The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC seeks confiscation of ex-Oyo HoS’ properties

    EFCC seeks confiscation of ex-Oyo HoS’ properties

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a suit at an Oyo State High Court, seeking confiscation of the properties of former Oyo Head of Service (HoS) Mrs. Kudirat Adeleke and 11 others, who are on trial for allegedly stealing 5.6 billion pension fund.

    The money was meant for the gratuity of retired primary school teachers.

    The other suspects are: Muili Aderemi, Iyabo Giwa, Adesina Ayoade, Oguntayo Banji, Adebiyi Olasunmbo, Adeduntan Johnson, Johnson Bosede and Kareem Rasheed.

    EFCC is seeking interim forfeiture of the properties, pending the determination of the fraud case against the suspects.

    The commission based its prayer on the grounds that the accused allegedly used the stolen money to buy and develop some buildings.

    The court observed that some of the properties in question had been used to transact businesses with some banks.

    The suspects are being remanded at Agodi Prison, pending the determination of the case.

    The case will come up again on December 20.

     

  • Sylva escapes fresh arraignment

    Sylva escapes fresh arraignment

    •Refuses to enter court

    •Lawyers ‘fight’ over ex-governor

    •Ex-Minister Lawal’s trial stalled

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva yesterday escaped re-arraignment on a fresh charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Sylva, who is being tried before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was to be arraigned before a new judge, on a fresh 42-count charge.

    The ex-governor and six others are accused of laundering about N19.2 billion.

    Although he was within the premises, Sylva, who had attended the proceedings before Justice Bello, refused to enter Court 7 to be re-arraigned.

    Despite protests by prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) that Sylva was outside and should be invited to take his plea, his lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), insisted otherwise.

    Fagbemi told the court that his client was not issued with a hearing notice as was required, and that the new charge was only served on him (as against his client) the previous day.

    As Jacobs stood to counter him, Fagbemi shouted him down, insisting he was not through with his submission. He accused Jacobs of being rude.

    It soon degenerated into a shouting match. Everyone in court watched as both attorneys slugged it out.

    “Rotimi, you are rude. Do you know where you are? Must you now be rude because you handle EFCC cases? Rotimi, sit down, you are rude,” Fagbemi shouted.

    Jacobs, who was livid, shouted back, saying: “You cannot be rude at me. I won’t allow this.”

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed later intervened, describing the incident as “highly unfortunate.”

    Justice Mohammed said both lawyers’ conduct was capable of giving young lawyers and non-lawyers a bad impression.

    “I call on you senior members of the bar to keep your cool. Please, let us not desecrate this profession.

    “I see this as an affront on my authority in this court. Two senior lawyers, standing up to each other this way.”

    Both lawyers later apologised to the court and to each other, with Fagbemi calling Jacobs, “my junior brother.”

    Also charged with Sylva are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited.

    Two of the accused – Balogun (third accused) and Ogbudu (fourth accused) – were in court and mounted the dock.

    Sylva stood on the corridor leading to the court, while proceedings lasted.

    Efforts by Jacobs to ensure that the arraignment, having failed to take place yesterday, should be carried out before December 31 failed, as the defendants insisted that time should be devoted to the hearing of the preliminary objection by Ogbudu.

    Justice Mohammed fixed January 23 for the hearing of objections in the case.

    Earlier, before Justice Bello, Fagbemi argued an application in which Sylva sought the release of his passport to enable him travel.

    EFCC’s lawyer John Ainetor objected to the application, arguing that Sylva wanted to evade trial on the new charge.

    Ainetor told the court that this was the third time Sylva was filing a similar application, as others were rejected for lacking in merit. He urged the court to refuse it.

    The trial of former Labour Minister Hassan Lawal before Justice Bello was stalled yesterday.

    Prosecution lawyer Wahab Shittu told The Nation that the case could not go on because there were moves to transfer the case to another judge.

    He said the court would communicate to parties when the transfer was effected and the case ready for hearing before a new judge.

  • Detained Jigawa government officials released

    The 19 Jigawa State top government officials arrested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC and State Security Service (SSS) have released.

    The Nation gathered that their release followed the state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido’s reconciliation with President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur.

    The officials spent over two weeks in detention where they were investigated for their alleged involvement in financial misconduct in the state.

    Those released were the state Accountant General, Alhaji Sani Jahun and the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Alhaji.

