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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC seeks special courts to try suspects

    EFCC seeks special courts to try suspects

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman  Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has said that tracing looted funds and assets abroad is cumbersome.

    He recommended the establishment of special courts to fast track prosecution of corruption suspects.

    The EFCC has replied the Senate’s on its allegation that N1.3trillion seized from convicts was diverted.

    Lamorde spoke in an interview with BBC which was reproduced in the EFCC Alert magazine.

    He said: “You see, whatever you do, one must be conscious that it is within the ambit of the law; so there are no shortcuts to investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. Everything must be done according to what the law provides.

    “People expect magic and it doesn’t work that way. In developed countries of the world, if we look at all corruption cases, none of their investigations and prosecutions has lasted less than five years.

    “I give you the example of James Ibori (a former governor of Delta State), that is serving jail term in United Kingdom. We started working with the Metropolitan Police on this case around 2005, they didn’t go to court until 2009 or 2010 and some of the processes are still in court like the confiscation process.

    “Nobody keeps resources, funds or assets in their names within the jurisdiction where they commit such offences. Most times, they move out of their immediate jurisdiction. So, the processes of tracking these assets and funds that are stolen are cumbersome.

    “Once it is not done within your jurisdiction, it becomes issues of cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in other countries and that takes time.

    “Not only that, trying to identify these assets also takes a lot of resources and time.”

    On alleged diversion of N1.3trillion by EFCC, Lamorde said the anti-graft agency has written the Senate on issues raised by a petitioner, George Uboh.

    He added: “It’s true that such allegation has been made but we have written to the Senate. We have respectfully responded to the letter of invitation sent to us, explaining why we were not able to go by the date given. We think that based on what we have written to them, a new date should be given to us for us to engage them to discuss the issue concerned.

    “We have engaged the services of a reputable audit firm since last year to work on all assets that have been seized and recovered by the EFCC.

    “We want to have a comprehensive report that will stand the test of time. I’m not only talking about 2012 to 2015 that I am in charge of affairs, I asked them to look from the day the commission was created, that is April 2003 to date, so that we have a comprehensive report we can put in public space. Any person who has issues with that can challenge it and we will look at it.

    “You see, people judge others by their standards. If they are entrusted with public funds, they will misuse it. So they just assume every other person can do the same. So, they look at you from their own perspective of what they may do or what they are doing. I think that is what is happening.:

    Lamorde also said he is in support of the creation of special courts to try financial crimes suspects

    He said the special courts would hasten the trial of suspects accused of corrupt practices.

    I think it will be very helpful; it will improve the anti-corruption drive tremendously if dedicated courts or specialized courts are created or we designate certain courts specifically for economic and financial crimes and corruption.

    I think it will also give room for specialization, making them proficient in what they do. In a situation whereby a judge listens to a case of divorce and then the next case is armed robbery, the next one is rape, then they go into corruption, then he must have lost concentration because judges are human beings, no matter how good they are.

    “So, it will be very good if we can get a court designated for corruption and related cases.”

  • Indigenes urge Buhari, EFCC to probe FCDA officials

    Indigenes of Dagbalo community in Apo area of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC )  to investigate the activities of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) officials in respect of allocation of plots, especially those whose

    Certificates of Occupancy were approved in less than the stipulated one year.

    The indigenes through their leader,  Rev. Danjuma Tanks, who made this call on behalf of the community, insisted that if the investigation on what he described a the nefarious  activities of FCDA officials commences, it will aide in healing the wounds suffered by indigenes of Abuja.

    Rev. Tanko said the Indigenes who affected by the ill fated activities of the FCDA were subjected to untold hardship and all manners of inhuman treatment by the past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed.

    According to him, the FCTA through the department of Ressetlement and Compensation took a bulldozer two years ago, which was July 30, 2013 to demolish the entire Dagbalo community and destroyed their farm lands  without any ressetlement or compensation.

    “They allocated the same area to one Mr. Owuora, the owner Owuora group of companies. It took the FCDA officials, led by the director of Ressetlement and Compensation, Mr Francis Okechuckwu five days,  in company of well armed Military personnel in a pickup van to wipe off our entire community.

