The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Arms scam: Absence of Dasuki’s lawyer stalls proceedings

    Arms scam: Absence of Dasuki’s lawyer stalls proceedings

    Proceedings were stalled Thursday in the N13.5billion arms scam involving a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and five others before a High court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja.

    Dasuki is being tried with a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Babakusa and two  companies – Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited  – on a 19-count charge  bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust.

    At the mention of the case Thursday, prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that lawyer to Dasuki, Ahmed Raji (SAN) was absent and had written him, seeking the adjournment of proceedings to Friday.

    Jacobs said: ‘‘Counsel to the first defendant wrote a letter to me, saying that he won’t attend today’s proceedings on the grounds that he will be appearing before an election petition tribunal in Lokoja, Kogi State.”

    Jacobs told the court why Dasuki was equally absent in court.

    He said ‘‘when I inquired about the first defendant, I was told he is not in the custody of the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission). On further enquiry, I was told that he is with the Department of State Services (DSS). We have, however, made moves to ensure that he is produced in court this morning. My Lord, they are bringing him to court this morning.’’

    Responding, lawyers to the other defendants in the case insisted that Dasuki must be produced before further proceedings could be conducted in the case. The lawyers, including Solomon Umoh (SAN) were of the view that since it was a criminal trial, the presence of all the defendants was necessary.

    Trial judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf later suspended proceedings for about an hour to enable the prosecution fetch Dasuki.

    When Dasuki was later brought in around 11.00am by DSS operatives, Jacobs urged the court to adjourn to the next day in view of the request of the ex-NSA.

    Justice Baba-Yusuf later adjourned to today when the other defence lawyers did not object to Jacobs’ request.

     

  • Metuh arraigned for destruction of evidence

    Metuh arraigned for destruction of evidence

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, over destruction of evidence in his criminal case.

    Metuh, who is also standing trial for his alleged involvement in the diversion of arms procurement funds, reportedly destroyed the statement he wrote to EFCC operatives during investigation.

    The PDP spokesman, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge filed against him.

    Metuh, who was granted bail by a judge at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Tuesday, is still in prison following his inability to perfect the bail conditions.

    The presiding judge in the fresh case, Justice Ishaq Bello, adjourned the matter till next Monday.

     

  • Court adjourns Dasuki’s trial over lawyers’ absence

    Court adjourns Dasuki’s trial over lawyers’ absence

    A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned the trial of the ex National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, till Friday, due to the absence of his lawyers.

    Dasuki is standing trial for alleged diversion of $2.1billion arms procurement fund.

    The presiding judge, Justice Baba Yusuf, took the decision after he was informed that Dasuki’s lawyers – Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) – are attending an  election petition tribunal’s sitting in Kogi.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), did not oppose Dasuki’s lawyers’ request for adjournment.

    The judge later fixed 11:00am on Friday for resumption of hearing in the case.

     

     

     

  • EFCC chief Magu: more looters will go to prison

    EFCC chief Magu: more looters will go to prison

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Mustafa Magu spoke yesterday on the fight against corruption, saying it will be unsparing.

    Besides, the EFCC boss agreed that the rate of convictions in corruption cases may be low, but he is sure that more looters will go to jail this year.

    The anti-graft czar, fondly called The General, said every stakeholder seems to be more serious about fighting corruption. “From all indications, the judges are more serious, everybody is cooperating and this year, we will see more politically-exposed persons convicted. We will flush out corrupt people.”

    He assured all that the process will be transparent.  He also promised to discharge his responsibility “with the fear of God, in the national interest, and strictly observing the rule of law.”

    Magu, who spoke during a visit to  The Nation’s headquarters in Lagos, said he had been trying to mobilise Nigerians as stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

    The EFCC boss praised the management and editorial team of The Nation, saying the paper has come to stay among the builders and molders’ of the nation.  “Within a space of nine years, your brand has joined the league of shapers of our society by your incisive and, sometimes, explosive reporting. I must say that as an agency which believes in vigorous expression of its mandate, the EFCC is at home with your style of reporting and the candour of your esteemed columnists,” he said.

    Magu said he was mobilising support, opinions, ideas and strategies that are necessary to strengthen the anti-graft battle.