    Others were Provost of the state polytechnics; Prof. Goje, the Rector, Jigawa State College of Education Gumel ; Dr. Dahiru Abdulkadir and the Chief Accountant, State Universal Basic Education Board and the chair of the board; Bashir Gumel among others.

     

     

  • Money laundering: EFCC to re-arraign Sylva

    Money laundering: EFCC to re-arraign Sylva

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would re-arraign former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State on Tuesday for allegedly laundering N19.2 billion.

    The EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

    According to the statement, Sylva and six others will be arraigned on a 42-count amended charge before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “The other accused persons to be arraigned with the former governor are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the EFCC spokesman as saying in the statement.

    It said the re-arraignment followed fresh evidence linking the former governor with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions.

    The statement added that the allegations borders on money laundering during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State between 2009 and 2012.

     

     

     

  • EFCC: how Fayose diverted N860m poultry fund

    EFCC: how Fayose diverted N860m poultry fund

    •’Ex-governor’s deputy Olujimi got $50,000’

    Hearing of the fraud charges levelled against former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began yesterday at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The commission tendered documents exposing how Fayose “diverted” N860 million meant for poultry projects during his tenure through his wife, Feyi; his deputy, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi; and others.

    EFCC has been pursuing a case of N1.2 billion fraud against the former governor.

    Giving evidence before Justice Adamu Hobon of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, an EFCC official, Mr. Abubakar Madaki, named Fayose’s wife, his mother and Mrs. Olujimi as beneficiaries of the funds.

    EFCC lawyers, led by Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, presented the documents in support of their evidence through Madaki.

    The documents included Fayose’s statement during his visit to the Lagos office of the EFCC, petitions against him and documents containing the names of the alleged beneficiaries of the money.

    Also tendered were cheque stubs, reports from the Federal Ministry of Works and a letter acknowledging that Mrs. Olujimi collected 50,000 dollars.

    A building plan designed by Grid Associates for Fayose’s home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and a copy of an agreement between the Ekiti State government and Biological Concepts Nig. Ltd., handlers of the project, were also tendered.

    All the documents were admitted as exhibits by Justice Hobon.

    Madaki said he headed the team that investigated the petitions against the former governor, noting that only four of the 20 poultry farms in the agreement were concluded.

    He said: “Some of the farms had three or four pens, instead of the five or six stated in the agreement.”

    Madaki said the agreement stated that the company would set up poultry farms in four areas, with the headquartres in Afao-Ekiti, Fayose’s hometown.

    He said the commission found out that none of the poultry sites had provision for power generating sets or boreholes as indicated in the agreement and they were all overgrown with weeds.

    Madaki said the Chairman of Biological Concepts Nig. Ltd., Mr. Gbenga James, and some government officials linked with the project were questioned.

    He said: “There was also a figure in one of the documents that was used to purchase a car for Fayose’s mother. In the documents was an acknowledgement by Mrs. Olujimi that she received 50,000 dollars.

    “James was invited to comment on the documents and he confirmed that some funds were used to build Fayose’s house at Iyaganku in Ibadan. He also confirmed transferring N156 million for the purchase of a battery cage for his (James’) farm, which he claimed was an arrangement between him and Fayose.”

    Madaki said investigation at the company’s office in Ibadan and the home of Mr. Wale, who is said to be Fayose’s close friend, showed how the money was diverted by the former governor through his wife, his former deputy, and other associates.

    The witness said the company collected 15 per cent of the contract sum before the agreement was signed, adding that several disbursements to individuals were marked “PR”. He said Mrs. Olujimi confirmed receiving the money as “her share” during investigation.

    He said N300 million was released for the poultry farm at Afao, but “the architect who designed the farm said he was given only N73 million for the project”.

    Justice Hobon adjourned the hearing till today to allow the prosecution present more documents to support its case.

  • EFCC to re-arraign Sylva, six others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today re-arraign former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and six others on a 42- count amended charge before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The others are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited.

    EFCC’s decision to re-arraign Silva and others followed the retirement of the former judge, Justice Adamu Bello.

    The commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement yesterday that “Sylva’s re-arraignment was sequel to fresh evidence linking him with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions bordering on money laundering during his tenure as governor.”

     

  • Court adjourns Ikuforiji’s case till Jan 7

    Court adjourns Ikuforiji’s case till Jan 7

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till January 7 next year for continuation of hearing in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the state’s House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

    The Speaker and his Personal Assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi were charged before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    Their lawyer, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), prayed the court to order the prosecution to identify the documents it intends to tender during the trial so as to save time.