    “Our people who were helpless and armless,  could do nothing,  but to report the matter to the nearest Police division at Apo, where we advised to go to court  and the case has been in court for the past two years now. All efforts by our Counsel to ensure quick dispensation of justice has proved abortive. This is therefore causing untold hardship and more suffering to our people, even as we squatting with our neighbours.

    “Also,  about this time last year, the FCDA called for settlement out of  court, which we did not object to. But,  for the past five months now, they have  failed to fulfil the promises they made to us.  Instead, they tried to lobby me to sell out my community and I bluntly rejected it. So, we are back in court and since then, the FCDA has resorted to delaying the court procedures, without respect to the judicial process .

    “Counsel to the FCDA has joined in frustrating the case by failing to tender his redress for adoption, which ought to have been been done since July, 2015, before the court went on recess, but neither the director nor their defense counsel were in court to tender  their redress for adoption. Now,  the resumption the next adjournment has been shiftedOctober 17, 2015.

    “We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari, who we see as an act of God to liberate us from our suffering,  through his anticorruption campaign to investigate the nefarious activities of the FCDA and they way they are subjecting indigenes of the FCT to immeasurable suffering by forcefully confisticating their land without due compensation and resettlement,”he said.

    Tanko further appealed to President Buhari to instruct the incoming minister of the FCT to ensure that their communities which were wrongly demolished by the FCDA and allocated to a single developer are restored to the people,  saying that as it is presently,  none of the affected indigenes have any place to call their villages or hometown.

     

  • Tracing looted funds, assets abroad cumbersome – Lamorde

    Tracing looted funds, assets abroad cumbersome – Lamorde

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has said that tracing looted funds and assets abroad is cumbersome.

    He recommended the establishment of special courts to fast track prosecution of suspects on trial for corruption.

    He also said the EFCC has written the Senate on the alleged diversion of N1.3trillion seized from convicts.

    He said it was unfortunate that some people behind the allegation do judge others by their standards.

    Lamorde made the disclosures in an interview with BBC which was reproduced in EFCC Alert Magazine and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

    He said: “You see, whatever you do, one must be conscious that it is within the ambit of the law, so there are no shortcuts to investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. Everything must be done according to what the law provides.

    “People expect magic and it doesn’t work that way. In developed countries of the world, if we look at all corruption cases, none of their investigations and prosecutions has lasted less than five years.

    “I give you the example of James Ibori (a former governor of Delta State), that is serving jail term in United Kingdom. We started working with the Metropolitan Police on this case around 2005, they didn’t go to court until 2009 or 2010 and some of the processes are still in court like the confiscation process.

    “Nobody keeps resources, funds or assets in their names within the jurisdiction where they commit such offences. Most times, they move out of their immediate jurisdiction. So, the processes of tracking these assets and funds that are stolen are cumbersome.

    “Once it is not done within your jurisdiction, it becomes issues of cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in other countries and that takes time.

    “Not only that, trying to identify these assets also takes a lot of resources and time.”

    On alleged diversion of N1.3trillion by EFCC, Lamorde said the anti-graft agency has written the Senate on issues raised by a petitioner, George Uboh.

    He added: “It’s true that such allegation has been made but we have written to the Senate. We have respectfully responded to the letter of invitation sent to us, explaining why we were not able to go by the date given. We think that based on what we have written to them, a new date should be given to us for us to engage them to discuss the issue concerned.

    “We have engaged the services of a reputable audit firm since last year to work on all assets that have been seized and recovered by the EFCC.

    “We want to have a comprehensive report that will stand the test of time. I’m not only talking about 2012 to 2015 that I am in charge of affairs, I asked them to look from the day the commission was created, that is April 2003 to date, so that we have a comprehensive report we can put in public space. Any person who has issues with that can challenge it and we will look at it.

    “You see, people judge others by their standards. If they are entrusted with public funds, they will misuse it. So they just assume every other person can do the same. So, they look at you from their own perspective of what they may do or what they are doing. I think that is what is happening.

    Lamorde also said he is in support of the creation of special courts to try financial crimes suspects

    He said the special courts would hasten the trial of suspects accused of corrupt practices.