    “We need more support; it is about Nigeria, not an individual, the fight is for everybody, from the media we have to go to the grassroots, we will take it to children in the schools; we have to tell the children that corruption is bad, tell them why there is no chair in the classroom.

    “We will sensitise everybody to the evil of corruption. We need to let people know that corruption is bad because some people don’t seem to know,” Magu said.

    In his view, corruption is an attack on Nigeria and a “deliberate and calculated wickedness” against the nation’s existence. He decried the impunity with which public servants helped themselves to the commonwealth of Nigerians.

    “The impunity is too much. Sometimes I shed tears in the morning before I go to the office. It is just unbelievable; the rot is terrible. What I am saying is that people who know they have stolen our commonwealth should bring it back,” the EFCC chief said, adding:

    “People arrogate things to themselves. They have taken our money and are bold enough to say they are not going to return it. The money belongs to the people; they should return the money quietly; let there be voluntary compliance. Let them voluntarily come out to say ‘this is what I have stolen’ and the government will take it. I think that is the best thing to do.”

    Magu commented on the handcuffing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Olisa Metuh when he appeared in court, saying, there is nothing wrong in handcuffing an accused. “It is not coming from us(Nigerian Prisons Service —NPS— brought Metuh to court), but there is nothing wrong with that actually. They have a right to use their discretion; you are not there, there must be reason. There are instances when you handcuff a suspect, but let them explain themselves.”

    He said the Commission was receiving renewed interest and cooperation from foreign agencies and there will be no hiding place for treasury looters.

    He said the EFCC was building a strong institution with enhanced capacity for the staff but will require more funding. “The people need their capacity to be enhanced; they need funding. We are still renting offices all over the country. There is one massive building of the EFCC that has not advanced because of funding. If we go into that place, we are going to have security of documents, evidences and witnesses. The staff will be better protected. This is the kind of intervention that we are asking the Nigerian people.”

    Magu said there will be need for new laws tailored for fighting corruption. “It is important for the lawmakers to be put on the hot seat. If you make one law for the person who steals a goat to go to jail for 11 years and somebody who with pen and paper commits money laundering of over N5 billion for minor years, it is not proper.”

    To him, what is seen as the low rate of conviction in corruption-related cases is not the EFCC’s problem.

    Magu said: “It is not the job of the EFCC to convict people. The EFCC hands of after taking them to court with evidence and witnesses. But, they know how to drag this thing. After six, seven or 10 years’ witnesses die, you can no longer call for evidence and Nigerians are saying EFCC has not convicted this or that. So, we need to refocus and make new laws that will channel our activities properly.”

  • EFCC’ll never disobey court order, says Magu

    EFCC’ll never disobey court order, says Magu

    •Commission arraigns ex-AMAC manager for alleged N5m land fraud

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, yesterday said the anti-graft agency would never disobey a court’s order.

    Magu, who spoke with reporters at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, said the agency was open in its operation.

    He said: “I assure you that we will never disobey a court’s order. We will never disobey court order and we have never disobeyed court order.

    “The anti-corruption war is not about me or EFCC. It is about the entity called Nigeria. We need the support of the media so that Nigerians will support our cause.

    “Without your support, we cannot function and succeed. We need to synergise to make the anti-corruption war achievable.”

    Magu promised to be transparent in managing the EFCC.

    “We are very open with what we are doing unlike before. I am not saying that we will be conducting our investigation on the pages of newspapers but whatever you need to know, you will know.”

    The EFCC yesterday arraigned a former Zonal Land Manager of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Muhammed Ishaq, before Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, on an 11-count charge of criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and alleged N5 million fraud.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Ishaq committed the offence last year.

    He  said Ishaq, who is the principal  suspect in the alleged fraud  approached Ifeanyi Eke,  claiming he owned some plots – MF 45, E 296, E 293, E 295, E294- at Apo Extension 111, for which he was paid N5 million  by Eke.

    Some of the charges read: ‘‘That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of  the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document, titled: ‘‘Offer of the Terms of Grant/Conveyance of Approval’’ dated August 16, 2006, in respect of plot No. E296, with reference No. OG 44398 situated at Apo Extension 111, purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council in the name of Abiola Adekunle, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Law Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Section 364 of the same law.’’

