN to pay money to Justice Yunusa’s account.

    An EFCC operative, Moses Awolusi, said there were new revelations about judges being allegedly induced through “a network of senior lawyers”.

    “Investigation has also shown that as part of this chain of fraud, Mr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) also transferred the sum of N300,000 to Hon. Justice H.A Nganjiwa.

    “Investigations further revealed that Hon Justice M.N Yunusa as part of this scheme of fraud also received the sum of N750,000 from Mr. Joseph Nwobike SAN and Co,” the EFCC investigator said.

    But Nwobike, in a statement to the anti-graft agency, which was also attached to the affidavit, 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.

    “Sometime ago, Justice Yunusa requested to see me. When I got there, he pleaded with me to assist him with some funds since his mother was under dialysis.

    “He stated that her kidney had parked up and that he needed assistance to cure her. I felt sorry for him. I told him that I did not have funds, but that I would assist him when I had some money.

    “I requested for his account details which he obliged me. When I got some money about two weeks after, I gave the money to him and he thanked me when he saw me along the corridor of the court of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,” Nwobike said.

    Justice Idris ruled that he would consider the further and better affidavit filed in support of Tarfa’s N2.5billion fundamental rights suit.

    The Senior Advocate sued EFCC for allegedly violating his rights after he was arrested for hiding two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise, in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility (SUV) vehicle, thereby shielding them from arrest.

    EFCC, its chairman Ibrahim Magu, Moses Awolusi, who arrested Tarfa, and Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai are the respondents.

    Tarfa demanded N2.5billion, sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further violating his rights, and asked for N20 million as cost of the suit, among others.

    Justice Idris ruled: “A court will allow a party re-open and adduce further evidence in circumstances of unavailability of the evidence during trial or hearing and in the interest of justice.

    “Interest of justice involves an indulgence, even though it ought to be confined to matter arising ex-improviso, which no human ingenuity could have foreseen. There must have been no indolence, surprise, or otherwise an intention to overreach the other party.

    “The evidence sought  to be adduced by the applicant (Tarfa) was one that was not available previously in reply.

    “From the nature of the evidence, it is my respectful view that it is in the interest of the parties and to court that it be allowed at this stage of proceedings for whatever it is worth.

    “I do not consider it repugnant to justice and one intended to overreach the case. I shall stop here and say no more. The application succeeds and it is granted as prayed.

    “The respondents (EFCC and others) are at liberty to respond to the fresh evidence adduced by the applicant herein.”

    It was in the response filed by its lawyer Wahab Shittu that EFCC alleged that Nwobike paid the money to Justice Yunusa.

    Justice Idris adjourned until today for hearing.

  • EFCC releases Secondus on bail

    EFCC releases Secondus on bail

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last night released the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.

    Apart from seizing his passport, he was made to produce two sureties with a N750 million bond each.

    The sureties are Federal Civil Servants on Grade Level 17

    It was learnt that Secondus was released at about 8.30 pm last night.

    Secondus’ counsel, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), said: “The PDP Deputy National Chairman has been released but under extremely stringent conditions. For a man whose alleged offence has not been proven, he does not deserve stringent bail terms.

    The EFCC detained Secondus for allegedly receiving 23 choice vehicles from a business associate of ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

  • EFCC alleges another SAN gave judge N750,000

    EFCC alleges another SAN gave judge N750,000

    • SAN: I helped the judge

    Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike, paid N750,000 into the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged Wednesday.

    The allegation is contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to a further and better affidavit filed by Rickey Tarfa (SAN).

    Justice Mohammed Idris Wednesday ruled that Tarfa could adduce new evidence through the further affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

    In the further and better affidavit, the lawyer said the bank account, which EFCC said Tarfa used to bribe Justice Yunusa, belongs to him, and not to Justice Yunusa as EFCC alleged in its counter-affidavit to Tarfa’s suit.

    The lawyer said Tarfa gave him N225, 000 on January 7, 2014 to help finance his masters in Law degree.

    But EFCC has alleged that Tarfa was not the only SAN to pay money to Justice Yunusa’s account.

    An EFCC operative, Moses Awolusi, said there were new revelations about judges being allegedly induced through “a network of senior lawyers”.

    “Investigation has also shown that as part of this chain of fraud, Mr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) also transferred the sum of N300, 000 to Hon. Justice H.A Nganjiwa.

    “Investigations further revealed that Hon Justice M.N Yunusa as part of this scheme of fraud also received the sum of N750, 000 from Mr. Joseph Nwobike SAN and Co,” the EFCC investigator said.

