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Tag: EFCC

  • Man bags 14 years imprisonment for N2.7m fraud

    A Lagos High Court, Igbosere, has sentenced a middle aged man to 14 years in prison after he was found guilty of obtaining N2.7million under false pretences.

    The convict, Abiodun Ibrahim was jailed by Justice Olabisi Akinlade, who sentenced him to seven years on each of the two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Gbolahan Lotana.

    She held that the convict had the opportunity for restitution from the time he was charged to court in 2010 but failed to do so.

    The judge noted that Ibrahim mismanaged the money he obtained from one Chief Gabriel I Onipede as cost for Lexus Jeep, 2003 model.

    Ibrahim in his statement before the court had claimed that he used part of the money to pay his rent and others for his wife’s spiritual problem.

    The convict had pleaded not guilty to the offence brought under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

     

     

  • Soyinka to EFCC, ICPC, INEC: probe Ekiti rigging plot

    Soyinka to EFCC, ICPC, INEC: probe Ekiti rigging plot

    •Nobel laureate calls on EFCC, ICPC, INEC to probe Ekiti rigging plot

    The controversy triggered by the audio tape of how some politicians met with an Army General to plot the rigging of the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State drew the reaction of Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka reaction yesterday. In the literary icon’s view, democracy does not begin and end with the ballot box. He says the admission by all dramatis personae in the plot is enough ground to spur anti-corruption agencies and the electoral umpire into action.

    The “Advertorial” – full front page of Punch, February 23, 2015 – sponsored by Mr. Ayo Fayose (aka “No Apology”) deserves to succeed in its aim of putting an end to all disputes surrounding the Ekiti elections of June 21, 2014. After all, its entire page is dedicated to a press statement from the US (United States) Department of State, which purportedly endorses the results of that election, congratulates the electoral organisation, the winner/loser duo, not forgetting the security forces – all for their laudable contributions. The release could not be more timely; what with the governor’s own exhortations on the virtues of credibility, avoidance of violence, and its special appeal to “ALL THOSE WHO HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.”

    It is that last item in the advertisement to which I am especially drawn, in view of an audio recording that has now become the latest marvel of democratic exposes, internationally. For those who have nothing to hide, disrobing lies and forgeries and reinforcing truth is regarded as part and parcel of the obligations we owe democracy.

    The audio could well be one of such forgeries. We are daily inundated with allegations, evasions, distortions, image plundering and image laundering, all under the permissive canopy of electoral proceeding. Once in a while however, we encounter exposure of an exceptional dimension that appears to strike at the very root of democracy, questions the validity of an entire electoral system and even erodes confidence in the integrity of the state. Such an event need not be regarded as a repudiation of the formal mechanics put in place by an electioneering agency such as INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), but nonetheless extends the scope of its responsibilities, including its projection of looming hazards of future electoral exercises.

    This is why, in the absence of a constitutional court or its equivalent, one is left with no other course than to call on INEC to also take formal charge of the recorded incident of this alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of democracy. For those ‘who have nothing to hide’, it is a call that deserves unstinting support. They should not hesitate to assist in calling on the same U.S. expertise to assist us in exposing a forgery. We are speaking here of a development that implicates not only products, beneficiaries or would-be constitutional guardians of the electoral process – that is, an elected governor, a governorship aspirant, but also state agencies – the military, two serving ministers – that is, members of the executive arm of government, one of them in charge of the nation’s defence portfolio – and others.   In addition to the logical role of the police, the nation’s electoral commission should undertake an independent investigation and make its findings known to the nation. Is this perhaps something INEC can undertake while the nation waits out its suspended electoral sentence? It only requires repudiation – or validation – of the findings of an already advanced forensic enquiry.

    So also should the two anti-corruption agencies – the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and the ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission) – since material corruption is also implicit in the present instance.   At the fount of all electoral manipulation is the grim facilitator – money!  Here, for instance, is a lesson drawn from the travails of a former Inspector-General of Police in recent history.