     

  • EFCC storms Diezani-Madueke’s house as UK agency arrests ex- Minister, four others

    EFCC storms Diezani-Madueke’s house as UK agency arrests ex- Minister, four others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday searched  the residence of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in connection with ongoing investigation of alleged corrupt practices.

    The search coincided with alleged arrest of an ex-Minister and four others by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK for alleged bribery and corruption.

    The NCA was yet to release the identities of the five suspects arrested across London on Friday.

    The British High Commission in Nigeria also  said it had been notified of the arrest of five suspects by the NCA.

    There were indications last night that the EFCC and NCA had been collaborating on investigation of some scandals in the nation’s oil sector during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    According to investigation, EFCC operatives were drafted to the posh residence of the ex-Minister at about 5pm on Friday.

    Based on a warrant, the EFCC operatives were still searching the residence of the ex-Minister as at press time.

  • Our strory on seized assets from ex-IGP, by EFCC

    Our strory on seized assets from ex-IGP, by EFCC

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Ibrahim Lamorde yesterday said there was no diversion of either cash or assets seized from a former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun and ex- Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    The commission said Balogun forfeited N2, 258,100,516.87 in 11 accounts including accruing interest.

    It also said N3, 128, 230, 294.83 realised from the assets of Alamieyeseigha was remitted to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance in favour of Bayelsa State.

    The EFCC made the clarifications last night by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren against the backdrop of allegations by a whistle-blower, George Uboh against the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.

    Uboh, had in a petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition claimed that Lamorde and EFCC could not account for over N1trillion.

    But the EFCC said the cash and assets seized from the two  were intact.

    The statement said: “A total of 15 Spring Bank accounts were forfeited by Mr. Tafa Balogun. Of this number, four (4) accounts had NIL (zero) balance. The total balance in the remaining 11accounts as of January 2005 was N1, 226,518,163.09.

    “In addition to this, seven (7) treasury bills/commercial papers in the same bank had a total balance of N1, 017, 178, 719.42.  The two added together came up to N2, 243,696,882.51. With the addition of the accrued interest of N14, 403,634.36, the figure came to N2, 258,100,516.87.

    “This sum was what was paid to the Commission by Spring Bank and eventually remitted to the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, as against the N3, 037,255,521.60 claimed by the petitioner.

    “It is pertinent to note that, of the four (4) accounts with Nil balance, account no. 01C11201191, erroneously appeared on the court order as a Dollar account. It was a Naira account with no balance. Similarly, on the court order, there was a duplication of the Treasury Bills account of Yeboa Investment Limited (Nos. 01X0520147400 and 01X520147500) These accounts which are Bankers Acceptance ought not to have been captured as current accounts. Both accounts were erroneously listed as having a balance of N254, 279,679.86.”

    On Uboh’s allegation that the EFCC under-remitted proceeds from Tafa Balogun’s forfeitures, the EFCC said the ex-IGP’s properties were yet to be disposed of.

    It added: “The Commission wrote two letters to the Minister of Finance dated 22nd July 2009 and 29th November 2010, respectively, wherein it noted that funds remitted were part proceeds of Tafa Balogun recoveries. Mr. Uboh’S confirmation that in March 2013, the Commission disclosed that it was in custody of some balance shows that there was no secrecy about the balance.

    “However, it is necessary to state that as at March 2011, there were legal issues on some of the properties recovered from Tafa Balogun. Other claimants emerged, with claims to the properties.

    “The cases include the property at Plot 2220 Suez Crescent, Zone 4, Abuja, which the Commission eventually won in 2013, while the other involved a property at Plot 1488, Fugar Street, Asokoro which case the Commission lost in

    2014.

    “Apart from the Fugar Street Asokoro property that is now a subject of appeal by the EFCC, three (3) other properties forfeited by Tafa Balogun are yet to be disposed of. One of the properties is located at Plot 110, Tunis Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

    “The remaining two properties which appeared on the forfeiture order as Plot 75, Asokoro and Plot 2262B Maitama A6 District, Abuja are also subject of legal disputes.”

