The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC arraigns laywer for ‘defrauding’ client of N4.8m

    A lawyer, Hassan Tanko Kyaure, was yesterday arraigned at a Kano High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged misappropriation of funds and issuance of a dud cheque.

    Kyaure, who was arraigned before Justice Farouq Lawan on a two-count charge, was alleged to have converted N4,480,000 he was mandated to collect from the tenants of his clients, Yakasai Investment Limited, as the rent on the house at 30E, Ado Bayero Road, Kano.

    The accused allegedly issued his client a N1,000,000 cheque as a part-payment. But the cheque was turned down when it was presented at the bank on the grounds that the account had no such amount in it. Kyaure was said to have committed the offence between October 2011 and March, last year, in Kano.

    He was accused of committing a criminal breach of trust “by dishonestly converting the money to your own use without remitting same to Yakasai Group of Companies”.

    The offence is contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Law.

    The accused pleaded not guilty after listening to the charge read to him by prosecuting counsel Nasiru Salele, who requested for a hearing date following the accused person’s plea.

    The defence counsel, Musbahu Ayuba, presented a bail application for his client.

     

  • EFCC loses bid to prosecute Capital Oil boss Ubah

    EFCC loses bid to prosecute Capital Oil boss Ubah

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two others lost on Thursday in their bid to prosecute the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and his company in respect of allegation of petroleum subsidy fraud.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja faulted a recent invitation sent to them by the EFCC and granted an order restraining the commission, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from moving against the two over the subsidy issue.

    The order of perpetual injunction was made by Justice A. Abdul-Kafarati while ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Ubah and his company.

    The judge upheld the applicants’ arguments and granted four out of the five prayers they raised in the suit, which challenged the decision of the EFCC to reinvestigate the complaint that Ubah and his company were involved in the petroleum subsidy fraud.

    Ubah and his company had argued that it was wrong for the EFCC, IGP, AGF and any other agency of the government to want to prosecute them on the same issue which a Federal High Court (FHC) in Lagos had exonerated them by virtue of its February 18, 2013 judgment in suit number: FHC/CS/07/2013 and a report by the House of Representatives committee which investigated the fuel subsidy fraud.

    They also relied on a letter dated February 12, 2013 written by the Police Special Fraud Unit, D Department to the Minister of Finance, clearing them of any criminal complicity in the allegation of subsidy fraud made against them.

    Justice Abdul-Kafarati declared that the February 18 judgment, the House of Representatives’ committee report and the police letter of February 12 “collectively tantamount to a complete and final exoneration of any criminal offence with regard to application for receipt of subsidy payment under the Federal Government of Nigeria Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme.”

     

     

  • How Arisekola’s son, others obtained subsidy fund – Witness

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, heard on Wednesday how three oil marketers, including Abdulai Alao, son of an Ibadan- based business mogul, Alhaji Abdulaziz Arisekola- Alao forged documents to obtain N1.1 billion fuel subsidy payment from the Petroleum Subsidy Fund.

    The other two oil marketers are – Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi while their oil companies are Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited.

    A prosecution witness, Mr. Oliver Chineke, told the court presided by Justice Lateefat Okunnu that the document used to commit the fraud did not emanate from his comapny, Q and Q Control Marine Services Nigeria Limited.

    The witness said his company was contracted by Oando Oil and Gas Plc to inspect the quantity of products brought in by a vessel, MT Brave on behalf of Majope Investment Limited.

    Chineke, a former Lagos branch manager of Q and Q Control Marine Services Nigeria Limited, who was led in evidence by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Francis Usani , told the court that he delegated one of his company’s surveyor, Mr. Mohammed Adedapo to inspect the vessel that brought the product.

    Chineke, who corroborated what Adedapo had earlier told the court said that it was discovered that out of the 15,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) brought in, only 4,000 metric tonnes was discharged at the Lister Jetty in Apapa between January 22 and 23, 2011.

    He said the remaining 11 metric tonnes of PMS remaining in the vessel was taken away.

     

     

  • Stop hauling suspects to court without thorough investigation, AGF tells EFCC

    •Says FG will no longer accept weak case that can’t sustain conviction

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN) yesterday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stop hauling suspects to court without painstaking investigation.

    He said the Federal Government will no longer accept weak case that cannot sustain conviction.

    Adoke, who gave the warning in an address at the inauguration of the board of the EFCC, urged the anti-graft agency to respect the rule of law and due process.

    The Minister said: “Let me use this forum to further reiterate the need for professionalism in the discharge of the mandate of the Commission.