    But Nwobike, in a statement to the anti-graft agency, which was also attached to the affidavit, 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.

    “Sometime ago, Justice Yunusa requested to see me. When I got there, he pleaded with me to assist him with some funds since his mother was under dialysis.

    “He stated that her kidney had parked up and that he needed assistance to cure her. I felt sorry for him. I told him that I did not have funds, but that I would assist him when I had some money.

    “I requested for his account details which he obliged me. When I got some money about two weeks after, I gave the money to him and he thanked me when he saw me along the corridor of the court of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,” Nwobike said.

    Justice Idris ruled that he would consider the further and better affidavit filed in support of Tarfa’s N2.5billion fundamental rights suit.

    The Senior Advocate sued EFCC for allegedly violating his rights after he was arrested for hiding two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise, in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility (SUV) vehicle, thereby shielding them from arrest.

    EFCC, its chairman Ibrahim Magu, Moses Awolusi, who arrested Tarfa, and Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai are the respondents.

    Tarfa demanded N2.5billion, sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further violating his rights, and asked for N20 million as cost of the suit, among others.

    Justice Idris ruled: “A court will allow a party re-open and adduce further evidence in circumstances of unavailability of the evidence during trial or hearing and in the interest of justice.

    “Interest of justice involves an indulgence, even though it ought to be confined to matter arising ex-improviso, which no human ingenuity could have foreseen. There must have been no indolence, surprise, or otherwise an intention to overreach the other party.

    “The evidence sought to be adduced by the applicant (Tarfa) was one that was not available previously in reply.

    “From the nature of the evidence, it is my respectful view that it is in the interest of the parties and to court that it be allowed at this stage of proceedings for whatever it is worth.

    “I do not consider it repugnant to justice and one intended to overreach the case. I shall stop here and say no more. The application succeeds and it is granted as prayed.

    “The respondents (EFCC and others) are at liberty to respond to the fresh evidence adduced by the applicant herein.”

    It was in the response filed by its lawyer Wahab Shittu that EFCC alleged that Nwobike paid the money to Justice Yunusa.

    Justice Idris adjourned until today for hearing.

  • FG urges court to ignore Moro’s claim of ill-health

    FG urges court to ignore Moro’s claim of ill-health

    The Federal Government Wednesday objected to plea for bail by former Interior Minister, Abba Moro and two other persons being tried over the 2014 botched recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIM).

    The government, acting through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to ignore claim of ill-health made by Moro, and on which basis he had sought to be granted bail.

    Moro, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Anastasia M. Daniel Nwobia, F. O. Alaiyegbami and Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited were on Monday, arraigned before the court on an 11-count charge.

    They were accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The four defendants also were accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    Although they pleaded not guilty to the charge, Justice Anwuli Chikere ordered the remand of Moro and Alaiyegbami in Kuje prison, Abuja and allowed Mrs. Daniel Nwobia, said to be a nursing mother, to remain on the bail earlier granted her by the EFCC, pending the determination of their bail applications.

    Wednesday, parties argued for and against the grant of bail to the defendants, with the EFCC cautioning the court to refuse the bail applications on the ground that the defendants could tamper with the prosecution process and witnesses.

    Although Moro claimed, in his bail application, to suffering from acute diabetes and high blood pressure, the EFCC, in its counter –counter affidavit, faulted such claim, arguing that, while in its custody, and throughout investigation of the case, Moro neither  complained of ill-health nor was he treated for any ailment.

    EFFC also faulted Moro’s pledged to abide by the bail conditions and attend trial, stating that it had to revoke  the administrative bail earlier granted him (Moro) “as information received from the investigating team revealed that the applicant would interfere with investigation and prosecution process embarked upon by the respondent.

    An EFCC investigator, Isa Joshua, stated in a supporting affidavit, that “investigation conducted revealed that the defendant/applicant conspired with the other defendants to induce the said delivery of the said funds by job applicants, while deliberately neglecting to comply with extant provisions relating to procurement process as the Minister of Interior in relation to the award of contract for the recruitment exercise.

    “Investigation also revealed that the defendant/applicant conspired with other defendants to award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited without advertising the contract, without needs assessment and procurement plan, and through selective tendering procedure, by inviting four firms without seeking approval by Bureau of Public Procurement and the fact that the company was not responsive to mandatory prequalification.

    “The defendant/applicant conspired with other defendants to award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, knowing that the company had no legal capacity to enter into the contract,” Joshua said.

    It told the court that Moro would frustrate its effort to apprehend others involved in the alleged crime as they were currently being trailed by its operatives.

    Justice Chikere, who ordered Moro and Alaiyegbami to return to prison, will rule on the bail applications today.