    The EFCC defended the placement of some forfeited cash by accused or convicted persons(including Balogun’s)  in interest yielding accounts.

    It said it sought and obtained approval to operate a dedicated interest income account.

     It said: “The placement of forfeited monies in interest yielding accounts is not an entirely new idea. The court in various rulings ordered some funds to be placed in interest yielding accounts. “Rather than warehousing forfeited funds in current accounts for a long period, the Commission lodged such funds, including those of Tafa Balogun, in interest yielding accounts.

    “The interest element is always in line with CBN Cash Reserve Ratio and not fixed. Not a single kobo is taken out by the Commission under this initiative.

    “It is interesting to note that under this initiative, as at March 2015, the sum of N696,590,765.36 was generated as interest on recovered funds with Access Bank Plc. “Another sum of N522,807,543.83 presently stands as interest generated from recovered funds with Ecobank Plc, while the subsidy recoveries with Enterprise Bank Plc has yielded the sum of N736,609,666.62.

    “All these monies are intact and are held on behalf of the Federal Government until all encumbrances to their release are cleared.

    “For purposes of transparency and accountability, the Commission sought and obtained approval to operate a dedicated interest income account vides a letter from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation Ref. No AGF/TRY/RB/441/VOL.I/128 dated 3rd December, 2012. The facts of the balance of Tafa Balogun’s recovered assets are not hidden, neither are issues of the interest which accrued thereof.”

    On the assets seized from Alamieyeseigha, the EFCC said the proceed had been remitted to the Federal Government in favour of Bayelsa State.

    It said: “DSP Alamieyeseigha was convicted in July, 2007. The process of the disposal of his forfeited asset also commenced same year following his conviction as it could not have been possible to dispose his assets in 2006 before conviction in July 2007 (as alleged by George Uboh)!

    “The first part of the money realized from the disposal was remitted to the Commission’s account by Real Estate Derivatives Limited on 24th July,2008 while the last payment from the sale of his assets in Nigeria was received in March, 2009.

    “On 9th July, 2009, the total sum of N3, 128, 230, 294.83 realized from the assets was remitted to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance in favour of Bayelsa State.

    Summary of the assets recovered from DSP Alamieyeseigha are as follows:

    1. Sales of 5 real estate N       1,982,915,352.22
    2. Recovery from Bond Bank N 1,000,000,000.00

    iii.    Legacy Bond Bank recoveries     N       105,314,942.61

    1. Proceeds from Chelsea mgt. N       40,000,000.00
    2. Proceeds from rent collection N       60,000,000.00
    3. Pesal Nig. Ltd bank account N       97,708,387.64

    Other recoveries are:

    vii. USA Treasury cheques $ 215,000.00

    viii. Chelsea Hotel Management $ 226,000.00

    1. Chelsea Hotel Management € 7,000.00
    2. Chelsea Hotel Management £ 2,000.00
    3. Two properties were returned directly to Bayelsa State i.e. Chelsea Hotel and No.2

    Marscibit Street, Ishaku Rabiu Estate, Wuse II Abuja Apart from the proceeds from rent collection and Pesal Nigeria Limited bank account, all other monies listed above have been remitted by the Commission to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance in favour of Bayelsa State.

    “The balance of N157,708,387.64, with the Commission comprise of the sum of N97,708.387.64 forfeited by Pesal Nig Ltd, which was remitted to the Commission by Diamond bank on 12th June, 2015, and the sum of N60m discovered through routine account reconciliation in 2014.

    “This balance will be remitted at the end of the ongoing audit of the Commission’s exhibits and recoveries by a reputable international audit firm.

    “Regarding the offshore assets of DSP Alamieyeseigha, the repatriation of the forfeited foreign assets was handled by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, not EFCC.”

  • Our strory on seized assets from ex-IGP, by EFCC

    Our strory on seized assets from ex-IGP, by EFCC

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Ibrahim Lamorde yesterday said there was no diversion of either cash or assets seized from a former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun and ex- Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    The commission said Balogun forfeited N2, 258,100,516.87 in 11 accounts including accruing interest.

