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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC to quiz top lawyer over £22.5m Abacha loot

    EFCC to quiz top lawyer over £22.5m Abacha loot

    Uncertainty over ‘stolen’ $400m

    There is the  £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot which the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, allegedly stashed away on the Island of Jersey?

    This is the puzzle the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying to resolve.

    Besides, there is uncertainty over the whereabouts of over $400million Abacha loot on the Island.

    The anti-graft agency may quiz a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Damian Dodo, over the cash “any moment from now”.

    Dodo, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said a UK-based lawyer, Erico Monfrini collaborated with a three-man Federal Government team —Dodo, ex-Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and EFCC’s ex- Secretary Mr. Emmanuel Akonmaye.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are probing the whereabouts of £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha which was recovered from the Island of Jersey. The EFCC cannot locate where the money was remitted to.

    “According to records, the late Head of State allegedly stashed the funds through a Lebanese called Bhojwani. But when the Office of the AGF was alerted by a whistleblower, the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan opened discussion with the Attorney-General of the Island of Jersey.

    “The AG of the Island of Jersey cooperated fully with the government, leading to the repatriation of the £22.5m. We want to know where the money is; we need records from those involved.”

    Replying  a question, the source added: “We are inviting Damian Dodo, who played a key role in securing the £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot for the Federal Government to give the details.”

    The source said it was unclear if the Jonathan administration collected $400million Abacha loot also stashed on Jersey Island.

    He said:  “There is also uncertainty about $400million Abacha loot on the Island.

    “The government of Island of Jersey pledged to repatriate the stashed funds and even initiatted a process towards that. As I speak with you, no one can account for the $400million.

    “What we have been hearing is that the Government of Island of Jersey was demanding a proportionate part of the funds. Again, there is uncertainty whether the loot was remitted or is diverted or still on the Island.

    “This is why the EFCC team is stepping up investigation into Abacha loot on this tiny island.”

    In a chat with our correspondent last night, Dodo said: “The EFCC was part of the negotiation for the repatriation of the £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot; it should just go through its records instead of calling for my head over nothing. The former Secretary of EFCC represented the commission at every stage of the recovery.

    “The terms of agreement were clearly spelt out and the Federal Government provided the account in which the recovered funds should be paid. At inter-governmental level, the EFCC can ask the Federal Government to contact the Government of Island of Jersey for all transaction records.

    “I have nothing to hide. No repatriation negotiation was done under the carpet at all. We did our best for this nation in recovering the looted funds. The Government of Island of Jersey  wanted the substantial part of the money and we said ‘no’. We said Nigeria needed the money more than the Island of Jersey.

    “ It is just vendetta. I have nothing to hide. They have searched all my accounts in order to find out whether or not I transferred money to Adoke. They could not find anything against me. I think they are after the former AGF at all cost.

    “The EFCC was involved from the beginning to the end, why can’t they check their records instead of scandalising me.”

    On the $400m still stashed  on the Island of Jersey, Dodo said: “They should get in touch with the Government of Island of Jersey.”

    At the opening ceremony of the 8th Edition of the National Seminar on Economic Crimes, which was held at the EFCC training school in Abuja, the ex-AGF alluded to the recovery but he did not give details.

    He said: “Only recently, we negotiated the recovery and repatriation of the sum of £22.5m from the Island of Jersey, being the proceeds of money laundered from Nigeria.

    “I wish to seize this opportunity to commend the Attorney-General of Jersey for the support and cooperation we received and urge other jurisdictions to also extend to us, the much needed cooperation to enable us repatriate stolen assets within their jurisdictions.

    “Our experience has shown that despite international condemnation of corruption and money laundering, many jurisdictions where stolen assets to victim states or impose stringent conditions for its repatriation with attendant negative consequences on victim states.

    “We also intend to vigorously pursue stolen assets and the confiscation of other instrumentalities of crime within the country by strengthening our confiscatory and forfeiture laws.”

     

  • ‘Merger of EFCC, ICPC, others not foreseeable’

    ‘Merger of EFCC, ICPC, others not foreseeable’

    THE Federal Government is not thinking of merging the operations  of the Economic  and  Financial  Financial  Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct  Bureau (CCB)  and other anti-graft agencies, the Chairman,  Presidential  Advisory  Committee  on Anti-Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay has said.

    Speaking on the sideline  of a conference on anti-corruption by the Institute of Directors of Nigeria (IoDs)  in Lagos, Sagay said issue bordering on what he described as fusion or amalgamation  of functions of anti-graft institutions and their corollaries is not in the radar of the Federal Government  for now.

    He said what Nigerians are seeing or perceiving as attempts by the government  to combine  the functions of the agencies for effective operation, do not really  reflect the intention of the government  on the issue.

    He said: “EFFC, ICPC, CCB and others are not been considered for merger for now,  despite the fact that that their roles are similar  or subsumed into one another  in order to ensure effective tackling of corruption  issue  and related vices. Though discussions are on-going on the issue, for now, it is not likely  that the organisations would be merge.’’

    Sagay said the Federal Government is giving attention to the training of judges and lawyers to enable them handle corruption cases well, stressing that the government has identified and selected judges that would handle corruption cases in the country.

    “The judges were selected across the country. They are selected across the states in the country.  The fact that they are selected, does not mean that other judges are not good enough to handle issues relating to misappropriation of funds, stealing and other corrupt issues. The government only wants to ensure that corruption is tackled headlong for the growth of the country, “ he added.

    The former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Benin  and Obafemi Awolowo University ( Ile Ife) said corruption has become a disturbing issue in Nigeria, in view of the stunning revelations of corrupt practices which the country is battling to grapple with now.

    According to him, judges and other accomplices in corruption matters are devising different ingenuous methods of collecting bribe every day.

    He said some people are collecting cash as bribe, stressing that they do not want the money to be paid into their accounts for fear of being traced.

  • $2.1b arms scandal: Dasuki, Badeh, Amosu face separate trials

    $2.1b arms scandal: Dasuki, Badeh, Amosu face separate trials

    • EFCC demands list of beneficiaries of N10b oil bloc cash for delegates from Jonathan’s ADC
    • More PDP bigwigs benefited from largesse

    Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, former Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Adeshola  Amosu,  and some retired military chiefs  who are currently being interrogated for alleged corruption are likely to face separate charges, according to indications last night.

    They are all in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) whose lawyers are said to be working round the clock compiling charges to be preferred against them in court.

    It was gathered that the commission is still gathering information on the beneficiaries of the N10billion oil signature bonus cash allegedly made available by Dasuki ahead of the PDP National Convention where ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was the party’s sole presidential aspirant in 2014.

    The EFCC wants Jonathan’s ex-ADC, Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe, who is also in detention to provide the list of all the beneficiaries.

    Adegbe allegedly shared the money along with a former aide to Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa.

    Dudafa is believed to be outside the country.

    Sources said that once the EFCC gets the list, it will demand full repayment of what each delegate collected.

    A well placed source said:  “From the revelations at our disposal on the ongoing probe of former and serving military chiefs, we may have to opt for separate trials for ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosu, and others.

    “They will be arraigned with the ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki based on gross abuse of the procurement process in the military.

    “We are already at a crucial stage of the probe with the invitation of some serving and retired military chiefs.

    “So far, we are investigating 29 serving and retired military officers and more than 22 companies implicated in the arms deals.

    “As we are establishing facts and gathering evidence, we are compiling charges against some of these suspects. We actually work round the clock. All those invited are in safe custody, we will soon prefer charges against them.”

    Asked how many times Dasuki will appear in court, the source added: “We have different issues being probed and we can’t ignore all these dimensions.”

    The military chiefs (retired and serving) being questioned include  Badeh, Dasuki, two former Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Marshals M.D. Umar and A.N. Amosu (rtd).

    Some of the affected serving officers are the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun(former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM JA Kayode-Beckley (Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings)four top officers at the Defence Headquarters(DHQ), Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre GMD Gwani; Air Cdre SO Makinde; Air Cdre AY Lassa and Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-National Security Adviser.

    The Nigerian Army confirmed on Thursday that 12 of its officers had been sent to the EFCC for investigation.

    The  Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a terse statement that the officers  “comprised three serving Major-Generals and one retired, three Brigadier-Generals, four colonels, and one Lieutenant Colonel.

    “However, it should be noted that at the end of the commission’s investigations, those found culpable will be tried by a Military Court Martial.”

    Investigation revealed last night that many PDP chieftains benefited from more than N10billion ($47m) withdrawn from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for delegates to the special convention of the party to adopt ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election.

