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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC didn’t arrest Aisha Ashimugu – Aide

    EFCC didn’t arrest Aisha Ashimugu – Aide

    Popular buusinesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu was not taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Her personal media aide, David Abakpa, while reacting said the reports on two blogs were sponsored  statement “fake news”.

    Abakpa attributed the report captioned “EFCC arrests flamboyant aocialite, Aisha Achimugu” to the cheap handiwork of the enemies of his principal.

    While urging the public to disregard the fake news, he noted that Mrs. Achimugu is not in the country and so could not have been  arrested by the EFCC. 

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    He said the unfounded rumour was a calculated attempt by unscrupulous elements bent on tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of Achimugu by all means.

    The statement reads in part: “It is a lie sponsored by enemies! Aisha Achimugu is never arrested or detained by the EFCC. Anyone can confirm from the Commission.

    “Aisha Achimugu, in the first place, is not in the country. She left the country on a business trip last week.

    “Mrs. Achimugu is a law abiding Nigerian who is highly respected internationally for her legitimate dealings. She is well known for creating jobs for Nigerian youths, thereby impacting the economy with her businesses.”

  • Emefiele: Court grants EFCC permission to field witnesses virtually 

    Emefiele: Court grants EFCC permission to field witnesses virtually 

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Thursday approved the request by the prosecution in the trial of a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CJN), Godwin Emefiele, to have its two additional witnesses testify virtually through audio/visual means.

    Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes, among others.

    At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) informed the court about the inability of the prosecution to produce the two additional witnesses in court physically.

    Oyedepo said they were currently in the United Kingdom and have agreed to testify virtually.

    He said he filed additional proof of evidence and other necessary documents to show why it was impracticable to have the witnesses testify physically and the nature of the nature of their evidence.

    Defence lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) objected, arguing that he was unaware that the prosecution filed a formal application, disclosed the names and the nature of evidence to be given by the witnesses as required by law.

    Oyedepo subsequently drew Ojo’s attention to the additional proof of evidence he filed, reflecting the names of the intended witnesses, why their physical presence was impossible and the nature of their evidence.

    Ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih granted the prosecution’s request to filed the additional witnesses virtually.

    The prosecution then called it’s seventh witness (PW7), Chinedu Eneanya, an investigator with the EFCC, who gave evidence in relation to the findings of his team’s investigation of the case.

    Led in evidence by Oyedepo, Eneanya said in the course of investigation his team invited four Deputy Governors of the CBN, who served under Emefiele namely – Adesonubi Folasodun, Adamu Edward, Kingsley Obiora and Mrs Aisha Ahmed, who volunteered statements to the agency on their involvement in the naira redesign project

    Oyedepo later handed him some documents, which the witness identified as the statements made to investigators by the invited Deputy Governors.

    He also identified a statement obtained from a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company (NSPMC), Ahmed Halilu.

    All the statements were later tendered by the prosecution and were admitted I’m evidence by the court.

     Eneanya told the court how, on October 6, 2022, Emefiele authored a memorandum of 11 pages to former President Muhammadu Buhari seeking approval to redesign the N1,000, N500 and N200 naira notes.

    In the 11 page memo, Eneanya said that specimen of the proposed redesign were attached and that Buhari gave immediate approval with a condition that production of the new notes must be done locally.

    He said investigation by his team revealed that Emefiele did not carry along members of the board of the CBN and members of the bank’s Committee of Governors (COG).

    The witness said: “In the course of the investigation, the team had cause to request for all the minutes of meetings from January 2022 to the October 2022 to determine if the issue of naira redesign was discussed at either the board or committee of governors’ meeting of the CBN prior to the presentation of the memo to the presudent.

    “After the detailed analysis of the minutes, we got nothing of such.”

    He said the defendant allegedly caused to be produced new naira notes with designs different from what President Buhari approved on the grounds that the NSMPC said it could not produce the approved design within the time frame approved for the exercise.

    The witness claimed that Emefiele also had the new notes designed by a foreign company as against the directive of the the president.

    Read Also: Court orders final forfeiture of $1.4m linked to Emefiele

    “Investigation discovered that the approval of the president as contained in the memo (memorandum) of the defendant of 6th of October 2022, was completely jettisoned as it did no longer contain the design, the device, the form and the strict directive that the production be done locally.

