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Tag: EFCC

  • Yahaya Bello’s comic show at EFCC

    Yahaya Bello’s comic show at EFCC

    By Ibidapo Balogun

    That the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, alias White Lion, is a crafty character is an understatement. His character traits are easily discernible in an encounter with him. As governor of the Confluence State of Kogi for eight years, Yahaya Bello’s carriage, conduct, actions and inactions exemplified a despicable character trait. He ruled over the hapless people of Kogi State with an iron hand. He trampled upon them and their rights. He oppressed them and did as he pleased with the people. He silenced the opposition and the people only to turn round to present himself as the oppressed, the innocent one. When he was done with them, he imposed his lackey on the state as governor the same crooked and oppressive manner he had emerged their governor- the ta-ta-ta-ta-way- through violence and via the charade described as an election.

    Yahaya Bello lived to this billing recently with his infamous show at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. In a Gestapo style, the former governor emerged at the EFCC office, saying he was there to finally honour the commission’s invitation. He claimed he surrendered himself to EFCC because he has respect for the law and constituted authority, and that he has nothing to hide. This was months after the anti-graft body had declared him wanted over allegations of money laundering and financial impropriety while in office as governor.

    However, what he came to do at EFCC office actually was to taunt the commission’s officials and create a drama of sort, while pretending that he is repentant and now law-abiding.

    The former governor appeared at EFCC Car Park last Wednesday September 18 in a convoy of vehicles and security escort with Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo in tow. Although Yahaya Bello claimed he presented himself at a holding facility of the EFCC, officials of the commission said he was actually in the car park and left after a short while with the same convoy he came in. Yahaya Bello deployed the governor and the immunity he enjoys to shield himself from the law yet again. Governor Ododo and his security convoy did not leave him throughout his brief stay.

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    Not a few analysts and commentators have asked: Why didn’t EFCC arrest the most-wanted fugitive on whose trail it had been and who now presented himself before it? Truth, however, is Yahaya Bello did not surrender himself to EFCC. Eyewitnesses at EFCC office said the commission’s operatives even attempted to block the gates, forcibly arrest him and prevent him from leaving the car park where he was sighted. But Kogi State government security men forcefully removed the EFCC barricade and drove away with the former governor.

    Arresting him by force and taking him into custody would have resulted in a dangerous exchange of gunfire between the EFCC operatives and Kogi State security men, which is precisely what Yahaya Bello wanted. This would have been unhelpful and counter-productive. It is useful that a more prudent EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede had reportedly warned his officials to exercise restraint and to not fall into the trap being set for them by the former governor by engaging in a gun duel with Kogi State security men in a bid to arrest him. This would have complicated the matter and diverted attention from the corruption case against him.

    Importantly, Olukoyede, a lawyer, is mindful of the rule of law and does not want to flout the provisions of the law, particularly the one around immunity, which Ododo, who was glued to Yahaya Bello during the encounter, enjoys. It was the same strategy Yahaya Bello had employed to evade arrest either at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja or at the Government House in Lokoja, the state capital, where he has been hiding. The strategy is- hide under the cloak of Governor Ododo’s immunity.

    The EFCC had instituted a case against the former governor alongside Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion. On April 23, Bello was served the charges through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN). This was after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja ruled that Yahaya Bello should be served through his counsel, especially as he failed to appear before the court, yet again. And after he failed to appear in court, shunned series of invitations extended to him by EFCC and resisted arrest, the anti-graft commission declared him wanted in April. EFCC officials stormed his residence in Abuja to arrest him but all efforts to apprehend him have been met with a brick wall. Since then, the commission has been on his trail to arrest him even with a subsisting court warrant.

    Now, a few words for the EFCC, Yahaya Bello and Governor Ododo who has been shielding his predecessor from prosecution: The EFCC must show clearly that it can bite and not a toothless bulldog. It must now do everything possible under the law to bring Yahaya Bello to book.

    On his part, what Governor Ododo is doing is wrong and his conduct is disgraceful. It is unacceptable. Helping a wanted fugitive to evade arrest and prosecution for alleged corrupt practices is akin to aiding and abetting corruption. It also constitutes an affront on the rule of law and social justice. This governor must desist from such a dishonourable act and demonstrate he is worthy of the high office he occupies.

