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Tag: EFCC

  • APC to Daniel: face your case with EFCC

    APC to Daniel: face your case with EFCC

    The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) has advised former Governor Gbenga Daniel to concentrate on his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC).

    A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Sola Lawal, urged him to stop attacking Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    The APC said: “It is regrettable that pariahs, who ought to be behind bars for sundry unmitigated crimes against the people are pontificating on the way forward for the same hapless people.

    “Whereas the Amosun administration has been adjudged as the best in recent time in the annals of governance in the state, forces of retrogression could still hold firmly the levers of obstinate denials.

    “The infrastructural, health , education, agricultural and other transformations witnessed in Ogun State since assumption of office of the Amosun government and widespread endorsement of these programmes by the people speak volume of the eagerness of Ogun people to cut a final break from a past of mesmerising oppression by elected people.”

    The party went on: “The eight locust years of the Daniel administration left a legacy of executive pilfering, brigandage, huge proliferation of arms among youths, widespread dejection among the people and general air of hopelessness.”

  • EFCC grills ex-Adamawa Deputy Governor

    EFCC grills ex-Adamawa Deputy Governor

    • May declare Nyako wanted
    •Agency defreeze state accounts

    For about three hours yesterday, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled former Adamawa State Deputy Governor Bala Ngillari on alleged mismanagement of funds during the administration of sacked Governor Murtala Nyako.

    The EFCC said it might declare Nyako wanted as it had been difficult to serve the ex-governor a letter of invitation.

    The anti-graft agency said it had defreezed the state’s accounts to enable the administration of Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri to take off smoothly.

    A source said Ngillari arrived at the commission at 10am and left few minutes past 1pm.

    The source said Ngilari was questioned on his security votes and his role in the alleged misappropriation of funds.

    Nyako was indicted by a seven-man investigation panel headed by Buba Kaigama.

    Of the 20 allegations, the House of Assembly found Nyako ‘guilty’ of 16 before impeaching him on July 15.

    Some of the allegations were alleged diversion of N2.3billion meant for workers’ salaries; illegal diversion of N1billion earmarked for the State Scholarship Trust Fund; diversion of N142million emoluments of workers; fraudulent award of contracts of N8billion, among others.

    The source said: “Ngilari was invited in respect of security votes and what he knew about the mismanagement of funds during Nyako’s tenure.

    “The former deputy governor made a statement and responded to questions on how the Nyako administration was managed.

    “But he was asked to go after three hours. The EFCC will still invite Ngillari for more quizzing soon. For now, we can say that he is on administrative bail.

    “Without Nyako coming for questioning, we cannot clear Ngillari at all. This is why the former deputy governor will be re-invited.”

    The EFCC said it might declare Nyako wanted, unless he makes himself available for questioning.

    EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren said: “We have tried to serve him a notice of invitation but we cannot trace him. Our operatives went to all Nyako’s known addresses but they could not locate him.

    “We advise Nyako to come to the EFCC or else we will have no option than to declare him wanted.”

  • Senate moves financial intelligence unit from EFCC to CBN

    Senate moves financial intelligence unit from EFCC to CBN

    The Senate yesterday moved the Financial Intelligence Centre from the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    This followed the unanimous adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes which recommended for the creation of an autonomous unit to be domiciled in the CBN.

    Presenting the report, Committee Chairman, Senator Victor Lar, said the standard practice all over the world is for the unit to be autonomous and domiciled in the CBN or the Ministry of Finance.

    The centre according to the bill will be a body in Nigeria responsible for receiving, requesting, analysing, and disseminating financial intelligence reports and other information to law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies and other relevant supervisory authorities and for related matters.

    The EFCC had consistently opposed the move to relocate the unit, arguing that it will weaken the commission as it is critical to its operations and the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.

    EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde had told the lawmakers during public hearings on the bill that without the unit, the EFCC will be rendered ineffective.

    Also, some Senators has argued  that  the establishment of the Financial Intelligence Centre will amount to duplication of duties already being handled by the EFCC.

    The bill will have to receive concurrence by the House of Representatives before it is forwarded to the president for assent.

  • Cross Country boss appears in court

    Cross Country boss appears in court

    THE Managing Director of Cross Country Limited, Mr. Bube Okorodudu, was on Monday brought to the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, by a team of policemen from the Zone II Police Command, where he reported himself on Friday, in compliance with a court order.

