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Tag: EFCC

  • Alleged N76b, $31.5m fraud: EFCC arraigns ex-AMCON MD, others

    Alleged N76b, $31.5m fraud: EFCC arraigns ex-AMCON MD, others

    Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has granted  bail to a former Managing Director of Assets Management Cooperation of Nigeria (AMCON) Ahmed Kuru and four others  in the sum of N20million each.

    Kuru and other defendants including former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd, Kamilu Omokide; Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, and Super Bravo Ltd are standing trial for allegedly defrauding Arik Airline N76 billion and $31.5 million.

    Justice Dada ordered that their respective sureties must be gainfully employed.

    She directed the defendants to submit their international passports to the registrar of the court.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Kuru and others on a six-count charge bordering on theft, abuse of office and stealing.

    The defendants pleaded not guilt.

    Counsel for the first and third defendants, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) prayed that the defendants be granted bail on liberal terms.

    According to him, the first defendant has no criminal record and that EFCC granted him administration bail in which he never jumped. 

    He added that the first and third defendants had an opportunity to escape but he did not not.

    “We pray the court grant bail to the two defendants on the same liberal terms given to them by EFCC,” Osipitan said.

    EFCC prosecuting counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), urged the court to dismiss their bail applications.

    According to him, the two defendants are facing serious offences of economic sabotage.

    He, however agreed with the second and third defence counsel that they were presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.

    Shittu added that the temptation of the defendants leaving the country was very high.

    He pleaded with the court for accelerated hearing and for the defendants’ international passports be seized by the court.

    “But if my Lord decides to be magnanimous to grant them bail, we shall be praying for stringent conditions because we are particular about their attendance in court.

    “We urge that they should submit their international passports to the court in order to ensure that they come for trial,” Shittu said.

    Counsel for the second defendant, Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN), urged the court to also grant bail to his client on self recognition.

    He argued that bail application was to secure attendance of  defendants in court.

    The prosecution opposed the bail application of the second defendant.

    Shittu said the second defendant application for bail was incompetent and and should be struck out.

    He said: “My lord the record of this court is to the effect that the second defendant, at one point absconded in which your lordship had to issue a bench warrant.

    “Learned silk for the second defendant is not the defendant on trial and it is very unhealthy for a counsel to stand as a surety for a defendant.

    “I urge my lord, in exercising his discretion to take all this into consideration because our concern is the appearance of the second defendant so that he does not abscond.”

    Read Also: Court denies EFCC’s request for arrest warrant against Otudeko, others

    After granting them bail, Justice Dada adjourned the matter until March 17 for commencement of trial.

    The EFCC had  alleged that Kuru, Omokide and Ilegbodu sometime in 2022, fraudulently converted to their use of NG Eagle Ltd the total sum of N4,9 billion.

    The anti-graft agency also alleged the CEO of Arik stole the sum of N22.5 million by fraudulently converting same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, property of Arik Air Ltd.

    The EFCC also alleged the defendants obtained undue advantage for themselves and intentionally authorized the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at 31.5 million dollars , an arbitrary act, which was prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.

  • EFCC officer’s alleged killer not a medical doctor, says NMA

    EFCC officer’s alleged killer not a medical doctor, says NMA

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said Joshua Ikechukwu, who was said to have killed an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative, is not a doctor.

    On Sunday, the EFCC said Ikechukwu killed Aminu Salisu, an Assistant Superintendent Officer (ASO), in Anambra State, during an operation.

    The agency alleged that Ikechukwu is an internet fraudsters involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.

    But some reports described Ikechukwu as a medical doctor, suggesting that he worked at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH).

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    A statement yesterday by NMA’s Secretary in Anambra State, Obiaeli Ifeanyi, said Ikechukwu had been mistakenly addressed as a doctor due to his dealings in medical supplies, insisting he does not hold any medical qualifications.

    “Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a member of NMA Awka Zone and no member has been able to identify such a name as either a colleague or member of NMA.

    “Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a medical doctor (not even an academic doctor) as widely published by the media though he deals on medical supplies and has been addressed as doctor.

    “This calls for concern the flagrant abuse of the title medical doctor by imposters and quacks, dragging the image of the revered medical profession to the mud,” the statement said.

  • ALGON: 774 councils to open dedicated accounts with CBN

    ALGON: 774 councils to open dedicated accounts with CBN

    • NFIU to monitor spending 
    • Fraudulent chairmen, other officials for prosecution by EFCC, ICPC

    The 774 local governments are to open dedicated accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the direct disbursement of allocations to them from the Federation Account, the Association of Local Governments (ALGON) said yesterday.

    The National President, Bello Lawal Yandaki, said the opening of the account is critical to the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on direct allocations to the councils.

    He said the apex bank is waiting for the Federal Government’s directive on the opening of the accounts.

    Also, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is to monitor the utilisation of the funds by the chairmen in conformity with the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance, a source said.

    According to the source, the Federal Government has constituted a team of anti-corruption agents drawn from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute council chairmen and other officials who indulge in corrupt practices.

    Yandaki, who spoke with reporters in Katsina, the capital of Katsina State, allayed fears over the delay in the disbursement of funds to the councils.

    He said there was no cause for alarm and attributed the delay to the failure of councils to submit necessary bank details to the Federation Accounts and Allocations Committee (FAAC) required for facilitating the payments.

    He said: “The CBN is presently awaiting directives from the Federal Government to open local government accounts for the respective states, which can be done between 24 and 48 hours for each.’

    “I am a member of the sub-committee that was set up to trash out contentious grey areas, and we have already met relevant stakeholders, including labour unions, local government chairmen, NULGE, and so on.

    “There’s a general agreement that the commencement of direct federal revenue allocations to LGs will be this January.

    “Hopefully, we are just rounding off meetings and making submissions to the Federal Government for implantation and there’s no set timeline.’’

    A source present at the FAAC meeting at the weekend also said: “The structures are yet to be erected. The LGAs have to be coordinated.

    “Those that have opened an account with the CBN did not submit their details to FAAC for crediting, resulting in the delay.”

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    During the January FAAC meeting, N361.754 billion was allocated to the LGAs.

    However, the funds remain undistributed due to these administrative bottlenecks.

    FAAC officials have urged the councils to resolve these issues before the month’s end to ensure they receive their allocations.

    The Federal Government’s decision to channel funds directly to the local government followed the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the autonomy of the councils.

    However, although the apex court ruling mandates direct allocation of funds to councils, thereby bypassing state governments, there have been concerns about compliance.

    An example is Anambra State where a state law provides that local government funds can only be disbursed through a joint state/local government account.

    According to the source, the Federal Government constituted the anti-corruption team to monitor the accounts of the councils in a bid to prevent illegal diversion by governors and ensure financial accountability and autonomy at the grassroots level.

    Shedding light on the stringent measures to track financial activities across the councils, he added: “If any local government chairman does anything untoward, people will know, and he may be invited by the anti-corruption agencies to answer for it.”

    The source noted that council chairmen should now take full responsibility for their financial operations.

    He said: “Local government chairmen should know that because monies are going directly to them, they have no excuse to say the governor has diverted their funds.

    “They should be careful and know they will be held responsible.”

    He warned that any chairman found transferring bulk funds back to state governors would face the consequences.

    The source added: “If a chairman disposes of the money in bulk to the state government, of course, he will have to answer for it.

    “Anti-corruption agencies are closely monitoring these transactions to ensure compliance.

    “If LGA monies are tied to the joint account in violation of the law, the anti-corruption agencies, especially the ICPC, will intervene.

    “After LGAs receive their funds, if they choose to transfer it to the state government, that’s their decision.

    “However, if this violates the law, the anti-corruption team will act accordingly.”

    The source expressed confidence that these measures would strengthen financial transparency and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.

    “This initiative is a game-changer. It not only protects local government allocations but also holds chairmen accountable for their financial decisions.

    “This is a step in the right direction for Nigeria’s democracy,” the source said.

