The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Court directs EFCC to seize Tompolo’s assets

    Court directs EFCC to seize Tompolo’s assets

    A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday permitted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize assets belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo.

    Justice Buba Ibrahim ordered the EFCC to take possession of the assets pending when Tompolo will present himself in court to answer fraud charges.

    EFCC had on Wednesday  filed a motion before the court, seeking to freeze the ex- militant leader’s assets.

    Tompolo was accused alongside nine others of diverting N46 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    He had been declared wanted by the EFCC  after shunning  two bench warrants issued against him by the court.

  • Bank to forfeit N150m as Russians jump bail

    Bank to forfeit N150m as Russians jump bail

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday ordered Zenith Bank Plc to forfeit N150million to the Federal Government after three Russians, who it provided a guarantee for, jumped bail.

    The three are among 14 foreigners accused of dealing in crude oil without licence.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba had issued a bench warrant for their arrest and revoked the bail granted the other accused persons.

    The judge had also ordered the bank, which provided the bond for the bail granted the accused persons for N50million each, to show cause why it should not forfeit the money.

    Thursday, the court heard that the Russians could not be found and the bank could not account for their whereabouts.

    Consequently, the judge ordered that he bail guarantee be forfeited.

    Among the accused are Russians, Ukrainians, Japanese and English, namely Artur Pakhladzhian, Sergo Abbgarian, Vasily Shkundich, vitaliy Bilours, Hlarion Regipor, Laguta Oleksiy, Cadavis Gerarado, Kretov Andry, Badurian Benjamin, Chepikov Olksan, Naranjo Antero, Patro Christian, Alcayde Joel and Caratiquit Beyan.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them after they were arrested by the Navy, which last March 27 intercepted their vessel, MT Anukpet Emerald.

    The vessel was laden with crude oil estimated at 1,738.087 metric tons.

    Defence counsel Babajide Koku (SAN) said the fourth, sixth and 11th defendants could not be found as they escaped from the hotel they were staying.

    He said he contacted the Russian Embassy, but was told it did not know the accused person’s whereabouts.

    “As we speak, I do not know the whereabouts of the three. And it’s highly embarrassing to say this, my Lord,” Koku said.

    The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed the court to order their arrest and to revoke the bail granted the others.

    Koku said: “The application for their arrest is definitely meritorious to secure their attendance.”

    He, however, pleaded the sins of the three Russians should not be visited on the others by revoking their bail.

    Ruling, Justice Buba held that since the three who jumped bail were the leaders of the crew, not revoking the others’ bail would be risky.

    He, therefore, cancelled the bail granted the others and ordered that all the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.

    Justice Buba said Zenith Bank should show explain why it should not lose the N150million bail granted the three accused persons who have fled.

    The prosecution said they violated Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, Cap10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    EFCC said the offence also contravenes Section 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act of 2004 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the four counts when they were arraigned and were granted N50million bail each.

    The foreigners were also charged with dealing in 1,500 metric tons of Automated Gas Oil as well as 3,035 metric tons of Low Pour Fuel Oil without lawful authority.

    Justice Buba adjourned till March 15 for judgment.

  • Court restrains EFCC, DSS from arresting PDP Secretary

    Court restrains EFCC, DSS from arresting PDP Secretary

    Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja has temporarily restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others from arresting Peoples Democratic Party’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

    Also affected by the judge’s order for the maintenance of status quo are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) , the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase; and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The judge, upon a request lawyer to Oladipo, Ajibola Oluyede, directed parties in the fundamental right enforcement application by the PDP National Secretary to maintain status quo by sustaining the current situation until the determination of the case.

    Justice Tsoho said the order was intended “to allay the fear being expressed by the applicant.”

    He added that the respondents needed not to comply with his earlier order made ex-parte, requiring them to show cause why a restraining order earlier sought ex-part by the applicant should not be granted.

    He directed the respondent to proceed to respond to the substantive application and adjourned to March 4 for hearing.

    Oladipo had filed the suit on February 8 on the ground that he had received a text message on his mobile telephone from somebody, who claimed to be an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), attached to the Asset Tracing and Recovery Unit.