    As for the imprudent Yahaya Bello, it is high time he showed maturity and turned himself in for the trial. He must show he is now truly repentant and ready to respond to the allegations against him. He must now face prosecution. Indeed, no matter how fast or far he can run or how adept he is at hiding from the law, the law will surely catch up with him sooner than later!

    •Balogun is a public affairs analyst.

  • EFCC, Bello and rule of law

    EFCC, Bello and rule of law

    Sir: Corruption is certainly not a new phenomenon in Nigeria. Rather, it has long been an intrinsic element of Nigerian society affecting virtually all spheres of the West African country.

    Anecdotal evidence indicates that corruption is culturally acceptable because members of the family, tribe or ethnic group benefit from an individual’s ill-gotten gains.

    To highlight the importance of anti-corruption for socio-economic growth — which is being raised globally — the anti-graft agency; EFCC, has arrested, detained and even prosecuted some public office holders including formers governors, ministers managing directors and many other public officials.

    Unfulfilled promises and disappointed expectations of the past are mainly responsible for the seeming apathy and disillusionment about elected leaders. Democratic leadership is about honest service to the people without seeking material rewards in return. The race is not about personal benefit but passion to use wealth of experience in the service of the people.

    In the wake of the corruption allegation levelled against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, there have been series of distorted information on the facts of the matter being investigated by the EFCC. The former Kogi State governor reportedly evaded arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, with the assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. The EFCC had laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello, who is wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud. Ododo allegedly helped Bello avoid arrest, leveraging the immunity he enjoys as a sitting governor. The incident follows a similar attempt in April, where Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during another raid in Abuja. On Wednesday, after a visit by Bello and Ododo to the EFCC headquarters, the commission denied having Bello in custody.

    EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale stated that Bello was not detained, despite claims by Bello’s media team that he had visited the agency. EFCC officials indicated that Ododo’s actions prevented them from arresting Bello, stating that his governorship immunity hindered the operatives from taking further action.

    The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has vowed that no one involved in economic or financial crimes would be spared by the commission.

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    Since the appointment of Olanipekun Olukoyede as chairman of the commission in October 2023, there is no doubt that the fight against corruption has taken a new outlook.  The EFCC under Olukoyede has recorded unprecedented success in the recovery of looted funds and prosecution of suspected fraudsters, both from top to bottom alike. Never in the history of the commission has such a huge amount of money in national and international currencies recovered from looters.

     Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, and may not always be desirable but impartial and objective reporting builds trust and confidence.

    The case of former Governor Yahaya Bello is not the first former governor to appear before the commission since 2007 dozens of former governors have appeared before the commission to clear their names off corruption. What is special about Yahaya Bello? The former governor should stop this drama and present himself to EFCC in the interest of transparency, accountability and rule of law. As the saying goes: “A clean conscience fears no accusation”.

    •Ahmad Nas,Abuja.

  • EFCC and the Bello fever

    EFCC and the Bello fever

    By Anthony Kila

    When you think you have seen it all, someone or some office in this country shows you that things can always be worse. The latest case in the race from the mediocre to the absurd is the one offered in the saga of the case against Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state. The sheer number of descriptions of the saga, and the consensus among informed observers that the whole event is ludicrous, is a testament to the situation’s absurdity. Who is playing here, though, and with what? 

    I would have considered the whole thing farcical, too, and just left the actors to their shenanigans, but the gravity of the consequences forces one to see even when laughing. Some people opted to reduce the whole Yahaya Bello and the EFCC story to just another melodrama that will fizzle out like many other dramas in this country, but I don’t think it is right to act that way. I believe that in the case of Yahaya Bello and the EFCC, crucial elements of a civil and democratic society such as competence, transparency, freedom and respect for the rule of law are at stake and that those who dismiss or simplify the whole episode as a battle between cannibals are wrong. The rule of law is not just a concept; commonsense is not a mere option in matters of justice; they are the foundation of our civil society, and their importance cannot be overstated. 

    Lest we become guilty of what we accuse others of, we must state clearly for the record and without mincing words that the EFCC is doing a lousy job in the investigation of Yahaya Bello. There is no other way to put it, harsh or strange as it might sound: the truth and what is right must stand and be allowed to stand. 

