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Tag: EFCC

  • Armsgate: EFCC arrests ex-minister, Dasuki’s ex-finance chief, others

    Armsgate: EFCC arrests ex-minister, Dasuki’s ex-finance chief, others

    Ex-Governor Bafarawa’s son, ex-PDP chairman’s aide, 18 others also held

    SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS

    • Ex-Minister Bashir Yuguda collected N1.5b from NSA’s office
    • Yuguda obtained   N1.275b from Stallion Group for 2015 campaign
    • Ex-Minister got N775m from the Office of the Accountant-General
    • Finance chief Shaibu Salisu allegedly furnished a kitchen with N28m
    • Sagir Bafarawa got $4.6billion from the NSA’s office
    • Abbah Mohammed and Haliru Mohammed got N600million
    • Ex-Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and ex-PDP National

      Chairman Haliru Mohammed under EFCC’s watch

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives yesterday arrested former Minister of State (Finance) Bashir Yuguda for allegedly receiving N1.5billion from the National Security Adviser’s (NSA’s) office for unclear reasons.

    Yuguda is also being interrogated for allegedly collecting N1.275billion from the Stallion Group during the campaign for the last general election and N775million from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    Also arrested yesterday were Shaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration  in the NSA’s office during the tenure of Mr. Sambo Dasuki, Sagir Bafarawa, Abbah Mohammed and Haliru Mohammed who are both the sons of ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and ex-National Chairman of PDP, Mohammed Bello Haliru.

     

     

    Their fathers had been put on EFCC radar as at press time yesterday.

    Sagir Bafarawa, allegedly acting as front for his father, was said to have received $4.6b from the NSA’s office.  Abbah Mohammed reportedly got N600m in the name of Bam Properties.

    About 18 others were also under investigation last night, but the EFCC gave no details.

    It was learnt that among the 18 suspects were top military chiefs connected with the “armsgate”.

    A sources, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said: “The EFCC  stepped up its investigation into the controversial arms deal by Dasuki, with the arrest of a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda. He was arrested in Abuja and brought to the Head Office of the commission at about 4pm.

    “He is being grilled for his alleged complicity in the armsgate. He allegedly received N1.5billion from the NSA’s office through an unnamed company for unclear reasons.

    “The ex-minister is alleged to have received N1.275billion from the Stallion Group during the campaign for the last general election. He also allegedly received N775million from the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation. All monies were paid to him between December 2014 and May 2015.

    “Also, a former National Chairman of PDP, Mohammed Bello Haliru and former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa are on the radar of the EFCC for alleged complicity in the dubious arms deals.

    “Their sons, Sagir Bafarawa and Abbah Mohammed Haliru Mohammed, have been arrested by the EFCC.

    “Another prime player in the arms deal , who is currently bring detained on court order by the EFCC is Shaibu Salisu.

    “Salisu, former Director of Finance and Admin in the NSA’s office and a member of the staff of the National Intelligence Agency(NIA) was joint signatory to the NSA’s account alongside Sambo Dasuki.  He is believed to be a major figure in the questionable disbursement of funds from the office.”

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said: “The ex-minister, the former Director of Finance, and other suspects are with us.

    “We have arrested them and investigation is ongoing.”

    There  were indications that some suspects had volunteered to refund some of the money paid to them for equipment, which were undelivered.

    The EFCC was last night awaiting a decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 3 before arresting Dasuki, who has been under house arrest in the past few weeks.

    Another source in the anti-graft commission said:”Some of the suspects have indicated interest in refunding the illicit funds.

    ”We are awaiting the decision of a Federal High Court on December 3, 2015 before arresting Dasuki for interrogation. We have tried as much as possible to be civil and respect the judiciary.

    “We have invited Dasuki for interaction, we are still waiting for him – in line with our determination to employ international best practices and the rule of law. But there is a limit to which a suspect under investigation can take this commission for granted.”

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, on November 17, 2015 said the interim report uncovered fraudulent financial transactions.

    Adesina said in part: “”Further findings revealed that between March 2012 and March 2015, the erstwhile NSA, Lt.-Col. MS Dasuki (rtd) awarded fictitious and phantom contracts to the tune of N2,219,188,609.50,  $1,671,742,613.58 and €9,905,477.00.

    “The contracts, which were said to be for the purchase of four Alpha Jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition, which were not executed and the equipment were never supplied to the Nigerian Air Force, neither are they in its inventory.

    “Even more disturbing was the discovery that out of these figures, two companies were awarded contracts to the tune of N350,000,000.00, $1,661,670,469.71 and €9,905,477.00 alone. This was without prejudice to the consistent non-performance of the companies in the previous contracts awarded.