    H added that the author of the message asked him to call a certain phone number contained in the message in order to reach somebody else who would give the date and time  he was to report at the commission’s office in Abuja for an “interaction”.

    Oladipo alleged that he was being which-hunted, harassed and intimidated on the basis of funds which he received from members of the PDP “without guilty knowledge”.

    He is seeking among others, a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from “the continued witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and persecution of the applicant or threats by the respondents ostensibly on the basis of funds received by the applicant without guilty knowledge from members of his political party”.

    Oladipo wants the court to declare any plan to arrest, investigate or “fabricate evidence” against him as “constituting prosecutorial misconduct, malicious process, and misfeasance in public office by the respondents”.

    The applicant also wants the court to declare that the said acts “infringe unjustifiably and illegally upon the liberty, to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, to freedom of expression, association and movement”.

    He also wants the court to declare that “the pursuit of any excuse whatsoever and fabrication of evidence to incarcerate or justify the incarceration of the applicant in order to decimate and disorganize the Peoples Democratic Party.”

    He said his rights allegedly being threatened were “guaranteed and protected under sections 33, 34. 35, 36, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution as well as Articles 2,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12  and 13 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    Thursday, the AGF, EFCC and IGP were not represented by any lawyer.

    Lawyers to the ICPC and the DSS denied any knowledge of plan to investigate or arrest the PDP national officer.

    They also said they had not been served with all the necessary processes of the suit filed by the plaintiff.

    The judge directed the plaintiff’s lawyer to serve all the respondents and adjourned till March 4 for hearing.

  • EFCC seeks court’s order to seize Tompolo’s assets

    EFCC seeks court’s order to seize Tompolo’s assets

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to make an order empowering it to seize all assets belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

    It sought an order authorising it to attach the properties belonging to Tompolo by seizure pending his arrest or appearance in court for arraignment.

    The commission said since the court ordered Tompolo’s arrest, the combined team of the police and the military have been combing the creeks in search of him to no avail.

    The property, as listed by EFCC, include 1, Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State; properties of Mieka Dive Ltd and Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd at No. 77, Lioth Street, ODPA Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, and all properties of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.

    Others are all properties of Muhaabix Global Services Ltd, a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15, property known as “Tompolo Dockyard” by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri, and property known as “Tompolo Yard”, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri.

    The rest are the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River, property known as “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace, as well as any other property discovered by EFCC, moveable and immoveable, belonging to Tompolo.

    The application, filed by EFCC lawyer Festus Keyamo, is dated February 18.

    EFCC said rather than present himself to the court,  Tompolo engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), who sought to quash the order of arrest.

    “Since the order for the arrest of the first accused person (Tompolo), the combined team of the Nigerian police and the military has been combing the creeks and the entire nation for the arrest of the 1st accused person, but he continues to abscond and conceal himself,” EFCC said.

    The commission said its operatives carried out investigation and received intelligence report that the properties belong to Tompolo.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba had on January 14 ordered Tompolo’s arrest. He renewed the order on February 8.

    He later dismissed Tompolo’s application seeking to quash the warrant of arrest.

    EFCC, in the 40-count, said 47-year-old Tompolo is wanted in a case of conspiracy, illegal diversion of N34 billion and N11.9 billion belonging to the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    The money, the prosecution said, accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    EFCC said since the issuance of the warrant of arrest, Tompolo “has absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest.”

    The case comes up Friday.

  • EFCC: Tarfa bribed judge with N225, 000

    EFCC: Tarfa bribed judge with N225, 000

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday alleged that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Rickey Tarfa, bribed Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court with N225, 000.

    It alleged that Tarfa, last January 7, transferred the money to Justice Yunusa, and that the judge acknowledged the “bribe” with the words: “Thank you my senior advocate”.

    This allegation is contained in a counter-affidavit filed Thursday in opposition to Tarfa’s fundamental rights suit against EFCC and others.

    The counter affidavit, along with exhibits, including MTN call logs, were filed by EFCC’s lawyer Mr Wahab Shittu.