    “The defendant, on October 19, without the recommendation of the board, or the recommendation of the COG, unilaterally approved his own design of the N1000, N500 and N200 notes.”

    The witness equally claimed that a United Kingdom based company; De La Rue, which eventually produced the design Emefiele allegedly approved unilaterally, was paid £205,000, amounting to N111million by the then prevailing exchange rate.

    The witness added: “Our investigation showed that the design was not done locally, it was not done by a local company as directed by the president that the production be done locally.

    “The finding of the team on what was finally produced and put into circulation by the CBN, in which the defendant, at the time was the governor, was completely at variance with what had been earlier presented to the president and approved by the president in design, form and device,” the witness said.

    He added: “Our investigation showed that the money paid to De La Rue was .£205,000 which, by the conversation rate at that time, was over N111m was paid to a foreign company, which would have not happened if the prosecution was done locally.”

    Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till April 29.

  • U.S. Ambassador tables four priorities before EFCC

    U.S. Ambassador tables four priorities before EFCC

    United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria Richard M. Mills Jr. yesterday listed four priorities before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He highlighted counter-corruption, financial terrorism, counter-terrorism and money laundering as the areas of focus.

    The envoy reaffirmed that the robust working relationship between the U.S. Government and the EFCC would continue to achieve significant success.

    Mills Jr. itemised the priority areas when he led a delegation of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on a familiarization visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.

    In a statement, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the Ambassador also promised more information sharing with the anti-graft commission.

    The statement quoted Mills Jr. as saying: “I’m very grateful for the relationship we have both through our legal attache and with these other offices here.

    “The U.S. government was strongly supportive of the creation of the EFCC when it was established and our relationship has continued since then. I’m here today to learn a little bit about what the chairman’s priorities are for the EFCC moving forward; what you see as the key trends in financial crimes that you’re addressing and how the U.S. government and U.S. Mission can assist you, either with information sharing or sharing of expertise, closer cooperation in specific cases.

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    “Part of the reason we’re so interested in these issues is because they affect both our countries and they affect what we’re both trying to do, which is to create a secure, prosperous Nigeria and build our economies, both the US and the Nigerians.”

    On the four areas of interest to the U.S. Government, the envoy added: “This office is at the epicenter of the work being done to counter-corruption, financial terrorism, counter-terrorism, money laundering. And that is a high priority for the US Government and for this mission.

    “And as you can see, it involves several offices at the US Mission. Our economic team follows these issues closely, especially anti money laundering, counterterrorism, financing, and has engaged with members of your staff on that issue.”

    Olukoyede, who was delighted with the visit, took the delegation on a tour of the EFCC mandate.

    “In the EFCC, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes not only to prevent them. We have a mandate to prevent, to investigate and where one has occurred to also prosecute and by extension we also recover assets in the course of our work, which are one way or the other subject to the directive of the Federal Executive Council, led by the President to manage them,” he said.

    Recognising that Nigeria over the years has had a beneficial relationship with the U.S. government and its agencies in EFCC’s efforts to sanitize the country’s financial space, Olukoyede looked forward to amplified relationship with the U.S. government and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

    He said: “The relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria in relation to the fight against financial crimes dates way back and has been one of very strong synergy and mutually beneficial collaboration.

    “Nigeria and America have been having mutual cooperation particularly in the area of the fight against financial crimes. And this we hope to build on, to strengthen and to take to the next level.”

    Calling for enhanced support and collaboration, the EFCC chair said: “The support is needed especially in the areas of technology, intelligence gathering and sharing and human capital development.

    “We recognise the fact that most of the work we do is intelligence-driven. And when we talk of intelligence, we are talking of technology.

    “So, we need your support in that area. And also need it in capacity building, collaboration, information and intelligence sharing which is very important.

    “And we are requesting that America needs to reciprocate by attending to our requests on time because we notice that maybe you consider your laws and all of that.

    “We will just wish you could fast track your response to some of our requests. We would really appreciate if you can improve on that during your tenure.”

    Speaking further, the EFCC boss disclosed some of his recent efforts at curbing visa fraud that pose an endless challenge to foreign missions in the country.