    Just like a fever tells us something is wrong with our body and that we need treatment, the Yahaya Bello saga is telling us that there is something wrong with the EFCC, and it needs to be treated. Yahaya Bello can only be one of two things: either guilty or innocent; what he is or not will be verified and certified by the courts of law; that is a matter of justice. On the other hand, the EFCC and the people acting in its name can be many things, from competent or incompetent to mischievous or well-intentioned to objective and loyal to its mandate to selective in action and disloyal to their mandate. 

    Judging by its dealings with Yahaya Bello so far, it is easy to see why many are concluding that something is not functioning correctly in the EFCC’s operations. 

    The EFCC is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and by its declaration, it has the mission of eradicating economic and financial crimes through prevention, enforcement, and coordination. The core values meant to guide the commission are integrity, professionalism, courage, and collaboration. 

    The EFCC’s approach to the Yahaya Bello case suggests it has abandoned its principles and is now pursuing commotion and entertainment. I pity those who have the duty of defending or explaining some of the commission’s behaviour lately. How do you describe or justify an agency that sees in its building a man they claim to have been looking for over five months and then allows the man to go away only to go and try to arrest the same man the same day? 

    More than seeking justice through gathering evidence and presenting their case in court, the EFCC seems more interested in being seen as the agency that can and did arrest Yahaya Bello. Something is wrong somewhere, and it looks like this Bello fever is just an indication of what is wrong with an agency that seems to be vying for attention rather than objective, sober and detailed investigations. Whose attention, though, is it that of the general public or some puppeteers in one corner or behind the scenes? Whichever way the EFCC acts, acting to get attention is wrong and bad. 

    It is dangerously wrong for an investigative agency to turn to an attention-seeking entity because doing so will undoubtedly lead it to divert from its mission and core values. It is embarrassingly bad for the EFCC to chase headlines or personalise issues because it exposes the agency to criticism and suspicions. All these, of course, will lead to the EFCC’s delegitimation and weakness. 

    Yahaya Bello is one man, and his case is personal; however, those who care about the system and consider the EFCC a valuable agency must ensure that what Yahaya Bello has elicited in the EFCC is treated quickly to save the system. 

    As a fever tells us to examine our body and subject it to treatment, the Bello fever in the EFCC tells us it is time to review the agency’s operations and intentions and ensure everything it does is above board. What is the EFCC’s fixation on arrest, anyway? Why can’t they gather evidence and present their case to the court of law through a prosecutor, even if the person investigated is absentia? In the case of Yahaya Bello, the man always had his lawyers talking to them. 

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    When suspects are arrested, what is the point of arresting them for a few days or hours only to let them go? 

    Those who care about the integrity, efficacy, and efficiency of the EFCC need to wake up to the fact that the commission needs to be treated. A healthy EFCC that works well will deal with only facts and figures, no sensationalism or suspense, just facts, logic and law in silence and with results. 

    The Bello Fever in the EFCC is speaking loudly to us all. Nigerians of all shades need to quickly understand that if a commission charged with fighting corruption is susceptible to any form of corruption or sickness, be it of competence, malice, pecuniary or political corruption, or deficient in decorum and commonsense, then the hope of fighting corruption is dead, and worse still, our freedom is at stake. 

    *Prof Anthony Kila is an Institute Director at CIAPS. www.ciaps.org.

  • EFCC storms polling units in Edo

    EFCC storms polling units in Edo

    The officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), on Saturday stormed polling units in Benin, the Edo Capital in a bid to avert vote buying in the ongoing governorship.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operatives who were clad in their branded camouflage uniforms and vest combed surroundings in and around the polling booths in search of vote buyers.

    At the Oredo ward 1, domiciled at the former Garrick Memorial College, the operatives were seen combing even a dilapidated structure in the premises.

    Meanwhile, some electorate have faulted the style of operation deployed by the EFCC in discharging their duty.

    According to one Eric Elijah, the EFCC should have operated as under cover agents without wearing their uniforms or any of their paraphernalia.

    “That way, they will be able to intercept vote buyers. But with the way  they came now, everyone knows that these are EFCC people, so even the vote buyers adjusted.”

    Elijah also said that the operatives should have been at the polling booth much earlier to catch “red handed” those indulging in the act.

    On his expectations from the potential winner of the election, he said that the person should be magnanimous in victory as well as to govern the state without fear or favour to anyone irrespective of the role of such a person in his emergence.

    He also urged the winner to ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy to the residents and be in constant touch with the grassroots.

