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Tag: EFCC

  • Youths urge EFCC, ICPC to establish dedicated monitoring units for council funds

    Youths urge EFCC, ICPC to establish dedicated monitoring units for council funds

    A group, Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to establish dedicated units to monitor the utilisation of funds to local governments.

    NCYP said this would enhance accountability and transparency in Local Government Financial Autonomy.

    In a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, NCYP said it had become necessary for the anti-graft bodies to take such a step to ensure direct transfer of local government revenues from the Revenue Allocation Account Committee into the bank accounts of the 774 local government areas of the country.

    It said: “This development aligns with the Supreme Court’s historic judgment of July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments, upholding the Federal Government’s suit to enhance their independence.

    “In a unanimous ruling by a seven-member panel, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional and illegal for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local governments. The ruling mandates that local governments must now receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “NCYP findings revealed that a dedicated unit within the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has been established to oversee the direct disbursement of funds to the 774 local governments across Nigeria. As this financial autonomy takes effect, NCYP expresses concerns about the preparedness of local government council chairmen to effectively manage these funds and the readiness of grassroots communities to collaborate with their councils to ensure these resources are optimally utilised for development.

    Read Also: Fed Govt ministerial panel to enforce council autonomy

    “NCYP highlights that many local government areas are unaccustomed to managing significant funds independently. To avoid inefficiencies and misuse of resources, it is essential to establish synergy between council leaders and the people.

    “NCYP also calls on civil society organisations and advocacy groups to step in by organising sensitisation programs and town hall meetings to educate citizens on their role in holding local governments accountable.

    “We urge financial regulatory bodies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), to establish dedicated units to monitor fund utiliaation and prosecute offenders.

    “The National Orientation Agency (NOA) also has a critical role in reorienting local government councils and grassroots communities on the importance of these funds for grassroots and national development.

    “While we commend President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for their dedication to implementing the Supreme Court judgment, we call for periodic training workshops focusing on budgeting and the use of modern IT tools.

    “It is imperative to emphasize to Council Chairmen the importance of publicly disclosing their budgets, as this will not only enhance effective governance and accountability at the grassroots but also protect them from false accusations or political blackmail.

    “We also commend the state governors for their support of Local Government autonomy and emphasize that the essence of this autonomy is to drive grassroots development and not to impose a burden on them. However, it is crucial for Local Government Chairmen to exercise prudence and resist mismanagement of funds. Reports of chairmen appointing excessive aides, such as over 100 in some cases, raise concerns about frugality and the proper use of resources.

    “The Local Government Councils, being the closest tier of government to the people, have immense potential to drive development. The success of Counties (America’s version of our LGAs) in the United States as powerful entities with efficient systems, including education, can serve as a model for Nigerian LGAs.

    “Media organisations should establish dedicated desks to consistently report on the progress made by Local Government Councils and shed light on their challenges. By doing so, the media can facilitate continuous dialogue among the related organs of the Federal Government, LGAs, and citizens, driving the formulation of effective solutions and fostering sustainable development at the grassroots.

    “We emphasise that empowering the grassroots is fundamental to achieving national development. The success of this initiative will strengthen the bond between citizens and the government, fostering a deeper sense of nationalism, patriotism, and the core values needed for Nigeria to realise its potential as a leading force in Africa and on the global stage. This progress will undoubtedly have a positive ripple effect across the continent,” the statement said.

  • Corruption in EFCC

    Corruption in EFCC

    The dismissal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of 27 officials for corruption related offences again highlights integrity challenges on the part of those prosecuting the war against the malfeasance.  It struck as a typical case of corruption fighting corruption with counterproductive outcomes.

    A press statement by the commission last week said, the measure was in furtherance of its “quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements”. The agency affirmed its zero tolerance for corruption even as it promised to thoroughly investigate all allegations against its staff including “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a sectional head”.

    But the commission introduced a new angle to the issue when it warned the public against the activities of impersonators and blackmailers exploiting the name of its executive chairman, Ola Olukayode to extort money from suspects under investigation.

    It cited the case of two members of a syndicate being prosecuted at a Federal High Court for allegedly demanding $1million from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority to ‘secure soft landing’ for him on a non-existent investigation. 

    The statement also contained an alert on alleged moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the commission. It claimed that suspects being investigated for economic and financial crimes who fail to compromise their investigators go to any length to blackmail them.

    An appraisal of the press statement highlighted three salient but closely related issues bordering on the integrity and credibility of officials of the commission. While the first dealt with the punitive measures taken by the agency to deter corrupt officials, the second is a warning on the activities of those impersonating Olukayode to extort money from undiscerning public.

