The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Unavailability of bank statements stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Unavailability of bank statements stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    The failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tender additional bank information in the ongoing trial of former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday stalled the case.

    After tendering Fani-Kayode’s bank statement from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) between August 2008 and September 2012, EFCC’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo urged the court for an adjournment to provide further documents.

    Led in evidence by Keyamo, prosecution witness, Okechukwu Okeke told the Justice Rita Ofile-Ajumogobia, court that Fani-Kayode’s account has been dormant between August 2008 and September 2012.

    “The account was first with First Atlantic Bank before it was acquired by Finbank which was also acquired by FCMB,” said Okeke.

    But the document required was Fani-Kayode’s bank statement between 2004 and 2008 when he served as Minister for Culture and Tourism as well as Aviation.

    “We had written to the IT department of the bank after the last sitting when the court fixed trial dates. They generated the one we tendered before the court. They said we should give them one week for the statement between 2004 and 2008,” said Keyamo.

    Counsel to Fani-Kayode, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), prayed the court for a long adjournment but the judge declined stating that the trial had dragged on for too long.

    Responding to the judge’s statement, Keyamo blamed the delay on the defence’ “frequent objections,” one of which was argued up to the Supreme Court.

    Adedipe had earlier objected to the prosecution’s witness entering the witness dock on grounds that the defence was yet to cross examine a previous witness.

    He stated that Keyamo cannot call a new witness unless a formal application to have the last proceedings set aside by an order of court was made.

    Adedipe’s submission, made Keyamo to move an application for the striking out of testimonies from the previous witness, who was led in evidence by a lawyer in his chamber, Vitalis Ahaotu.

    “The issue of prosecutorial power is so profound. They will raise this issue on appeal. I also apply that the exhibits tendered be struck out,” Keyamo added.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia obliged the prosecution and declared null and void, previous proceedings and ruled that the matter has started afresh.

    Fani-Kayode is facing a 40 count charge of money laundering, which he allegedly committed as minister.

    He was first arraigned in 2008 and has been re-arraigned four time before three judges.
    After listening to the parties, Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned till March 18 and 19 for continuation of trial.

  • Former Edo SSG, 3 others remanded in prison custody

    A Benin High Court 3 sitting in Benin on Monday ordered the immediate past Secretary to Edo State government, Dr Simon Imuekemhe and three other remanded in prison custody.

    Justice Esther Edigin ordered that Imuekemhe and the others be remanded in prison until March 14, 2014.

    Imuekemhe, Joseph Emoabino, Aghator Efe and Davidi Igbinoba are been tried on eight count charges of diversion of fund among others.

    The particulars of the offense said Imuekemhe, being the the then SSG had conspired with the three to divert a total sum of N113m, being the state UBE fund to another project not covered by the intervention funds.

    They are been tried by the EFCC on the offense which was they allegedly committed on June 5, 2012 when Emoabino was the states UBE chairman, Igbinoba the secretary and Efe the Director of finance and accounts.

    The four accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when the case came up for hearing on Monday.

    Counsel to Imuekemhe, Mr Omoruyi Omonuwa had applied for the accused to be granted bail.

    Omonuwa’s bail application was however opposed by the counsel to EFCC, Mr.  Larry Aso.

    He said he was opposing the application on the ground that the four accused had been on administrative bail since when the matter was supposed to come up in court on February 26.

    In her ruling, Justice Esther Edigin turned down the bail application on the ground that the administrative bail has elapsed since the matter was now before the court.

    “I cannot grant bail when the bail application has not been heard,” she stressed.

    Edigin then ordered that the four accused be remanded in prison custody until March 14 when the bail application will come up for hearing.

  • Bayelsa sues EFCC over N1.4b, $1.3m Alamieyeseigha loot

    Bayelsa sues EFCC over N1.4b, $1.3m Alamieyeseigha loot

    Bayelsa State Government has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of trading with the cash recovered from ex-Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    The state government has taken the anti-graft agency to court, urging it to compel the EFCC to release N1.4 billion and $1.3million recovered from Alamieyeseigha to it, with interest.