    Tarfa filed a N2.5billion suit against the EFCC on February 9 following his arrest by the commission.

    EFCC arraigned Tarfa Tuesday on a two-count charge bordering on obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice by communicating with a Federal High Court judge handling a suit filed by him against the commission.

    The commission alleged that on February 5, Tarfa hid two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise, in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility (SUV) vehicle.

    The Beninoise were alleged to have fraudulently converted assets belonging to Rana Prestige Nigeria Limited to their use. They were also accused of tax evasion running into millions of naira.

    Following his arrest, Tarfa sued EFCC, its chairman Ibrahim Magu, the operative that arrested him, Moses Awolusi and Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai, demanding N2.5billion.

    Tarfa asked the court to compel the respondents to release his two mobile handsets which he said were “deceitfully collected” from him, as well as his vehicle.

    The Senior Advocate demanded an apology from the respondents, to be published in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, social media and two television stations with national reach 24 hours from judgment day.

    Besides, he asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining EFCC and its agents from further violating his rights; as well as N20 million as cost of the suit.

    But, EFCC, in the counter-affidavit sworn to by Awolusi, denied violating Tarfa’s rights.

    The operative said EFCC received an intelligence report of fresh criminal allegations against Nazaire and Modeste not covered by the pending criminal proceedings.

    Based on the report, Kwarbai directed him and his fellow operative to invite Nazaire and Modeste for further interrogation and to make undertaking that they would not escape from justice.

    Awolusi said they were asked to wait outside the court premises for the suspects and to brief Tarfa on the new developments.

    He said they sighted the suspects outside the court at about 11.30am and explained their mission “politely and courteously”.

    “The applicant (Tarfa) deliberately kept the suspects locked up in his black Mercedes Benz jeep and prevented the EFCC operatives including myself from gaining access to the suspects and also prevented the suspects from honouring the invitation,” Awolusi said.

    According to him, Tarfa kept the suspects in his vehicles between 12noon and 5pm.

    He said they were forced out of the vehicle when the engine had to be turned off having run out of fuel.

    It was when they disembarked that the suspects along with Tarfa were arrested, Awolusi said.

    Among items taken from Tarfa were his phones, which Awolusi said was seized due to intelligence report that the SAN communicated with Justice Yunusa “in a desperate bid to pervert the cause of justice in an earlier proceedings involving the suspects.”

    The operative said when data on Tarfa’s mobile phones were analysed, “startling revelations about secret, unhealthy communications between the applicant and judicial officers emerged.”

    Awolusi said EFCC’s investigation of Tarfa’s Access Bank account number 0000964760 “shows that before the institution of the above proceeding, particularly on 7th January 2014, the applicant bribed His Lordship, Honourable Justice M. N. Yunusa with the sum of N225, 000; a copy of the applicant’s firm’s account details showing the transfer of the sum of N225, 000 from the applicant’s firm to Honourable Justice M. N. Yunusa is hereby shown to me and marked Exhibit ‘O’.”

    The operative added: “I know from facts revealed during investigation that the said bribe of N225,000 was accepted and acknowledged by Justice Yunusa in a text message to the applicant wherein he said ‘Thank you my senior advocate’.

    “I also know that an investigation has revealed that the applicant’s law firm was in the habit of asking the Chief Registrar of the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to assign his cases before His Lordship Honourable M. N. Yunusa in furtherance of the understanding between the applicant and the particular judge.”

    The EFCC operative alleged that even a junior lawyer in Tarfa’s law firm “also engaged in the corrupt practices of their boss” by manipulating the court’s registry to fix and assign cases by them to particular judges.

    According to Awolusi, there is evidence that Tarfa instructed bank officials through his mobile phone to transfer funds to other public officers.

    The operative said details of such instructions “are being kept to prevent the applicant from tampering with evidence concerning allegation of corrupt practices against the applicant.”

    EFCC alleged that sometime in 2005, Tarfa collected $500,000 from one of his clients “under the pretext that he was going to bribe some officials of EFCC.”

    The commission recalled that on April 29, 2015, Tarfa’s law firm represented Michael Igbinedion, who was standing trial for laundering N25billion.