    Similarly, Mr Lugard Osaro, an Octogenarian said he expected the winner to build and consolidate on the achievements of the outgoing governor.

    Read Also: EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, CD alleges

    He commended the presence of the EFCC in the polling booth.

    At Oredo ward 3, Ezomon Primary School, the electorate, noted that the operatives of the EFCC should have been at their various duty post on time.

    They opined that it would have been apt for the operatives from the commencement of the voting exercise and not appear almost few hours to the end of voting.

    They also emphasised the need for INEC to allow the vote of the people count.

    (NAN)

  • EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, CD alleges

    EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, CD alleges

    The Campaign for Democracy has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately relieve the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, of his job, accusing him of lacking capacity to hold such office.

    CD, a frontline Civil Society Organisation, said it was unimaginable that the former Governor, who the same EFCC had placed on watchlist, who the Commission enlisted security agencies in Nigeria and Interpol to help fish out, walked into the EFCC premises, waited for about three hours without any arrest or interrogation.

    “Instead, they told him to go, that they would get back to him only to issue a laughable statement that he was still a wanted man,” the President, Campaign for Democracy, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, said in a statement on Thursday.

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    According to him, EFCC’s excuse that they couldn’t arrest him because a sitting Governor accompanied him to their office is the main reason Olukoyede should be asked to go.

    “Many people had castigated this man for long even though many others believed the case was mainly that of persecution. In all of this, CD did not dabble into the matter. Now that the matter has taken a dramatic turn, one that touches on democratic principles and affects the country’s image, it is pertinent for well meaning Nigerians to lend their voice.

    “Associates of the former governor had been raising the alarm that his life is at risk. With the events of yesterday (Wednesday 18th September, 2024), any right thinking person would conclude that his life must be truly at risk.

    “You said you couldn’t arrest him or interrogate him in your office because his governor was there, yet you went, at night, to the official residence of the same governor in Abuja to start firing gunshots as if Nigeria is a lawless society. This is unacceptable,” he stated.

    The Campaign for Democracy said, in saner climes, the EFCC boss would have been fired the next morning.

    “The man, Yahaya Bello, has fulfilled all righteousness. With the turn of events that culminated in a show of shame last night, it appears the EFCC has an ulterior motive definitely different from the fight against corruption,” the CSO submitted.

  • EFCC to prosecute top bankers for financial crimes

    EFCC to prosecute top bankers for financial crimes

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is preparing to prosecute some top bankers in Nigeria for their involvement in money laundering and other financial crimes.

    The development was disclosed by the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, during the 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference organized by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), held in Abuja on Tuesday, September 10.

    Olukoyede revealed that the Commission has completed its investigations into the activities of certain banks and their top officials and that it is set to move forward with prosecutions.

    “It is sad that we have also compiled our documents, we have made the necessary investigation. Now very soon, you will see some banks being prosecuted, some top officials being prosecuted,” the EFCC chairman stated.

    He emphasised that to align the Nigerian financial sector with global best practices, drastic measures must be taken to punish those responsible for criminal infractions.

    “We need to just do something drastic to bring everybody in line and to make us do the right thing. It’s extremely important. In a system where there is no penal sanction for criminal infraction, that system will never survive,” Olukoyede remarked.

    The EFCC Chairman noted several malpractices within the sector, including foreign exchange manipulation, fraudulent charges imposed on depositors, and complicity in money laundering schemes.

    He also mentioned that some financial institutions engage in illicit financial activities with politically exposed persons (PEPs), which undermines the sector’s integrity and damages the nation’s economy.

    Olukoyede reiterated the agency’s commitment to collaborating with the banking sector to curb financial crimes.

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    He noted that the EFCC would continue to enforce anti-money laundering laws and protect the financial system from cyber criminals, both from within the sector and externally.

    “We are committed to working with the Institute in sanitizing the financial services sector through robust enforcement of the anti-money laundering laws and insulating it from attacks by cybercriminals both from within and from without,” Olukoyede added.

    He further stressed the importance of penal sanctions following criminal acts within the financial services sector, emphasizing that the EFCC would no longer tolerate complacency.

    “So inasmuch as we are ready to work with you to sanitize the system, we must also note that it is extremely important that when there is a criminal infraction, penal sanctions will follow. I am able to tell you with every sense of humility that we will no longer fold our arms.”