    Shortly after the court’s proceedings, Moro’s supporters, mostly young men and women, who wore T-shirts, with the ex-Interior Minister’s picture printed on them, sang his praise as he was led to a waiting prison van. The unruly supporters, some of who wept as he Moro was being led away, and prison officials attacked journalists, who were trying to capture Moro’s exit with their cameras.

  • Dasuki’s ex-aide challenges detention by EFCC, Army

    Dasuki’s ex-aide challenges detention by EFCC, Army

    Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, a former Special Assistant to ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Army over his continued incarceration.

    Ashinze, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), is challenging his detention for about 12 weeks without any charge preferred against him.

    The suit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also has the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as respondent.

    Ashinze is praying the court to order EFCC and the Army to release forthwith, his personal effects, documents and properties which were illegally, wrongfully and unlawfully seized from him without any warrant, during his arrest and continued detention since December 23, last year.

    Alternatively, he urged the court to issue an order granting him bail on self recognisance or in the most liberal terms as well as an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology and pay him adequate compensation for the blatant violation of his fundamental rights without following due process.

    Ashinze also wants the court to restrain the anti-graft agency and the Nigerian Army from further inviting, arresting or detaining him in their custody in relation to same frivolous allegations, which he knows nothing about.

     

  • Dasuki’s ex-aide challenges detention by EFCC, Army

    Dasuki’s ex-aide challenges detention by EFCC, Army

    Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, a serving officer in the Nigerian Army and former Special Assistant to ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army ‎over his continued incarceration.

    Ashinze, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), is challenging his detention for about 12 weeks without any charge preferred against him.

    The suit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also has the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as respondent.

    Ashinze is praying the court to order EFCC and the Nigerian Army to release forthwith, his personal effects, documents and properties which were illegally, wrongfully and unlawfully seized from him without any warrant, during his arrest and continued detention since December 23, last year.

    Alternatively, he urged the court to issue an order granting him bail on self recognisance or in the most liberal terms as well as an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology and pay him adequate compensation for the blatant violation of his fundamental rights without following due process.

    Ashinze also wants the court to restrain the anti-graft agency and the Nigerian Army from further inviting, arresting or detaining him in their custody in relation to same frivolous allegations, which he knows nothing about.

  • Court orders release of Jonathan’s ex-ADC

    Court orders release of Jonathan’s ex-ADC

    Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja, has ordered the immediate release of former Aide de Camp (ADC) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe.

    The judge, in a ruling Tuesday, slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for detaining Adegbe for about 20 days without either charging him to court or granting him administrative bail.

    The judge, in reaction EFCC’s claim that Adegbe was being held on the directive of the Nigerian Army, wondered if the EFCC was an appendage of the Nigerian Army.

    The judge, whose ruling was on Adegbe’s fundamental rights enforcement application, ordered the EFCC to release the applicant on liberal terms.

    The judge refused the applicant’s ‎prayer for N100m compensation for unlawful detention and his demand for written apology.

    Declaring as unconstitutional and illegal the detention of the applicant since February 11 without filing charges against him.

    The judge also reprimanded the anti-graft agency for “reducing itself to the police station or detention centre of the Nigerian Army”.

    The judge noted that the EFCC took contradictory ‎positions by claiming that it was investigating alleged arms procurement fraud for which Adegbe was arrested and in another breath claimed to be holding the plaintiff on the instruction of the Army.

    “While the respondent (EFCC) is dancing makossa in one ‎side, it is singing another song on the other side,” he said.

    The judge however said he was unable to direct the EFCC to pay damages to the applicant or tender apology to him, since he remained in the service of the Army and the anti-graft agency was equally a government agency.

    “On the whole, the respondent is ordered to grant bail to the applicant in liberal terms,” the judge ruled.

    Adegbe has been in EFCC custody since February 11 in relation to investigation into alleged fraud in the procurement of arms for the armed forces.

    He sued, contesting his continued detention without trial.

    The EFCC had justified the detention, arguing that it was the Nigerian Army that brought him to the office of the respondent, in furtherance of their investigation into detected financial crimes committed in the arms procurement involving the applicant.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Francis Jirbo stated in a counter-affidavit, that contrary to Adegbe’s claim, he (the applicant) was not invited by the Nigerian Army at the instigation of the EFCC.

    “That contrary to the depositions contained in paragraph 12 of the affidavit in support of the applicant’s application, the respondent states that the applicant is in custody at the instance of his employee, the Nigerian Army.”

    Jirbo added that the directive to investigate Adegbe followed the activities of the committee set up by the Federal Government in October 2015.