    The judge directed the prosecution lawyer to sort out vital documents which he considers useful for the trial.

    EFCC accused Ikuforiji and his assistant of accepting cash payments meant for the Assemble without going through a financial institution.

    During the hearing yesterday, EFCC’s witness Adebayo Adedeji, led in evidence by Mr Godwin Obla (SAN), told the court that Atoyebi’s job schedule included running errands for the Speaker and collecting cash from the accounts department for the Assembly’s use.

    The witness added that on each occasion Atoyebi collected money, he acknowledged it by appending his signature.

    “On August 2, 2011, the second accused signed and collected about N4 million on behalf of the first accused, with the heading: ‘National Council for State Legislators Conference, United States.’

    “In the cash register, it was also discovered that on August 3, 2011, the second accused collected the sum of N10 million on behalf of the Speaker, and the payment was tagged: ‘Ramadan’. It was signed and dated August 4, 2011.

    “On August 23, 2011, the sum of N1.2 million was also collected by the second accused, on behalf of the Speaker, and the transaction was tagged: ‘Money for Orderly to the Wife of Speaker’. This transaction was signed and dated Aug. 29, 2011,” he said.

     

    At this stage, the court and lawyers agreed that Obla should isolate the transactions he intends to highlight from the voluminous cash book to save time.

    Oyetibo told reporters that the prosecution had not tendered anything incriminating against the Speaker.

    The number of witnesses to be called by the defence would depend on the “strength and character” of the testimonies of the prosecution’s witnesses, he said.

  • Ribadu urges African countries to recover stolen loot

    Ribadu urges African countries to recover stolen loot

    Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has urged African countries to recover the stolen money stashed abroad by corrupt leaders.

    Ribadu spoke at the plenary of the second annual High Level Dialogue on Governance and Democracy in Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

    He spoke on: The Imperatives of Rule of Law for Improved Public Service Delivery in Africa.

    The former EFCC chairman said the step was necessary to serve as deterrent to the leaders and countries, which accepted stolen wealth from Africa.

    He said African countries should learn from Nigeria, which recovered the stolen wealth of its past leaders.

    Ribadu said when he was chairman, the agency recovered $2 billion stolen by past leaders.

    He said Nigeria also built a global alliance to stop countries from accepting questionable deposits.

    Ribadu said his EFCC secured 300 convictions and recovered $5 billion.

    He urged the African Union (AU) to assist member-states to build up their capacities by tackling corruption.

    Mr Olawale Fapohunda, Ekiti State attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, called for reforms to strengthen the rule of law in Africa.

    He said the major problem facing leadership in Africa was the perception that “nothing good comes out of the government.”

    Fapohunda urged civil society organisations to show more interest in governance and enlighten the people.

  • Lagos CJ to judge: Continue with Arisekola son’s trial

    Lagos CJ to judge: Continue with Arisekola son’s trial

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, has directed Justice Lateefat Okunnu to continue presiding over the trial of an oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, and four others for fuel subsidy fraud.

    Okunnu made this known on Tuesday at the resumed trial of Alao and the others before the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    Abdullahi, son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao, was charged with N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    He is facing trial alongside two other oil marketers, Olarenwaju Olalusi and Opeyemi Ajuyah, and their companies – Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Alao had on October 23, petitioned the Chief Judge, asking her to transfer the case from Okunnu to another judge.

    He had claimed in the petition that Okunnu was biased, and that he would not get justice from her.

    During Tuesday’s proceedings, Okunnu informed the parties in the suit that the chief judge had directed her to continue with the trial.

    She noted that there were pending applications before the court which must be heard before continuation of the trial.

    NAN reports that one of the pending applications was filed by Alao.

    He is asking the court to set aside its ruling which dismissed his previous application to quash the charges.

    The other pending application was filed by Olalusi.

    He is seeking the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    The court adjourned the case to December 6 for hearing of the pending applications.

     

     

  • ‘Nigerian leaders are corrupt’

    The Chief of Staff to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kayode Oladele, has said Nigeria is corrupt because the nation’s leaders convert the money for the people’s progress to personal use.

    The EFCC official noted that until the nation tackles corruption, the country would remain undeveloped and the basic amenities, which enhance good living, would remain elusive.

    Oladele spoke in Mushin, Lagos, at a summit organised by a voluntary politically-oriented organisation, the Egbe Alatunto.

    The Legal Adviser to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Muiz Banire, said Nigeria would become corruption-free when everyone sacrifices time, money and other actions for the nation’s freedom.