    EFCC said Tarfa, on April 30, attended a book launch in honour of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, in company of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who was the chief launcher, and who donated N8million.

    EFCC said Tarfa did not advise Igbinedion not to donate the money since Igbinedion’s son, who was later convicted, was standing trial before the court.

    The commission said Tarfa and his brother silks donated N7million on the occasion despite having cases before the Chief Judge.

    According to the agency, Tarfa obtained $500,000 from one Prince Akinruntan in 2006, who later stated that it was by “false pretence.”

    EFCC quoted Akinruntan as saying: “He (Tarfa) told me that the money is not for him alone, that he is going to settle the court, EFCC and many other people.”

    According to the commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has refused to discipline Tarfa as recommended by a former judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Joseph Oyewole.

    “This is not the first time the applicant will be accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice. I know that the respondents would be highly prejudiced if this application is granted,” the commission argued.

    EFCC said Tarfa’s prayer for aggravated damages in the sum of N2.5billion “is provocative, annoying, self-serving and groundless in the circumstances.”

    It said it cannot release Tarfa’s phones and vehicle to him yet because they are “necessary and vital” evidence against him.

    “It would be in the interest of justice and equity that the reliefs as contained in the motion paper are not granted,” EFCC said.

    The case comes up today for hearing.

  • Armsgate: Metuh opts for no-case submission

    Armsgate: Metuh opts for no-case submission

    Spokesman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh Thursday sought and obtained the leave of court to make a no-case submission in his trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    By a no-case submission, Metuh will not be required, at this stage to lead evidence.

    He will argue that by the evidence led by the prosecution, no case has been made out against him and request the court to free him, to which the prosecution is required to file a response.

    The court is then required to deliver a ruling.

    Should the court uphold Metuh’s no-case submission; he will be let off the case. If the court rules against him, he will then, be required to conduct his defence by calling witnesses.

    Metuh and his firm, Destra Investment limited are being tried before the court on a seven-count charge of money laundering.

    He was accused of receiving, through his firm, N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, without any evidence of contract executed.

    Metuh is also accused of making cash transaction of $2million, with funds believed to have been received during the PDP’s last delegate conference where Jonathan was nominated as the party’s sole candidate.

    The prosecution closed its case last week after calling witnesses to prove its case, following which the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang adjourned to February 18 for Metuh to open his defence.

    Thursday, the prosecution effected some clerical errors on the charge, following which Metuh was asked to plead afresh to the amended charge.

    When called upon later to open his defence, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) said his client was desirous of making a no-case-submission. He sought the judge’s guidance on whether to make the submission orally or in written form.

    ‎”We most humbly pray that we be permitted to make a no-case submission,” he said

    Ikpeazu noted that the procedure was not clear under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, adding that “we acknowledge that this is a criminal trial and parties cannot on their own file written submissions. We have articulated our submissions of about 35 pages.”

    Lead prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir noted that it was within the right of the defence to make a no-case submission‎ at the end of the case of the prosecution.

    Tahir urged the judge to give a directive on how the defence should go proceed with the no-case submission.

    Ruling‎, Justice Abang noted the ACJA 2015 did not make provision for the filing of a written address in a criminal trial, but said the defence lawyer had the liberty to go about the no-case submission in whichever form he considered best for his client.

    He expressed his preference for a written submission by saying: “the option of a written address would save the judicial time of the court”.

    The judge added: Leave is hereby granted to parties to file written addresses for and in opposition to the defendants’ no-case submission. The defendant shall file their written address today

    “Upon the filing and service, the pros shall file its response within three days from today. Upon service by the prosecution, the defendants shall have be at liberty to serve a reply on point of law.‎”

    He adjourned to February 25 at 12 noon for the adoption of parties’ written addresses.

  • $180m Halliburton scandal: EFCC may opt for fresh trial

    $180m Halliburton scandal: EFCC may opt for fresh trial

    Agency to probe how ex-NSA Gusau, others brokered settlement

    Some of the suspects implicated in the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal are likely to be retried, following fresh evidence, it was learnt yesterday.