     

     

  • EFCC says Tarfa lied about bribing judge

    EFCC says Tarfa lied about bribing judge

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday opposed a move by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rickey Tarfa, to reopen hearing in his N2.5 billion fundamental rights’ suit and to adduce further evidence.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned until yesterday for judgment, but Tarfa said the new evidence was not available at the time his case was argued.

    The Senior Advocate sued EFCC for allegedly violating his rights after he was arrested for hiding two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise, in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility (SUV) vehicle, thereby shielding them from arrest.

    EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu; Moses Awolusi, who arrested Tarfa, and  EFCC’s Deputy Director of Operations, Lagos Office Iliyasu Kwarbai are the respondents.

    Tarfa demanded N2.5 billion and sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further violating his rights.

    He asked for N20 million as cost, among others.

    Tarfa’s lawyer Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), who led five other SANs; Oluyele Delano, Abiodun Owonikoko, Dr Muiz Banire, Sylva Ogwemoh and Uche Obi, as well as 10 lawyers, urged the court to allow the use of the further and better affidavit.

    Ayorinde said the new affidavit was deposed to by a lawyer, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa, who swore that the bank account said to be owned by Justice Mohammed Yunusa, through which Tarfa allegedly paid the judge N225,000, belonged to the lawyer and not the judge.

    The Senior Advocate said the money contributed by some lawyers for Justice Yunusa when he was bereaved was different from the one EFCC alleged Tarfa paid into the judge’s account.

    Ayorinde said after admitting that a donation was made to the judge, Tarfa realised that N225,000 was actually given to a lawyer in his firm.

    “This is a court of law, equity and justice. If, this morning, new information comes to us, we have to put it forward. The account they attribute to Justice Yunusa does not belong to him,” he said.

    Ayorinde said Tarfa was not attempting to arrest the judgment. “The evidence was not available as at the time we took the arguments. It behoves your lordship to consider it,” he added.

    But EFCC’s lawyer Wahab Shittu opposed the application, saying it was an after-thought designed to confuse issues and mislead the court.

    He described Tarfa’s claim as “blatant falsehood”, adding that “the facts cannot be twisted or misrepresented in any way whatsoever.”

    Shittu said the court, having reserved judgment, cannot entertain any fresh evidence.

    “The application of the applicant is an abuse of court process and incompetent,” EFCC said in a counter affidavit.

    Besides, Shittu said Tarfa, in his extra-judicial statement to the commission, said he was 43 when his age is 54.

    Shittu said the cheque attached as exhibit in the lawyer’s further and better affidavit was in the name of Mohammed Awwal and not Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

    He added that the bank did not certify the attached statement, nor was there proof that that the lawyer cashed the cheque.

    “Trying to introduce a fresh evidence at this state will prejudice the respondents. The applicant is denying obvious assertions made before my lord,” he said.

    Shittu said Tarfa was not worthy of being granted the reliefs sought. “The applicant is not truthful and so does not deserve this kind of indulgence,” he said.

    The EFCC lawyer described the application as a bid to arrest the judgment, adding: “Your lordship has a duty to prevent abuse of court. I urge your lordship to refuse the application because he who wants equity must do equity.”

    Replying on points of law, Ayorinde said Tarfa must have written 43 as his age in error due to shock while under detention for three days.

    “If I were in such a situation, being picked up from court and detained for three days, I could write 23 as my age due to shock,” he said.

    In the further and better affidavit, the lawyer, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa, said the account number belongs to him, and not to Justice Yunusa as EFCC alleged in its counter-affidavit to Tarfa’s suit.

    The lawyer said Tarfa gave him N225,000 on January 7, 2014, to help finance his Master’s in Law.

    EFCC alleged that Tarfa paid Justice Yunusa the bribe on January 7, 2014, but the lawyer said he was the one who was paid the money on that date, not the judge.

    He exhibited the Access Bank cheque issued to him by Tarfa, as well as his statement of account issued by the bank’s branch in NNPC Towers Branch, Abuja, with account name: Mohammed A. Yunusa.

    The lawyer, who said he worked in Tarfa’s firm before leaving for his Master’s programme, said he was not related to Justice Yunusa.

    According to him, the firm’s accountant informed him that the cheque issued to him for N225,000 was the only cheque issued by Rickey Tarfa & Co. on January 7, 2014.

    “I hail from Kogi State and I am not in any way related to Justice Mohammed N. Yunusa, neither do I know him personally,” he said.

    Tarfa, in a motion on notice, said the gift to Justice Yunusa does not violate the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

    He cited Rule 3 (f) (2) (i) of the code, which says: “A judicial officer is, however, permitted to accept personal gifts or benefits from relatives or personal friends to such extent and on such occasion as are recognised by custom.”

