The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EFCC

  • Subsidy scam: EFCC re-arraigns Arisekola-Alao’s son, two others

    Subsidy scam: EFCC re-arraigns Arisekola-Alao’s son, two others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday re-arraigned Abdullahi Alao, son of prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arikesola-Alao, over a fresh allegation of N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the younger Alao was re-arraigned before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

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

    The accused are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of false documents.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty.

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

    Jacobs said that the defendants obtained the money from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) for a purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    He further claimed that they forged a document titled: “Shore Tank Certificate” dated January 21, 2011 allegedly 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 said the 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.

    Jacobs also stated that the offences contradicted Sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

    The judge remanded the defendants in EFCC custody, pending the hearing of their bail applications fixed for October 19.

    The EFCC had on July 26 arraigned Alao alongside Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex and Eternal Oil Limited, over alleged N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

     

  • Court dismisses Daniel’s suit against EFCC

    Court dismisses Daniel’s suit against EFCC

    An Abuja High Court on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, demanding N200 million compensation for the alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.

    In dismissing the suit, Justice Folasade Ojo held that the EFCC acted within the limits of its statutory powers, when it arrested and detained the former governor.

    Ojo held that Section 6 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 confers on the commission the powers to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes.

    She also held that the arrest and detention of Daniel on suspicion that he siphoned about N7 billion from the state treasury during his eight-year rule, was lawful and justifiable.

    The judge further held that under the laws setting up the EFCC, anybody could be invited, arrested and detained for a certain period of time.

    “The commission can accept and institute criminal charges against any agency whether state or federal or any individual, organisation or entity,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Justice Ojo as saying in her ruling.

    She said that from the evidence the EFCC brought to court, the commission showed that it granted Daniel administrative bail on October 7, 2011, after taking a statement from him.

    Ojo further held that the conditions in which bail was granted to Daniel were that “he brings two sureties who must be serving directors and also had landed properties.”

    The second condition, she said was that Daniel should deposit his international passport with the EFCC.

    “The evidence before me as provided by the EFCC shows that he was granted administrative bail with some conditions to be met.

    “I find the conditions upon which bail was granted liberal enough.

    “So, how can he explain to court, what he declared in his affidavit that he was not able to meet the bail conditions because the terms on which he was granted bail, were too harsh.

    “I find this hard to believe. How can a former governor not be able to produce two serving directors in a ministry as sureties?

    “Or is it the part that says deposit your international passport that is harsh for him to meet,” she asked, and held that Daniel had failed to establish that he was unlawfully detained.

     

  • CIBN, regulators collaborate

    CIBN, regulators collaborate

    The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) is partnering with key stakeholders and institutions to ensure that the banking sector attains the highest level of professionalism.

    A statement from the Institute said it would continue to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that bankers do their work diligently.

    The Institute also said it was partnering with Unity Bank Plc and other government and private bodies within and outside the country to take the Institute and the banking profession to greater heights.

    The President/Chairman of Council of the Institute, Mr Segun Aina, stressed the need to partner with relevant stakeholders on capacity building and training of staff in the banking industry as well as other sectors of the economy in order to enable the country realise her millennium goals aspiration. Aina spoke during the Institute’s dialogue with key stakeholders in Abuja.

    He urged EFCC, CBN and Unity Bank to engage the services of the CIBN Practice Licence holders and other well experienced professional bankers for their consultancy services, debt recovery, forensic audit, training and other services.

    Aina asked EFCC to support the establishment of commercial courts to fast-track cases involving banks and their customers as well as enforce the Dud Cheque Offences Act to checkmate dud cheque crimes.

  • Pension scam: Court to rule on suspects’ application October 16

    Pension scam: Court to rule on suspects’ application October 16

    An Abuja High Court has further adjourned to October 16 ruling on an application to quash the criminal charges in the N32.8 billion Police Pension Fund scam against three of the six accused persons.