    Also yesterday, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) source said it may review claims that a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau and a former Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Col. Kayode Are, facilitated an out of court settlement with five companies on the scandal.

    A document submitted to the EFCC indicated  that the government opted for settlement agreement because of Julius Berger’s strategic roles in the nation’s economy.

    It was also gathered that the EFCC was prevailed upon to adopt plea bargain because the nation’s laws on the subject matter were weak.

    But the anti-graft agency has not foreclosed the trial of the suspects.

    A source said: “The EFCC is making significant progress in its ongoing investigation and at the end of the day, it may retry some of the suspects implicated in the scandal. Already, one of the suspects has a pending application before the Supreme Court.

    “There are other suspects who will also be arraigned, depending on the outcome of our investigation. All the key actors have written us to explain their roles.

    “We are probing the role of all past and present public officers involved in the deal.”

    In one of the documents made available to the EFCC, it was recommended that there is nothing wrong in prosecuting suspects afresh if there are new evidence.

    “On the issue of the Nigerians involved, we opted in the exercise of the prosecutorial discretion to charge them piecemeal and the lawyers commenced the prosecution. The proceedings were however not as fast as we expected because of lack of sufficient evidence and witnesses.

    “There is nothing stopping the EFCC from proceeding with these cases if they now have sufficient evidence and the requisite witnesses to prosecute instead of trying to impugn a transaction they initiated, participated and consummated. It should be noted that the EFCC vetted and co-signed all the Non-Prosecution Agreements.

    “Given the entirety of the circumstances and the facts at our disposal at the time the negotiations were conducted, we did our best to preserve the national interest.

    “Government is therefore invited to objectively review the transaction in order to arrive at an informed position and should not rely on the misconceived views and opinions of persons and agencies that have an interest to serve.”

    A document obtained by our correspondent yesterday confirmed the ongoing investigation by the EFCC that many public officers played some roles in the deal with the five companies.

    It alleged that Gen. Gusau and Col. Are facilitated out of court settlement with five companies on the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal.

    The document, which is being reviewed by the EFCC, states in part: “As soon as the criminal suits were filed, the then NSA, General Aliyu Gusau, called for an Out of Court Settlement in view of the strategic role that Julius Berger (one of the companies implicated in the bribery scandal) plays in our economy.

    “It was, therefore, agreed that a settlement meeting be held in his office and he nominated the Deputy NSA in the person of Kayode Are to chair the meeting.

    “At the meeting convened for that purpose, we took a critical look at the position of our laws and agreed that our laws on the subject matter were weak and reliance on the penal sanctions provided under the laws, only pittance by way of fines could be realized from the out of court settlement.

    “As a result, we opted to pursue the companies on the ground of ‘reputational damage’ occasioned the country by the alleged acts of bribery.

    “It was therefore resolved that the companies involved would be asked to pay fines for reputational damage to the country.

    “To serve as deterrence, it was agreed that companies involved would be made to disgorge 5 (five) times the amount that was transmitted through them and also pay the solicitors’ fees as was done in the Pfizer’s case involving the Federal Government.

    “That was how Julius Berger was made to pay $26million to the Federal Government of Nigeria exclusive of the solicitors’ fees, which was paid to them directly. This was with the knowledge and involvement of the EFCC nominated lawyer and Secretary.

    “This strategy became the threshold for negotiations with the rest of the companies at the instance of the EFCC themselves who came up with a lot of companies to negotiate and pay the FGN directly through the CBN and over $200 million were collected.”

    Also, insights were given on how the five lawyers, who fostered the plea bargain, were appointed.

    The document said in  2010, the then Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri, got a “letter from some American lawyers to the effect that they wanted to sue Halliburton and other associated companies in respect of the LNG bribery scandal on the understanding that they would be entitled to 33 1/3 of whatever they recovered as professional fees.”

    The document said the government  felt “very uncomfortable with the approach and rather called for the files to  review the entire subject matter and fashion out an appropriate strategy that would best serve Nigeria’s over all interest.