     The third strand is an alert on alleged penchant by suspects who fail to compromise their investigators to turn around and blackmail them. In all, they speak of the dire integrity challenges confronting officials of the commission in carrying out their statutory duties of stamping out economic and financial crimes. The issues highlighted are weighty. They hinge on the suitability and moral bearing of EFCC officials to wage a decisive war against corruption.

    It is good a thing the commission reaffirmed its zero tolerance for corruption which saw 27 of its fraudulent officials shown the way out. For an agency primarily established to aid the government prosecute the war against economic and financial crimes, the dismissal of 27 of its officials for corruption related offences in one fell swoop, is certainly unsettling.

    It conveys the image of an organisation whose officials largely work at cross purposes with its mandate, possibly for personal gains. Yes, the 27 officials implicated by the disciplinary committee have been dismissed. That may not have exhausted the list of fraudulent staff giving the organisation bad name.

    Ironically, just two days after the dismissal of the 27 fraudulent staff, EFCC issued another statement on 10 others detained by it over alleged theft of operational items they could not account for. The statement did not disclose the items of theft.

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    But a credible source within the system revealed that the officers allegedly broke into the exhibits’ room and stole foreign currency, gold items and other valuable exhibits. If officials could break into the exhibits’ room and steal items that will aid the prosecution of suspects, then the situation is that bad.

    All these speak of the rot in the system and a breakdown of values on the part of the staff of the commission. If syndicates can comfortably concoct stories of existing or non-existing investigations by the EFCC and swindle victims, then the commission needs to reappraise its operational strategies. There is everything to suspect that the EFCC is in the current predicament because of the existence in its fold of many fraudulent and dishonest staff.

     Or how else do we explain the narrative that 10 staff of the organisation allegedly broke into the exhibits’ room and stole cash and other valuable exhibits from there?

    Officials who go to this length can commit any other crime including supplying credible information to criminal syndicates to scam suspects under investigation. Little surprising the war against corruption has proved a daunting task.

    There was no information on the particular offences committed by the dismissed 27 officials. Neither were their names and other details disclosed. The possibility of extorting money from suspects or connivance with syndicates through information sharing to defraud unsuspecting members of the public cannot be ruled out.

    But the commission had no need raising alarm on suspects it claimed to be blackmailing investigators after their attempt to compromise them failed. That is something it can clearly investigate and handle conclusively. Though that tendency cannot be ruled out, there is the danger of fraudulent officials hiding under such cover to evade genuine complaints of corruption against them.

    The commission should keep to its promise to thoroughly investigate all allegations of corruption against its staff and not seek to hold brief for them. The way things stand, the greatest challenge confronting the EFCC in effectively carrying out its functions is the existence of dishonest and rogue staff within.

    There are many bad eggs within the organisation working at cross purposes with its mandate. The time has come for an urgent re-appraisal of the staff under the employ of the organisation to weed out those who give bad name to it.

    It is inconceivable how corruption can meaningfully fight corruption. Olukayode has a daunting task redeeming the image of the organisation. The way things stand, it will be difficult for the agency to make meaningful progress on its mandate with disoriented, morally depraved and fraudulent staff. For now, Nigeria has continued to post unenviable profile in the corruption ladder reflecting failures by various anti-corruption agencies to post positive records in that fight.

    But this should not be entirely surprising given the way the last administration toyed with the appointment of the leadership of the EFCC. That regime went ahead to appoint Ibrahim Magu as the acting chairman of the EFCC despite  a damning report by the Department of State Services (DSS) on his unsuitability for the job. 

    The DSS had written the senate not to confirm Magu as he would be a huge liability to the war against financial crimes. At least on two occasions his name was sent to the senate for confirmation but was rejected. But the president preferred to have him in an acting capacity until his uneventful exit after discernible signs of the predictions of the DSS had manifested.

    The EFCC is not the only anti-corruption agency contending with the crisis of integrity within its fold. Not long ago, Nigerians were shocked when a highly decorated Police officer DCP, Abba Kyari was implicated in the case of a social media influencer, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi who pleaded guilty to money laundering and other crimes in the United States of America.

    The list of officials charged with crime prevention but curiously implicated in abetting such crimes is endless. But it is reflective of the inability of the country to make reasonable progress in the war against corruption.

    In the Corruption Perception Index posted by Transparency International (TI) for 2023, Nigeria ranked 145 out of the 180 countries assessed. It shared that position with Liberia, Madagascar and Mozambique. In the 2022 assessment, it ranked 154 out of 180 countries also assessed. Though the 2023 rating marked a marginal improvement on the previous year, it is still reflective of the pervasiveness of the scourge within the system.