    Justice Lateef  Lawal-Akapo had on July 8, 2014 issued a bench warrant directing the police to produce Okorodudu in court on July 14, 2014, following a case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Cross Country over an alleged N82.8 million theft which his counsel, Mr. Godswill Mrakpor, has described as “spurious and a calculated attempt to embarrass, ridicule and intimidate his client”.

    The EFCC alleged that they stole the money through the fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Ltd and one Adeloye Olukemi.

    However, the trial could not go on because of the nationwide judicial workers’ strike.

    A statement issued yesterday by his lawyer, Mr. Godswill Mrakpor, said: “While my client was out of the country on medical grounds, a bench warrant was issued against him directing the Nigeria Police to produce him in court. As an officer in the temple of justice and knowing my client to be a law abiding citizen, I advised him to return to the country and report himself to any police formation, in obedience to the court order.

    “Hence, upon Mr. Okorodudu’s arrival in the country on Friday, 11th July, 2014, he reported himself at the Zone II Police Command where he was granted bail and asked to report back on Monday, so as to be taken to the court as ordered.

    “Again, as an honourable man who has a lot of respect for the laws of the land, he turned himself in on Monday. A team of about eight policemen took him to the court to answer the summons as reported by the several newspapers on Tuesday, 15th July, 2014. But unfortunately, the court did not sit because of the ongoing judicial workers strike.”

    Mrakpor stated that contrary to the impression being created out there, his client has no reason to disobey the court, adding: “He only travelled out of the country having received a well-considered legal advice that his presence was not yet required since there were two pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

    “This is more so that this is a civil/business transaction in which AG Moeller Ltd gave a N140 million loan facility to Cross Country Ltd with an agreement that the beneficiary would pay back N228 million within 24 months. However, Cross Country Ltd was able to pay back N223 million in 30 months.

    “Surprisingly, AG Moeller and its promoters wrote my clients claiming a balance of N213 million as default charges and others. When my clients challenged this with facts and figures, they turned round to petition the police alleging that the 40 units of Volkswagen buses that were procured with the facility were stolen by my clients.”

  • Money laundering: Prosecution closes case in Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Money laundering: Prosecution closes case in Fani-Kayode’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday closed its case in the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for alleged money laundering.

    On June 24, prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, said he had one more witness, Mark Ndifreke, who was said to have paid monies into Fani-Kayode’s account.

    He said Ndifereke had been evading the court summons to testify and prayed for a bench warrant to be issued again him.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned till Thursday and directed Keyamo to file a further affidavit within seven days on why Ndifreke should be arrested.

    But Mr. Vitalis Ahaotu informed the court of a letter from Keyamo, his principal, about the prosecution’s intention to close its case.

    Defence counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) did not raise any objection on the matter.

    He said Fani-Kayode intended to make a no-case submission rather than calling witness in his defence.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia directed the defence to file their submission within 21 days, while the prosecution must respond within seven days afterwards.

    Fani-Kayode is standing trial on an amended 40-count charge of money laundering.

     

  • Alleged theft: EFCC fails to arraign transporter

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) again failed to arraign a foremost transporter and Chairman of Cross Country Nigeria Limited, Chief Bube Okorodudu, for alleged theft of N82.8million.

    His arraignment failed to hold on Tuesday in spite of a warrant issued for his arrest by the court.

    A Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, presided by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo had two weeks ago issued a warrant of arrest against Chief Okorodudu.

    Justice Lawal-Akapo had ordered the police to ensure that the Cross Country chairman was in court on Tuesday to take his plea on charges against him.

    The EFCC had alleged that Okorodudu stole N82.8million through fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses belonging to one AG Moeller Limited and Mr. Adeloye Olukemi.

    He is being tried along with his two companies, Cross Country Limited and Car Link Limited, on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and uttering.

    At the resumed proceeding, his lawyer, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), told Justice Lawal-Akapo that Okorodudu was ill.

    He tendered a medical report as proof that Okorodudu was ill.

    Clarke also prayed the court to vacate the arrest warrant on the transporter.