    “Additionally, it was discovered that the former NSA directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the sum of $132,050,486.97 and €9,905,473.55 to the accounts of Societe D’equipmente Internationaux in West Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America for un-ascertained purposes, without any contract documents to explain the transactions.

    “As part of the findings, the committee has analysed interventions from some organisations that provided funds to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, Army Headquarters, Navy Headquarters and Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, both in local and foreign currencies.

    “So far, the total extra budgetary interventions articulated by the committee is N643,817,955,885.18 while the foreign currency component is to the tune of $2,193,815,000.83.

    “It was observed that in spite of this huge financial intervention, very little was expended to support defence procurement.

    “The  committee also observed that of 513 contracts awarded at $8,356,525,184.32, N2,189,265,724,404.55 and €54,000.00, 53 were failed contracts amounting to $2,378,939,066.27 and N13,729,342,329.87 respectively.

    He said the committee said the amount of foreign currency spent on failed contracts was more than double the $1 billion loan that the National Assembly approved to buy equipment to curtail insurgency in the North-East,

    “The committee also discovered that payments to the tune of N3,850,000,000.00 were made to a single company by the former NSA without documented evidence of contractual agreements or fulfillment of tax obligations to the Federal Government of Nigeria” , Adesina added.

     

  • Alleged forgery: EFCC arraigns lawyer, two Frenchmen

    Alleged forgery: EFCC arraigns lawyer, two Frenchmen

    A Nigerian lawyer, Ferdinand Egede and two French nationals, Gnahouse Sonrou Nazaire and Senoue ýModeste, were yesterday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Lagos High Court sitting on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and uttering.

    The EFCC prosecutor, Chikezie Udozie, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences in May 28, 2007.

    He said they conspired amongst themselves to forge Rana Prestige Industry Ltd’s Ordinary Resolution, which was purported to have been signed by one Madam Rasheedatu.

    The prosecutor also alleged that on November 22, 2005, ýthe defendants forged a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) form 17 which was also allegedly signed by Rasheedatu.

    He added that on the same date the defendants uttered the forged document to the commission as genuine.

    The defendants denied all of the charges.

    After listening to the submission of the first and second defendants’ counsel, Rickey Tarfa SAN, Justice Adebiyi granted the Frenchmen bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    They were remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

    The third defendant, who represented himself, was granted bail on self recognition.

    The case was adjourned till February 5 and 11, 2016, for trial.

     

  • Court dismisses EFCC’s 50-count charge against Sylva, others

    Court dismisses EFCC’s 50-count charge against Sylva, others

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed the 50-count charge of money laundering preferred against Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva and others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge, in a ruling yesterday on the preliminary objection by Sylva and two others, held that his court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the charge, which he said was an abuse of process.

    Justice Ademola said since one of two similar charges filed by the EFCC against Sylva and others had been dismissed and the other struck out, the decision to consolidate the earlier charges in the new one showed desperation to convict them at all costs.

    The EFCC filed the fresh charge on June 12 shortly after Justice Armed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed an earlier charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/167, which the commission filed against Sylva and others.

    Also, Justice Evoh Chukwu of the same court struck out another charge filed against Sylva.

    The new charge had Sylva, Francis Okokuro, Gbenga Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited as defendants.

    They were accused of using the companies to launder about N19.2 billion from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009 and 2012, under false pretences of using the money to augment workers’ salaries.

    Justice Ademola noted that since a judge of the court (Justice Mohammed) had dismissed a similar charge, the only option for the prosecution was to appeal the decision rather than bring a fresh charge containing the same facts and on the same issues before his court.

    “The ruling of my brother Justice A. R. Mohammed, dismissing the earlier charge, still subsists. That ruling ended the jurisdiction of this court; until it is set aside by a superior court, this court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this charge.

    “It is the court’s opinion that this criminal charge is a complete abuse of the process of this court. It shows evidence of malice and desperation to perverse the process of court.

    ‘’From the foregoing, therefore, this court dismisses the charge preferred against the defendants,” Justice Ademola said.

    On hearing the judge’s pronouncement, Sylva, dressed in white traditional attire and cap, smiled broadly as he shook hands with his co-accused, who sat close to him.

    When the judge rose, an elated Sylva went to where his lawyers were seated and shook hands with them, with the lawyers chorusing: “Congratulations, your Excellency,” to which he responded, “thank you.”