    Justice Abubakar Talba had on July 17, fixed October 9 for ruling on the motion filed by Atiku Kigo (a former permanent secretary), Mrs. Veronica Onyegbula (cashier) and Sani Zira (ICT officer).

    The trio, who are charged along with Esai Dangabar (director), Ahmed Wada (director) and John Yusufu (assistant director), are members of staff of the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, currently on suspension.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that they were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

    The EFCC said the alleged fraud was perpetrated between January 2009 and June 2011.

    On arrival in the court, its clerk, Malam Garba Isa informed the counsel to the accused, Mr. Ricky Tarfa and that of the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs that the ruling was not ready.

    He said the judge had asked the counsels in the case to pick another date for the ruling.

    NAN recalls that the three accused persons want the court to quash the charges on the grounds that the EFCC has no evidence against them.

    They insisted that there was no nexus linking them to the commission of the alleged offence.

    Particularly, Onyegbula insists in her application that the EFCC could not prove to the court that she signed any document from the pension office, to collect the said money.

    She also argued that she was just “an errand girl” and that since she was not in position of authority at the pension office, she could not have influenced any decision on the sharing of any money.

     

  • Subsidy scam: Court grants EFCC leave to arraign suspects

    Subsidy scam: Court grants EFCC leave to arraign suspects

    An Abuja High Court on Tuesday granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission leave to arraign Saminu Rabiu and Jubril Rowaye, over their alleged complicity in the fuel subsidy scam.

    Rabiu and Rowaye are to stand trial on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

    The duo were alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.5 billion from the Petroleum Support Fund as payment for the purported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Adebukola Banjoko also granted permission to the commission to charge them alongside their companies, Alminnur Resources Limited and Brila Energy Limited.

    The EFCC had, through its counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, filed an application for leave to prefer a 17-count criminal charge against the duo, under section 185 (d) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

    Tahir said the application was based on the provisions of Section 185(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

    “I hereby apply for leave to prefer a criminal charge against the above named suspects.

    “Attached herewith are the following documents: a copy of the charge in respect of which leave is sought, and a verifying affidavit.

    “Others are names and addresses of the witnesses, statements of the witnesses and those of the two suspects and other documentary evidences,” he said.

    In her ruling, Banjoko granted the application and said that from the proof of evidence presented by the EFCC, Rabiu and Rowaye are to be arraigned on October 17.

    After the ruling, a mild drama ensued as Rabiu claimed to have hearing problems.

    His counsel, Ms. Blessing Omoague, told the court that her client had hearing challenges and would need a hearing aid in order to comprehend the charges.

    Omoague pleaded with the court, in the interest of justice, to adjourn to a later date for the arraignment of her client in order that he could be provided with a hearing aid.

    Besides, she submitted that her client had not been served with a copy of the charges.

    The counsel added that her client needs to read and understand the charges, so that he can prepare for his trial.

    Justice Banjoko, who agreed with the counsel to the first accused, ordered the EFCC to duly serve the suspect.

    Banjoko also ordered the suspect’s counsel to ensure that her client gets a hearing aid before the next adjourned date.

    She ordered the suspects to report to the EFCC daily until their arraignment on October 17.

     

  • Alleged N1.051b subsidy scam: EFCC to arraign four more suspects today

    •Four suspects in trouble over N2.9m scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said four more suspects will be arraigned today in Abuja for alleged N1.051billion fuel subsidy scam.

    AIhaji Saminu Rabiu, Jubril Rowaye and two companies, Alminnur Resources Limited and Brila Energy Limited – are to face trial.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the suspects allegedly collected the subsidy to purportedly import 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The EFCC said the suspects would be arraigned before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraudulently obtaining N1, 051, 030, 434, 63 from the Petroleum Support Fund as payment for the purported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.

    “Thirteen suspects were arraigned before Lagos courts on Friday, October 5, on similar charges. They are Aro Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah. The five companies involved are A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited,” he said.