     “Just last year, I established the Visa Application and Immigration Fraud Section in EFCC and we have its desk all across our zonal offices to deal with issues that have to do with visa racketeering and immigration fraud.

    “It is a dedicated desk that works 48 hours. And we’ll be having good results. So, we also need your support in that area in the exchange of information and intelligence with us and in technology and gadgets you can support us with.

  • US Ambassador tables four priorities to EFCC

    US Ambassador tables four priorities to EFCC

    US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard M. Mills Jr. has tabled four priorities before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He listed the areas of focus as counter-corruption, financial terrorism, counter-terrorism and money laundering.

    He reaffirmed that the robust working relationship between the United States government and the EFCC would continue in order to achieve significant success.

    Mills itemised the priority areas when he led a delegation of the US Mission in Nigeria on a familiarisation visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede in Abuja.

    A statement by the spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Dele
    Oyewale said the Ambassador also promised more information sharing with the anti-graft commission.

    The statement quoted Mills as saying: “I’m very grateful for the relationship we have both through our legal attache and with these other offices here.

    “The US government was strongly supportive of the creation of the EFCC when it was established and our relationship has continued since then.

    “I’m here today to learn a little bit about what the chairman’s priorities are for the EFCC moving forward; what you see as the key trends in financial crimes that you’re addressing and how the U.S. government and U.S. Mission can assist you, either with information sharing or sharing of expertise, closer cooperation in specific cases.

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    “Part of the reason we’re so interested in these issues is because they affect both our countries and they affect what we’re both trying to do, which is to create a secure, prosperous Nigeria and build our economies, both the US and the Nigerians”.

    He listed four areas of interest to the US Government.

    He added: “This office is at the epicenter of the work being done to counter- corruption, financial terrorism, counter-terrorism, money laundering. And that is a high priority for the US Government and for this mission.

    “And as you can see, it involves several offices at the US Mission. Our economic team follows these issues closely, especially anti money laundering, counterterrorism, financing, and has engaged with members of your staff on that issue”.

    Olukoyede, who was delighted with the visit, took the delegation on a brief tour of the mandate of the EFCC. “In the EFCC, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes not only to prevent them.

    ” We have a mandate to prevent, to investigate and where one has occurred to also prosecute and by extension we also recover assets in the course of our work, which are one way or the other subject to the directive of the Federal Executive Council, led by the President to manage them,” he said.

    While recognizing that Nigeria over the years has had a beneficial relationship with the US government and its agencies in EFCC’s efforts to sanitize the country’s financial space,

    Olukoyede looked forward to amplified relationship with the US government and the US Mission in Nigeria for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

  • EFCC nabs 4 Chinese, 27 other suspected illegal miners in Jos

    EFCC nabs 4 Chinese, 27 other suspected illegal miners in Jos

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained four Chinese and 27 others over alleged illegal mining in Jos.

    This is contained in a statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Oyewale said that the suspects were arrested on Saturday in the premises of Jiasheng Nigeria Limited, located at Dura Rayfield, Mangu Road, Jos.

    He said that the arrest was sequel to credible intelligence linking the company to illegal mining activities in the state.

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    According to him the suspects include four Chinese and 27 Nigerians, part of who are suppliers in possession of unprocessed solid minerals, suspected to have been illegally mined.

    He added that some exhibits which include a truck loaded with eight bags of processed Monazite, weighing 1000kg, worth N4 million each were recovered in the premises during the arrests.

    He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

    (NAN)

  • Govt funding Student Loan with recovered looted funds, says EFCC

    Govt funding Student Loan with recovered looted funds, says EFCC

    • Lagos directorate tops commission’s 4,111 convictions with 685

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the over N50 billion recovered from fraudsters in 2024 was among the funds invested into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this information is based on the EFCC’s 2024 statistical report made available to reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    NAN also reports that NELFUND was established through the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 3, last year.

    The initiative is a programme established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to break financial barriers in higher education.

    In its report, the anti-graft agency described its activities in 2024 as its greatest achievements, especially its largest single-year asset recovery since its establishment in 2003.