    Addressing members of the CIBN, Olukoyede urged the institute to strengthen its regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with banking regulations. He expressed concerns over the recurring involvement of banking professionals in financial crimes, noting that some operators disregard regulations and engage in sharp practices to boost their financial performance.

    “Where operators prioritize profit over national growth and wellbeing, progress will remain elusive. From our experience with the investigation of financial crimes involving members of the profession, there is gross contempt for regulation that borders on impunity,” he stated.

    “Operators frequently devise means to circumvent regulations and rules in a desperate bid for higher yields and bottom line. Sharp practices such as forex trading, defrauding of depositors through phantom charges, and complicity in money laundering and illicit financial schemes involving politically exposed persons continue to undermine the integrity of the sector and, by extension, the nation’s economy,” Olukoyede disclosed.

    Mr. Olukoyede urged the financial sector to commit to professionalism and ethical conduct, as these values are crucial for the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.

    “It is my hope, therefore, that you will all look at yourselves in the mirror and leave this place with a renewed commitment to professionalism and determination to provide services that will assist the growth and development of the Nigerian economy,” he cautioned.

  • EFCCrecovers 53 vehicles, $180,300 for Canadian victims

    EFCCrecovers 53 vehicles, $180,300 for Canadian victims

    The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede yesterday said the agency has recovered $180, 300 for two Canadian victims of romance scam.

    He also said the EFCC tracked and intercepted 53 stolen vehicles from Canada, which were shipped into the country. 

    He said nine of the vehicles were intercepted aboard a vessel in Tin Can Island Port in Lagos with the collaboration of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    He said other vehicles were tracked to various car stands in the country.

    But he said since financial crime is borderless, there will be no hiding place for perpetrators.

    Olukoyede made the disclosures while handing over the proceeds of crimes to two representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) namely, Regional Officer, Nasser Sadiou and the First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada, Nigeria, Mr Robert Aboumitiri.

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    He said the Canadian victims of romance scam were Elena Bogomas ($164, 000US) and Sandra Butler ($16,300 US).

    He said one of the romance scammers bought properties, which were traced and sold to recover the value of the sum in question.

    He said the suspect was put on trial and jailed to serve as deterrent to others.

    He said justice would take its course on the other suspect.

    He said: “This is an occasion we are really going to use to demonstrate our commitment to the fight against financial crimes. We have demonstrated that what affects one country will affect another.

    “Financial crime is borderless. These criminals perpetrate their evils across jurisdictions but we are all cooperating to track them. We have recovered financial assets to prove that Nigeria is not safe for those involved in financial crimes.

    “It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe.The people who perpetrate these crimes, do it in such a way that we discover that their activities are quite borderless and barbaric.

    “That’s why it has become very necessary and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world and with agencies which share the same objective and mandate with us.”

    Olukoyede said there is no hiding place for financial crimes perpetrators.

    He said: “Nigeria will not tolerate any act of financial crimes. Nigerian government does not tolerate financial crimes.

    “What the EFCC is doing today is doing on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “It is also demonstrating the fact that the president has given us the mandate to extend our hands to ensure that this particular problem is resolved and that is exactly what we are doing here today.

    “Not only that, we are going to pursue it, because not only that, we will investigate, we will recover, we will prosecute and we will ensure that the victim is restituted.

    “We have recovered money, financial assets, and also we have recovered vehicles on behalf of the victims in Canada.

    “As a matter of fact, the total 53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims.

    “In one instance, we had $164,000 U.S. dollars given to a Canadian victim known as Elena Bogomas.

    “Also, we have here, which we will present to you today, another sum of $16,300 U.S. dollars stolen from another victim known as Sandra Butler.”

    After the signing of documents for the transfer of the recovered assets, Sadiou said: “I am really happy to be here. I feel like being home. I am very happy with the recovery and we appreciate the EFCC on the job they have done.

    “It is a testimony of your professionalism and commitment in the combat against financial crimes.

    “EFCC is one of the key partners in the fight against financial crimes in the world and West Africa in particular.”

    Aboumitiri said the partnership between the Canadian government and the Federal Government has been yielding positive results.

  • EFCC hands over 53 vehicles, $180,300 to Canadian Police

    EFCC hands over 53 vehicles, $180,300 to Canadian Police

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, handed over 53 recovered vehicles and 180, 300 dollars to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of the victims of financial crimes in Canada.

    Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the anti-graft agency handed over the recovered assets to the  representatives of RCMP in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  that RCMP was represented by Nasser Sadiou, its Regional Officer, and Mr Robert Aboumitiri, First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada, Nigeria.

    Okukoyede said  the vehicles were stolen from Canada and tracked to various car stands in Nigeria.

    He said that nine of the vehicles were tracked to customs port, where they were awaiting clearance.

    According to him, 164, 000 U.S. dollars was recovered for a Canadian, Elena  Bogomas, in a romance scam, while 16, 300 U.S. dollars was also recovered for another Canadian, Sandra Butler.

    He said one of the fraudsters used his proceeds to buy an estate and was later arrested, prosecuted and jailed, while the property was sold to recover the funds.

    “It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe.

    “The people who perpetrate these crimes do it in such a way that we discover that their activities are quite borderless and barbaric,” he said.

     According to him, they employ all kinds of means to ensure that they move across various jurisdictions.

    “That’s why it has become very necessary and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world. People share the same objective and mandate with us.

    “What the EFCC is doing today is doing on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “It is also demonstrating the fact that the President has given us the mandate to extend our hands to ensure that this particular problem is resolved and that is exactly what we are doing here today,” he said.

    Olukoyede said the exercise was a demonstration of the EFCC’s commitment to the inter-agency cooperation in the country.

    He said it was also a demonstration of the fact that the Nigerian government does not tolerate financial crimes.

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    “Not only that, we are going to pursue it, because not only that, we will investigate, we will recover, we will prosecute and we will ensure that the victim is restituted.

    “We have recovered money, financial assets, and also we have recovered vehicles on behalf of the victims in Canada.

     “As a matter of fact, the  53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims.

    “In one instance, we had 164,000 U.S. dollars given to a Canadian victim known as Elena Bogomas.

    “Also, we have here, which we will present to you today, another sum of 16,300 U.S. dollars stolen from another victim known as Sandra Butler,” he said.

    Sadiou, in his remarks after the signing of documents for the transfer of the recovered assets, thanked the Government of Nigeria and the EFCC in the fight against corruption.

    “I am really happy to be here. I feel like being home. I am very happy with the recovery and we appreciate the EFCC on the job they have done.

    “It is a testimony of your professionalism and commitment in the combat against financial crimes.

    “EFCC is one of the key partners in the fight against financial crimes in the world and West Africa in particular,” he said.

    Aboumitiri in his remarks, lauded the partnership between the Canadian government and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    He said the partnership had been yielding positive results.

    (NAN)

  • EFCC arrests 56 suspected Yahoo-yahoo boys in Kwara

    EFCC arrests 56 suspected Yahoo-yahoo boys in Kwara

    Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said they arrested 56 persons suspected to be internet fraudsters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said: “The arrests were carried out between Tuesday, September 3 and 4, 2024, at locations in the town following credible intelligence on the activities of fraudsters.

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    “Items recovered from the suspects include 18 brands of exotic cars, laptops, expensive smartphones, and charms.

     “The suspects would be arraigned upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.”

  • ‘EFCC boss Olukoyede risks imprisonment over alleged contempt of court’

    ‘EFCC boss Olukoyede risks imprisonment over alleged contempt of court’

    A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State cpital, has said the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, risks imprisonment over his alleged refusal to comply with its ruling in a suit filed against the commission by the Bliss Multinational Perfection and the Chief Executive Officer of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Oyinmiebi Bribena.

    In his judgment on the suit, Justice Isa H. Dashen, had perpetually restrained the EFCC from seizing properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Bribena, saying they are not proceeds of crime.

    Also, Justice Dashen declared the seizure and sealing of properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Bribena by the EFCC as unlawful.

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    The judge described the instructions given to Bribena’s bankers by the EFCC to place a post-no-debt lien or freeze his accounts as unlawful.

    The EFCC was also perpetually restrained from “inviting, harassing, arresting, detaining, threatening to arrest, or detaining the Plaintiffs as a result of the civil dispute between Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited and its members, or on matters arising from the registered business objects of the co-operative society”.

    The sum of N10,000,000 was awarded as exemplary damages against the EFCC for the unlawful seizure and attachment of properties belonging to Bliss Multinational and Bribena.