    Regime after regime touts the war against corruption as one of their cardinal programs. But they come and go without making reasonable impact in combating the scourge largely because those charged with the prosecution of the campaign have been the greatest obstacles to its prosecution. Is it surprising that corruption in public places has shown no signs of abating? No thanks to the seeming discriminatory handling of high profile corruption cases by agencies of the government, including the judiciary.

  • EFCC summons Okoya’s sons over ‘abuse of naira’ in viral video

    EFCC summons Okoya’s sons over ‘abuse of naira’ in viral video

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited Subomi and Wahab, sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, for interrogation over alleged abuse of the naira.

    A video had gone viral in which the two Okoya sons were dressed in white flowing gown (agbada), flaunting stacks of crisp N1000 notes to promote Subomi’s new song titled “Credit Alert”.

    It also captured a mobile policeman holding bundles of N1000 notes while the billionaire’s sons danced and flung the cash into the air.

    Media reports yesterday claimed that the officer in the video had been arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police Force, prompting insinuations that Okoya’s children would not be touched because of the businessman’s status.

    But in the EFCC invite signed by Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos directorate, the anti-graft agency directed the duo to report to the head, special operations team at the 15A Awolowo Road office of the commission by 10am on Monday, January 13, 2025.

    Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had said in a statement on his X handle on Friday that the actions of the police officer in the viral video were unethical, adding that he would be made to face disciplinary action.

    Adejobi said: “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action.

    “The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility and core values of the police.

    “An act or omission could be criminal and punishable.

    Read Also: BREAKING: EFCC invites Okoya’s sons over alleged Naira abuse

    “The policeman has failed to act as an officer.

    “He was never attached to the young men. He was to be on duty at the Eleganza company on guard duty, not as an aide or escort.

    “So what was he doing with them where they made the shots?

    “Is it his job to carry the money? A serious minded policeman should discourage the commissioning of an offence, which he failed to do.

    “The NPF has acted professionally on his case.

    “So let your argument on the matter be objective, as the police won’t tolerate illegal duty, indecency or and any act of criminality from its personnel.

    “We all deserve a more respected and professional police force in Nigeria. Thanks.”

    In 2024, the EFCC ramped up its enforcement of naira abuse by celebritries, citing Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

    On April 4, Bobrisky, the social media celebrity, was arrested by the commission in Lagos for defacing naira notes.

    The cross-dresser was arraigned on a six-count charge by the EFCC.

    On April 16, the EFCC filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, the socialite and social media influencer, over alleged naira abuse.

  • Naira abuse: EFCC confirms invitation of Okoya’s sons for questioning 

    Naira abuse: EFCC confirms invitation of Okoya’s sons for questioning 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited two children of billionaire businessman, Chief Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse.

    The EFCC Spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

    “Yes, they have been invited; the two children, Wahab and Raheem Okoya are expected to report to the commission’s Lagos office for questioning on Monday.

    ”They are to report to the Head, Special Operations Team, at the 15A Awolowo Road Office of the commission by 10 am on Monday,”  he said

    Read Also: BREAKING: EFCC invites Okoya’s sons over alleged Naira abuse

    NAN reports that the two brothers were sighted  in a video flaunting and spraying bundles of N1,000 notes in a promotional clip for Raheem’s new song titled “Credit Alert”.

    In the video, the duo, dressed in white traditional attires, danced while a mobile policeman held stacks of crisp naira notes, which they flung into the air.

    The act, perceived by many as disregard for the law, drew condemnation on social media, with some Nigerians expressing doubts about accountability due to their father’s influential status.(NAN)

  • BREAKING: EFCC invites Okoya’s sons over alleged Naira abuse

    BREAKING: EFCC invites Okoya’s sons over alleged Naira abuse

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Subomi and Wahab, sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse. 

    In a notice by Michael Wetkas, Acting Director of the Lagos Directorate of the EFCC, the agency instructed the duo to appear before the head of the Special Operations Team at its office located at 15A Awolowo Road, Lagos, by 10 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025.

    Details shortly…

  • Former Abia gov distances self from N228.4m EFCC fraud case

    Former Abia gov distances self from N228.4m EFCC fraud case

    The former governor of Abia State and immediate past Abia Central Senatorial District legislature, Theodore Ahamefule Orji, has disassociated himself from the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja against him.

    It may be recalled that a section of the media had reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, granted interim forfeiture of over N228.4 million, linked to former Governor Theodore Orji, to the federal government.

    Specifically, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel Fadila Yusuf had filed an ex-parte application alleging that the funds were proceeds of money laundering.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling had directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order on its website and in a national newspaper, calling on any interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.