    It is also seeking the sack of EFCC Chair Ibrahim Lamorde.

    The suit is before Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    In a writ of summons issued against the EFCC and Lamorde, the state urged the court to, among others, declare as corrupt act, the refusal of the commission to remit to it, the recovered funds.

    It also urged the court to declare that the decision by the EFCC to continue “trading with the funds by way of funds placement/fixed deposits is an act of corruption and an economic crime contrary to sections 6 and 7 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.”

    In the suit initiated by its lawyer, Anthony Agbonlahor, Bayelsa State also urged the court to direct the commission to immediately pay the monies with the interest which had accrued on them.

    Bayelsa asked the court to declare that Lamorde, who took part in the investigation and prosecution of Alamieyesiegha, should not have allowed the funds recovered from the former governor to be traded with.

    It urged the court to hold that Lamorde was not qualified to continue in office as chairman of EFCC, having violated his oath of office.

    The state also urged the court to order EFCC to pay 21 per cent interest on the N1.4 billion and the $1.3 million from November 1st, 2013 until judgment is delivered by the court.

    It pleaded with the court to “direct EFCC to pay to it $400,000.00, being the amount forfeited by its former governor and which funds had since been repatriated by the United States Government to the EFCC”.

    A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of the case.

    The state resorted to the court action following the EFCC’s refusal to honour an earlier request for the funds as contained in a demand letter from the state’s agent, George Uboh, of the Panic Alert Security System.

    Uboh said he met with EFCC officials and the commission asked him for a short time to comply.

    He said the commission failed to remit the monies, following which the state instructed him to go to court.

  • Bayelsa sues EFCC over unremitted N1.4b Alamieyesiegha‎ loot

    The Bayelsa State Government has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the commission’s alleged refusal remit back to it, funds recovered from its convicted ex-Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
    In a suit now before Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the state claimed that N1.4billion and another 1.3 million USD were recovered from Alamieyesiegha ‎on his conviction by the Federal High Court, Lagos.
    In a writ of summons issued against against EFCC and its Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, the state urged the court to among others, declare as corrupt acts, the refusal of the commission to remit back to it, the recovered funds.
    It also urged the court  to declare that the decision by the EFCC to continue “trading with the funds by way of funds placement/fixed deposits is an act of corruption and an economic crime contrary to sections 6 and 7 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
    In the suit initiated by its lawyer, Anthony Agbonlahor, ‎the state also asked the court to issue an order to direct the commission to immediately pay the monies with the interest which had accrued on them.
    Bayelsa asked the court to declare that Lamorde who took part in the investigation and prosecution ‎of Alamieyesiegha‎ ‎should not have allowed the looted funds recovered from the former governor to be traded with.
    It urged the court to hold that Lamorde was not qualified to to continue in office as chairman of EFCC having violated his oath of office.
    The state also asked the court to order EFCC to pay 21 per cent interest on the N1.4 Billion and the $1.3 million from November 1st, 2013 until judgment was delivered by the court.
    It further prayed the court to, “direct EFCC to pay to it $400,000.00 being the amount forfeited by its former governor and which funds had since been repatriated by the United States Government to the EFCC.‎”
    A date is yet fixed for the hearing of the case.
    The state resorted to the court action following the EFCC’s refusal to honour an earlier request for the funds as contained in a demand letter
    From the state’s agent, George Uboh‎ of a firm, the Panic Alert Security System.
    Uboh said subsequent to his letter of December 19, 2013 he met with EFCC officials and the commission asked him for a short time to ‎comply.

    He said the commission failed to remit the monies, following which the state instructed that court action

  • EFCC re-arraigns Fani-Kayode

    EFCC re-arraigns Fani-Kayode

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, in a Federal High Court, Lagos, over money laundering.

    Fani-Kayode’s re-arraignment was sequel to an amended 40-count charge bordering on the offence, filed against him by the anti-graft body on Jan. 24.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to all the counts

    Following the plea, Mr Wale Akoni (SAN), the counsel representing the accused, prayed the court to allow his client to continue with the terms of the bail earlier granted him.

    The prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo, did not object to the oral application for bail.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, in a short ruling, granted the prayer of the defence counsel.

    Ofili-Ajugomobia held that the accused, a senior member of the Bar and a traditional title holder, had always been available in court for his trial.

    She, therefore, said that he should continue on the bail earlier granted him and adjourned the case to March 10, for trial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fani-Kayode was first arraigned in December 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed, on a 47-count charge.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge and the judge had granted him bail in the sum of N200 million, with two sureties in like sum.

    NAN reports that aside Fani-Kayode’s initial arraignment; he has been re-arraigned three times.

    The former minister was re-arraigned before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, following the transfer of Mohammed from the Lagos Division of the court.

    Fani-Kayode was again re-arraigned before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on Feb. 11, 2013 after Murtala-Nyako was also transferred.

    His re-arraignment on Thursday is the second before Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    In the charge, the accused was alleged to have transacted with funds exceeding N500, 000 without going through a financial institution.

    The accused was also alleged to have accepted cash payments to the tune of about N100 million, while he was Minister of Aviation and Minister of Culture and Tourism respectively.

    The offences are said to contravene the provisions of sections 15(1) (a) (b) (c) (d) and 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004

  • Alleged N5billion theft: Nnamani’s trial for June 17

    Alleged N5billion theft: Nnamani’s trial for June 17

    The N5 billion money laundering charge against former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani before a Federal High Court in Lagos has been adjourned to June 17 for trial.

    Justice Mohammed Yanusa adjourned the case after the prosecution and defence teams differed on what the matter was slated for.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had dragged Nnamani and seven others to court on 105 counts of conspiracy and money laundering.

    Others standing trial with him are Sunday Anyaogu; Rainbownet (Nig) Limited; Hillgate (Nig) Limted; Cosmos FM; Capital City Automobile (Nig) Limited; Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

    They were re-arraigned before Justice Yunusa on March 7, 2013, following the transfer of the previous judge, Justice Charles Archibong.

    The accused were alleged to have laundered various sums of money lodged in secret account to the tune of N5 billion, including statutory allocations of Aninri, Enugu South, Agwu, Igbo Etiti and Isi Uzor local government areas of Enugu State.

    The former governor was alleged to have stolen N1.4 billion from the Excess Crude Oil Funds allocated to local governments in the state.

    According to the charge, Nnamani with the help of one Chinero Nwigwe, who is now at large, fraudulently transferred millions of dollars of Enugu State funds, to his personal accounts in the United States between 1999 and 2007.

    The alleged offences are said to have contravened the provisions of the Money laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004.

    They had pleaded not guilty to the charge, while Justice Yunusa had allowed them to continue on the earlier bail granted by Justice Archibong.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to the defendants Abubakar Samsudeen informed the court that they were not prepared for trial as the matter was for mention.

    He noted that the matter was not heard at the last adjournment because the court was said to be away for a conference.

    But prosecuting Kelvin Uzozie who noted that criminal matters are never adjourned for mention at the High Court, stated that the case was for trial.

    He told the court that he had one witness in court to proceed with trial, but will accede to an adjournment if the defence was not prepared to proceed.

    He also informed the court that he had a total of six witnesses, and could present three of them in a day.

    After listening to the parties, Justice Yunusa adjourned the case to June 17, and warned parties to ensure remarkable progress given the long date.

    The court on May 16, 2013, granted leave to Nnamani to travel overseas for medical attention and on May 28, an application for extension of medical leave filed by Ricky Tarfa (SAN) for the accused was granted.

  • EFCC witness’ illness stalls Goje’s trial

    EFCC witness’ illness stalls Goje’s trial

    Proceeding in the N25 billion money laundering case against former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was stalled yesterday, following the illness of the EFCC’s Principal Witness One (PW1), Solomon Okotie.

    As a result, Justice Babatunde Quadri adjourned proceedings till today to allow the PW1 stabilise.

    The decision is sequel to a plea by the prosecuting counsel, Wahab Shiutu, during the cross-examination by his counterpart, Chris Uche (SAN) on the ground that Solomon said his health was failing and could not continue.