    The EFCC has arraigned the duo of Uzoma Loius Jerry Okonkwo and Okonkwo Ugochukwu alongside their companies – Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solution Limited – before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos , on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Louis Jerry Okonkwo, Ugockukwu, Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solutions Limited were said to have on September 8, 2009 in Lagos obtained from Dezern Nigeria Limited under the false pretence that the money was the cost of 33,000 litres of DPK, knowing this to be false.

    The offence is contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990 read in conjunction with section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC counsel Anselem Ozioko prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody, pending the hearing of the case.

    Defence counsel Frank Ndigwe, however informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused persons and urged the court to consider the application.

    Justice Okechuku Okeke adjourned the matter till October 29 and November 1, 9, and 19. He ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

     

  • How couple stole N240m from Lagos firm

    How couple stole N240m from Lagos firm

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, has heard how a couple allegedly stole N239,999,349.23, belonging to Clarion Bonded Terminal Limited and betrayed the trust reposed in them by other directors.

    Innocent and Bernadine Eloka are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing  of N239,999, 349.23 belonging to the company preferred against them by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Testifying before Justice Habeeb Abiru, the Chairman, Clarion Bonded Terminal Ltd, Mr Jude Igbanugo, said the couple took advantage of their being directors and signatories to bank account to steal from the company established in 2008.

    He said in June 2010, when he and his wife went on vacation, the Elokas were given permission to sign cheques via a letter written to the bank ‘to make sure that the business did not stop.’

    “While on vacation, I got a note via e-mail from Innocent Eloka that they got a container load of wine and they needed N1.5 million to clear the wine. After consulting with my wife on the mail, I approved that the money should be collected. But instead of N1.5 million requested for, the Elokas withdrew N5 million.

    “Upon discovery of the withdrawal of N5 million, I did nothing because, my Lord, I don’t know how to use the word, Mr Eloka is or was a good friend. So, for the sake of the relationship, I did nothing,” Igbanugo stated.

    Led in evidence by EFCC lawyer Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Igbanugo told the court that the signatories to the company’s account with the Spring Bank Plc were himself, his wife and the Elokas.

    He said the mandate was that once any of the Elokas signed, it covered the couple.

    Igbanugo also told the court how the Elokas took N20 million from the company’s account while he and his wife were away to bury his father in December 2010.

    He said based on the experience of the past, he and his wife had signed 10 blank cheques for the Elokas to use in their absence in running the company, only to come back and realised that the Elokas had withdrawn N20 million to pay one Andrew Ajuku for a house they bought from him.

    He said this was contrary to the earlier decision of the company to buy a house for the couplem, using a mortgage loan secured from Spring Bank.

    He said this arraangement was in addition to N9 million already given to the couple for the house they were living in.

    “So, I was really troubled when I heard that Mr and Mrs Eloka still signed cheques to pay Ajuku N20 million,” he said.

    On getting back to Lagos, after the burial, the witness said he immediately wrote a letter to all directors of the company about what the Elokas had done.

    He said the husband, Mr Eloka, replied, apologising that he was under pressure.

    Justice Abiru adjourned further hearing on the matter to October 11.

  • Court permits Hembe’s counsel to serve court processes

    Court permits Hembe’s counsel to serve court processes

    An Abuja High court on Monday granted leave to the counsel to Herman Hembe, Mr. Jubril Okutepa (SAN), for the extension of time within which to file and serve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with court processes.

    At the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Abubakar Umar, Okutepa apologised to the court for his inability to file the final written address in the no case submission in the trial of Hembe.

    “It is not in my character to file or serve any court papers late. I travelled and returned around 4 a.m. I am pleading with my Lord to grant this leave so that I can duly serve the second accused and EFCC counsel,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that EFCC arraigned Hembe, former Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions, and his deputy, Emeka Azubuogu, for alleged diversion of funds.

    The EFCC said that the duo dishonestly converted to personal use, the sum of 4,095 dollars (about N600,000) given to them by the Securities and Exchange Commission as travelling allowance to the Dominican Republic to attend a conference in October 2011.