    It also said N3, 128, 230, 294.83 realised from the assets of Alamieyeseigha was remitted to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance in favour of Bayelsa State.

    The EFCC made the clarifications last night by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren against the backdrop of allegations by a whistle-blower, George Uboh against the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.

    Uboh, had in a petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition claimed that Lamorde and EFCC could not account for over N1trillion.

    But the EFCC said the cash and assets seized from the two  were intact.

    The statement said: “A total of 15 Spring Bank accounts were forfeited by Mr. Tafa Balogun. Of this number, four (4) accounts had NIL (zero) balance. The total balance in the remaining 11accounts as of January 2005 was N1, 226,518,163.09.

    “In addition to this, seven (7) treasury bills/commercial papers in the same bank had a total balance of N1, 017, 178, 719.42.  The two added together came up to N2, 243,696,882.51. With the addition of the accrued interest of N14, 403,634.36, the figure came to N2, 258,100,516.87.

    “This sum was what was paid to the Commission by Spring Bank and eventually remitted to the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, as against the N3, 037,255,521.60 claimed by the petitioner.

    “It is pertinent to note that, of the four (4) accounts with Nil balance, account no. 01C11201191, erroneously appeared on the court order as a Dollar account. It was a Naira account with no balance. Similarly, on the court order, there was a duplication of the Treasury Bills account of Yeboa Investment Limited (Nos. 01X0520147400 and 01X520147500) These accounts which are Bankers Acceptance ought not to have been captured as current accounts. Both accounts were erroneously listed as having a balance of N254, 279,679.86.”

    On Uboh’s allegation that the EFCC under-remitted proceeds from Tafa Balogun’s forfeitures, the EFCC said the ex-IGP’s properties were yet to be disposed of.

    It added: “The Commission wrote two letters to the Minister of Finance dated 22nd July 2009 and 29th November 2010, respectively, wherein it noted that funds remitted were part proceeds of Tafa Balogun recoveries. Mr. Uboh’S confirmation that in March 2013, the Commission disclosed that it was in custody of some balance shows that there was no secrecy about the balance.

    “However, it is necessary to state that as at March 2011, there were legal issues on some of the properties recovered from Tafa Balogun. Other claimants emerged, with claims to the properties.

    “The cases include the property at Plot 2220 Suez Crescent, Zone 4, Abuja, which the Commission eventually won in 2013, while the other involved a property at Plot 1488, Fugar Street, Asokoro which case the Commission lost in

    2014.

    “Apart from the Fugar Street Asokoro property that is now a subject of appeal by the EFCC, three (3) other properties forfeited by Tafa Balogun are yet to be disposed of. One of the properties is located at Plot 110, Tunis Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

    “The remaining two properties which appeared on the forfeiture order as Plot 75, Asokoro and Plot 2262B Maitama A6 District, Abuja are also subject of legal disputes.”

    The EFCC defended the placement of some forfeited cash by accused or convicted persons(including Balogun’s)  in interest yielding accounts.

    It said it sought and obtained approval to operate a dedicated interest income account.

     It said: “The placement of forfeited monies in interest yielding accounts is not an entirely new idea. The court in various rulings ordered some funds to be placed in interest yielding accounts. “Rather than warehousing forfeited funds in current accounts for a long period, the Commission lodged such funds, including those of Tafa Balogun, in interest yielding accounts.

    “The interest element is always in line with CBN Cash Reserve Ratio and not fixed. Not a single kobo is taken out by the Commission under this initiative.

    “It is interesting to note that under this initiative, as at March 2015, the sum of N696,590,765.36 was generated as interest on recovered funds with Access Bank Plc. “Another sum of N522,807,543.83 presently stands as interest generated from recovered funds with Ecobank Plc, while the subsidy recoveries with Enterprise Bank Plc has yielded the sum of N736,609,666.62.

    “All these monies are intact and are held on behalf of the Federal Government until all encumbrances to their release are cleared.

    “For purposes of transparency and accountability, the Commission sought and obtained approval to operate a dedicated interest income account vides a letter from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation Ref. No AGF/TRY/RB/441/VOL.I/128 dated 3rd December, 2012. The facts of the balance of Tafa Balogun’s recovered assets are not hidden, neither are issues of the interest which accrued thereof.”

