The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Northern Youths condemn EFCC’s invasion of ex-customs chief’s residence

    Northern Youths under the auspices of Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) on Monday condemned the invasion of residence of a former Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, by operatives of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as undemocratic, barbaric and worst form of prosecution.

    NYCN alleged that the EFCC also failed to obtain search warrant before barging into Dikko’s residence and scattered his family and personal belongings.

    The group said it was in support of war against corruption, saying it should have started with former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, who allegedly failed to account for a whopping N1trillion recovered loot to proof to the world that charity begins at home.

    Addressing newsmen on Monday in Kaduna, National President of NYCN, Comrade Isah Abubakar, said EFF should accept blame for their inability to get Dikko at home, adding that the commission’s ways of tracking suspects are full of disappointments.

    He said,”In 2009, Alhaji Dikko set benchmark in capacity building especially in terms of service delivery, breaking new grounds in areas of re-orientation, training and retraining of customs officers.

    “The NYCN is once more constrained to bring to the notice of Nigerians the opportunistic antics devised by EFCC in their quest to remain relevant by abusing people’s right, while applying tactics that had since become obsolete and uncivilized.”

     

  • Return N100m Arms money, Accord Party tells Ladoja

    Return N100m Arms money, Accord Party tells Ladoja

    National Secretary of the Accord Party, Dr. Samson Isibor, has asked the National Chairman of the party, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, to return the N100m collected from Chief Tony Anenih under the guise of campaigning for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Dr. Isibor said Chief Ladoja did not disclose receipt of the money to state chapters of the party.

    Speaking to our reporter in Benin City, Dr. Isibor, said the party was disturbed about the revelation from the arms deal scandal.

    Isibor urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute Chief Ladajo until the N100m is returned to the coffers.

    His words, “Ladoja should be made to return the money. No money was disbursed to state chapters of the Accord Party.”

    “What he did with the PDP without our consent was fraudulent.”

     

  • Metuh asks court to order his release from detention

    Metuh asks court to order his release from detention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh,  has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order his release from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody.

    In an application filed through activist-lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Metuh said his continued detention without charge is illegal.

    The PDP spokesman was arrested by EFCC operatives on January 5 in his Abuja home and has since been in custody.

    EFCC reportedly obtained an order from a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2 to detain Metuh, who was arrested in connection with about N1.4billion “suspicious” funds in the account of a company in which he has interest.

    About N400million allegedly meant for arms purchase by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was paid into the account of Destra Investment Limited where Metuh reportedly have a high stake.

    The EFCC said it sought an order to remand Metuh because some of his accomplices are at large.

    Adegboruwa, in the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/21/2016, alleged that Metuh’s family, lawyers and doctors were denied access to him.

    He sued the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, contending that under section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, the commission has exceeded the maximum time allowed by law for a citizen to be detained without trial.

    Metuh is seeking a declaration that the respondents are not entitled to arrest, detain or restrict his liberty without charge in flagrant violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 35, 38, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    He sought a declaration that his arrest on January 5 constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights and is ultra vires, null and void and unconstitutional.

     

  • EFCC to Falae, Odili, Ladoja: refund cash or face trial

    EFCC to Falae, Odili, Ladoja: refund cash or face trial

    Commission retrieves Dasuki’s memos to Jonathan

    Ex-MILAD refunds 60 per cent

    All politicians who shared in the allegedly diverted $2.1billion arms cash must return what they got or face trial, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said.

    A former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa, has refunded 60 per cent of the money he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Also yesterday, it was gathered that  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh had admitted the transfer of N400million into a company in which he has substantial interest.

    According to sources, EFCC decided on refund of cash after retrieving some of the memoranda which the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan to request for funds.

    A top EFCC source said none of the memos seen so far indicated that the funds would be used for political purposes, party funding and the 2015 general election.

    Based on the vetting of the memos and disbursement of money to PDP chieftains and other highly-placed Nigerians, the EFCC has drawn the battle line of either “you make a refund or face trial”.

    Some of the beneficiaries of the cash include former governors Peter Odili (N100m);  Rashidi Ladoja(N100m), Attahiru Bafarawa(N100m), Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (N100m), and Jim Nwobodo(N500m).

    Others are: Chief Tony Anenih(N260m); ex-PDP National Chairman Ahmadu Ali(N100m); Chief Bode George (N100m/ $30,000), Yerima Abdullahi (N100m); Chief Olu Falae (N100m); Tanko Yakassai (N63m); Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki(N200m); Raymond Dokpesi, Iyorchia Ayu’s company(N345m); BAM Properties(N300m); Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5b); ex-PDP National Chairman Mohammed Bello Haliru, Abba Mohammed, Sagir Attahiru, serving and former members of the House of Representatives(over N600 million); former Chairman of the House of Representatives on Security and Intelligence, Bello Matawalle(N300m); ACACIA Holdings(N600m); Bashir Yuguda (N1,950,000) and many companies.

    Based on the vetting, the EFCC is insisting that all those implicated so far must refund the “illegal disbursement” of cash to them or face trial.

    A top EFCC source said: “We have conducted a thorough investigation and we have retrieved some of the memos sent to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan by the former National Security Adviser; none of them indicated that the cash should be for political purposes.

    “There was never a memo for cash advance for political matters like campaign or election.

    “We have also traced some of these funds directly to the accounts of these bigwigs or their proxy companies.

    “Having gone far, we are asking them to return these funds or else, we will go after them any moment from now. I think they should respect themselves and make urgent refund.

    “In the alternative, we will arrest them and arraign them in court to defend such strange allocations.

    “We will retrieve every kobo given out from ONSA. It is insufficient to say somebody gave me this money. Once we trace undeserved public funds into your account or phony and proxy  companies, we will ask for refund.”

    Regarding the interrogation of Gen. Isa, the source added: “He admitted collecting money from ONSA and he has refunded 60 per cent of the sum credited to him. I think it should be about N100 million.

    “Isa is the only person who has so far refunded money among the political figures who collected funds from ONSA. We have granted him bail to allow him time to source for the balance.”

    On the detention of the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, the source said: “So far, Metuh has admitted the transfer of N400 million by ONSA  into a company in which he has substantial interest.

    “It is left to him to justify why he deserved such benefit from arms cash. We are still questioning him on other remittances into the company’s account. We are also demanding how he will refund the cash.

    “Contrary to the noise outside, we did our homework very well. Anybody we bring to the EFCC this time around, we used to make sure that we have established a case against him.

    “So, we don’t invite or arrest on frivolous basis. We do thorough investigation this time around.”

  • $2.1b arms cash: EFCC, NFIU probe six BDCs

    $2.1b arms cash: EFCC, NFIU probe six BDCs

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) are investigating six bureaux de change (BDC) operators involved in converting the $2.1 billion arms cash to naira, The Nation has learnt.

    The Chairman of Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, who disclosed this in a telephone conversation, said the group is already monitoring the outcome of the probe to decide sanctions for the unnamed operators.

    He said: “Some of the persons involved in the transactions allegedly exchanged the dollar to naira through the BDC operators. We understand about six operators are involved and we are monitoring the outcome of the investing closely”.

    He said both the EFCC and NFIU are looking at possibility of holding retreat with the BDCs to educate them more on how to better report illicit financial flow and money laundering matters.

    Gwadabe said ABCON has a zero tolerance for non-compliance with regulatory requirement and for unethical conduct amongst its members. He said the group created the office of Compliance Officer in its National Secretariat and in all its zonal offices to ensure its members work within the laws.

    Each of the affected BDCs, he said, exchanged about $350 million, with minimal or no documentation, contrary to regulatory guidelines.

    Such act runs contrary to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    For instance, Section 29 of the CBN AML/CFT Regulations, 2013 (as amended) requires financial institutions to maintain all necessary records on transactions, both domestic and international for at least five years after completion of the transactions or such longer period as may be required by the CBN and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), provided that this requirement shall apply regardless of whether the account or business relationship is on-going or has been terminated.

    According to the CBN, financial institutions are expected to maintain records of the identification data, accounts files and business correspondence for at least five years after the termination of an account or business relationship or such longer period as may be required by the CBN and NFIU on a timely basis.

    She said that financial institutions are required to forward their AML/CFT Compliance Manual to the CBN for off-site review of the document as well as carry out enhanced customer due diligence for high risk customers and effective Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.

    The acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, had said no BDC operator involved in the arms deals will be spared. He asked the operators to have a documentation of their members to enable anti-graft agencies to track down the fraudulent ones.

     

  • EFCC operatives raid ex-Customs Comptroller-General Dikko’s home

    EFCC operatives raid ex-Customs Comptroller-General Dikko’s home

    Some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and policemen yesterday raided the Abuja residence of the immediate past Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Inde Dikko.

    The raid was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of the tenure of Dikko who retired from service on August 3, 2015.

    But Dikko and his wife were said to be away from Abuja as at the time of the invasion.

    The agents, however, met Dikko’s children at home and they allowed the operatives unhindered access to the house which is located on 6, Ahmed Musa, Street, Jabi, Abuja.

    According to a highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said the security agents came in two vehicles with registration numbers RSH 555 AB and BWA 645 GA.

    The source said the agents presented a warrant before entering the building to conduct a “search”.

    The source said: “The operatives and policemen came at about 7am and for about four and a half hours, they ransacked the residence of the former Comptroller-General.

    “Although they did not molest anyone in the house, they ignored our plea that the ex-CG and his wife were not around.

    “They were certainly looking for some documents or evidence, but they were not forthcoming on their mission.”

    Findings, however, revealed that the ex-CG is being investigated over alleged curious N3billion vote spent by the NCS a few days to the handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The said cash, which was allegedly spent on the directive of the presidency, was regarded as “unjustifiably used” by the customs management.

    “Before the handover to the new government, there were curious expenditures incurred by the Customs Service acting on orders from above.

    “Based on shock findings and clues, the EFCC is investigating the allegations. The operatives went to Dikko’s residence to conduct a search and effect his arrest.

    “There are also issues bordering on the alleged diversion of customs revenues to fund the campaign of the PDP and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and 2015.”

    No EFCC official was available for comments as at the time of filing this report.

    Before the EFCC’s raid, a pressure group identified as the Nigerian Customs Transparency Initiative(NCTI) had petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged abuse of office, disappearance of some containers and N3.5 billion incurred on the installation of Internet facility by the Customs Service.

    In the petition, which was signed by one Dr. James Onoja, the NCTI said: “The Customs Board was kept in the dark as promotions were manipulated and Customs officials were selectively elevated. Bootlickers, favourites and stooges were elevated to juicy and sumptuous positions and postings to Lagos and Port-Harcourt ports.

    “Meritocracy was slaughtered on the altar of mediocrity and reckless abuse of office with unmitigated religious and ethnic bias. Purchase of vehicles: Prices of B.M.W vehicles for senior officers were criminally inflated. About N3.5 billion naira was siphoned and frittered away through an internet project that never saw daylight.

    “Thirteen containers at T.C.I.P. were impounded sometime ago. It was claimed that four Iranians were arrested with the containers, two of which disappeared into the thin air.

    “There is false declaration of Annual Customs Revenue Generation. In order to give false impression of excellent performance, the Customs Service adds figure of the Value Added Tax (VAT) which Customs collects on behalf of Federal inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the revenue derived from custom duties whereas the same VAT figure has been included in the VAT revenue declared and announced by FIRS as required by law, thereby creating a misleading duplication of revenue figure derived from VAT.

    “The contract for the construction of Customs Staff College was aided and abetted by a Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, who was not a member of Nigerian Customs Board. The company used for the contract was registered three weeks after the award of the contract. Also, the estate named Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Customs Barracks at Kuje was purchased at the inflated rate of N4billion and renovated with N10billion.”

    The ICPC was still on the investigation of the petition as at the time of filing this report.

  • EFCC raids ex-Customs chief’s residence

    EFCC raids ex-Customs chief’s residence

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on Friday raided the Abuja residence of ex- Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko.

    The operatives, according to reports, stormed Dikko’s residence in two white colored Toyota buses with registration numbers RSH 555 ABJ, and BWA 645 GA.

    However, the EFCC officials’ mission to the residence of the  ex-Customs chief  has not been ascertained at the time of filing this report.

  • $2.1b arms cash: EFCC detains APC chief Isa

    $2.1b arms cash: EFCC detains APC chief Isa

    Detectives are questioning former Kaduna State Military Administrator, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa, who is also a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, over the $2.1billion arms deals.

    Gen. Isa, who was a Military Administrator from December 1993 to August 1996, is also a respected chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    He has been undergoing interrogation in the last 18 hours at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

    Jafaru was picked up on Wednesday night at his Ajayi Crowther Street home in Asokoro District, Abuja.

    A source said: “Sometime last week, we invited Gen. Isa for interaction in connection with the ongoing investigation of the $2.1billion arms deals but he wrote us for more time.

    “We waited for him to honour the invitation but he appeared to be foot-dragging.Yet, we cannot delay investigation till he has time for us.

    “We effected his arrest on Wednesday night and he has been making a statement to our investigators. At the appropriate time, we will release the details.”

    There were conflicting figure on exact amount for which Isa is  being probed over.

    A source claimed that the cash in question might be about N100million. Another said it was about N80million.

    But it was gathered that Gen. Isa was grilled over some funds allegedly paid to him by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Gen. Isa is also a close friend of the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.

  • EFCC boss Magu visits Aso Villa

    EFCC boss Magu visits Aso Villa

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ibrahim Magu visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday afternoon.

    It was not clear whether Magu met with President Muhammed Buhari.

    Magu, who arrived at the Villa around 3:16 p.m. with one of his police orderly holding a file, did not spend up to five minutes.

    He declined to speak with reporters as he rushed out with his orderly.

    A reliable source said he was also spotted at the Villa on Wednesday.

  • Arms deals: EFCC detains ex-MILAD Jafar Isa

    Arms deals: EFCC detains ex-MILAD Jafar Isa

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa, who is also a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, over the ongoing probe of $2.1billion arms deals.

    Isa is also a respected chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ex-MILAD had been interrogated by EFCC operatives for over 18 hours.

    He has been undergoing interrogation in the last 18 hours.