    That scandal happened to coincide with a barely concluded electoral exercise, considered by some as a strong contestant for one of the most blatantly manipulated election in the nation’s history.  A number of bulging accounts had been traced to that Inspector-General of Police (IGP). During private discussions, I exhorted the then director of the EFCC to go beyond the sensational monetary finds and track each of them painstakingly back to source.  “If you succeed in that”, I urged Nuhu Ribadu (former chairman of the anti-graft agency), “you would have done more than merely expose institutional police corruption, you would have done inestimable service to the cause of democracy.

    “The IGP”, I insisted, “was a mere bag holder for electoral manipulators inhabiting the most rarefied levels of governance!”  I therefore pleaded with him not to stop at the prosecution and conviction of the sacrificial face – in effect, a scapegoat, albeit most willing – of that operation. This was equally my prayer to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) during an Abuja lecture at the time.

    Anyone who disputes a robust connection between material and political corruption should reflect on the mild slap on the wrist that the IGP received for charges of misappropriation of such staggering dimensions.  Now it is the turn of the Army as facilitators for the alleged political crime.  Allied to this elite criminal corps – again, as alleged – was a former Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee turned governorship candidate. The evidence resides in the recording of a conspiracy against free and fair elections, later reinforced by a televised interview with the whistleblower – a military intelligence officer. That recording has been heard by millions all over the world – governments, human rights organisations, election monitoring groups, business individuals, and even those merely seeking real-life variants on improbable Nollywood fare. The alleged crime is in global domain.

    Let no one attempt to facilitate the rampaging course of impunity by brushing this aside as just another electoral malpractice – no, in my layman estimation, this approaches criminal subversion and treason.  The accusation is blatant and the demand for rigorous investigation must remain unrelenting. The accounts of the inculpated General and others should be subjected to the same scrutiny as those of the earlier cited IGP. And so on, and so clamorous! Those who have nothing to fear can sleep easy.

    If the formal agencies fail, then citizens must learn to assert their right of access to truth. As is the practice in other societies, a citizens’ trial can be instituted, experts co-opted, and both accusers and accused invited to testify. Even the venue does not have to be internal, since witnesses may require protection. Democracy does not begin or end with the ballot box, nor is it confined to national boundaries. There is no assertion anywhere yet of a “Case Proven”, no rush to judgment, simply a craving – as urged in the said governor’s advertorial – to let “facts speak for themselves!”

  • CAN collected N7b from Jonathan, pastor insists

    CAN collected N7b from Jonathan, pastor insists

    Pastor Kallamu Musa Dikwa, who recently alleged that the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) collected N7billion from the presidency to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, has re-echoed his allegations.
    The pastor, who addressed a larger news conference in Kaduna yesterday, said he was once an associate pastor with a northern-based church, but has since resigned from the ministry to run his own Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, under which he interfaces with CAN.
    Dikwa holds a Diploma in “Bible and Theology” from the All Nations For Christ Bible Institute International, Benin, founded by the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
    Dikwa insisted that the national leadership of CAN collected N7 billion from President Jonathan Goodluck Jonathan on January 21, 2014 but that only N3 million was sent to each of the states’ branches of CAN.
    He also alleged that it was not the first time that CAN was involved in corruption. According to him, in 2013, CAN got $50,000 (N10 million) from Nigerian Christians in the Diaspora but that only N500,000 was given to five victims; the national leadership of CAN pocketed the rest.
    He said he was shocked that CAN was denying knowing him and the allegations of the bribe:
    Said Dikwa: “I greet you all in Jesus’ name. . . I know that some of you know me or have been hearing me on some of the things that I said and National CAN has denied.
    They even have denied me and say I did not exist. That is why I came to you to confirm that what I said is true. This is not the first time that they are collecting money, but not from Jonathan.
    “In 2013, some people came from America. They are our children, Christians from Nigeria living in America. We call them CANAAN (Christians Association of Nigerian Americans). They gave $50,000 to the victims of Boko Haram. After that the CAN leadership invited three people from Maiduguri and two from Damaturu and gave them N100,000 each. The victims know how much they (CAN) collected. Many of the leaders (Yobe and Borno CAN) started calling me. They said what happened was wrong and we have to correct it. . I have documents here to show you some of the things I have been saying. (The documents were his past press cuttings and petitions, with no relationship to any of the two allegations).”
    He said after confronting CAN leadership with newspaper evidence and threatening to drag it to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, CAN said it was going to look for space, buy, build and resettle some of the victims, which was never done.
    According to Dikwa, all his sources are usually players in every issue he throws up.
    He continued: “It was the same way that it happened when Jonathan went to Kwara in January. Someone there told me that CAN leadership was given money. I asked him if they called newsmen. The man said they did not. I said, ok, let us wait. After some time somebody called me. He said he has been giving his share. He said he has been given N3 million. He said each state was given N3 million. I called someone in the leadership of National CAN. He told me that it was a confirmed happening. I will never give the name of that person even over my dead body. The states branches of CAN collected the money. But they don’t know how much it is, whether it is N6 or N7billion.”