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    The statistics indicated that the N50 billion granted to NELFUND by the Federal Government was sourced from the monetary recoveries of the EFCC.

    “Such monetary recoveries include N364.6 billion; $214.51 million; 54,319 euro; 31,265 euro; Canadian dollar (CAD) $2,990 and Australian dollar (AUD) $740.00.

    “Others are: the French franc (CFA) 7,821,375, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dirham 170, Saudi Arabian 5,115 Riyals, Japanese W73,000,105 Yen, Ghana’s cedi (GH¢) 225 and South Africa’s 50,000 Rands,” it said.

    According to the commission, some of the monetary recoveries have been reinvested by the Federal Government in initiatives that provide significant benefits to the Nigerian people.

    The anti-graft agency attributed its success to the dedication of its officers and the enabling environment provided by management and stakeholders.

    Also, the EFCC has said it secured 4,111 convictions in 2024 – its highest in its 22-year history.

    These were from 15,724, petitions, 12,928 investigations, and 5,083 prosecutions.

    Leading the pack is the Lagos Zonal Directorate with 685 convictions from 3,224 petitions, 2,454 cases investigated, and 786 cases filed in court.

    This is followed by Enugu with 516 convictions from 545 cases prosecuted and Ibadan with 501 convictions from 786 prosecutions.

    Others are Benin with 412 convictions, Ilorin with 230, Kaduna with 273, Gombe with 147, Kano with 148, Abuja with 140, Makurdi with161, Maiduguri 95, Port Harcourt 185, Sokoto 108 and Uyo with 220 convictions.

    Also last year, the commission recorded its best-ever performance since its inception in 2003 with the single largest asset recovery ever, and significant money forfeitures.

    An appraisal of the commission’s operations in the last 12 months shows that since January 2024, the EFCC recorded unprecedented volumes of, and breakthroughs in cases involving Advance Fee Fraud, Money Laundering, and Cybercrime, among others, across all its Zonal Directorates in the country.

    The EFCC monetary recoveries for the year include N364,597,370,151.35, US$214,513,439.55, UK£54,318.64, 31,265, Euros, CAD$2,990 and AUD $740.00.

    Others are CFA7,821,375, UAE DIRHAM 170, RIYALS 5,115, W73,000, 105 Yen, GH¢225 and RANDS 50.

    Recovered assets in 2024 include the forfeiture to the Federal Government of over 750 duplexes and other apartments in late 2024, which is the single largest recovery by the Commission since its inception.

    The assets include 173 vehicles, cash sums of N9,477,977,318.78, $2,605,858.30 and UKP1,600.

    Others include cryptocurrencies of 13.37BTC worth about $572,992.86; ETHEREUM worth $13,353.06, GREEN SATOSHI token worth $6, 1,002.547631, among others.

    The rest are 378 electronics, one factory, one hotel, two gold chains, 14 parcels of land, petroleum products and 70 tons of unidentified solid minerals.

    According to the commission, some of the monetary recoveries have been reinvested by the Federal Government in initiatives that provide significant benefits to the Nigerian people.

    An example is the N50 billion granted to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) from the recoveries.

    Apart from contributing to various developmental projects, enhancing public welfare and promoting sustainable growth across the country, the initiatives also contribute to improving the quality of life for Nigerians and support the country’s long-term development goals.

  • EFCC: South-south APC chairmen dismiss allegation against Akpabio over Udom’s probe

    EFCC: South-south APC chairmen dismiss allegation against Akpabio over Udom’s probe

    State chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South have dismissed allegations that Senate President Godswill Akpabio orchestrated a smear campaign against former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had accused Akpabio of being behind Emmanuel’s invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the subsequent media attention.

    However, in a press release over the weekend, the South-South APC chairmen described the allegation as “baseless, mischievous, and chauvinistic.”

    They further accused the PDP of being in turmoil due to its internal crises and attempting to shift blame for its misfortunes onto others.

    “This accusation comes amidst the PDP’s internal struggles, which have been evident since its ousting in 2015.

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    “The APC emphasizes that Udom Emmanuel’s administration is currently under scrutiny for alleged corruption and mismanagement of state resources, and notes that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has previously investigated other former governors, including Obong Victor Attah and Senator Godswill Akpabio himself”, they said.