    They are facing a two-count charge of misappropriation and conversion of public funds following an allegation by the Director-General of SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

    The allegation led to their suspension from the House.

    The anti-graft agency said the offence contravened Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and if found guilty, they could serve a jail term of not less than seven years.

    In granting the leave to Okutepa, Umar also ordered the counsel to Azubuogu (second accused), Ms Linda Chuba-Ikpeazu, to file and duly serve the EFCC with their court process.

    Umar then adjourned to November 26 for the adoption of written addresses on a no-case-submission filed by Hembe and Azubogu.

    Earlier, the lawmakers declined to enter the dock.

    Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Ojuefu Obe, had, while announcing his appearance, drawn the judge’s attention to the fact that the two accused were standing outside the dock and not inside, as they should.

    But the judge, overruled him and ordered him not to “over sensationalise’’ issues.

     

  • EFCC arraigns Polish woman for fraud

    EFCC arraigns Polish woman for fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned Dora Gilmaska, a Polish, before an Abuja High Court on one count of fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria says Gilmaska, the Executive Officer of Icon Media and Marketing Agency Limited, is accused of issuing dud cheques to one Tayo Olugbemi.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence.

    Counsel to the accused, Mr. Chris Okoye, filed an application for the court to admit his client to bail, pending the determination of the case.

    The anti-graft agency, through its counsel, Mr. Samuel Ugwuegbulam, opposed the application for bail and filed a counter affidavit, saying that she had earlier jumped administrative bail.

    The judge, Justice Abubakar Umar, said that granting of bail “is at the discretion of the court and that the EFCC did not give any creditable evidence to show that the accused person jumped administrative bail.’’

    “Application for bail by the accused is being granted with a condition of N5 million and two sureties and one of them must be based in the FCT and must be a civil servant.’’

    He said the accused should deposit her passport with the court registrar and be remanded in EFCC custody, pending when she is able to meet the bail condition.

     

  • EFCC arraigns 13 new oil marketers for N4.6 billion subsidy fraud

    EFCC arraigns 13 new oil marketers for N4.6 billion subsidy fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned 13 new oil marketers at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja for fuel subsidy fraud in the sum of N4.6 billion.

    The EFCC alleged that they obtained the money by false pretence and using fake documents.

    Ten of the oil marketers, made up of six persons and four companies, were arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru while the remaining three, made up of two individuals and one company were arraigned before Justice Lateefa Okunnnu.

    The six indicted oil marketers and their four companies were arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru on an eight- count charge.

    The charges bordered on “conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy to forge documents and uttering false documents”.

    The EFCC alleged that the marketers and their companies had conspired to and also obtain huge sums of money from the Federal Government of Nigeria, purporting the sum to be payment for subsidy under the Petrol Support Fund for the purported importation of Premium Motor spirit from Europe to Nigeria.

    Those arraigned before Justice Abiru are Anosyke Group of Companies Ltd, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Ltd, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma, Downstream Energy Sources Ltd, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, Rocky Energy Ltd, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel.

    According to the charge sheets, Anosyke Group of Companies, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Limited, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma were arraigned on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence; forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N1,537,278,880.82( One Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty Seven Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and

    Eighty Naira, Eighty-Two Kobo), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 15, 000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit.

    On the other hand, the commission arraigned Downstream Energy Sources Limited, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, Rocky Energy Limited, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah on an eight count charge also bordering on conspiracy to obtain property by false pretence; conspiracy to forge documents, forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N789,648,329.25( Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine Million, Six Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Twenty-Five Kobo), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 14,273,0227 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

    The EFCC claimed that all the defendants at various times, forged different bill of ladens for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS not supplied all in a bid to claim the federal government subsidy on fuel.

    The ten accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsel applied for a date for hearing of bail application for them.

    They also prayed the court to order that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody as against prison custody.

    Justice Abiru granted the request of the defendants as he ordered that they be remanded in EFCC custody.

    He thereafter adjourned the matter till October 19, 2012 for hearing of their bail applications.