  • Alleged fraud: Court discharges Babalakin, four others

    Alleged fraud: Court discharges Babalakin, four others

    Freedom came the way of chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin, on Monday as a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, discharged him from the N4.7 billion fraud allegation filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo also discharged four others charged along with him for similar offences.

    The four other defendants are – Babalakin’s companies, Stabilini Vision Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Alex Okoh and his company, Renix Nigeria Limited.

    Ruling in an application for quash of charges filed by Babalakin and co-defendants, Justice Lawal-Akapo, formulated four issues raised by the defendants to determine his ruling.

    The issues, according to the judge, are whether the EFCC can prosecute a defendant without fiat, whether James Ibori is a public officer, whether two prosecuting authorities can jointly sign a charge and whether the charge on the surface contains sufficient information.

    Justice Lawal-Akapo, however, resolved three of the issues in favour of the defendants and only upheld that the EFCC has the power to prosecute any criminal matter in court without fiat.

    The EFCC had arraigned Babalakin and co-defendant on a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action.

    The commission had alleged that Babalakin and his co-defendants fraudulently assisted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori ,to transfer huge sums of money through various parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of a plane.

    But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

     

  • Money laundering: Keyamo’s absence stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    The trial of the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former minister of Aviation over an alleged money laundering.

    The trial, however, could not go on because the prosecution’ counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was absent in court.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned for the former minister to open his defence.

    Fani-Kayode, accompanied by some aides, was in court and duly went into the dock when the case was called.

    However, Mr. Somadina Okore, who represented EFCC, drew the court’s attention to a letter by Keyamo, saying he would not be available.

    He said Keyamo had another case at the Federal High Court in Yola, and that he had asked that a new date be fixed so that he could prosecute the matter himself.

    Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), said he was aware of the letter and that he had no objection to the request for an adjournment.

    He also reminded the court that the matter was adjourned till Tuesday, adding that if it was convenient for the court, his client would return to stand trial.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode of 38 out of 40 counts of alleged money laundering.

    The judge, while ruling on the defendant’s no-case submission on November 17, last year, held that the commission did not prove the other charges sufficiently.

    She partially upheld Fani-Kayode’s no-case submission and directed him to open defence in two charges (25 and 26).

    She discharged and acquitted him on the 38 other charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove “elements” of the allegations.

     

  • Drama as oil theft suspects refuse to be arraigned by EFCC

    Drama as oil theft suspects refuse to be arraigned by EFCC

    There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday as two suspected oil thieves, Alakinde Wale and Boniface Onuabuchi, objected to being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The suspects were charged with stealing 70 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    When the case was called for the charges to be read out so that the suspects can take their plea,  EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo stood, announced his appearance and informed the court that the suspects were in court to be arraigned.