    The EFCC’s application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 03/V/2025, was filed under Section 44(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

    The commission alleged that the funds, totalling ₦228,497,773.12 and domiciled in a Keystone Bank account held by Effdee Nigeria Ltd, were linked to the diversion of public funds by Orji and his associates during his tenure as governor.

    According to the EFCC, Effdee Nigeria Ltd was allegedly used to siphon funds from the Abia State government.

    But the former governor of the state, in a reaction debunked the federal High Court’s judgment, claiming that one Erondu Uchenna Erondu mentioned as an aide to the state government never served in Governor Orji’s government, but the immediate past government of the state under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration.

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    The senator who recently announced his retirement from active politics, speaking through his media aide, Ifeanyi Umere said “Our attention has been drawn to a media report, claiming that a Federal High Court in Abuja has made an order of interim freezing and forfeiture of the sum of over ₦228.4m linked to senator T.A Orji to the fed government on allegations of money laundering.

    “This is to notify the general public that the said report is false and misleading as there is no pending case in any court involving Senator T.A Orji and Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu with EFCC as contained in the news report.

    “A thorough scrutiny of the whole story which emanated from NAN revealed that the reporter of NAN, in the bid to break the supposed story, ended up publishing fake news, as he referred to Erondu as the special adviser to senator TA Orji.

    “The reporter who did not crosscheck his story ought to know that the story in question between Erondu, Austin Akuma of Keystone Bank, Effdee Nigeria limited and EFCC happened between 2016 and 2017 a few years after Senator TA Orji had left Office as the governor of Abia State.

    “We want to urge media houses and their reporters to always cross check their stories before rushing to publish. Once again Senator Orji has assured that he will be willing at any time when called upon by any anti-graft agency to come and give account of his stewardship as Abia state governor as he has nothing to hide.”

  • EFCC arrests four Chinese, 104 others in Abuja

    EFCC arrests four Chinese, 104 others in Abuja

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has arrested four Chinese and 104 Nigerians in a business apartment in the Gudu axis of Abuja for Internet fraud.

    The commission said the suspects’ arrest was part of its ongoing efforts to clean the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.

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     A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said they were arrested on Thursday.

    The statement said: “The suspects, comprising 67 male (including four Chinese) and 38 female were allegedly involved in hotel review job scam targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world

    “The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”

  • EFCC arrests four Chinese, 101 others in Abuja

    EFCC arrests four Chinese, 101 others in Abuja

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday said it has arrested four Chinese and 104 Nigerians in a business apartment in the Gudu axis of Abuja for Internet fraud. 

    The commission said the arrest was part of its ongoing efforts to clean the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.

    Read Also: Man jailed 18 months for impersonating EFCC operative

     A statement by the Head ofMedia and Publicity of the commission, Mr.Dele Oyewale said they were arrested on Thursday. 

    The statement reads: “The suspects, comprising 67 male( including four Chinese) and 38 female  were  allegedly  involved in hotel review job scam targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world

    “The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”

  • Man jailed 18 months for impersonating EFCC operative

    Man jailed 18 months for impersonating EFCC operative

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced a man,Tobi Paul-Augustine, to 18 months’ imprisonment for impersonating an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Oshodi considered the severity of the offence. He noted that Augustine’s actions had undermined public confidence in the agency.

    He said: “Section 380 of the Criminal Law prescribes a punishment of three years’ imprisonment for the offence of impersonation.

    “Your actions impersonating an EFCC operative severely undermine public confidence in a crucial law enforcement institution.

    Read Also: Ex-Abia Governor Orji: linking EFCC forfeiture to me malicious

    “In mitigation, I note that you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, thereby saving judicial time and you cooperated with law enforcement by providing a confessional statement, and you are a first- time offender.

    “Having carefully weighed these factors, I hereby sentence you to 50 per cent of the prescribed sentence: 18 months’ imprisonment.”

    The judge said the sentence should commence on August 10, 2024, the date of his remand.

  • Alleged theft: EFCC detains 10 officers

    Alleged theft: EFCC detains 10 officers

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has detained 10 of its operatives in its Lagos Command over missing items.

    The officers will face internal disciplinary processes over the alleged theft if found culpable.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said those detained could not account for some operational items.

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    The statement said: “In its continuing efforts to sweep the EFCC clean of corrupt tendencies, 10 officers of the Lagos Command of the commission are being detained over the investigation of some missing items involving them.

    “The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for.

    “Investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.”

    The EFCC had in 2024 dismissed 27 officers for fraud.

    It said it took the action as part of its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements.