The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • How bishop sold company’s land – EFCC

    A Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on Wednesday heard how a self-acclaimed archbishop, John Okeke, allegedly forged documents and sold a land worth N54 million belonging to a firm, Immortal Impex Limited.

    Okeke, who is facing trial before Justice Aishat Opesanwo, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), forged the letterhead of the company to facilitate the deal.

    The prosecution witness, Nurudeen Bello, said the commission had waded into the matter following a petition by a director of the firm, Moses Okafor.

    Bello said EFCC’s investigations revealed that Okeke was the author of an allegedly forged letter requesting the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to change the ownership of Plot H1, Festac Town, Lagos to the Motorcycle Spare Parts Dealers Association.

    Bello further said that the defendant in the cause of questioning, claimed he had an understanding with the complainant to write the letter.

    He told the court that Okeke had claimed he had a verbal agreement with Okafor to use the name of Immortal Impex Limited to get the land allocation from the FHA.

    “An official of the Federal Housing Authority was invited by the EFCC and he presented a land allocation letter; request for change of ownership and a deed of assignment.

    “The defendant admitted that he authored the request for change of ownership signed by Okafor and another director of Immortal Impex Limited, as well as the deed of assignment between the company and the Motorcycle and Spare Parts Dealers Association.

    “While EFCC investigation revealed that Okafor was the one who received the letter of land allocation from the Federal Housing Authority, Okafor claimed that he authorised the cleric to get the document on his behalf as he was travelling out of the country,” said Bello.

     

  • Subsidy scam: EFCC accuses oil marketer of stalling trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday accused an oil marketer, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, of using delay tactics to stall the commencement of his trial.

    The EFCC made the allegation through a counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, after Ogunbambo failed to appear before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that Ogunbambo and another oil marketer, Habila Theck, are being prosecuted for an alleged N979.6 million fuel subsidy scam.

    They were arraigned alongside their firm — Fargo Energy Limited – on July 31, 2012.

    During Wednesday’s proceedings, Ogunbambo’s counsel, Mr. Mobolaji Akintunde, told the court that his client had sustained a spinal cord injury after falling from a bathtub.

    He said Ogunbambo was presently receiving treatment at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

    He presented a medical report signed by one Retired Brig.-Gen. J.A. Aremu to back his claim and asked the court for an adjournment.

    Responding, Oyedepo urged the court to reject the document, arguing that it was a ploy by Ogunbambo to further stall the trial.

    He said, “My Lord, this document is intended to scuttle this trial.

    “The disposition of the first defendant (Ogunbambo) in this case is becoming a dangerous precedent.

    “They are indirectly seeking a stay of this proceeding.”

    Oyedepo said the medical report was not properly signed and did not disclose the date Ogunbambo was admitted at the hospital for treatment.

    Onigbanjo, however, directed the EFCC to verify the authenticity of the medical report and whether Ogunbambo was being treated at the facility.

    He adjourned the case to February 10 for further hearing.

     

  • Court reserves ruling on charge against Fani-Kayode

    Court reserves ruling on charge against Fani-Kayode

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday fixed February 10 for ruling on the competence of a criminal charge brought Femi Fani-Kayode, charged with money laundering.

    Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister, is standing trial on an amended 47-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    When the case was called on Monday, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia said she would deliver her ruling on a future date because counsel in the suit had filed their written submissions out of time.

    The judge said she required time to rule on the issue and fixed February 10.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the last adjourned date on January 27, the prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo, had informed the court of an amended charge, containing 40 counts and applied that the plea of the accused be taken.

    After count-one was read to the accused, his counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), raised an objection, arguing that the accused could plead to the charge since it was invalid.

    Adedipe argued that count one stated that the accused, “accepted cash payments of over N10 million,” without stating the donor of the said money.

    He stated that it was alleged throughout the charge, that the accused “accepted various sums of money, without mentioning the names of the person from whom the monies were received.

    Adedipe therefore, submitted that the charge was invalid, “persecutory and oppressive.”

     

  • Alleged $1.69m fraud: New judge for Ajudua’s case

    The trial of a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, over a $1.69 million fraud, could not proceed at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja yesterday. Reason: His case was re-assigned to a new judge, Justice Kudirat Jose.

    He could also not be rearraigned because counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) was absent in court.

    Ajudua’s last court appearance was in September, last year, when he argued his bail application before a vacation judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari.

    When the matter came up before Justice Jose yesterday, Ajudua looked pale and tired as he was assisted into the court by a prison official.

    While the matter lasted, Ajudua lay on the bench reserved for defendants.

    Justice Jose adjourned his re-arraignment till February 5 to enable her update herself with the case.