    But after entering the dock, the second suspect, Wale, raised his hand and interrupted the prosecutor.

    He alleged foul play, saying he was not  ready to face trial because he had been denied, among other fundamental privileges, the right to legal representation.

    He added that since the past six months that he had been in the custody of the EFCC he had neither been able to speak with his family nor his lawyer because his phone was seized.

    In an emotional outburst, Wale said: “I have been detained in the EFCC custody for the past six months. I have been denied access to my family, to my phone, even to a counsel.

    “They only briefed me about 3pm yesterday that I was coming  to court today and asked me to contact my lawyer.

    “How can I call my lawyer when they have seized my phone? How can I take a plea when I don’t have a lawyer? All the effort of the EFCC is just to crucify me even before the trial.”

    But the prosecution counsel said he was surprised at the suspect’s claim as he had enough time to get a lawyer for himself having been made aware of the charge since last year.

     “If someone was given notice since last year, how can he say he was not aware?” Oyedepo asked.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba said the right of an accused to have legal representation is non-negotiable. He assured both the accused and the prosecution that justice would be done.

    The judge said: “An accused has a right to object to a charge. But stealing of 70 metric tons of PMS is a serious allegation; I understand that you were intercepted by the Navy.

    “You will get justice, the prosecution will also get justice and we have to also make sure that Nigerian oil does not get stolen anyhow.”

    In the charge numbered FHC/L/310C/14, EFCC accused them of conspiracy, unlawful dealing in PMS, adulteration of petroleum products and storage of adulterated petroleum products against the suspects.

    They were charged alongside their vessel, MV Zara and one Edwin Akibor, said to have jumped bail.

    The alleged offences were said to have been committed on June 19, 2014 in violation of sections 18 (a) and 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.

    Justice Buba adjourned till Monday after the suspects undertook to bring their lawyer to court that day.

  • Ekiti confirms receipt of N2b Ecological Fund

    •Reduces MDAs’ running grant by 60 per cent

    The Ekiti State government has acknowledged the receipt of the N2billion Ecological Fund. Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Youth and Sports, Lanre Ogunsuyi, confirmed receipt of the fund from the Federal Government.

    The receipt of the money caused a row between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the opposition claiming that the governor  received the ecological fund on December 31, which the government denied.

    Hard times await Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as Governor Ayo Fayose has approved the reduction of their monthly running grants by as much as 60 per cent.

    Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development Toyin Ojo said this yesterday while analysing the 2015 Budget passed into law by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Assembly.

    Ojo said the reduction of running grants to MDAs was “part of the fiscal caution taken to reduce spending to save funds for capital projects”.

    The commissioner said government reduced MDAs from 36 to 14 to cut  spending and saving more money to carry out projects.

    Ojo said the government would revive the Integrated Poultry Scheme at four designated centres.

    Fayose, during his first stint in power, carried out a poultry project which became controversial as the governor was sued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the N1.3 billion project.

    Although the case is still in court, Fayose is covered by immunity in line with Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The earlier poultry project was established in the 16 local governments and four special centres.

    Ojo said the global economic recession that has cut down the oil proceeds in Nigeria has taken a toll on the state’s finances.

  • EFCC secure 126 convictions in 2014

    EFCC secure 126 convictions in 2014

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it garnered 126 convictions last year.

    This was a significant improvement from that of 2013 when it recorded 117 convictions.

    The commission said that contrary to insinuations in some quarters that the war against graft had been compromised under President Goodluck Jonathan, no fewer than 243 convictions have been recorded in the past two years.

    The EFCC also disclosed that there was no more safe haven for corrupt Nigerians anywhere in the world as it has signed agreements with no less than 20 entities in Africa, Europe, Asia and America.

    Briefing journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that though corruption remained a major challenge facing the nation, the anti-graft agency is committed to effectively put an end to it.

    He said that it has not abandoned ongoing cases against some former governors as being alleged in some quarters, but that the cases were progressing in different courts.