    “That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of  the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document, titled: ‘‘Offer of the Terms of Grant/Conveyance of Approval’’ dated August 16, 2006, in respect of Plot MF45 with reference number MISC 97162 situated at Apo Extension 111, purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council in the name of Timba Oil & Gas, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Law Cap.  532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Section 364 of the same law.’’

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

    Following his plea, prosecution counsel Yetunde Alabi urged the court to fix a date for  trial.

    However, defence counsel Shaibu Yahaya prayed the court to grant the accused bail.

    The prosecution counsel did not object to the motion for bail moved by the defence counsel on the grounds that the accused had not jumped the administrative bail granted to him by the commission.

    Consequently, Justice Kawu granted the accused bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum.

    He said the surety must be a civil servant not below the level of a deputy director; he must have a landed property within Abuja and must produce two recent passport photographs.

    The case was adjourned to February 17 for trial.

     

     

  • Update: Court grants Metuh N400m bail

    Update: Court grants Metuh N400m bail

    • To remain in Kuje prison until he meets bail conditions

     

    Detained spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh got a breather Tuesday at a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail at N400million.

    Metuh, who was on January 15 remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja after his arraignment, is to remain in prison until he is able to meet the bail conditions.

    Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling Tuesday on Metuh’s bail application, also directed him to produce two sureties, who must each signed bond of N200m.

    The judge said the sureties must own houses in Maitama, a highbrow area in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Justice Abang said officials of the court must verify the property documents in respects of the property submitted by the sureties.

    He directed the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to confirm the title documents of the property pledged by the sureties and their addresses.

    The judge, in granting the bail, noted that the offences for which the applicant was standing trial were bailable.

    He said, under the nation’s criminal justice system, an accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

    The judge was of the view that the prosecution’s allegation that Metuh tore his statement was not established.

    Metuh is charged with breach of public trust, corrupt acquisition of public funds and money laundering.

    The commission said, in the charge, that a former Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Anenih benefited from the N400million allegedly received by the party’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh.

    EFCC accused Metuh of receiving the N400m from “an unlawful activity” of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

    The commission said its investigation also revealed that Metuh allegedly transferred $2million United. States dollars, through one of his agents, Nneka Nicole Ararume, to Sie Iyenome and Kabiru Ibrahim of Capital Field Investment, an organisation it found not to be a financial institution.

    The EFCC was silent on why Metuh gave Anenih N21, 776,000 and for what purpose.

    The commission, which was also silent on what investment Metuh made with the $2m, said it will lead evidence to that effect at trial.

    Earlier while moving the bail application, Metuh’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) urged the court to admit his client to bail on the ground that the alleged offences were bailable.

    He noted that under the Money Laundering Act, where Metuh was charged, the offences which attract a maximum of 7 years are not severe as claimed by the prosecution.

    Uche denied the prosecution’s argument that Metuh could interfere with investigation.

    He said his client will not evade trial as he is a known personality. He urged the court to grant him on liberal terms or if possible, on self recognition.

    Responding, prosecution lawyer, Sylvester Tahir objected to the granting of bail to Metuh.

    He argued that aside that Metuh could tamper with the course of justice, having allegedly torn his statement, he was yet to provide sufficient material to move the court to exercise its discretion in his favour.

    Tahir urged the court to be guided by the additional conditions contained in Section 162(c) (d) & (f) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 before determining the application.

    He noted that thesection of the ACJA provides that where an applicant was seen as being capable of tampering with investigation, prosecution’s evidence and the course of justice, he could be denied bail.

    He said further investigation was still on and that there was the possibility that further investigation may link the applicant as well as the likelihood of further charges being filed.

    On argument that his detention at the EFCC before his arraignment was unlawful, Tahir relied on Section 293 of ACJA 2015 which, he said  empowers the Magistrate to entertain application for remand, to argue that Metuh’s detention before his arraignment was lawful.

    Justice Abang has adjourned to January 25 for the commencement of trial.

     

  • Breaches for investigation by efcc

    Breaches for investigation by efcc

    • Non-specification of procurement costs
    • Absence of contract agreements
    • Award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds t
    • Transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes
    • General non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
    • Irregularities
    • Fraud.