  • Money laundering: Court dismisses charges against Sylva

    Money laundering: Court dismisses charges against Sylva

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday dismissed the new 50- count charge of money laundering brought against the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva and some others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge while ruling on the preliminary objection filed by Sylva and two others, held that his court was without the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the charge, which he said was an abuse of court process.

    Justice Ademola said since one of two similar charges earlier filed by the EFCC against Sylva and others had been dismissed and the other struck out, the EFCC’s decision to consolidate the earlier two charges in the new one showed desperation to convict the accused persons at all cost.

    The EFCC filed the fresh 50-count charge on June 12 this year shortly after Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed an earlier charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/167 which the commission filed against Sylva and others.

    Also, Justice Evoh Chukwu of the same court struck out another charge filed against the ex-governor.

    The new charge had Sylva, Francis Okokuro, Gbenga Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited as defendants.

    They were accused of using the companies to launder about N19.2bn from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009 and 2012, under false pretences of using the withdrawn money to augment salaries of the state government.

    Justice Ademola noted that since a judge of the court (Justice Mohammed) had dismissed a similar charge, the only option for the prosecution was to appeal the decisions rather than bringing a fresh charge containing the same facts and on the same issues before his court.

    “The ruling of my brother Justice A. R. Mohammed dismissing the earlier charge still subsists. That ruling ended the jurisdiction of this court, until it is set aside by a superior court, this court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this charge.

    “It is the court’s opinion that this criminal charge is a complete abuse of the process of this court. It shows evidence of malice and desperation to perverse the process of court,” the judge ruled.

     

     

  • NNPC engages DSS, EFCC to fight fuel hoarding

    NNPC engages DSS, EFCC to fight fuel hoarding

    Marketers hoarding and diverting petroleum products may soon face the law as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) plans to engage the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and the Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle the menace.

    The move, NNPC said, is meant to assist in the monitoring of fuel distribution to retail outlets.

    NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe,in a statement yesterday, quoted the Managing Director, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, as saying that the DSS and EFCC agents had been mobilised to arrest any marketer involved in sabotaging efforts of the Federal Government in making petroleum products available to motorists.

    “We have invited the EFCC and DSS to join us in monitoring the movement of petroleum products and they have our mandate to sanction any errant marketer. Enough is enough,” Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue said.

    She urged motorists to desist from panic buying, assuring them that there were sufficient petroleum products to satisfy local consumption.

    The statement apologised to commuters, motorists and the public for the hardship they faced in buying fuel, assuring them that the corporation would normalise supply and distribution.

    It said NNPC’s Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, Dr. Babatunde Adeniran, during a visit to a depot in Suleja, warned marketers against sharp practices.

    Adeniran noted that there would be no sacred cow since the corporation was working round the clock by supplying sufficient products to marketers to ensure that citizens enjoyed a Yuletide free of fuel queues.

  • NNPC engages DSS, EFCC to stall fuel hoarding

    NNPC engages DSS, EFCC to stall fuel hoarding

    In a renewed effort at arresting hoarding and diversion of petroleum products, by some unscrupulous marketers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has engaged the Department of State Services (DSS) and Economic and the Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The engagement of the security agencies is also meant to assist in the monitoring of nationwide fuel truck-out to retail outlets.

    The corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe made this known in a stetement Wednesday.

    While apologise to commuters, motorists and the general public for the noticeable hardship faced in accessing petrol across the country, the NNPC assured that it was doing everything possible to normalize the fuel supply and distribution situation.

    Speaking during a working visit to the NNPC depot in Suleja in Niger State and some filling stations in Abuja and environs to evaluate the current fuel supply situation, the Group Executive Director Commercial and Investment of the Corporation, Dr. Babatunde Adeniran said any marketer found wanting in the sale of petroleum products including the NNPC Retail outlet dealers, would be sanctioned appropriately.

    Adeniran noted that there would be no sacred cows as the Corporation was working round the clock by supplying sufficient petroleum products to marketers to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed a yuletide season without the pain of fuel queues.

    He said: “We must all make sure that petroleum products get across to Nigerians at the regulated price especially as the yuletide season approaches. We have enough products and we want to plead with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) not to be involved in the diversion of petroleum products in order to avoid causing untold hardship to motorists.”

    Providing insight on the role of the security agencies in curbing product diversion, the Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue said the DSS and EFCC have been mobilized to bring to book any marketer involved in sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government in making petroleum products available to motorists across the country.

    “We have invited the EFCC and DSS to join us in this campaign of monitoring the movement of petroleum products and they have our mandate to sanction any errant marketer. Enough is enough,” Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue cautioned.