    Uwujaren noted that the delay tactics of some defence counsels were still a major challenge to most of their pending cases.

  • Lawyer advocates strengthening of EFCC, ICPC

    Lawyer advocates strengthening of EFCC, ICPC

    Mr Onyekachi Ubani, a former Chairman, Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Thursday called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.

    Ubani, who made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, urged the government to intensify its campaign against corruption.

    He said both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should be granted administrative and financial independence.

    “The government must grant them autonomy. If they want to prosecute anybody, they should not look towards the presidency whether the person is politically connected.

    “Our institutions must be strengthened. They should be allowed to carry out their investigation and prosecute anybody the way it is being done in advanced countries,’’ Ubani said.

    According to him, empowering these institutions and ensuring that they maintain independence in the discharge of their duties is key to fighting corruption.

    The former NBA chairman said proper funding of the agencies would improve the morale of their investigators and prosecutors which would transform to more conviction of offenders.

    Ubani also called for a review of the laws establishing the agencies, adding that their chairmen should not be solely appointed by the president.

    He decried the slow pace of prosecution of high-profile corruption cases in the country which he attributed to systemic corruption within the justice system.

    “Our justice system must wake up to its responsibilities and our judges should be more courageous.

    “They should not entertain frivolous applications aimed at delaying the trials of these persons.”

    He said corruption was one of the major causes of Nigeria’s under-development and must be checked for the country to move forward.

  • EFCC: Blazing the trail in three years

    EFCC: Blazing the trail in three years

    Given the scathing criticism against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in recent times, Assistant Editor, Blessing Olaifa, examines the records of the anti-graft agency in the past three years, bringing into focus the achievements of the Ibrahim Lamorde-led agency.

    Going by the records of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the fight against corruption has been in upward swing for the past three years. Notwithstanding public perception and criticism against the anti-graft agency, especially in recent times, the EFCC believes  some grounds have been covered as far as its mandate is concerned.

    A school of thought however, believes that the deep-rooted and perverse nature of corruption in Nigeria only the war on corruption would not be an easy task for the agency. Yet others believe, the agency was only scratching the surface of the rot. Investigations  revealed that inspite of the scratching criticism against the leadership, the agency has remained focused and has pursued some cases to logical ends, making recoveries and obtaining sentences and favourable judgment against culprits.

    From the look of things, criticism against the agency in recent times seemed to have fuelled the resolve of the EFCC to go the extra mile to rid the country of corruption, a resolve that has undoubtedly yielded positive results.

    The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), recently alluded to the unwavering efforts of the anti-graft agency in its efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes. While encouraging staff of the Commission at a recent event, he expressed unalloyed belief that the EFCC’s war against corruption was a worthwhile one that can be won.

    “Let every Nigerian become corrupt and violent, yet corruption and violence shall remain illegal and unlawful and wrong,” he said. “In this battle, the EFCC is the lion and corruption is the lamb. Be assured that come what may, you shall make this lamb to lie down. Be also encouraged by the progress you have made in a short time.”

    Agabi’s view was considered succinct, and a morale booster for staff of EFCC considering the fact that the Ibrahim Lamorde-led EFCC has not relented in its efforts geared towards redeeming the image of Nigeria in the international community. The efforts have also yielded results, an official of the EFCC who would not want to be mentioned said.

    According to the EFCC records, in 2013, the anti-graft agency announced that it recorded 117 convictions. This development to the agency was no mean feat in the light of the challenges in the Nigerian Judicial system.

    Latest statistics indicate that the Commission surpassed the 2013 convictions considering that in 2014, 126 convictions were obtained. Again, when viewed against the 64, 68 and 67 convictions recorded in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, the agency is of the opinion that that there is something that the EFCC under Lamorde has been able to develop, and get right with investigation and prosecution of cases.

    According to information obtained from the EFCC, in addition to achieving more convictions in the past year, the anti-graft body has also achieved more in assets recovery.