    The document said after a review of the files on the subject, the government came to the considered view that the “best approach would be to assemble a team of Nigerian solicitors working together with the EFFC to commence criminal proceedings against the foreign companies involved, while reviewing on the basis of available evidence how best to deal with the Nigerian individuals involved.”

    To constitute a team to commence prosecution, the lawyers were nominated as follows: the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr J.B. Daudu, SAN, Mr. E.C. Ukala, SAN, Mr. D.O. Dodo, SAN(the Office of the AGF) and the EFCC, nominated Mr. G.O. Obla, SAN and Mr. Emmanuel Akomoye, the then Secretary of the EFCC to participate in the trial and monitor the ensuing negotiations.

    “The then Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Roland Ewubare, was also co-opted because of his extensive experience on the issue from the American perspective, having practised law in the United States of America for a long time.”

    An Abuja High Court on March 27, 2013 struck out the case against six Nigerian suspects arraigned over the Halliburton scandal.

    Those set free were a former Permanent Secretary,  Ibrahim Aliyu, Mohammed Gidado Bakari and four companies.

    The four companies are Urban Shelter Ltd, Intercellular Nigeria Ltd, Sherwood Petroleum Ltd and Tri-Star Investment Ltd.

    The six accused persons had  stood trial for allegedly  serving as conduits and receiving bribes in hard currency to facilitate natural gas contracts between 1994 and 2005.

    Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar  said the prosecution had failed to diligently prosecute the case.

    Also, Bodunde Adeyanju,  former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, was arraigned in 2010 alongside George Mark, Jeffrey Tesler(at large), Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Bilfinger Berger GMBH.

    Mark, Tesler, Christ, Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Bilfinger Berger GMBH were alleged to have sometime between 2002 and 2003  conspired to make several cash payments in the sum of US$1million (five times) totalling in equivalent $5million to Bodunde .

    They were alleged to have committed an offence contrary to Section 16 of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act 2004) and punishable under Section 15(2) and (3) of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004).

    The EFCC is closing  in on more suspects in its ongoing probe of the whereabouts of the $200m (N66billion) penalty fines paid by five companies involved in the scandal.

    The anti-graft agency has asked the lawyers who handled the settlement to account for the fines and about $12million(N3.960billion) collected as “legal fees”.

    One of the lawyers, Mr.  Damian Dodo (SAN), in a letter to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu admitted that the  legal team got $3.5million out of the $4.5million paid to it.

    He said the balance of  $1,000,000 was remitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice as “reimbursement cost to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    The $180million bribery scandal involved the former Halliburton subsidiary, Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR), in respect of the Liquefied Natural Gas plant in Bonny.

    Albert J. Stanley admitted before a Houston court in the US on September 4, 2008 that he orchestrated more than $180million in bribe to senior government officials.

    Stanley alleged that the bribe was channeled through a UK lawyer, Tesler, in four installments of $60million; $32.5million; $51million and $23million.

    The bribe was allegedly facilitated between 1995 and 2005 in London.

    The countries where the bribe money was allegedly stashed by some top government officials and their accomplices are France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Portugal and Seychelles.

    Tesler, 63, was in February, 2012 sentenced to 21 months in prison in the US after pleading guilty in March last year to bribing Nigerian Government officials with $132 million between 1994 and 2004. He also forfeited $149 million to US authorities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

    According to sources, Tesler played a fast one on Nigerian officials who were to benefit from the $180m by diverting $133, 073,750million to his account in Switzerland.

    He shared only about $22, 417, 000 and DRM 500,000 to some top government officials.

    Upon discovery of the $133, 073,750m in Tesler’s account, the Swiss government froze the account and during the trial of the accused person, the looted fund was transferred to the US.

    But the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, has initiated moves to recover the $133, 073,750m which was found in Tesler’s account.

  • EFCC seizes Diezani’s husband’s passport

    EFCC seizes Diezani’s husband’s passport

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday grilled Rear Admiral Amaechina Alison-Madueke, husband of the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The anti-graft agency seized his travel passport to restrict his movement to Nigeria, pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    About two other ‘business associates’ of the ex-Minister were also said to be in EFCC’s custody’s last night.

    The arrest was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of the activities of the ex-minister.