    “You must ensure that cases are painstakingly investigated before suspects are charged to court. Government will no longer tolerate cases where suspects are hurriedly charged to court only to be confronted with a weak case that cannot sustain a conviction.

    “Equally important is the need to ensure that the Commission discharges its functions within the confines of the law. I therefore enjoin you to ensure that respect for the rule of law and due process, should at all times, be your guiding principle.

    “Finally, I wish to assure you of Governments continued support and my personal commitment in your determined effort to make a success of your assignment. Considering the pedigree of the appointees to the Commission, supported by the Management team, I have no doubt that the Commission can deliver on its mandate.”

    Adoke urged the board members to lead by example and sustain their personal integrity.

    He added: “The Commission to be inaugurated today has the task of ensuring that the EFCC discharges its statutory mandate effectively and efficiently in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

    “The composition of the Commission, which cuts across all relevant Ministries and Agencies, is to ensure harmony as well as enable the Commission to benefits from the inputs of all agencies relevant to its mandate.

    “This Governing Council has been carefully chosen to ensure that the Commission is provided with the right policy direction needed for improved performance in line with the governing statute and relevant extant policies.

    “I therefore congratulate the Chairman and Members of the Commission on your well-deserved appointment. You will be expected to lead the Commission by example and bring your wealth of experience and expertise to bear on the work of the Commission.

    “In this regard, your personal integrity, commitment and dedication are essential tools for success and the Government will not demand less from you.

    “There is no doubt that Nigerians have long come to the realization that high prevalence of economic and financial crimes is anti-thetical to our developmental objectives as a nation.

    “Government has therefore enacted appropriate legislation and approved Policies and programmes designed to tackle the menace of economic and financial crimes in the country. These are the enactments and policies that you will be expected to rigorously implement to enable us achieve the desired objective.

    The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said the board will not disappoint the nation.

    “We will try to discharge our responsibility to the best of our knowledge. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.

    Members of the newly inaugurated board are Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the Commission; Emmanuel Ibitolu; Uwasomba Udochukwu; Ismaila Mohammed Dukku and Michael Ebong.

  • European Union Paliament Visit to EFCC Office

    European Union Paliament Visit to EFCC Office

  • Lamorde: EFCC recovers N1.4trillion, secures 400 convictions

    Lamorde: EFCC recovers N1.4trillion, secures 400 convictions

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday said the agency has recovered over $9billion (N1.4trillion) and secured more than 400 convictions.

    He also said the anti-graft agency was able to get Nigeria de-listed from the infamous list of non-cooperative countries by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

    He,however, said the Commission received about $24.7 million as support from the European Union.

    Lamorde spoke in Abuja while receiving members of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific/European Union (ACP-EU) parliament.

    The revelations gave clues to the recovery by the commission since its inception in 2003 in what appeared a veiled response to the demand of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics which had demanded the whereabouts of the funds recovered by the EFCC.

    A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said: “Lamorde listed the achievement of the Commission to include the recovery of over $9 billion, secured over 400 convictions as well as getting Nigeria de-listed from the infamous list of non-cooperative countries by the Financial Action Task Force(FATF). “He said apart from being able to investigate and prosecute criminals, the Commission through the support of the EU also engaged the civil society groups and faith-based organisation to buy in and own the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    “However, despite the achievement recorded so far, Lamorde listed some of the challenges faced by the Commission to include manpower development and prosecution of criminals.”

     

     

     

    The EFCC chairman reiterated the importance of the support of the European Union to the Commission in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    .He said commission received about $24.7 million as support from the EU.

    According to him, the funds enabled the EFCC to build its ultra modern Data Centre, Forensic Unit, deploy modern software packages including Go-Case which have enabled the Commission record significant impact it its enforcement activities in Nigeria.

    “EFCC would not have been able to achieve what it has achieved today without the support of the European Union”, he said.

    The ACP-EU parliamentarians, who were in Abuja for the 10th ACP-EU Regional (West Africa) meeting, said they were in the Commission to see for themselves the impact of the EU assistance on its operation.

    Numbering over 40 members, the group led by its co-presidents, Honourable Dr. Joyce Laboso, deputy speaker, Kenya and Riviasi Hideile, were later taken on tour of the Commission’s Data Centre and the Forensic Unit which were established with EU assistance.

    END

     

  • Accounting students visit EFCC, CAC

    Accounting students visit EFCC, CAC

    ACCOUNTING students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) have gone on academic visit to Abuja, the nation’s capital. The students, under the aegis of the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association (NUASA), were accompanied by the Head of Accounting Department, Dr E.I. Bowale, and a lecturer in the department, Mr Alade Muyiwa.