    In the annual report submitted yearly to the National Assembly, the anti-graft agency disclosed that in 2011, it recovered N9,755,924,635.69. The figures for 2012 was given as N41,548,665,730.69 and $1,520,410.00. That of 2013 was listed as N11,276,108,536.81; $2,190,127.00; 45,585.00 pounds and 7,090.00 euros.

    It was discovered that under the Lamorde’s chairmanship, the Commission pursued the trial of former state governors and other politically exposed persons accused of corruption. Cases involving Saminu Turaki, governor of Jigawa State; Chimaroke Nnamani, former governor of Enugu State; Rashidi Ladoja, former governor of Oyo State; Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State; Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state; Athahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State; Akwe Doma, former governor of Nasarawa State; Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Oguns State; Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State; Abdullahi Adamu, former governor of Nasarawa state; Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe state; Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State and Abubakar Audu, former governor of Kogi State are on-going in courts across the country.

    Also, investigations showed that the former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion was re-arraigned on fresh charges before a Federal High Court, Benin over a N25billion scam. Trial has reached the stage of final addresses by counsel. Besides, the Commission took steps to seize some of his alleged proceeds of crime.

    The EFCC records also showed that other politically exposed persons that were investigated and are currently being prosecuted by the EFCC under Lamorde include directors of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. Debo Ajimuda, chairman of the Commission and four other officials: Mann Omobayi Alli, Ikuomola Vincent, Aghone, Mofolabomi Monday and Olayinka Olaitan Joseph. They are being prosecuted before a Federal High Court, Akure on 13 counts of fraud, embezzlement and conspiracy to defraud the state of N540 million.

    In Edo State, the quartet of Joseph Sule Emoabino, David Eson Igbinoba, Agbator Gaskin Efe and Dr. Simon Imuekeme were arraigned before Justice Esther Edigin of the Edo State High Court, Benin City on an 8-count charge bordering on diversion of N113 million. According to records they were chairman, secretary, director of Finance and Accounts of the State Universal Basic Education Board and Secretary to Edo State Government respectively, and are alleged to have fraudulently diverted the said sum to a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Education.

    In April last year, the Commission’s dragnet spread to Sokoto State, as Mohammed Bello Abubakar and Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmed, permanent secretary and deputy director, Ministry for Local Government and Community Development, were arraigned by the EFCC.

    The duo are being prosecuted on a 43-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and money laundering . Also in neighbouring Kebbi State, the Commission docked the Accountant General, Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Dakingari, and Musa Yusuf, Managing Director, Beal Construction Nigeria Limited, before Justice Sabiu Bala of Kebbi State High Court, Birnin-Kebbi on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and abuse of office.

    Dakingari’s counterpart in Taraba State, Joel Joseph Lenbang, was equally ensnared by the anti graft agency and faces multiple charges of stealing and money laundering to the tune of N1.56 billion

    Investigation showed that on July 3, 2014 at Asaba, the administrative capital of Delta State, the Commission arraigned the former executive secretary of Delta State Scholarship Board, Peter Amromanoh and the chief accountant, Eloho Otiede before Justice C. O Emifoniye of the Delta State High Court, Asaba on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. Amromanoh is alleged to have abused his office by approving a sum of N36m (Thirty-Six Million Naira) which is above his official approval limit of N1million.

    The EFCC officials have dismissed allegations of sacred cows or selective prosecution at various fora, insisting that cases are treated based on merit and evidence available before the commission, especially after investigations. The Commission’s anti-corruption war does not respect anybody or treat any one as sacred cow, EFCC’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Osita Nwaja said at a media workshop in Enugu.

    During the period under review the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Wale Babalakin was arrested and docked on money laundering allegations. Babalakin, Alex Okoh and three companies: Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are alleged to have between May 2006 and December 2006 corruptly conferred benefits on former Governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori on account of contracts awarded by Delta State government to Stabilini Visioni Limited by transferring the monies through third parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of Challenger Jet Aircraft by the said James Ibori. Trial, according to EFCC is on-going on the matter.