    The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the United Kingdom (UK) arrested and quizzed  Mrs Alison-Madueke and four others on October 2, last year for alleged bribery and corruption and money laundering.

    The EFCC has interrogated three to five more suspects since Mrs Alison-Madueke’s invitation by the NCA.

    According to sources, the former Military Governor of Imo State was grilled in connection with alleged money laundering following the screening of his accounts.

    There were conflicting reports on the amount in question last night.

    A source in the commission said: “We have interrogated Rear Admiral Alison-Madueke as part of the ongoing probe of his wife, who is the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources.

    “After interacting with him, he was granted administrative bail. But all his travelling documents are with us. Therefore, his movement has been restricted to the country pending the conclusion of this investigation.

    “Certainly, we will still have another round of interaction with Madueke any moment from now.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The ongoing investigation of Diezani is extensive because of the sector she managed as a minister.”

    Another source added: “Based on intelligence sharing with investigators in the UK, we interacted with Madueke and some business associates of the ex-Minister.

    “We will release the details as may be necessary for public consumption because this investigation cuts across some countries.”

    The National Crime Agency (NCA) had in October 2015 arrested Mrs Alison-Madueke and four others.

     

  • $117,000 recovered from ex-Air Chief Amosu’s house, says EFCC

    $117,000 recovered from ex-Air Chief Amosu’s house, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday that $117,000 cash was seized from the Lagos home of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Olusola Amosu.

    The air chief is among the retired military officers being quizzed in connection with the alleged mismanagement of the $2.1 billion arms purchase cash.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren stated this on the sideline of the meeting between the EFCC and a coalition of civil society groups, led by Olanrewaju Suraj, in Lagos.

    EFCC’s Deputy Director, Operations, Iliyasu Kwarbai, also said the anti-graft agency might have recovered around $5 million from “looters”.

    He did not give the details.

    Yesterday’s meeting was a follow up to Tuesday’s pro-EFCC protest in Abuja, where civil society organisations expressed support for the EFCC’s anti-corruption battle.

    Acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu reiterated his position that some senior lawyers were blocking the government’s anti-corruption drive.

    He told the civil rights groups that “what is urgent now is to focus our attention on those areas which I consider as constituting stumbling blocks to successful prosecution of the war.

    “While many lawyers have assisted the cause of the EFCC, there are a number of others that are working against efforts to tackle the Nigerian corruption problem.

    “Many, including very senior lawyers, have continued to lend their skills and expertise to crooks to steal our money and, thereafter, help them to launder same. It’s time for us to say enough is enough.

    “Since I assumed office three months ago, I have used every opportunity available to send the message that this fight is not for the EFCC alone.

    “Other stakeholders must play crucial roles because the forces that we are trying to defeat are formidable and would spare no expense to ensure that we fail.

    “In my estimation, one of the most important stakeholders in this crusade are the civil society organisations, because you are the conscience of the people.

    “We must be bothered that our nation has been raped by politicians, who treat the treasury as their personal accounts.

    “A nation where monies meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency are shared by top military officers and their civilian accomplices.

    “A country where roads, hospitals and other infrastructure are in appalling state of decay because the money that should have been used to improve them have been diverted into private pockets, is not the nation of our dreams.

    “We have reached a state where we have to ask the crucial question, can we continue like this? No. Thankfully, we have elected a government that is sold on the fight against corruption.

    “By the same token, these times call for vigilance by all in following cases of corruption under prosecution to ensure that we put everyone on their toes.

    “This would ensure not only the speedy determination of such matters, but that there is fairness and equity in the process and outcomes.”

  • Ex-mortgage bank chief charged with N150m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday arraigned a Former Managing Director of New Prudential Mortgage Bank Limited, Adetunji Abudu at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N150 million fraud.

    The prosecution said the accused, in August 2013, obtained N110million as loan without authorisation from the bank, among others.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 18 (8), 18 (1)(b) and 18 (2) punishable under Section 18(2) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions (Laws of the Federation) Act, 2004

    Abudu pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba granted him bail for N100million with one surety in like sum.

    He adjourned to April 25 for trial.