    She urged Nigerians and other motorists to desist from panic buying assuring that there are sufficient petroleum products to satisfy local consumption.

  • Bulletproof cars: Court adjourns Oduah’s case

    Bulletproof cars: Court adjourns Oduah’s case

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday adjourned hearing in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, till December 1.

    The case was stalled due to the absence of her lawyer Ajibola Oluyede, who was said to be handling another case at the Court of Appeal.

    Oduah sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa had, on August 26, restrained them from questioning or arresting the ex-minister over the purchase of two bulletproof vehicles until her suit is determined.‎

    The vehicles, bought under her watch as aviation minister, were said to have cost N255million, sparking a national outrage.

  • AGF, IGP, EFCC, others ask Saraki not to politicize trial

    AGF, IGP, EFCC, others ask Saraki not to politicize trial

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase and others have asked  Senate President, Bukola Saraki  not to politicize his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    They advised him to direct his energy at defending the charge against him rather than imputing political motive to his trail.

    They faulted Saraki’s claim that his trial was politically motivated.

    In a counter affidavit they filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja in response to a fresh suit by Saraki, they denied being influenced by any political consideration to initiate the 13-count false asset declaration charge against him (Saraki) before the CCT.

    The AGF, EFCC, IGP, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Diri and Muslim Hassan (a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice) said Saraki’s trial was informed by the outcome of a joint investigation conducted by the EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) between 2003 and 2015.

    They said the investigation revealed among others, that Saraki lied in the information he presented in the CCB Forms he completed between 2003 and 2011 in Ikoyi and Ikeja, Lagos, using third party companies, in which he had interest, with the intension of concealing his interests in such property.

    They gave the name of the companies as: Tiny Tee Limited, Vitti Oil Limited, Skyview Properties Limited and Carlisle properties.

    The AGF, EFCC, IGP, Diri and Hassan added that the Senate President lied in his claim that an official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Bulus Micheal informed him that his trial was politically motivated. They said no official of the ministry bears such name.

    “The charges preferred against him before the CCT were based on the conviction that a prima facie case was disclosed after investigation and not on any political consideration. The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th and 11th respondents (AGF, EFCC, IGP, Diri and Hassan) are not politicians and they have no interest in who becomes the Senate President.

    “The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th and 11th respondents do not take instructions from any politician, but are public officers and public offices, who are only interested in the performance of their statutory and constitutional duties.

    “No one has made or is making any effort to trump up allegations against the applicant, but the charges that were preferred against him were preferred upon being satisfied that a prima facie case was disclosed against him.”

    They denied Saraki’s allegation that his rights were being violated with his trial before the CCT, arguing that aside that the charges were validly preferred, the Court of Appeal, Abuja has, in its judgment of October 30, 2015 upheld the CCT’s position that it possessed the jurisdiction to try Saraki based on the charge.

    In their notice of objection, they challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear Saraki’s fresh suit, noting that the reliefs he was seeking in the new suit are contained in a similar suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/775/2015, which he earlier filed before the court, and which has now been assigned to Justice Evoh Chukwu of Court 8 for hearing.

    Saraki is, by the new suit, seeking to stop all the respondents, including the CCT, CCB from proceeding with his trial. He accused them of violating his rights.

    Last Monday, Justice Abdukadir Abadulkafarati heard an ex-parte motion for interim restraining order filed along with the new fundamental rights enforcement suit by Saraki.

    The judge declined to grant the applicant’s prayer, but instead, directed that the respondents be served with the motion and other processes in the case for them to show cause Friday (November 20) why the order sought by Saraki should not be granted.

    Justice Abdulkafarati found that not all the defendants were served by the applicant as ordered by the court. He refused argument by Saraki’s lawyer, Ajibola   Oluyede that he take further steps in the case.

    The judge insisted that every respondent in the case must be served before any further steps could be taken in the case.

    He consolidated the originating summons and preliminary objection, in view of his decision to hear all the processes simultaneously, and adjourned to December 2for hearing.

    The judge ordered that hearing notices be issued on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents (ICPC, CCB, CCT, CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, Atadaeze Agu Azda –CCT member, and Sam Saba – Director General, CCB), who are yet to be served as earlier ordered by the court.

     

  • EFCC to quiz Dasuki for alleged arms cash theft

    EFCC to quiz Dasuki for alleged arms cash theft

    Ex-NSA to honour invitation Monday

    Embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki was yesterday invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    But Dasuki, who is to answer questions on arms contracts between 2007 and 2015, will not be at the EFCC today.