    The Nation learnt that the EFCC under Lamorde successfully appealed the ruling of Justice Marcel Justice Awokulehin that quashed all 170-count money laundering charge against James Ibori. The Court of Appeal in Benin in May, ruled that Awokulehin erred in the ruling and ordered that the matter be reassigned. This invariably means that Ibori will be tried in Nigeria upon completion of his jail term in the United Kingdom.

    Under Lamorde’s leadership, it was gathered that the EFCC also initiated a process that eventually culminated in the ruling by a Federal High Court, Abuja ceding ownership of the controversial $15 million Ibori bribe money to the Federal Government after a legal battle that pitted the Commission against the Delta State Government which belatedly claimed ownership of the fund.

    Another area where far reaching impact has been made by the Lamorde-led EFCC is in checking the malfeasance in pension administration. Before his coming to the saddle, pension administration in Nigeria had become a cesspool of corruption. Many public servants who served the country meritoriously were consigned to a life of destitution upon retirement, no thanks to the activities of a cabal that turned pension administration to veritable gold mine.

    According to EFCC records, sanity has been restored to a considerable level to the system, given the vigorous law enforcement activities of the EFCC, which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of senior officials of both Police Pension and the Pension office in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    The EFCC also claimed that its searchlight has been focused on the petroleum industry, unearthing mindboggling fraud that had reeked through the industry. Investigation led to the trial of persons and organisations indicted in the mindless abuse of the Petroleum Support Fund in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel. This formed the bulk of the economic and financial crimes cases successfully charged to court by the EFCC in 2012 and 2013.

    A few months ago two Indians – Sailesh Kumar Singh, and Chadrashekar Sharma were jailed, after successful prosecution by the Commission for oil theft. The duo were among 12 suspected oil thieves arrested in Brass, Bayelsa State in 2012 by the Joint Task Force with 157,822 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

    They are to serve 15 years imprisonment. They are among a long list of oil thieves that have been successfully prosecuted by the EFCC.

    It is noteworthy that the Commission from January 2013 till date investigated 21 cases of crude oil theft. Eleven tanker vessels and 16 tanker trucks were recovered, while 81 suspects have been charged to Court over the cases.

    Officials of the Commission have lauded the leadership of the commission under Lamorde, saying global confidence in the EFCC has been restored. According to them before he came on board, credibility of the agency was at an all-time low, with critical partners doubting its commitment to the anti-graft war. A number of donor organisations and law enforcement agencies had actually severed ties with the EFCC or drastically scaled down their level of engagement, it was learnt. The tide has changed with Lamorde’s emergence as EFCC boss, EFCC top officials insisted as many donor organizations and LEAs are now eager to do business with the agency.

    Investigation revealed that operatives of the Commission travelled to Perth, Australia and Madrid, Spain in April 2014 to work with the West Australian and Spanish National Police. Through this program, they were able to assist the host Agencies in pending trans-national investigations and also gain exposure in international best practices. The Australian trip was in part facilitated by the Commonwealth Office, to which the agency owe a great debt of gratitude. The Commission in the last one year also hosted Investigators and prosecutors from Zambia, United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Niger, World Bank and African Development Bank.

    The agency in its belief in the need to carry along everybody in the war on corruption also strengthened its communications section with the creation of a directorate of Public affairs which in the last three years, stepped up the Commission’s sensitization efforts through the three units in the department: Media and Publicity Unit, Public Interface and Enlightenment and Re-orientation Units

    It was gathered that as part of efforts to galvanize the crusade against corruption, the Commission in November 2014, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with credible Civil Society Organisations to partner in the fight against corruption. This, it was learnt was basically on the platform of the reformed Anticorruption Revolution (ANCOR), which is now known as the Anticorruption and Economic and Financial Crimes Support Network (ACE-Network).