  • Adamawa investigation panel begins sitting in camera

    Adamawa investigation panel begins sitting in camera

    •Atiku, Ribadu relocate to Yola

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss Nuhu Ribadu relocated yesterday to Yola in what appeared to be last-minute efforts to save Governor Murtala Nyako’s governorship.

    A seven-man panel is investigating allegations against Nyako – in defiance of the two-day holiday declared by the governor.

    Anti-Nyako “forces” in Abuja, who are believed to be behind the action are said to have set a two-week timeline for the removal of the governor and his deputy, Bala Ngilari.

    The panel constituted by the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Ambrose Mammadi, sat in camera yesterday.

    According to sources, Atiku abandoned his annual Umrah (lesser Hajj) to join the battle to stave off the impeachment proceedings against Nyako.

    The ex-Vice President met with Ribadu and key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A source said: “The forces from Abuja against Nyako are overwhelming. But Atiku, Ribadu and APC leaders are intensifying the lobbying of lawmakers to save Nyako.

    “Since Atiku flew into Yola early on Monday, he has been holding consultations with Ribadu who has been in the state since Friday.

    “But the lawmakers are adamant, insisting that Nyako must go.”

    Last night, Nyako was said to be contemplating resignation following pressure from his family and associates.

    A highly-placed source said: “The governor has confided in his relatives and some APC leaders that it is better to resign than be humiliated out of office.

    “The APC leaders are, however, asking him to exercise patience and allow them to exhaust all lobbying machinery.

    The panel started sitting at 3pm at J & J Holiday Villa located at Atirwucha Close in Karewa GRA, Yola.

    The members, led by their chairman Buba Kaimaga (Mubi Northern Zone), sat under heavy security.

    The other members are Laraba Hassan(Michika Northern Zone) Njidda Kito(Song Central Zone), Joshua Abu (Hong Central Zone), Binanu Esthon (Guyuk Southern Zone), Sa’ad Lawan(Mayo-Belwa Southern Zone),  and Esthon Gapsiso(Genye Southern Zone)

    It was gathered that the committee defied the public holidays because “inauguration is merely symbolic and not a prerequisite”.

    A source said: “Once the acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ambrose D. Mammadi raised the panel under Section 185(5) of the 1999 Constitution, the panel has locus standi to operate.

    “From the way we are going, the Abuja forces are out to remove Nyako and his deputy on or before two weeks.

    “The Presidency is interested in the governor’s ouster. The military and security agencies have been mobilised to protect members of the House of Assembly and the panel. All these agencies have tightened the nooze around those in government. The impeachment proceedings might just be mere constitutional formality.”

    Many Adamawa citizens besieged the State High Court complex venue to witness the inauguration as early as 8am yesterday. But it was not to be.

    A source said the inauguration of the panel was not a requirement for it to function.

    He said all that was needed was for the chief Judge to set up a seven-man panel of distinguished personalities who are to look into the allegations raised.

    The panel began its sitting at the J&J Holiday Inn under tight security

    Reporters who converged on the hotel to cover the sitting of the panel were denied access.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Mr Solomon Kumanga promised to make it possible for reporters to attend subsequent sittings of the panel.

    Adamu Kamale, chairman House committee on Information in a statement said: “Now that the panel is in place, the stage is clear for the governor and the deputy to disprove the allegations against them as required by the Constitution rather than throwing stones at the House”.

    He said Nyako’s recent statement exonerating the Presidency from his ordeal, vindicated the position of the House.

    The assembly also faulted the declaration of two days holiday by Nyako as “ill-timed and self-serving,” adding that such a gesture should have been taken when state lost many of its citizens in violent attacks by gunmen.

    The House urged the state government to pay workers’ salaries and debunked claims by the governor that the state salary accounts were frozen.

    The statement also alerted of threats made on the life of the lawmakers though intimidations and hired assassins as a result of their unshakeaable resolve to see that the allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and the deputy are concluded in accordance with the 1999 constitution as amended.

  • EFCC ‘probing N2b in judge’s account’

    EFCC ‘probing N2b in judge’s account’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained its on-going investigation of retired Justice Gladys Olotu formerly of the Federal High Court, Abuja and two other judges of the court.

    The EFCC said it was investigating the three judges over allegation that they were involved in unethical conduct, including maintaining various bank accounts and investment interests in business while still in public service. One of the other two judges serves in Abuja. The other is in the Lagos Division.