    During the three-day trip, the students visited top government’s organisations and financial houses. On the first day, students visited to the Corporate Affairs commission (CAC), where they were received and lectured by top officials of the organisation. On the same day, they visited the office of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    On second day, the students left for Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) office, where they received training on how to trade in stock market by officials of the financial firm. They proceeded to the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA); they were received by the chapter president of NUASA, Ade Jacobs and his colleagues.

    The students were engaged in discussion on to tackle the challenges facing both institutions. They later gathered for group photograph.

    On the third day, the students visited Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where they were conducted round the facility by officials in accounting department. One of the places visited by the students was the CBN Currency Museum.

    The president of the students, John Oladele, said the visit was to educate members on certain area in the discipline. Describing the trip as successful, John appreciated the effort of his colleagues in making the excursion memorable.

    Vice President, Bisola Jubril, a 300-Level student, commended the association’s Staff Adviser for his encouragement. One of the participants, Eniola Aladetunlese, a 100-Level student, said the trip was educative.

  • Accounting students visit EFCC, CAC

    A CCOUNTING students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) have gone on academic visit to Abuja, the nation’s capital. The students, under the aegis of the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association (NUASA), were accompanied by the Head of Accounting Department, Dr E.I. Bowale, and a lecturer in the department, Mr Alade Muyiwa.

    During the three-day trip, the students visited top government’s organisations and financial houses. On the first day, students visited to the Corporate Affairs commission (CAC), where they were received and lectured by top officials of the organisation. On the same day, they visited the office of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    On second day, the students left for Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) office, where they received training on how to trade in stock market by officials of the financial firm. They proceeded to the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA); they were received by the chapter president of NUASA, Ade Jacobs and his colleagues.

    The students were engaged in discussion on to tackle the challenges facing both institutions. They later gathered for group photograph.

    On the third day, the students visited Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where they were conducted round the facility by officials in accounting department. One of the places visited by the students was the CBN Currency Museum.

    The president of the students, John Oladele, said the visit was to educate members on certain area in the discipline. Describing the trip as successful, John appreciated the effort of his colleagues in making the excursion memorable.

    Vice President, Bisola Jubril, a 300-Level student, commended the association’s Staff Adviser for his encouragement. One of the participants, Eniola Aladetunlese, a 100-Level student, said the trip was educative.

     

  • Reps summon Adoke over Malabu Oil deal

    Reps summon Adoke over Malabu Oil deal

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke has been summoned by the House of Representatives over a letter he purportedly written to a foreign organisation, Global Witness, saying that the House has cleared him of any wrong doing in the $1.092bn Malabu Oil deal.

    The anti- corruption organization has indicted Adoke in its request for immediate action to recover the $215million assets being disputed by EVP and Malabu and that are currently frozen in the United Kingdom high court.

    The House has mandated its committee on Justice to invite Adoke to find out if it is true that he wrote such a letter and to also ascertain if the letter as he claimed is from the House and what the content of the letter was.

    The committee is to report back to the House within a week

    Part of the letter allegedly written by Adoke reads:

    “You may wish to note that the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had instituted a probe into the transaction and, at the end, they were satisfied that there was no infraction on the constitution or any other Nigerian law.

    “While I thank you for the concern shown in respect of the transaction, I wish to state that since the OPL 245 resolution agreement did not breach the constitution or any extant law and was approved by all relevant authorities and persons, I am therefore unable to justify the call for investigation of the officials of the Ministry of Finance or indeed any other person or authority.

    “In view of the foregoing, I wish to reiterate that the settlement relating to OPL 245 did not breach the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and/or any extant law. The transaction was completely transparent and received the approval of relevant authorities and persons.”

  • Elumelu threatens to sue EFCC for ‘illegal detention’

    A House of Representatives member, Ndudi Elumelu, has threatened to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for detaining him and subsequently arraigning him for allegations of bribery in the $13.2 billion power probe.

    Elumelu, who represents Aniocha/Oshimili onstituency of Delta State, was on June 26 cleared of the charges and discharged and acquitted.

    He spoke with reporters in Onicha-Uku, Aniocha North, Delta State.

    The lawmaker blamed his travails on those indicted by the report.

    According to him, his committee rejected all attempts to be bribed to kill the report.

    Elumelu said his lawyers were studying the matter, adding that the anti-graft agency dented his image with the court proceedings.

    He said: “Since 2009 till date, if you own internet you would see a barrage of negative comments about the issue. So, I have asked my lawyers to actually sit down properly to look at the issue of us challenging why, in the first instance, I was brought before the court.