    On the assets seized from Alamieyeseigha, the EFCC said the proceed had been remitted to the Federal Government in favour of Bayelsa State.

    It said: “DSP Alamieyeseigha was convicted in July, 2007. The process of the disposal of his forfeited asset also commenced same year following his conviction as it could not have been possible to dispose his assets in 2006 before conviction in July 2007 (as alleged by George Uboh)!

    “The first part of the money realized from the disposal was remitted to the Commission’s account by Real Estate Derivatives Limited on 24th July,2008 while the last payment from the sale of his assets in Nigeria was received in March, 2009.

    “On 9th July, 2009, the total sum of N3, 128, 230, 294.83 realized from the assets was remitted to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance in favour of Bayelsa State.

    Summary of the assets recovered from DSP Alamieyeseigha are as follows:

    1. Sales of 5 real estate N       1,982,915,352.22
    2. Recovery from Bond Bank N 1,000,000,000.00

    iii.    Legacy Bond Bank recoveries     N       105,314,942.61

    1. Proceeds from Chelsea mgt. N       40,000,000.00
    2. Proceeds from rent collection N       60,000,000.00
    3. Pesal Nig. Ltd bank account N       97,708,387.64

    Other recoveries are:

    vii. USA Treasury cheques $ 215,000.00

    viii. Chelsea Hotel Management $ 226,000.00

    1. Chelsea Hotel Management € 7,000.00
    2. Chelsea Hotel Management £ 2,000.00
    3. Two properties were returned directly to Bayelsa State i.e. Chelsea Hotel and No.2

    Marscibit Street, Ishaku Rabiu Estate, Wuse II Abuja Apart from the proceeds from rent collection and Pesal Nigeria Limited bank account, all other monies listed above have been remitted by the Commission to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance in favour of Bayelsa State.

    “The balance of N157,708,387.64, with the Commission comprise of the sum of N97,708.387.64 forfeited by Pesal Nig Ltd, which was remitted to the Commission by Diamond bank on 12th June, 2015, and the sum of N60m discovered through routine account reconciliation in 2014.

    “This balance will be remitted at the end of the ongoing audit of the Commission’s exhibits and recoveries by a reputable international audit firm.

    “Regarding the offshore assets of DSP Alamieyeseigha, the repatriation of the forfeited foreign assets was handled by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, not EFCC.”

  • Union petitions EFCC over alleged fraud

    Union petitions EFCC over alleged fraud

    Workers under the aegis of the Chemical and Non Metallic Products Senior Staff Association and National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber and Leather and Non Metallic Products Employees have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] over alleged fraud at the International Glass Industry [IGI] Aba.

    The union is appointing accusing fingers at a senior management staff of the organisation that is said to be colluding with one of the former general manager of the IGI, an Indian to defraud the company.

    The labour union said that the activities of the duo has made the Abia state government the owners of the industries to lose huge sums of money running into several billions of naira and is therefore asking the EFCC to wade into the matter.

    The petition, signed by Bar Eze Obinna Onwuma alleged that the management staff wields so much power.

    Also copied in the petition is the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who the union also urged to intervene in the matter threatening the peaceful existence of the company.

  • Judge refuses to withdraw in EFCC’s case

    Judge refuses to withdraw in EFCC’s case

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has refused an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to withdraw from adjudicating a fundamental rights suit brought by a businessman, Jyde Adelakun.

    The commission said it was denied fair hearing. It asked for an order disqualifying the judge from the case.

    But Justice Yunusa said EFCC’s prayer came late. He said he was nevertheless obligated to hear every application before him “no matter how downright stupid” it might be.

    EFCC had asked for a stay of further proceedings and that the case-file be returned to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta for re-assignment.

    The commission said the judge allegedly refused an application to consolidate the case with another related to it, and allegedly ignored a pending order freezing the applicant’s bank account.

    EFCC said the judge also refused its application for a short adjournment to file a further and better affidavit.