  • Doctor killed operative after arrest of 37 suspects, says EFCC 

    Doctor killed operative after arrest of 37 suspects, says EFCC 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it had arrested 37 internet fraud suspects before its officer was killed in Anambra State.

    It warned Nigerians against believing false narratives on the Awka incident in which an officer, Aminu Sahabi Salisu, was shot dead by a medical doctor, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

    The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on how it lost an operative.

    It said: “The EFCC expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC (ASE11) Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

    “Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17.

    “The operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police in line with operational protocols.

    “The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.

    “However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators who politely demanded entrance to his apartment. “Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment.”

    The EFCC also revealed that its preliminary investigations confirmed that Ikechukwu was a suspected internet fraudster.

    It said although Ikechukwu was already in the custody of the police but he will be prosecuted by the commission.

    The statement reads: “The preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.  Two laptops, ipads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established.

    “Though currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the commission will surely bring him to trial.

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    “The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.

    “Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts.  The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere “Yahoo boys and girls.”  

    Warning Nigerians against believing false narratives on the tragic incident, the agency said: “Additionally, the commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident.

    “It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.

    “More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty.

    “There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act.

    “The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.”

    The EFCC, which vowed to resist further attacks on its operatives, said: “As for the EFCC, every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law.

  • EFCC condemns false narratives on officer’s death, vows justice  

    EFCC condemns false narratives on officer’s death, vows justice  

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed profound grief over the death of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC (ASE II), Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed while on duty on January 17, 2025, in Awka, Anambra state. 

    Salisu was reportedly shot by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, during a lawful operation.  

    In a press statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, via its official X handle yesterday, the EFCC condemned the “irresponsible and outrageous narratives” circulating on social media regarding the circumstances surrounding Salisu’s death. 

    “It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz,” the statement read, calling for respect and empathy for the grieving family and colleagues.  

    It added: “More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty. There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act. The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.”

    Salisu and other investigators, the EFCC indicated, were on a legitimate operation to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters in the Ifite area of Awka. The operation, duly documented with the Nigeria Police, initially led to the arrest of 37 suspects from a two-storey building.  

    However, Ikechukwu, who observed the EFCC team through a CCTV camera at his apartment, refused to open his door despite the officers’ polite requests. Instead, he allegedly opened fire, killing Salisu and injuring another officer.  

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    “Preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy. Two laptops, ipads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established. Though currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the Commission will surely bring him to trial,” it stated.

    The EFCC warned the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.

    “Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts. The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere “Yahoo boys and girls”,” the Commission noted.

    The EFCC also vowed to take stronger measures to protect its officers and prevent future incidents.

    “Every subsequent attack on any of our officers will be met with the force of the law. The Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood,” the anti graft agency vowed.

    While mourning the loss of Salisu, described as a dedicated officer who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, the EFCC extended its appreciation to sister agencies and well-meaning individuals who have shown support. 

    “The Commission appreciates the invaluable support, condolences, and prompt response of sister agencies and well-meaning individuals standing shoulder to shoulder with it at this trying time,” the statement concluded.  

  • Fake spiritualist jailed for $7,000 fraud

    Fake spiritualist jailed for $7,000 fraud

    A 23-year-old man, Odeyemi Hammed Oluwaseun, has been sentenced to one year in prison for defrauding victims online by pretending to be an American-based female spiritualist with the ability to help jilted women and estranged wives regain the affection of their partners.

    Oluwaseun was convicted and sentenced by Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

    The self-proclaimed spiritualist was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on two counts of internet fraud, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretenses.

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    Oluwaseun was accused by EFCC of duping one Bose of the sum of $3200.00 and another victim identified as Schneider Alina of $4500.00 while posing as Lord Hill, a female spiritualist to the two women.

     He had allegedly promised to use his spiritual powers to help the two women restore their relationship with their lovers.

    Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Odeyemi Hammed Oluwaseun, sometime in December, 2023 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Bose to send $3200.00 (Three Thousand Two Hundred Dollars) worth of gift cards to you, with the impression that the same would be used to diabolically influence her ex-husband to return and marry her, while you pretended and represented yourself to be one Lord Hill, a female spiritualist with email account hillor674@gmail.com, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code.”