    The commission said its investigation was upon a petition by a group, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), in which Justice Olotu was also accused of maintaining an offshore account with First Bank (United Kingdom) and was alleged worth over N2billion in cash and investments.

    These formed part of averments contained in a counter-affidavit dated April 1, 2014 filed by the EFCC in reaction to a fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted against it and 17 others by Justice Olotu before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Justice Olotu, who was retired earlier this year by President Goodluck Jonathan for “gross misconduct and upon the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC)”, sued after she was invited by the EFCC in the course of its investigation.

    The commission denied allegation by the retired judge that it was being instigated by the NJC and other defendants in the case. It also denied abusing Justice Olotu’s fundamental human rights, as alleged, and stated that it was within its statutory powers to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes.

    An EFCC official, Habufari Yahaya, who deposed to the affidavit, said “in the course of investigation, certain issues arose for further clarifications, which had to do with documents and the applicant (Justice Olotu) therefore requested for time to bring them and she was obliged”.

    The EFCC stated that Justice Olotu is, by her suit, seeking “the protection of the courts from investigation”. It argued that the retired judge cannot “use the instruments of the law to shield herself from being investigated.”

    It prayed the court to dismiss the suit as it relates to it (EFCC) with cost, on the ground that it was “unmeritorious and speculative”.

    Justice Olotu is seeking, among others, to restrain the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), the police and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from further inviting or quizzing her.

    She averred, in a supporting affidavit, that the NJC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), were instigating the various security agencies against her for daring to challenge her compulsory retirement in a separate suit.

    She stated that upon the service of processes (in relation to her earlier suit challenging her compulsory retirement) on them, the AGF and, NJC “very unfortunately felt and indeed expressed anger against me”.

    Justice Olotu also stated that “in fulfillment of these threats, the 7th and 8th respondents (AGF and NJC) ganged up with the 9th to the 18th respondents against me, and I was subsequently invited by the 1st respondent (EFCC) to its office on March 18, 2014.

    The 9th to 18th respondents include the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Salifu Alfa Belgore and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion – the Esama of Benin and father of former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion.

    Others are companies. They include Ponticell Nigeria Limited, Stolt Offshore Services S. A., the Vessel M. V. Theo, the owners of the Vessel M. V. Theo, Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited, A.B.C. Maritime AG, the Vessel M.V.Lara and the Vessel M.V.Krysia.

    Justice Olotu stated that in honouring the invitation by the EFCC, she arrived its office at about 10am on March 18, 2014 and was subsequently “arrested, interrogated and detained until about 4pm before I was released to go with instructions to come back on April 1, 2014 for another round of humiliation and detention”.

    She insisted that her invitation by the EFCC “was orchestrated by the AGF and the NJC along with the named 10 others.

    “I felt highly humiliated, tortured, heartbroken by the way and manner the officers of the 1st respondent ridiculed me in the name of interrogation,” she stated.

    Justice Olotu averred that after her experience with the EFCC, officers of the ICPC, SSS, the police and the Code of Conduct Bureau were now on her trail, making it difficult for her to move freely and to freely and safely stay in her residence.

    “My residence has now turned a rendezvous for all manner of security agents in Nigeria for the single reason that I filed Exhibit A (the suit against her retirement) and have refused to discontinue it,” she added.

    She seeks, among others, an order directing all the respondents to tender a written apology to her; an order awarding N5billion as exemplary damages against the respondents and in her favour and a perpetual injunction restraining the respondent, from further arresting, detaining and humiliating her.

    NJC, in its counter affidavit, denied being behind the retired judge’s experience in the hands of the EFCC. It described Justice Olotu’s allegations as falsehood.

    “The 8th respondent (NJC) did not at any time instigate the 1st – 5th respondents (EFCC, ICPC, SSS, police and CCB) or any security agency to investigate the applicant (Olotu) in respect of any wrongdoing.

    “The 8th respondent did not feel or express any anger against the applicant for filing Exhibit A and has not threatened to set the machineries of the 1st to 5th respondents in motion against the applicant,” an official of the NJC, Khadijat Hassan, stated in the affidavit.

    NJC has urged the court for an order directing Justice Olotu to attend court for cross-examination to substantiate the allegation contained in the affidavit she personally deposed to in support of the motion for enforcement of fundamental right dated March 24, 2014.

    NJC’s lawyer, Philips Jimoh-Lasisi (SAN), noted in the application dated May 2, 2014, in view of the nature of Justice Olotu’s allegation against his client, “it is necessary for an order to be made directing the deponent (Olotu) to attend court for cross-examination”.

    He relied on Order 27 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 and contended that since Justice Olotu deposed to the affidavit supporting the main suit, the court could make an order directing her to attend court for cross-examination.

  • EFCC probes three agro dealers for N892m fertiliser ‘scam’

    EFCC probes three agro dealers for N892m fertiliser ‘scam’

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are set to uncover  a suspected fertiliser racketeering in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

    A source in the anti-graft agency said three agro-allied companies, one of them owned by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State, were allegedly found in the scam.

    The companies, according to findings, obtained a N892 million loans from banks to buy the fertiliser from the ministry at highly subsidised prices.

    A breakdown of the loans showed that one of them obtained N353 million, while the other two got N308 million and N231 million.

    The source alleged that the fertiliser was diverted to Cameroon, where it was sold at exorbitant prices and denying local farmer access to the commodity.

    “These people got the fertiliser from the ministry at highly-subsidised cost, with the promise that the product would be sold to local farmers. But the fertiliser was diverted to Cameroon where it was sold at huge prices.

    “The sad aspect of the case is that these people have also refused to pay back the loans they obtained from the banks. Rather than respond to efforts by the banks to recover their money, they’ve been going round town, telling everybody that they are above the law,” the source said.

    Another source in the EFCC told The Nation that the lid was blown open when the banks petitioned the commission after their unsuccessful attempt  to recover the loans.

    It was learnt that EFFC’s efforts to get to the root of the scam was being hampered by bureaucracy.

    “We have done everything possible to invite two permanent secretaries from the agriculture ministry. They are the ones that can throw more light into how this racket operates. But the ministry top guns are refusing the commission access to them. It is indeed very frustrating,” the source said.

    In a telephone chat with our reporter, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said he was not aware of the case.

    The spokesman said there were several similar cases with the commission.

    He said: “I am not aware of the case you just mentioned and I have not been notified of such petition.”

  • Lawyer sues EFCC for freezing account after winning case

    Lawyer sues EFCC for freezing account after winning case

    PORT Harcourt lawyer, Nelson Nwaorgu, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly colluding with two banks to freeze his accounts in the banks.

    Nwaorgu had won a N196 million land case for his client.

    The lawyer sued the anti-graft body when some aggrieved members of his client’s family disagreed over the sharing formula of the jugment money and petitioned the EFCC over the matter.

    He obtained a court injunction restraining the EFCC or its agents from intimidating, harassing or arresting him, pending the determination of the suit before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

    Nworgu addressed reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on EFCC’s alleged harassment.

    The lawyer said the commission has no legal and constitutional rights to freeze his accounts in both banks when he is not under investigation for any crime that could warrant it to take such action.

    On how the EFCC became involved on the matter, Nworgu said the family he won the land case for wanted to sell it for N7 million per plot.

    According to him, some aggrieved members of the family disagreed on the sharing formula and petitioned the EFCC.

    Nworgu said: “Sometime in April, my clients from Rumuwele family, Rumuchiorlu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, headed by Ojiowhor Ambrose Ihunwo and Chief Metu Ihunwo, sold a piece of land measuring 28 plots, won in the court of law. But a problem arose among the family members on how to share the money.

    “The family, whom I won the land case for, decided to sell the land for N7 million per plot; some aggrieved members of the family disagreed over the sharing formula and petitioned the EFCC. The commission decided to take up the matter by instituting a suit against my client. But the matter I took to court was a civil matter and not criminal case.”

     

     

    He disclosed that several attempts were made to compel the EFCC to hands off the matter noting that his client paid the money into his account why they were negotiating on how to equitably and amicably share the money among the legitimate family members.

    He regretted that EFCC could not respond after several attempts made to ratify his account which they had frozen, adding that his health has begun to deteriorate as a diabetic and hypertension patients.

    A reliable source from EFCC confirmed the matter, but regretted that the Commission would not want to be mention on a matter that is yet to be concluded by the court.