    It claimed Justice Yunusa forced its lawyer to adopt its counter-affidavit or deem it abandoned. The lawyer had to do so “reluctantly”.

    “The EFCC will not be treated fairly in this case as there is a real likelihood of bias against it,” the commission’s legal officer Israel Akande said in a supporting affidavit.

    Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Yunusa said he had a duty to declare “what the law is and not what the law should be”.

    He added that EFCC did not object to the case since it was filed in August, or ask that it be re-assigned to another judge, until Tuesday.

    Besides, he said the fact that EFCC did not get a favourable ruling in a previous case was no reason to accuse him of bias. He said judgment in the case was ready and would not be arrested.

    The judge, therefore, dismissed the application, saying it was “lacking in merit.”

    Delivering judgment in Adelakun’s fundamental rights suit, Justice Yunusa held that the applicant was wrongfully detained by the commission.

    He said EFCC did not obtain a court order before detaining him, adding that keeping him beyond 24hours violated his rights.

    “The respondent admitted arresting the applicant, but he was not arrested with a warrant of arrest. No arrest warrant was exhibited. For an arrest to be valid, there must be a warrant. The respondent (EFCC) acted irrationally.

    “The exercise of arrest powers merely to obtain information from a suspect is illegal. There is nothing to show that they did basic preliminary investigation.

    “Why was the report of investigation not attached to the counter-affidavit? The court cannot rely on mere averments. It must be substantiated,” the judge said.

    Justice Yunusa said security agencies should be careful not to get intoxicated by their powers to the extent that they harass the citizens they were meant to protect.

    “The Constitution provides that no person should be detained unnecessarily. Once a person is arrested, their liberty is curtailed. It does not matter how long the detention lasted,” the judge said.

    The judge declared the applicant’s arrest illegal. He ordered that his bank account be unfrozen and Adelakun given “unhindered or unfettered access to his funds.”

    He also restrained EFCC from arresting and detaining him.

    Meanwhile, the commission has filed a criminal charge against Adelakun and his company, Touch of Fame Energy Company, at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

    According to the information, the defendants were accused of conspiracy to receive stolen property, about $2,181,000  (N434,040,810) from JP Morgan Chase Bank, USA, “knowing same to have been stolen.”

    EFCC’s prosecutor Kayode Oni said the alleged offences contravene Section 326 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.

    He said the accused persons would soon be arraigned.

  • EFCC releases ex-OSOPADEC chief’s property

    EFCC releases ex-OSOPADEC chief’s property

    •The seized cars
    •The seized cars

    Properties belonging to the ex-chairman of Ondo State Oil-Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr. Debo Ajimuda seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been released by the anti-graft body.

    Southwest Report learnt that the vehicles and other property were allegedly released to Ajimuda by the EFCC.

    The properties, comprising about 13 exotic vehicles and some documents were seized by the anti-graft agency on March, 2012 and put in the custody of the State Police Command following an allegation of N540 million frauds against him.

    Some of the flashy cars impounded are 2011 model Tundra with registration number, FY 195ABC, Mercedes Benz 500 with registration number DK 777FST, G.Wagon Benz.

    When our correspondent visited the Police Headquarter along Igbatoro Road in Akure, the state capital, it was discovered that Ajimuda’s vehicles, which have been parked under trees very close to the entrance of the command, have been removed.

    Police sources revealed that the command received a letter from the EFCC, ordering the police to release the seized vehicles in their custody to the ex-OSOPADEC boss.

    It was alleged that Ajimuda was present at the Police Command when the vehicles were released to him.

    When asked if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the property despite the fact that there was a pending case against Ajimuda at the Federal High Court, the sources said they were not aware if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the vehicles.

    Ajimuda, who was arrested immediately after the seizure of his property by the EFCC, was later arraigned on June 2012 at the Akure Federal High Court with four others with 13 count-charges before they were released on bail.

    Others arraigned with him were Man Omobayi Alli, Ikuomola Vincent Aghone, Mafolabomi Monday and Olayinka Olaitan Joseph.

    Justice Gloria Okeke, now retired, however, granted the suspects bail in the sum of N1million each and sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till September, 2012.