    Ajudua and his associate, Charles Orie, were charged before Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of the money between July 1999 and September 2000.

    The transfer of the case to Justice Jose was necessitated by Justice Oyewole’s withdrawal. His withdrawal was said to be in connection with a petition written to the EFCC by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), alleging that Ajudua used the names of the judge and others to defraud him of about $8.39 million.

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Ajudua’s counsel, Mr Richard Ahonaruogho, was also in court.

    Ajudua’s and Orie’s cases were truncated in 2005 after Ajudua travelled abroad for treatment.

    On June 11, 2013, Ajudua appeared before the court after an almost eight-year absence.

    His efforts at obtaining bail failed as Justice Oyewole ordered him to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison. He was later granted N50 million bail by Justice Safari on health grounds.

  • EFCC summons rector, senior employees

    EFCC summons rector, senior employees

    •Probes alleged financial scam in Bayelsa poly

    Panic has gripped the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, after its key officials, including the Rector, Dr. Ineyi Douglas Ekpebu, were summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was asked to appear before the office of the EFCC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of investigations into alleged financial scam involving the school.

    Ekpebu was asked to come with the bursar, Mr. James Neminebor, the head of audit, Mr. Denson Ojigbare, Mr. Abadani Woyengikuro and Mr. Zechariah Owutuamor.

    They were asked to appear before the anti-graft agency tomorrow.

    A letter of invitation dated January 20, signed by the Zonal Head, EFCC, Mr. David Inyang, said the rector and other suspects would be quizzed by the Officer Commanding, Economic Governance.

    The letter, addressed to Ekpebu, said: “This office is investigating a case involving your school in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you and some of your officers has become imperative.”

    The letter also asked them to come along with the list of academic and non-academic employees, showing their age, sex, state of origin among others, from 2009 to date.

    They were also requested to furnish the agency with the list of all contracts awarded and executed by the institution from 2009 to date.

    The contract list, according to the invitation, must show “contract sum, contract type, date of award, status, contractor, location, award letters and bill of quantities.”

    Others are “mode of payment, vouchers, cash book, income and expenditure and cheques from 2009 to date”.

    The development came about three months after gunmen suspected to be assassins shot and killed a 35-year-old senior employee of the university, Mr. Frank Moses.

     

    The deceased was attacked at Agudama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state amid a protracted dispute between the labour union and the school management.

    Prior to his killing, Moses and members of the Senior Staff Association of Federal Polytechnics (SSAFP) were engaged in an industrial dispute with the rector and management of the institution over issues bordering on workers’ unpaid benefits and financial recklessness.

    The father of two was shot dead a few minutes after celebrating the victory of the Golden Eaglet against their Mexican rival.

  • Financial scam: EFCC to quiz Poly rector, others

    Panic has gripped the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, after its key officials including the Rector, Dr. Ineyi Douglas Ekpebu, were summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    Ekpebu was asked to appear before the office of the EFCC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of investigations into alleged financial scam rocking the institution.
    He was asked to come along with the school Bursar, Mr. James Neminebor, the Head of Audit, Mr. Denson Ojigbare, Mr. Abadani Woyengikuro and Mr. Zechariah Owutuamor.
    They were asked to appear before the anti-graft agency on Thursday.
    A letter of invitation dated January 20 and signed by Zonal Head, EFCC, Mr. David Inyang, said the rector and other suspects would be quizzed by the Officer Commanding, Economic Governance.
    The letter which was addressed to Ekpebu said: “This office is currently investigating a case involving your school in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you and some of your officers had become imperative.”
    The letter also asked them to come along with list of academic and non-academic employees showing their age, sex and state of origin among other things from 2009 till date.
    They were also requested to furnish the agency with the list of all contracts awarded and executed by the institution from 2009 to date.
    The contract list, according to the letter must show “contract sum, contract type, date of award, status, contractor, location, award letters and bill of quantities.”
    Others are “mode of payment, vouchers, cash book, income and expenditure and cheques from 2009 to date.”
    The development came about three months after unknown gunmen suspected to be assassins shot and killed a 35-year old senior employee of the institution, Mr. Frank Moses.
    The deceased was attacked at Agudama, a suburb in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state amidst a protracted dispute between the labour union and the school management.

  • $1.69m fraud: Ajudua’s case transferred to another judge

    The trial of a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, accused of $1.69 million fraud did not go on as scheduled at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday
    This was because the matter has been reassigned to a new judge, Justice Kudirat Jose, who took over his case file on Tuesday.
    In addition, Ajudua’s rearraignment did not take place as the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) was absent in court.
    Ajudua’s last appearance in court in respect of the matter was in September last year when he argued his bail application before a vacation judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari.
    At the resumed trial of the charges preferred on Tuesday, a visibly weak Ajudua was in court.
    He looked pale and tired as he was assisted into the courtroom by one of the prison officials.
    He walked into the courtroom with lot of efforts.
    Throughout the proceeding, Ajudua lied on the pew (bench) provided for defendants who came for trials.
    The new judge adjourned the hearing till February 5 and to enable her update herself with the case.