    Justice Idris adjourned until tomorrow for ruling.

  • Detained Badeh begs court for bail

    • Hinges application on ill-health
    • Court to rule March 4

    Immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant him bail on health grounds.

    Badeh has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos since February 8, 2016 when he honoured the agency’s invitation for questioning.

    Badeh is accused of complicity in an alleged fraudulent transactions involving the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    Badeh’s request is contained in a bail application he filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    After the hearing arguments on the application on Monday, Justice James Tsoho fixed March 4 for ruling.

    Arguing the application on Monday, applicant’s lawyer, Samuel Zibiri (SAN), who filed the bail application dated February 15, said though the EFCC had granted his client bail, the ex-CDS could not meet it because of the “onerous conditions” attached to it.

    He said his client was recovering from a recent surgery and also had a history of kidney stone.

    Zibiri hinged the application on Section 35(4) and Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and sections 158, 162 and 165(1) (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    He urged the court to grant bail to his client on self recognizance, or on such favourable and liberal terms as the court might deem fit ‎to make.

    Zibiri equally prayed the court to grant him bail pending the completion of  investigation by the EFCC and/or arraignment before this court.

    Badeh’s lawyer argued  that the  alleged case of fraud for which his client was invited was a bail able offence.

    “There is no reason for, or any likelihood that the applicant will jump bail, escape from Justice, interfere with witnesses or investigation if same is still ongoing, or the course of justice upon his being granted bail.

    “The applicant has no criminal antecedent or records. The applicant owing to his status in the society can be granted bail on self recognizance, or on the most liberal of terms, as he will be available to attend any invitation by the respondents at all times.

    “That the applicant’s health condition is bad and he recently had surgery on his spine which requires constant post-operative follow-up by his physician as well as renal condition which he is currently undergoing treatment for.”

    Zibiri said Badeh’s detention by virtue of a remand order issued by a Magistrate’s Court in Lagos “is a gross abuse of the ACJA 2015” insisting he should be granted bail because a Federal High Court is superior to the magistrate court.”

    Responding,  EFCC’s lawyer, Cosmas Ugwu, in opposing the application, told the court that Badeh had not made any effort to fulfil the administrative bail granted him by the EFCC in Lagos.

    “He is in custody in Lagos. Abuja is not holding him, so, the convenient court to grant the applicant bail is a court within the same territorial jurisdiction,” Ugwu argued.

    The EFCC lawyer also informed the court that Badeh was being held under a remand order issued by a Lagos magistrate court because he was fingered in the NIMASA fraud allegation.

  • Rail Funds fraud: Reps summon former Minister, DSS, EFCC

    Rail Funds fraud: Reps summon former Minister, DSS, EFCC

    The House of Representatives adhoc Committee on Railway Contract Scam has invited the former Minister of Transport, Isa Bio Ibrahim, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Department of State Services, DSS, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF and 27 contractors allegedly involved in the misappropriation of N1trillion railway contracts.

    Also expected to appear before Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma- headed committee on Thursday to explain their various roles in the utilization of funds made available by the Federal Government to revamp the railway sector, is the acting Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC.

    Ibrahim, as the former Minister, took over from Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke in 2009 and allegedly signed the contract for the procurement of locomotives General Electric (GE) valued at about N12.5billion.

    It was also during his tenure that the recently sacked MD of NRC Mr. Seyi Sijuwade was employed by the presidency.

    “So as you can see the man has a lot to tell the committee because he kick started the whole process in the first place”, a source close to the committee said.

    While the DSS was invited to explain to its recommendation to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation regarding the poor management of the rail contracts between 2010-2014, the EFCC will give the committee the full details of its findings on the rail contract scam. .

    Also, the OSGF is to tell the lawmakers the action it took on the investigative report submitted to it by the DSS.

    “As for the acting MD of NRC, government is a continuum and he has to give account of what he knows under oath and produce all the contractors. The contractors too must tell the committee all they have done with convincing evidence of the state of the contracts they executed,” the source added.

    Chairman of the adhoc committee, Hon. Ehiozuwa  Agbonnayinma, when contacted confirmed that the stakeholders have been invited to appear before the committee.

    According to him, the presence of the contractors is necessary as earlier attempts to reach the contractors before now proved abortive.

    “I will always emphasise the fact that we are not out to witch hunt anybody provided your hands are not greased with locomotive engine oil laced with fraud.

    “But once we unearth any ugly development no matter how highly placed the individual is we must expose him,” he said.