    Count two reads: “That you, Odeyemi Hammed Oluwaseun, between August, 2023 to September, 2023 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Schneider Alina to send $4500.00 (Four Thousand, Five Hundred Dollar) worth of gift cards to you, with the impression that the same would be used to diabolically control her ex-boyfriend to return and marry her, while you represented yourself to be a female spiritualist with Instagram account _Visions_by_Tendo_12 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code”

    He pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Sesan Ola reviewed the facts of the case, tendered the convict’s extra-judicial statements and evidence, including the sum of $1000 (One Thousand United States Dollars) recovered from him and prayed the court to convict and sentence him as charged.

    Convinced that the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Abdulgafar sentenced Oluwaseun to six months suspended jail term on each of the counts, and ordered that the sum of $1000 (One Thousand United States Dollars), iPhone 15 and 2008 Toyota Camry car recovered from him be forfeited to the federal government.

  • Alleged N12.3b fraud: EFCC to arraign Otudeko, ex-First Bank MD Onasanya Monday

    Alleged N12.3b fraud: EFCC to arraign Otudeko, ex-First Bank MD Onasanya Monday

    The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, has fixed January 20 for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arraign the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko, and a former First Bank Managing Director Stephen Onasanya for allegedly defrauding the bank of N12.3 billion.

    Otudeko, a former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings, and Onasanya are to be arraigned alongside a former board member of Honeywell Plc, Soji Akintayo, and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited, said to be connected to Otudeko.

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    According to the EFCC, the four defendants allegedly committed the fraud in tranches of N5.2 billion, N6.2 billion, N6.150 billion, N1.5 billion, and N500 million, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.

    The 13-count charge, which EFCC’s lawyer Bilikisu Buhari filed on January 16, also alleged that the defendants made and forged documents to deceive the bank.

    Otudeko, Onasanya, Akintayo, and Anchorage are to be arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

    One of the charges reads: “That you, Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo, and Anchorage Leisure Limited on or about December 11, 2013 in Lagos procured Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to retain N1.5 billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: obtaining by false pretense, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

  • EFCC: Edo poll tribunal witness wanted over N6b council funds

    EFCC: Edo poll tribunal witness wanted over N6b council funds

    The Head, Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewale, has said the agency has no business with Edo State governorship election petitions tribunal’s witness that has no corruption issue.

    He reacted yesterday to a viral video, where it was alleged that EFCC’s operatives stormed a hotel in Benin to arrest a witness of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.

    The spokesman for EFCC said: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a trending video insinuating that Mr. Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect being investigated for an alleged N6 billion fraud, is an election witness. 

    “The commission wishes to state without any equivocation that Okunbor is not a witness of the PDP at the election tribunal, as claimed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo. Rather, he (Okunbor) is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving the 18 local governments of Edo State.

    “Ongoing investigations showed that about N6 billion was diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures, owned by Okunbor. The suspect was running the ventures, using the name and identity of Mr. Godfrey Emode.

    Read Also: EFCC denies involvement in Edo governorship tribunal witness arrest

    “The commission’s investigators, in their quest to unearth the shadiness of Okunbor, arrested Emode, who led them to the suspect at Eterno Hotel, Benin City, where a pre-trial meeting was being held.

    “Investigators interrogated counsel for Ighodalo on the status of Okunbor in the election tribunal matters and he stated that he was not a witness in the matter.  

    “In spite of this, Mr. Ighodalo and his co-travellers at Eterno Hotel prevented EFCC officials from carrying out their constitutional duty and obstructed them from arresting Okunbor. Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Okunbor was his witness, when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the commission’s investigators.

    “The EFCC remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law and the commission has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it.  The EFCC will not hesitate to bring anyone to trial, witness or no witness, if it has a basis for doing so.”

    Oyewale assured members of the public that Okunbor would be brought to book soon, in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm, Kezmith Global Ventures.