     Suspected fraudulent activities

    • NAF awarded 10 contracts to SEI Nig Ltd at US$930,500,690.00 between January 2014 and February  2015
    • Letters of award and End User Certificates for all the contracts issued by NAF and ONSA respectively did not reflect the contract sums.
    • NAF bought two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at US Dollars $136,944,000.00.
    • Helicopters excessively priced and not operationally air worthy at the time of delivery
    • A brand new unit of such helicopters goes for about $30m
    • ONSA funded procurement of 4 used Alpha-Jets for t NAF at $7,180,000.00 but only 2 were ferried to Nigeria
    • 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar for NAF awarded to GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd for $33m instead of average cost of $6m
    • Between September 2009 and May 2015, NAF blew N15b on maintenance of Alpha Jets, others but out of it N4,402,687,569.41 was paid for unexecuted contracts
    • N2.5bn contarct awarded to Ukranian firm unregistered in Nigeria
    • ONSA officer gave out N6.25billion and $5m to his company, Geonel Integrated Services Ltd
    • Another officer cross transferred about N500m between a NAF company and firms where he has interest
  • Arms scam: Buhari orders probe of ex-service chiefs, others

    Arms scam: Buhari orders probe of ex-service chiefs, others

    … Alex Badeh, M.D Umar, others to face EFCC

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former service chiefs and other people connected to the arms purchases scandal in the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and several others have been fingered in the scam.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said the President took the decision to investigate the former service chiefs based on the report of a Presidential audit committee which indicted the ex- military top brass.

    Some serving military officers and 21 firms linked to the scandal will also be investigated by the EFCC.

    The statement reads: “On the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army:

    The 20 military officers affected are- Air Chief Marshal Alex ​Badeh (rtd), Air Marshal ​M.D ​Umar  (rtd), Air Marshal​ A.N ​Amosu (rtd), Maj-​Gen. ​E.R ​Chioba (rtd), AVM​​ I.A​ Balogun (rtd), AVM ​A.G​ Tsakr ​ (rtd)

    Others are – AVM​​ A.G​ Idowu (rtd), AVM ​A.M ​Mamu, AVM ​O.T ​Oguntoyinbo, AVM ​T ​.Omenyi, AVM ​J.B ​Adigun, AVM​​ R.A ​Ojuawo, AVM ​​J.A ​Kayode-Beckley, Air Cdre ​S.A ​Yushau (rtd), Air Cdre ​A.O ​Ogunjobi, Air Cdre​ G.M.D ​Gwani, Air Cdre S.O ​Makinde, Air Cdre A.Y ​Lassa​, Col. ​​N ​Ashinze and Lt Col. ​M.S ​Dasuki (rtd)

    “Following the submission of the audit committee’s second interim report, President Buhari has directed the EFCC to investigate the roles of the officers and the following companies and their directors in fundamental breaches associated with the procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

     

  • Court remands Metuh in prison

    Court remands Metuh in prison

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday remanded the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, in Kuje prison.

    Metuh, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a seven –count charge, pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.

    The PDP spokesman’s counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe, filed an oral application for bail, but the prosecuting counsel opposed the application.

    The presiding judge, Abang Obong, ordered that the application be properly filed so that the EFCC can respond before it would be entertained.

    He directed that Metuh be transferred to the prison from EFCC custody.

     

  • Update: EFCC accused Metuh of transferring N21m to Anenih

    Update: EFCC accused Metuh of transferring N21m to Anenih

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said a former Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Anenih, benefited from the N400million allegedly received by the party’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh.

    EFCC accused Metuh of receiving the N400million from “an unlawful activity” of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

    The commission said its investigation also revealed that Metuh allegedly transferred $2million through one of his agents, Nneka Nicole Ararume, to Sie Iyenome and Kabiru Ibrahim of Capital Field Investment, an organisation it found not to be a financial institution.

    These are contained in a seven-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/05/2016, filed on Thursday by EFCC, against Metuh and his company – Destra Investment s Limited – before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The EFCC was silent on why Metuh gave Anenih N21, 776,000 and for what purpose.

    The commission, which was also silent on what investment Metuh made with the $1million, said it will lead evidence to that effect at trial.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the commission will arraign Metuh once the court indicates its readiness to commence trial.