    Investigations revealed that the fraud charges against Ajimuda had been allegedly swept under the carpet.

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Wole Ogodo confirmed the release of the vehicles in their custody.

    Ogodo refused to speak further on the matter, saying he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the EFCC.

    “They only kept the property in our custody. We only kept the vehicles safe and I have no information about why it was released. You can contact the EFCC on this matter. I have no information on this,” Ogodo said.

    The ex-OSOPADEC boss did not pick phone calls by our correspondent as at the time of filing this report.

    But, Wale Odusola, who is a member of Ajimuda’s legal team, gave another account of the story.

    Odusola said the seized cars do not belong to the ex-OSOPADEC chairman, adding that eight of the flashy cars belonged to dealers who want Ajimuda to either help them to sell or buy them.

    His words: “The day EFCC came, they removed five vehicles from Ajimuda’s compound and the remaining eight vehicles from the compound of his neighbour where they were parked. One Banjo Ayenakin and I are the counsels to Ajimuda.

    ”In the course of our duty as counsels, we were informed by our client that eight of the vehicles belonged to some dealers who wanted him to either buy the vehicles or help them sell to his friends who may desire to buy.

    “Out of the five vehicles removed in Debo’s house, two actually belonged to his wife while the remaining three belonged to him. We invited about four of the dealers. Following their briefings, we filed an application on their behalf to the Federal High Court where the charge was pending, praying the court to release the eight vehicles whose ownership were not traced to Ajimuda but to the dealers.

    We equally filed an application praying that Ajimuda’s name be struck out of the charge because there was no evidence linking him with the offence.

    “Recently, we wrote a letter to the EFCC, appealing to them to release the vehicles because of wear and tear. The EFCC, in its wisdom, agreed to release the vehicles.

    EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren refused to pick calls to him and did not reply text message sent to him by our correspondent.

  • Alleged N3.3b fraud: EFCC declares Saraki’s associate wanted

    Alleged N3.3b fraud: EFCC declares Saraki’s associate wanted

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday declared a former Director of the defunct Societe Generale Bank Nigeria Plc, Kennedy Izuagbe, wanted.

    Izuagbe is also the Managing Director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, which is mentioned in the alleged discrepancies in Senate President Bukola’s Saraki’s asset declaration forms.

    The development suggest that the EFCC may have been probing the defunct SGBN.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Izuagbe is wanted for alleged laundering about N3.6 billion.

    The statement said:”Kennedy Izuagbe, a former Director of Societe Generale Bank Nigeria Plc and Managing Director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    “Izuagbe, 45, who is being investigated in a case of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N3.6 billion, has gone into hiding and all efforts to reach him have proved abortive.

    [ad id=”403656″]“He is linked to the several shady deals and gross financial misconducts that took place in the bank, in which several millions of naira were granted as loan without due diligence.

    “The suspect, who is believed to have fled the country, is a native of Iviukhua village, near Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    “The EFCC enjoins members of the public with information on the whereabouts of Izuagbe to contact any of its offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Gombe and Kano, or the nearest police station.”

    The EFCC announced the arrest of Alhaji Umar Audu Bida, chief executive officer, Universal Contractors Limited, for alleged possession of some documents of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the supply of crude to his American business partner, Donald Laletta, CEO, North Park LLLC.

    A separate statement said: “The 62-year-old suspect, who was picked up by EFCC operatives on Tuesday, September 15, at his residence on Gumel Road, Kaduna, was in possession of fake documents pertaining to the lifting of crude by the vessels, MT Antartic, MT Sonagol Namibe and MT Caped Bowen.

    “The suspect, however, said that he obtained the documents from the agents to the seller-Lambda, Double Wonder and Days Marines Services- who allegedly claimed to have crude oil for sale.

    “The complaint an alleged that the suspect had attempted to defraud him after signing a Sales and Purchase Agreement, SPA, with him.

    “The complainant’s claims that he paid the suspect, who acts as his agent in Nigeria, the sums of $8m, $10m and $12m at different times, and that he raised a letter of credit, via a courier company, in favour of Universal Contractors Limited to the tune of $100m (One hundred million dollars) are being investigated by EFCC.”