  • EFCC dismissals

    EFCC dismissals

    •A positive move against insider corruption

    The news that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had turned the searchlight on itself showed it is not only focused on external corruption-related cases but is also paying attention to internal matters that have the complexion of corruption. Its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement that “In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements,” the commission “dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024.” He added that their dismissal had followed the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC and was ratified by EFCC boss Olanipekun  Olukoyede. 

    He further stated that the EFCC chairman “reiterated the commitment of the commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures. Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to- be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head. The core values of the commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.”

    Some days after the agency announced the multiple dismissals, its spokesperson said in a statement: “Ten officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC are currently being detained in connection with the investigation of some missing operational items involving them.” He said these officers were arrested on the directive of Olukoyede and “are being questioned over the theft of items they could not account for.”  Their detention, he added, was “part of ongoing efforts” to rid the commission of corrupt practices.  According to the statement, “Investigators are making significant progress, and those found guilty will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.”

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    Considering the widespread belief that probably no Nigerian institution is immune to corruption, the EFCC’s house cleaning efforts indicate that it is sensitive to public perception; and show a commitment to removing factors that could hinder its effectiveness, and thereby earn itself increased credibility. We encourage it to continue on this path.

    It is noteworthy that in an address to the agency’s personnel last year, Olukoyede had observed that public opinion about the conduct of some of its investigators was “adverse.” He said: “The craze and quest for gratification, bribes and other compromises by some of our investigators are becoming too embarrassing and this must not continue.”

    His appointment as EFCC chief in October 2023 was expected to mark a new era and bring a different and more effective approach to the commission’s anti-corruption role. It was reassuring when he started to brief the public about the commission’s activities, including investigations, convictions and property recovery. The most notable widely reported cases in recent times include securing the forfeiture of an estate in Abuja measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 units of duplexes and other apartments; and arresting 729 suspects of economic crimes operating in a seven-storey building in Lagos.

    Notably, the commission alerted the public to “the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.” Its spokesperson said: “Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko and demanding $1million from him for ‘Olukoyede to give him soft landing’ on a non-existing investigation.”

    Such attempts to sabotage the positive efforts of the EFCC place a duty on the public to support the commission by supplying useful information to it. The commission also needs to help the public to do this by facilitating the supply of such information and protecting the sources.

  • EFCC denies involvement in Edo governorship tribunal witness arrest

    EFCC denies involvement in Edo governorship tribunal witness arrest

    Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has clarified that the anti-graft agency has no interest in a witness of the Edo State governorship election petitions tribunal unless there is a corruption issue.

    Oyewale’s statement, made on Wednesday, came in response to a viral video alleging that EFCC operatives had raided a hotel in Benin to arrest Dr. Asue Ighodalo, a witness for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024 Edo State election.

    The spokesman of EFCC said: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a trending video insinuating that Mr. Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect being investigated for an alleged N6 billion fraud, was an election witness.  

    “The commission wishes to state without any equivocation that Okunbor is not a witness of the PDP in the election tribunal, as claimed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo. Rather, he (Okunbor) is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving all the 18 local government areas of Edo State.

    “Ongoing investigations showed that about N6 billion was diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures, owned by Ogunbor.  The suspect was running the ventures using the name and identity of Mr. Godfrey Emode. 

    “The commission’s investigators, in their quest to unearth the shadiness of Ogunbor, arrested Emode, who led them to the suspect in Eterno Hotel, Benin City, where a pre-trial meeting was being held.

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    “Investigators interrogated  the counsel to Ighodalo on the status of Ogunbor in the election tribunal matters and he clearly stated that he was not a witness in the matter.   

    “In spite of this, Mr. Ighodalo and his co-travellers at Eterno Hotel prevented EFCC officers from carrying out their constitutional duty and obstructed them from arresting Ogunbor. Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Ogunbor was his witness, when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the commission’s investigators.

    “The EFCC remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law and the commission has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it.  The EFCC will not hesitate to bring anyone to trial, witness or no witness, if it has a basis for doing so.”

    Oyewale assured members of the public that Ogunbor would be brought to book soon, in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm,  Kezmith Global Ventures.