  • Fani-Kayode opposes money laundering charge

    Fani-Kayode opposes money laundering charge

    Former Aviation Minister, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has opposed a fresh money laundering charge the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against him.

    His lawyer, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), opposed the charge yesterday, stalling the former minister’s arraignment.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo, applied that the amended charge be read to the accused so that he could take his plea.

    But Adedipe objected, saying the accused could not be arraigned because the charge was invalid.

    He said the first count, which stated that Fani-Kayode accepted cash payment of over N10 million, did not specify who gave him the money.

    According to him, it was alleged throughout the charge that the accused accepted various sums of money but no mention was made of the person from whom the money was received.

    Adedipe said the charge was, therefore, not only oppressive but also invalid.

    He said: “The accused is alleged to have received money from a nameless person. We have to know the person so we can know who to address. As it is, the charge is vague.

    “They (prosecution) alleged that he accepted money. When you accuse somebody of accepting money, clearly, the person from whom the money was accepted becomes important.”

    Keyamo said the silence on how the money got to the accused did not matter because Fani-Kayode was not charged with theft but money laundering.

    “The essence of money laundering is when the money has no origin; it’s when you are caught with large sums of money and you cannot explain the source,” Keyamo said.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumugobia urged both parties to file their written addresses within two days.

    He adjourned till February 3 for ruling.

    The EFCC, in the amended 40-count charge, alleged that Fani-Kayode, on various days in 2006 accepted and deposited money at the Apapa branch of a bank through some of his associates and wife.

    One of the counts reads: “That you Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on or about 22 day of November, 2006, while serving as Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a financial transaction exceeding N500, 000, which was not done through financial institution by accepting cash payment of N10 million, which sum further carried in cash to First Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch (now First City Monument Bank PLC.), through one Saviour Ndifreke, (your close associate now at large), and put in an investment account in your favour for 90 days contrary to section 15 (1) (d) and punishable under section 15 (2) (b) of the money laundry prohibition act, 2004.”

    The judge had adjourned the trial sine dine (indefinitely) after Keyamo said he did no longer wanted Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia to adjudicate the case and that it should be re-assigned to another trial judge, but the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, was said to have refused the request.

  • EFCC files amended charge against Fani-Kayode

    EFCC files amended charge against Fani-Kayode

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday filed an amended money laundering charge against a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, at a Federal High Court in Lagos.
    At the resumed hearing of the case, the Prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo, informed the court of the amended charge containing 40 counts and applied that the plea of the accused be taken.
    After first count was read to the accused, his counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), raised an objection that the charge was invalid and his client could not plead to it.
    Adedipe argued that the count stated that the accused “accepted cash payments of over N10 million,” without stating the donor of the said money.
    He said it was alleged throughout the charge that the accused “accepted various sums of money,” without mentioning the names of the persons from whom they were received.
    The counsel submitted that the charge was “invalid, persecutory and oppressive.”
    Keyamo, in response, argued that the charge bordered on money laundering in which monies involved had no source as opposed to conversion or stealing where there was a particular source.
    He submitted that he was prepared to file a written address on the issue.
    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, in a short ruling, said that both parties were at liberty to either file written addresses or address the court orally on the issue.
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that she adjourned the case to February 3 for ruling.
    .

  • Between EFCC and new PDP boss

    Between EFCC and new PDP boss

    It is no longer news to say former Bauchi State Governor, Adamu Muazu, is now the new helmsman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but one thing that remains news is how the matter he has with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) will be resolved.

    Or is it that the matter which was in public domain for a long time now, has finally been resolved? Because since the emergence of Muazu as the new PDP boss, not a few Nigerians have been waiting to hear what the anti-graft body has to say on his elevation its to such a position.

    But mum has been the word from EFCC which not too long ago declared that it has not cleared former Bauchi State Governor  of corruption charges.

    The EFCC in a statement back then debunked reports that suggested the anti-graft agency had concluded investigation on the corruption charges against the former governor and found nothing against him.

    The anti-graft body said it had to issue the clarification as a response to persistent enquiries coming from members of the press and the general public on the alleged clearance given to Muazu.

    But in spite of similar “persistent enquiries coming from members of the press and the general public,” since Muazu was crowned as national chairman of President Jonathan’s political party, the EFCC is yet to find its voice.