The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC arraigns Babalakin, others

    EFCC arraigns Babalakin, others

    Granted bail on self recognition

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned the chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin and four others, before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly conspiring and laundering N4.7 billion for the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

    However, the court presided by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo granted him and the second defendant, Mr. Alex Okoh, bail on self recognition.

    Babalakin was arraigned along with his company, Bi-Courtney Limited which is the 4th defendant in the suit.

    The other defendants are the construction giant, Stabilini Visioni Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are which 3rd and 5th defendants respectively.

    They were arraigned on a 27- count charge bothering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit: corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action contrary to section 98A (1) (a) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C17, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

    The offence was committed between May and December 2006.

    Babalakin and Okoh had pleaded not guilty to each of the 27 charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

    After the plea of the defendants had been taken, counsel to Babalakin, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), who led 10 other lawyers told the court that they have several pending applications before the court for different prayers.

    Akoni, while urging the court strike out an application dated January 17, 2013, prayed the court to consider their application dated November 29, 2012 and grant his client bail pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    He said the bail application was supported by a 14 paragraph affidavit deposed to by Dr. Abiodun Layonu and accompaigned by a written address.

    The counsel asked the court to consider paragraph 3(1) (i-ix) of the affidavit in support of the application and prayed the court to grant bail to Babalakin on self recognition.

     

  • EFCC to arraign Babalakin, others Thursday

    EFCC to arraign Babalakin, others Thursday

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will on Thursday arraign the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Wale Babalakin for an alleged N4.7 billion fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Babalakin was charged before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

    He was charged alongside Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited for fraudulently transferring N4.7 billion on behalf of convicted former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

    Efforts to arraign the defendants were stalled on November 29 and December 12 last year after Babalakin’s counsel told the court that the first defendant was on admission at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told NAN on Wednesday that Babalakin has since been discharged from LUTH and was fit to take his plea.

    “We have a court date tomorrow and it is for the arraignment of Babalakin and the other defendants,” Uwujaren said.

    The EFCC had alleged that the defendants fraudulently assisted Ibori to transfer various sums, through various parties, to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of a Challenger Jet aircraft.

    The defendants are facing a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action.

    EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had alleged– when the case came up last– that Babalakin was trying to flee the country to evade arraignment.

    The defendant’s counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Dr. Abiodun Layolu (SAN), had, however, countered the claim, describing it as “a wild allegation.”

     

  • EFCC activities in Imo political, says Speaker

    Imo State House of Assembly Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of bias in the arrest of the Commissioner for Finance and Accountant-General on an alleged N40 billion loan scam.

    The Speaker said the anti-graft agency was acting the script of mischievous politicians, who were bent on disrupting the peace and development of the state.

    He noted that instead of arresting those who allegedly embezzled the state’s funds, EFCC was witch-hunting other people.

    Addressing reporters in Owerri, the state capital, Uwajumogu said: “The EFCC’s claim of fraud is strange and unfounded, because every financial transaction of the state government was backed up by enabling legislation and hinged on due process.

    “If there is any administration to be probed in the state, it is the Ikedi Ohakim administration. It perpetrated the highest fraud in the history of the state: N70 billion was misappropriated and of the over N480 billion collected by the administration, it had only three projects to its credit.”

    The Speaker said the Rochas Okorocha administration has borrowed only N15 billion from the idle fund of local governments.

    Uwajumogu said the loan was supported by a resolution of the Assembly.

    He added: “The House, based on the findings of different panels which unravelled the huge fraud perpetrated by the previous administration, is in full support of the probe of the Ohakim administration. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”

     

  • Alleged fraud: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, six others arraigned

    Alleged fraud: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, six others arraigned

    The Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Dr. Mato Dogara, and six former officials of Lere Local Government Council were on Monday charged before Federal High Court, Kaduna for alleged conspiracy and fraud amounting to N30 million.

    The other accused persons included Kabiru Tahir, former interim committee Chairman of the council; Ahmed Yahya, former Director of Finance, and Billy Graham, former Director of Works.