    The party leaders expressed their total trust and confidence in Senator Akpabio’s leadership and integrity, and urged the PDP to focus on playing the role of a responsible opposition party.

    The APC called on the PDP to desist from spreading falsehood and to channel its energies towards providing constructive criticisms and viable alternative leadership.

    “Furthermore, the APC advises the PDP to field a gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming election in Anambra State, rather than trying to destabilize the Senate using Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to cause trouble.

    “It is worth noting that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been involved in a recent controversy surrounding allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio.

  • EFCC invitation: APC group absolves Akpabio of campaign against Ex-Gov Emmanuel

    EFCC invitation: APC group absolves Akpabio of campaign against Ex-Gov Emmanuel

    The All Progressives Congress Media Network has absolved the Senate President Godswill Akpabio of smear campaigns in the media against former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    It faulted the allegation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that Akpabio is the sponsor of the media report of Emmanuel’s arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last week.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Friday, accused the Senate President of orchestrating smear media campaigns against the immediate past governor of the state in respect of his invitation by the anti-graft agency.

    But the Director General of the APC Media Network, Otuekong Iniobong John in a statement on Saturday said that Akpabio has no hand in Emmanuel’s invitation by the EFCC and the media frenzy that followed.

    The statement reads in parts, “The All Progressives Congress Media Network has been compelled to address the defamatory allegations made by the factional National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),Debo Ologunagba, against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    “We note that the factional National Publicity Secretary of the PDP failed to deny the fact that former Governor Udom Emmanuel was indeed invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

    “Mr. Emmanuel himself has acknowledged honoring the EFCC’s invitation, albeit without clarifying the purpose behind it.

    “The primary mandate of the EFCC is to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes in the country.Therefore, the reports regarding Mr. Emmanuel’s invitation by the EFCC cannot be attributed to a smear campaign orchestrated by Senator Akpabio or any other individual.

    “We categorically assert that Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has no business disseminating the news of the arrest/invitation of the former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    “As the Senate President, he is focused on overseeing the operations of the National Assembly and has no interest in engaging with trivial matters”.

    The APC group said that it was sure that the national spokesperson of the PDP was acting the script of the Akwa Ibom state government.

    The statement further said, “It is unfortunate that the factional National Publicity Secretary of the PDP could condescend to making baseless and malicious statements. But We know that the press release by the factional National Publicity Secretary of the PDP was conceived and sponsored by the PDP government in Akwa Ibom State.

    “Some tribal bigots in the state have been propagating false propaganda that Senator Akpabio was behind the petition against ex-governor Udom Emmanuel. However, a PDP elder, Rt. Hon. Chief Ndueso Essien, has stated that Senator Akpabio was not involved in the petition.

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    “We challenge the PDP’s factional National Publicity Secretary to deny the fact that Mr. Udom Emmanuel was actually invited/arrested by the EFCC before accusing others of being behind the spreading of the news. 

    “We also ask if Senator Godswill Akpabio was the mastermind behind the arrest of former Governors Yahaya Bello and Ifeanyi Okowa, among others who have been investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC. This highlights the naivety, cluelessness and pettiness of the factional National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. 

    “The APC Media Network condemns the PDP’s shameless attempt to manipulate public opinion and tarnish Senator Akpabio’s reputation. Their desperate efforts to discredit him will not distract from their own glaring failures.

    “We urge the public to see through this cheap propaganda and hold the PDP accountable for their actions”.

  • Alleged N80.2b fraud: EFCC tenders receipts of school fees paid in advance for Yahaya Bello’s children

    Alleged N80.2b fraud: EFCC tenders receipts of school fees paid in advance for Yahaya Bello’s children

    …court to rule on May 8 on whether to admit judgment of another court

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday admitted in evidence receipts of school fees paid to the American International School, Abuja (AISA) in favour of the children of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

    The receipts were among other documents tendered by the prosecution at the resumed hearing in the trial of the ex-governor on an N80.2billion money laundering charge.

    Prosecuting lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) tendered the documents through the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, who told the court that the receipts were issued in the names of four of the defendant’s children.

    Ohehomon, who started his testimony on Thursday, had identified himself as an Internal Auditor with the AISA.