    Justice Quadri told counsel that the two days (March 4 and 5) earlier fixed for the case could be extend to make up for the setback.

    Goje’s counsel Chris Uche (SAN) said: “Because of the pungency of our questions, it appears the witness needs to be stabilsed, even the prosecution counsel admitted to that.”

    “So on grounds of ill health, we conceded an adjournment because we all noticed that he was not quite stable, so we had to take a little break when we discovered our questions started coming to him like punches,” he added.

     

     

  • How Adigwe, others wrecked Afribank, by EFCC

    How Adigwe, others wrecked Afribank, by EFCC

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness yesterday gave a detailed account of how former Managing Director of the defunct Afribank Plc, Sebastian Adigwe, former chairman, Osa Osunde and former executive directors Jibrin Isah, Isa Zailani, Chinedu Onyia, Henry Arogundade and Peter Ololo conspired to steal huge sums from the bank.

    The witness, Emmanuel Al-Hassan, while testifying before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, disclosed that the defendants granted questionable loans.

    Al-Hassan told the court that the questionable loans were granted to several firms to buy shares of blue chip organisations but the sums were later diverted, adding that the defendants transferred N15 billion in favour of Rehoboth Asset Limited.

    According to al-Hassan, the money was approved as loan by the defendants at the 252nd board meeting of Afribank for the transferee to buy shares of blue chip companies on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

    The shares, Al-Hassan asserted, were not bought as agreed in the offer letter, while the sum was eventually transferred into AIL Securities Limited account on September 15, 2008 through cheque numbers 11418001 and 11418002.

  • Fraud allegation rocks Imo Assembly

    Fraud allegation rocks Imo Assembly

    •Speaker’s aide indicted in phoney contracts

    •Allegation debunked

    A Former aide to the Imo State Speaker, Mr. Samuelson Iwuoha, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud allegedly perpetrated by the Office of the Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu.

    Iwuoha, who until his resignation was the special assistant to the speaker on Media, said he wrote Governor Rochas Okorocha to compel the House leadership to set up a panel to probe the allegations he levelled against the Office of the Speaker.

    The ex-aide alleged that an official in the Speaker’s office awarded road contracts on behalf of the government to inexperienced contractors and signed contract papers for contractors, who had abandoned their jobs, to facilitate payments for contracts that were not executed.

    He also alleged that close aides of the Speaker were awarded juicy contracts, which they abandoned after collecting payments. Iwuoha said over 120 people were recruited as the Speaker’s personal staff, against the approved number.

    According to him, a certain percentage of their salary was deducted illegally by the official.

    The media aide to the Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ahaneku, debunked the allegation, saying: “It is common knowledge that the Houses of Assembly in the country, Imo Assembly inclusive, do not have budgets and as such cannot afford to fund contracts. So how can an institution, which cannot fund contracts, give out road contracts in a state where the Works Ministry is active?”

     

  • EFCC seeks bench warrant against Cross Country boss

    EFCC seeks bench warrant against Cross Country boss

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday asked a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for a bench warrant for the arrest of the Cross Country boss, Chief Bube Okorodudu.

    The request followed the failure of the defendant to appear in court for the second time.

    At the resumed hearing before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, counsel to the EFCC Emmanuel Jackson asked the court to issue a bench warrant on the defendant.

    EFCC said for the second time, Okorodudu failed to appear to take his plea on the charges against him.

    Counsel to Okorodudu Chief Robert Clarke (SAN) objected to the application for a bench warrant.

    He said there was a subsisting application by his client challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the charges against him by the EFCC.

    Clarke argued that the proper procedure was for the court to resolve the issue of jurisdiction before ruling on EFCC’s application for a bench warrant.

    Justice Lawal-Akapo adjourned the matter till April 8.

     

     

    He submitted that the court could not make a pronouncement on a case where its jurisdiction was being challenged.

    After listening to counsel, Justice Lawal-Akapo directed the two lawyers to provide the court with the relevant authorities to assist him in his ruling.