    Others were Yushau Aboki, ex-Director of Personnel; Hannatu Iliya, Head of Health, and Eric Alhassan, former acting Chairman of the council.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accused persons were arrested and arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, following a petition against them by un- named persons from the local government area.

    Counsel to the EFCC, Sa’ad Hannafi told the court that the accused persons were standing trial on a six-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.

    He said the charges were contraray to Sections 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004, and 1(1) a under the Advance Free Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

    Hannafi said the accused persons had between March 2011 and February 2012 conspired and attempted to defraud the council of over N30 million.

    The EFCC said in case No: FHC/KD/3c/2013, between Federal Republic of Nigeria and the seven accused persons that: “Sometime between March 2011 and Feb. 2012, at Kaduna State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, conspired among yourselves to do an illegal act.

    “You obtained money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Free Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

     

  • Alleged fraud: Ex-Rep sues EFCC

    Alleged fraud: Ex-Rep sues EFCC

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Napoleon Gbinije, has filed a motion for the enforcement of his fundamental right against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The anti-graft agency had on January 8, 9 and 10 declared him wanted through press releases and advertorials in newspapers, and radio for alleged breach of trust and illegal diversion of N281 million.

    But Gbinije In the suit before an Abuja High Court accused the anti-graft agency of declaring him wanted without inviting him over the allegation.

    The applicant, who represented Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State between 2003 and 2007 in the motion by his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju of Chief Afe Babalola Chambers is asking the court to declare the action as unconstitutional, illegal and a breach of his fundamental right.

    He is praying for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC by itself, agents, officers, servants, privies or anybody whatsoever described from arresting, detaining or in any manner interfering with the Fundamental Rights of the Applicant to personal liberty as enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered) without following the due process of law.

    In a 19 paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Bamikole Aduloju averred that the applicant was unable to personally depose to the affidavit because he is not within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court at the moment as he is under close medical attention in Lagos State.

    Denying the alleged fraud, the deponent stated “that the condition of health of the applicant has so far worsened as a result of the said publication and subsequent rise of his blood pressure which may lead to cardiac arrest and death.”

    According to him, the EFCC rebuffed attempts by Ogunwumiju to seek appointment to enable the applicant appear before the commission.

  • Soludo may be charged soon- EFCC

    THERE  are indications that the immediate past Governor of the Central  Bank  (CBN),Professor  Chukwuma Soludo,  may be charged to court by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  over  the contract for the printing of the  N20  polymer notes in 2006.

    Soludo was quizzed last Thursday and Friday by operatives of the commission in connection with the N750million alleged bribe in the process of awarding the contract.

    Some CBN officials were said to have received bribe from the Australian firm of Securency International Pty which secured the contract.

    The Nation gathered that the EFCC legal team is sorting out  all the necessary  details which would enable them file  charges against Soludo.

    Confirming this development to The Nation yesterday, Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Publicity, EFCC, said: “Don’t forget that the investigation on the matter is ongoing.

    “But I can assure that the EFCC’s legal team is working round the clock to ensure that all the paper work is perfected to enable us prosecute the case against the former CBN governor anytime soon.”

    Pressed further, he said: “The public will definitely be carried along as we proceed with the case. But I can assure you that the whole process will be as transparent as possible.”

     

  • Subsidy fraud: EFCC files amended charge against Arisekola’s son

    Subsidy fraud: EFCC files amended charge against Arisekola’s son

    ..And two others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday filed an amended charge against an oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, who is standing trial for an alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    Abdullahi is the son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the amended charge was filed before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

    He is being prosecuted alongside two other oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, and their companies — Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited In the amended charge.

    The defendants are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, altering and use of false documents.

    The EFCC had on October 10 last year arraigned the defendants on a six-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery,altering and use of false documents.

    They had all pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail in the sum of N75 million with two sureties in like sum.

    EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had alleged that the defendants had on February 14, 2011, fraudulently obtained N1.1 billion from the Federal Government.

    Jacobs had alleged that the defendants obtained the money from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) for the purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Europe to Nigeria.

    Jacobs had further claimed that the accused forged a document titled: “Shore Tank Certificate” dated January 21, 2011 purporting the document to have been issued by an officer of Q and Q Control Services Limited.