    The witness was, during Friday’s proceedings, handed a document marked Exhibit 13P1, which he identified as a telex from the United Bank for Africa (UBA), sent by a relative of the defendant, Ali Bello to the AISA.

    He also identified another documents, marked as Exhibits 13P2 to 13P4 as evidence of transfers made by Forza Oil and Gas in favour of the defendant’s children.

    Ohehomon equally identified another document marked Exhibit 13P5 as a telex sent from Whales Oil and Gas to the AISA.

    When asked to confirm if the defendant’s name was reflected on the documents, the witness said Bello’s name was cont contained in the documents.

    Under cross-examination, defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) sought to tender a bundle of documents he claimed was a judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in relation to a suit between Ali Bello and the AISA over the school fees payment.

    Pinheiro objected, thereby igniting a session of arguments that lasted a while.

    The prosecuting lawyer argued that the defendant could not tender documents while the prosecution was yet to close its case.

    Read Also: Alleged N138m fraud: EFCC quizze sex-minister Kennedy-Ohanenye

    He cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act and contended that the only kind of documents that the prosecution could tender during cross examination are previous statements in writing of a witness for the purpose of contracting or challenging his/her current testimony.

    Pinheiro urged the court to reject the document, arguing that the defence failed demonstrate that it (document) was admissible under Section 232 of the Evidence Act. 

    Responding, Daudu said the admissibility of documents in criminal or civil cases is governed strictly by the principles of relevance to the proceedings at hand.

    Daudu added that once the court finds that the document is relevant, it becomes automatically admissible. 

    “That is what is contained in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Evidence Act, 2011. 

    “The question for your lordship is, is this document relevant and admissible in line with the provision of the Evidence Act. 

    “The answer has been provided by my learned brother silk for the prosecution when he referred to the content of the judgment and read out a portion which says that a particular relief was refused and that the fee agreement was upheld in the same judgment,” Daudu said.

    The defence lawyer said the copy of the judgment of the HIgh Court of the FCT are public documents, which reflected AISA as a party in the case.

    He added that as far as the defendant was concerned, the witness was the sole witness of AISA in the case that led to the judgment.

    Daudu argued that the objection raised by the prosecution was speculative because it (the prosecution) did not know what the defence wants to do with the documents.

    He contended that because the prosecution was not comfortable with the document cannot stop its admissibility.

    After taking arguments on whether or not the judgment could be admitted, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned till May 8 for ruling and continuation of trial.

  • EFCC secures forfeiture of $1.1m seized from lady at airport

    EFCC secures forfeiture of $1.1m seized from lady at airport

    The Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the forfeiture of $1.1million (over N1.7billion) cash seized from a lady, Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Also forfeited were 135,900 Saudi Arabian Riyals found with her.

    Justice S.M. Shuaibu made the order after Ms. Ibrahim pleaded guilty to money laundering.

    She was arrested by EFCC operatives at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport yesterday with the cash.

    A two-count charge, numbered FHC/KN/CR/46/2025, was filed against her soon after.

    The EFCC charged Ms. Ibrahim with money laundering to the tune of $1,154,900 in count 1 and SRS135,900 in count 2.

    She was charged under Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 3(5) of the same Act.

    The defendant pleaded guilty to the two counts and pleaded for leniency in mitigation of the sentence.

    Justice Shuaibu ordered: “That the defendant is hereby sentenced in line with the provisions of Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 as follows:

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    “a) That the sum of $1,154,900 being the subject matter of Count 1 of the charge is hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria

    “b) That the sum of SRS135,900, the subject matter of Count 2 of the Charge is hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “That this is the punishment imposed by the court in this case.”

    The convict claimed she was approached by one Nafiu in Saudi Arabia who solicited her assistance to carry along a box to Nigeria.

    When she enquired about the content, he told her it was dates and a small amount of cash.

    She said Nafiu gave her the phone number of a woman who would collect the box from her upon arrival in Kano.

    After leaving the airport, she was recalled by the airport authorities to clear the box.

    Upon arrival, she was arrested and was shown the contents of the box.

    She pleaded for mercy, claiming she did not know that such a huge sum was in the box.