    The invitation is an indication that the anti-graft agency may have taken over the arms procurement probe and the likely arraignment of Dasuki and others indicted by a panel, which examined the contracts.

    The others, yet unnamed, include former Defence Chiefs and Service chiefs. Besides, the panel has summoned 30 arms dealers.

    As a prelude to the arraignment, the EFCC will need to obtain statements from the suspects.

    But Dasuki has said that he may not be available until Monday because of the siege to his residence by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    A Federal High Court is expected to make a pronouncement on the siege on Monday to allow Dasuki some freedom to respond to issues from the EFCC and other security agencies.

    It was learnt yesterday that a letter signed by the Director of Operations of the EFCC, Mr. Olaolu Adegbite, invited Dasuki in connection with alleged diversion of funds.

    A source said: “A letter was delivered today (yesterday) to Dasuki by the EFCC requesting him to report for an interaction on Friday (today).

    “This is an indication that the Presidency has forwarded the Interim Report of the Special Investigative Committee on Arms Procurement to the anti-graft commission.

    “I think the development also indicated that Dasuki and those implicated in the arms deals might be prosecuted by the EFCC.

    “Now all the parties have the opportunity to present facts, figures and relevant documents before the court for the public to know the true position of things.”

    Informed sources insisted last night that Dasuki might have opted not to honour the EFCC invitation because of the siege to his house by the operatives of the DSS.

    Dasuki, who held talks with his lawyers yesterday, was said to be seeking for understanding from the EFCC to honour the invitation on Monday. It could not be ascertained whether the anti-graft agency agreed to his request.

    A close source to the former security chief said: “There is an invitation from the EFCC but the DSS operatives have refused to vacate his residence. Dasuki cannot even step out of his home as I am speaking with you.

    “If he steps out of his house, the DSS operatives may whisk him away to an unknown destination. He has to be careful too.

    “Dasuki is banking on the Federal High Court on Monday to decide on his right to freedom of movement and why the DSS should vacate his residence. You know the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), will address the court on Monday.

    “The ex-NSA has asked his lawyers to write to the EFCC for some understanding till Monday when the court will make a pronouncement on why he is entitled to move out freely to honour all summons.

    “Dasuki is under house arrest which amounts to a kind of mental torture.”

    The list of other suspects and contractors implicated in the arms deals was being kept under wraps last night.

    “The panel only submitted an Interim Report, investigation is ongoing and we do not want to release any list which may jeopardise investigation.

    “Some of these equipment, arms, weapons and ammunition, were sourced from Nigerian firms, Czech Republic, Pakistan, Israel, Russia, Canada, China, France and even companies in South Africa served as intermediaries on arms purchase.

    Some of the equipment sourced for the Army from South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic include T-72 Russian-made tanks; APCs, T55 armoured tanks with RM 70 multiple rocket launchers, and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAPS) vehicles from South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic.

    Others bought for the Air Force from Russia and France were MI35 attack helicopters; Agusta 109 support helicopters; Super PUMA helicopters; F17 Bombers and Alpha Jet bombers.

    In March, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Canada was one of the top sellers supplying arms and weapons to Nigeria and Cameroon to aid their fight against Boko Haram.

    The Institute said: “The report listed Canada as the world’s 13th-biggest arms exporter over the past five years. It was the 14th-biggest weapons exporter in the previous five-year period.

    “According to the list, Canada facilitated the sale of 40 armoured vehicles to Nigeria in 2013 and 2014. Two of those companies were identified as the Streit Group and INKAS.”

    A military source said: “The ongoing probe has international dimension. The panel will have to liaise with some embassies to invite some of the affected suppliers.

    “I think we are in for a long haul in the ongoing probe. And the sensitive nature of the assignments made the panel to submit an Interim Report.”

     

  • EFCC quizzes ex-Perm Sec over N500m Sure-P fund

    EFCC quizzes ex-Perm Sec over N500m Sure-P fund

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday grilled the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, for her alleged  role in the misapplication of N500 million Sure-P funds appropriated to the ministry in 2013 and 2014.

    Some directors of the ministry are also expected to face a team of interrogators next week.

    But the probe of Ejele was the first among five former permanent secretaries allegedly under investigation.

    According to a top source in the commission, Ejele arrived at the commission’s headquarters at 10am and was ushered into a room for questioning.

    The source said: “We invited her in connection with N500 million vote for the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. We received a lot of observations that the funds were mismanaged.”

    Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said: “The ex-permanent secretary was quizzed on Thursday by the commission.”

    He declined further details.