    They were also alleged to have forged other documents including bills of lading to facilitate the fraud.

    He had said their alleged offences contravened Sections 1, (sub-sections 1,2,3) and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    The court is yet to fix a date for the defendants to be re-arraigned on the amended charge.

     

  • EFCC quizzes ex-CBN governor Soludo

    EFCC quizzes ex-CBN governor Soludo

    …  Over polymer contract scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday quizzed a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo over alleged N750million Polymer contract.

    There were strong indications on Thursday night that the ex-CBN Governor might be detained by the commission overnight.

    The late president Umaru Yar`Adua had in company with the CBN governor launched the new N5, N10 and N50 polymer notes on September 30, 2009 at the Presidential Villa.

    The circulation of the new bank notes coincided with Nigeria’s 49th Independence Anniversary day celebration.

    But there had been allegations of shady deal between some CBN officials and Securency International Pty of Australia.

    The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had already probed the alleged N750million offered by Securency to win the contract.

    Although the contract for the printing of N5, N10, N50 notes were awarded in April 2009, the bribery scandal involving Securency was perpetrated in 2006.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the probe conducted by AFP had given clues which the EFCC is looking into.

    It was gathered that in the last few months, the EFCC had interrogated some top officials of the CBN and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company.

     

  • Navy hands over bunkering suspects to EFCC

    Navy hands over bunkering suspects to EFCC

    The NNS Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar has handed over eight suspected illegal bunkerers to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for prosecution.

    Handing over the suspects to the EFCC in Calabar on Thursday, the Commanding Officer, NNS Victory, Commodore Kingdom Itoko, said the navy was committed to the fight against illegal bunkering in the country.

    He described the crime as economic sabotage to the country, adding they would not relent in ridding maritime environment of criminal elements.

    “I am handing over the eight suspects to EFCC and a formal letter will be completed in my office and signed as a document of the handing over.”

    “I want to tell Nigerians especially those living in Cross River that we are not resting in our oars in the fight of illegal bunkering and oil theft,’’ he said.

    He recalled that they arrested the eight suspects and impounded items which include 220 drums of diesel, wooden boat and two pumping machines on December 21 last year.

    He said the suspects were arrested between Igbani station and Parrot Island with the products which were to be sold in Calabar.

    Assistant Detective Superintendent, EFCC Port Harcourt Office, Mr Abdullahi Musa, said they would further investigate the suspects to unravel the sponsors of the illegal operation.

  • Delta board to notify CBN, EFCC on missing N1.1b from bank

    The Delta State Board of Internal Revenue has said it would report two banks to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the “disappearance” of N1.106 billion tax paid by Chevron Nigeria Limited.

    It was gathered that the money was deducted from December salaries and allowances of Chevron’s staff.

    The money was paid through a first generation bank to the Board’s account on December 27 via CBN/RTGS confirmation number O0032P0026000012.

    A controversy ensued when the money failed to reflect in the board’s Diamond Bank account, weeks after the electronic transfer was reportedly done.

    Financial experts say the process usually takes hours to complete.

    The Branch Manager of Diamond Bank in Asaba, Mrs. Noma Imilar, who was contacted on Monday, refused to comment.

    She said only the topmost echelon of the bank’s headquarters in Lagos could comment on the matter.

    However, a DBIR source said: “The Chairman, Thomas Joel-Onowakpor, is determined to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

    “Plans are on to invite the EFCC to unravel the mystery of where the fund was within the last 11 days.”

    “We are also contemplating making formal complaints to the CBN through the relevant channel because this is not only embarrassing, it is unethical.”

    The Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) could be called upon to unravel the truth and prove which side is telling the truth.

    Our independent investigation showed that the incident has led to a frosty relationship between the two banks.

    One of the correspondence obtained by our reporter had one banker telling the other: “I am telling you in confidence that we have not received it.

    “You confirmed that you sent it since the 31st (December)!

    “How come it has not yet reached us? You are a banker and integrity is very key.”

    Joel-Onowakpor said: “It is true that we have been trying to fish out which bank is holding on to our funds.

    “When we are through, the bank will be publicly sanctioned and I also expect CBN to take action on this.”