    Another top source in the anti-graft commission said: “The EFCC has grilled Jonathan’s ex-ADC and asked him to produce the list of beneficiaries of the N10billion (over $47m) withdrawn from an oil bloc account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    “Although the former ADC claimed that he acted on the instructions of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, we are only demanding the list of disbursement to PDP stalwarts. It is left to the ex-ADC to make the list available to the EFCC.

    “We will then release the list to the public at the appropriate time. We will recover this over N10billion from the affected beneficiaries. The cash was from a Signature Bonus Account in CBN.

  • Fear grips NAMA staff as EFCC operatives storm agency

    Fear grips NAMA staff as EFCC operatives storm agency

    The anti-corruption train of the Muhammadu Buhari administration  pulled into the aviation industry yesterday as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the corporate  headquarters and  annex of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    The operatives of the EFCC, it was learnt, arrived the headquarters of the airspace agencies in their operational vehicles as early as 10.00 a.m.

    A source hinted that they used the vehicle as barricade to obstruct other cars and  staff from exiting the premises.

    The reason behind the unscheduled visit of the anti- graft agency was not clear at the time of filing this report.

    Sources hinted that on arrival, the EFCC operatives moved to the account and procurement units to check the books.

    The visit of the EFCC, according to sources, has heightened anxiety among senior officials of the agency. Members of staff fretted over what might have drawn the attention of the anti-graft agency to NAMA.

    Investigations revealed that EFCC’s visit may not be unconnected with petitions written by some aviation unions over alleged misapplication of funds.

    An official of the agency who pleaded not to be named confirmed the visit of the EFCC but did not state reasons for the visit.

    Recall that the Federal Government last year set up an anti-corruption task force in the sector. The task force is made up of officials of aviation agencies, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    A source hinted that the EFCC informed the Ministry of Aviation and officials before its visit following petitions concerning some financial transactions in the agency.

  • Court refuses to stop Tarfa’s arraignment

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday refused to grant an application stopping the arraignment of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Rickey Tarfa.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held that he lacks jurisdiction to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arraigning him.

    The commission charged Tarfa with unlawful obstruction of investigation and perversion of the course of justice before Justice Aishat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

    No fewer than 34 SANs enlisted to represent Tarfa, but six of them were in court on Friday, namely ‎Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, Mr. Babajide Koku, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, Mr. Adeniyi Adegbonmire and Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu.

    They brought an application praying the court to order the release of Tarfa’s phone and vehicle allegedly seized by EFCC.

    Tarfa also filed a N2.5billion suit against the EFCC on February 9, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

    Ayorinde urged Justice Idris to make a consequential order that parties should maintain status quo.

    But EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application, saying such an order would restrain the EFCC from arraigning Tarfa.

    ‎”I will urge Your Lordship not to hearken to that prayer. As of today, the applicant before Your Lordship is to be arraigned before your learned brother Honourable Justice Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court next week Thursday. ‎The defendant has been notified to produce the applicant on that date.

    “If Your Lordship makes an order to maintain the status quo, then the honourable court would be crippling the defendant from arraigning the applicant,” Oyedepo argued.

    He said Ayorinde’s application was designed to frustrate Tarfa’s arraignment.

  • Magu to NBA: War against corruption not for faint-hearted

    Magu to NBA: War against corruption not for faint-hearted

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday said the war against corruption is not for the faint-hearted and asked Nigerian lawyers not to support looters.

    He also said the anti-corruption agency is not one-sided as being insinuated.

    He begged the Nigerian Bar Association to purge itself of bad eggs who are “vandals in the temple of justice.”

    Magu, who spoke during a meeting with executive members of the NBA, led by the president, Mr. Augustine Oyarekhua Alegeh (SAN) said EFCC has no political affiliation.

    He said: “It has become necessary to have this meeting given the widespread corruption pervading the land. As you all know, corruption is probably the greatest problem facing our dear country Nigeria and it has to be nipped in the bud timely.

    “The war against economic and financial crimes is fought on a number of flanks, some of which include fraud, corruption and money laundering.

    “However, there is no flank from which the war is waged, that the input and effects of professionals such as lawyers, bankers and journalists are not felt, either as part of the problem or as critical ingredients in the solution mix.

    “Law enforcement, just as the judiciary, encompassing the bar and bench, is a critical link in the justice delivery system of any society.  The two, whilst they operate independent of one another, cannot afford, in the interest of the society, to pull in divergent directions.

    “I dare say that even when opinions and tactics differ, the interests of the two blocs cannot but converge on the overriding interest of the people.

    “It was along that line, that I pledged on my appointment (and have maintained ever since),that I would discharge my duties as the head of the EFCC, guided solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the Rule of Law.

    “I have tried to keep faith with those principles, in appreciation of the enormous burden placed on my shoulders by Mr. President and the huge expectations of ordinary Nigerians.

    In the history of our country, there has never been a more destructive force than corruption and the war that we have been recruited to fight, is not one for the faint at heart nor is it a war of half-measures.

    “I can tell you without fear of contradiction, that we at the EFCC are totally committed to the war against economic and financial crimes, including corruption and money laundering.”

  • $2.1b arms deals: EFCC searches ex-CDS Badeh’s house

    $2.1b arms deals: EFCC searches ex-CDS Badeh’s house

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday searched the house of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

    The former CDS is still in custody, being grilled.

    There were indications that some serving military officers have been moved to guest houses, pending their interrogation.

    According to a  source, some operatives were drafted to Badeh’s house to retrieve some documents.

    The source said: “After interacting with the ex-CDS for 24 hours,  it became important to search his residence for some vital documents. We acted on intelligence report at our disposal.

    “After the search, we made necessary documentation of the items retrieved from the place. Such a search is routine when conducting a sensitive investigation like this.

    “Badeh underwent another round of grilling  yesterday bordering on the procurement of used aircraft.

    “The ex-CDS may spend longer days in EFCC custody because of the wider scope of the procurement deals in the Armed Forces.

    “He is expected to account for purchase of uniforms for the Armed Forces when some officers and men complained of not getting the required pairs. “On November 26, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh sought for approval of the award of one pair of uniform(in the interim) for the Armed Forces at N165, 375 to El-Jahab Mubarak Nigeria and N330,750,000 for two pairs’’.

    Some serving military officers have been relocated to some Armed Forces guest houses pending their interrogation by the EFCC.

    Another source added: “In grilling these officers, we are trying to keep to military tradition of according them the respect befitting of officers.

    “You know all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Some of these officers are currently in some military guest houses.”

    Besides Badeh, others being interrogated are a former Chief of Air Staff, A.N. Amosu; ex- Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar;  ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki ; Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-NSA; and the most senior Air Force officer, and AVM A. M. Mamu(the Chief of Administration).

    Others are  AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun(former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM JA Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings)four top officers at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre GMD Gwani; Air Cdre SO Makinde; and Air Cdre AY Lassa Some of the areas of investigation are as follows:

    •  How 10 contracts totalling $930,500,690.00 were awarded
    • Payment of  N4,402,687,569.41 for unexecuted contracts
    •   Procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00.
    •   4 used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at US$7,180,000.00 funded by ONSA
    •   Cannibalization of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets
    •   Excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33m instead of $6m per one
    •   Delivery of radars without  vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own and adversary aircraft
    •   Strange transfer of $2m to Mono Marine Corporation Nigeria Limited owned by some Air Force officers
    • N15bn lavished on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters.
    •  N2.5billion contracts awarded to Syrius Technologies( Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria
    •   Award of 7 contracts worth N599,118,000.00 contracts to Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria(DICON) but two delivered

  • ‎ EFCC seeks NASS approval for recruitment of 750 staff

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday requested the support of the National Assembly to recruit additional 750 staff of different cadres.

    Magu said the recruitment of the additional staff will aid the commission in its effort to fight corruption effectively.

    The EFCC chief made the request while presenting the commission’s 2016 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crime in Abuja.

    He noted that the request became necessary following the present administration’s renewed efforts to rid the country of corruption.

    He said, “We have made the proposal to recruit that number of staff to increase our staff strength in order to build up our capacity to do the work.

    “The expectation is very high, so we have to put in the proper manpower development to enable us handle our duties.’’

    Magu also urged the National Assembly to approve N220million for the purchase of operational vehicles as contained in the commission’s 2016 budget proposal.

  • EFCC detains  ex-CDS Badeh after eight-hour grilling

    EFCC detains  ex-CDS Badeh after eight-hour grilling

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday detained a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, after about eight-hour grilling.

    There were indications last night that some former military chiefs were also being quizzed.

    But their names were kept under wraps by the anti-graft agency.

    Air Chief Marshal Badeh’s interrogation began at about 9am when he was ushered into a session with a panel.

    As at 6.27pm, there was no sign that he would be allowed to go home.

    Those detained already include ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd); Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-NSA; and a former Chief of Air Staff, A.N. Amosu.

    A top source in the EFCC said: “The ex-CDS reported for interrogation and we have been grilling him in the last eight hours on some of the contracts executed with over $2.1billion.

    “He is having audience with one of the panels we raised to interact with those military chiefs invited.

    “We confronted Badeh with some documents, including letters to the ex-NSA,  Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), demanding the procurement of some military equipment.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We are not likely to release him on bail now because his interrogation may take a while. You know, he was central to the control of the Armed Forces.

    “Before being the CDS, he was also a Chief of Air Staff. Some of these equipment were bought under him.”

    The source confirmed that some former and serving military officers had been quizzed but he was not forthcoming on the list “in order not to prejudice investigation.”

    Apart from Air Chief Marshal Badeh, others for investigation are Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal M.D. Umar; the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T.Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun (former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM J. A. Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T. Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings), four top officers at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) –  Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre. GMD Gwani; Air Cdre. S.O. Makinde; and Air Cdre. A.Y. Lassa.

     

  • NBA asks EFCC to apologise for SAN’s arrest

    NBA asks EFCC to apologise for SAN’s arrest

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apologise for arresting a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on a court premises.

    At a briefing yesterday, NBA Lagos branch chairman Martins Ogunleye said it is a desecration of the hallowed precincts of a court for a security agency to arrest anyone there.

    NBA said from the Victorian ages, the court and the church are considered hallowed, adding that it is an aberration to arrest anyone in such places.

    The association condemned the overzealousness exhibited by security agencies, saying they should be called to order.

    The EFCC, last Friday arrested Chief Rickey Tarfa (SAN) at the Lagos State High Court, for allegedly obstructing the rearrest of his clients, who were on trial for another case.

    NBA said even if Tarfa committed an offence, he should have been treated with more dignity. Besides, the suspects came to court on their own having been on bail, said NBA.

    The NBA chairman said the association’s President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), who came to secure Tarfa’s release, was kept waiting for over seven hours on Saturday and was not allowed to see Tarfa.

    The association said Tarfa was not allowed to have a change of clothes until he was released on administrative bail to Alegeh on Sunday.

    “While we, as a body of lawyers, support the anti-corruption crusade, we want to urge that crusade itself must be fought within the ambit of the law. To do otherwise will be to invite a situation of anarchy, and will occasion injustice.

    “While we do not want to go into the merits of why Mr Tarfa was arrested, we want to note strongly that first, it is an aberration for anybody to be arrested within the premises of a court. And the matter is made even more serious when the person arrested is a lawyer practicing his trader within the premises of the court.

    “There are certain places where you do not arrest a man, right from the Victorian times. You don’t arrest a man within the precincts of a court or church. These places are hallowed places, never to be desecrated,” Ogunleye said.

    NBA also condemned the treatment meted to Tarfa, saying: “No matter the type of offence a man commits, his treatment even whilst in detention must be humane and not the kind that will debase or derogate from his rights as enshrined under the Constitution, which protects every citizen from inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture.”

    Tarfa was arrested by EFCC operatives while allegedly attempting to prevent the re-arrest of his client, Ghanhoue Sourous Nazaire and Zenou Modeste, both of them  Beninoise Nationals, charged with alleged forgery of their company resolution and Form CA7.

    EFCC said they allegedly conspired amongst themselves  on May 28, 2007 to forge Rana Prestige’s ordinary resolution which they claimed was signed by Mrs Rachadatou Abdou, who co-owns the company.

    The commission said they allegedly forged a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Form 7 dated November 22, 2005, claiming it was also signed by Mrs Abdou.

    They were also accused of uttering of forged document by presenting the Form 7 to CAC as genuine.

    The charge includes conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery and uttering of false document, which violate section 516, 467 and 468 of the Criminal Code, Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwajaren, was not available for comments as his mobile phones were switched off.