Tag: EFCC

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced two men, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Adekunle, to seven years imprisonment each for impersonating officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The convicts were also said to have attempted to use a forged order of the court to fraudulently obtain properties from their victims by pretending to be EFCC officials.

The defendants were arraigned before the court on a five-count charge.

The offences border on obtaining properties from citizens, possession of documents containing false pretence titled Chief Magistrate court, possession of documents containing false pretence titled the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), impersonation of EFCC officials and unlawfully wearing uniform of the EFCC.

When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded guilty to the five count charge.

Following their guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Abdulhamid Lamido, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Read Also: Ondo faults AGF’s suit at Supreme Court on LGs autonomy

“My Lord upon the guilty plea of the defendants and the evidence before the court, I urge my Lord to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.”

Justice Abike-Fadipe asked the defendants if they understood the charges to which they pleaded guilty. The defendants answered in affirmative.

Justice Abike-Fadipe convicted the defendants on the charge of “attempt to obtain properties by false pretence.”

In their plea for leniency, the convicts asked the court to have mercy on them and promised not to go back to crime again.

Apart from claiming to be renewed persons, the 1st defendant claimed to have received training and become a barber.

The Civil Society Coalition Against Corruption has called for the clean-up of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

The coalition in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) called for the investigation of the non-remittance of N2.1 billion in workers’ tax deductions at NSITF.

According to the petition signed on behalf of the coalition by Ayodeji Ologun of the Transparency and Accountability Group (TAG), the funds were deducted from workers’ salaries in 2022 but not remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, the coalition alleged that the funds were invested with a company not approved by the board, instead of being remitted to the FIRS.

But the NSITF dismissed the allegations, noting that all issues raised by the coalition had been substantially addressed.

Read Also: 2024 annual lecture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)

In a statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NSITF, Nwachukwu Godson, the NSITF said: “The bottom-line is that the allegations by TAG are a motley rehash of issues which have been properly addressed before now and some of which have been undergoing investigations by the ICPC and EFCC and so far, no wrong doing established on the part of the Managing Director or members of her EXCO.”       

Ologun said: “As a leading anti-corruption group in Nigeria, We have keenly watched happenings in this agency over the last two years and have painstakingly identified and investigated some of these frauds, particularly those related to procurement and non-remittance of taxes.

“We call on both the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that these funds are not looted by people masquerading as lovers of the masses.

“We demand that these contractors be investigated thoroughly to ascertain whether they genuinely took contracts from the agency or are merely fronting for corrupt officials”.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested 40 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Abuja.

Its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, 18 of the suspects were arrested at Dawaki axis while the remaining 12 were arrested at other locations around Abuja.

Read Also: National Assembly halts amendment of CBN Act

He said their arrest followed credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet activities.

”Items seized from the suspects include 23 phones, four laptop computers and four vehicles.

”They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arrested 40 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Abuja.

Its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said made this known in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, 18 of the suspects were arrested at Dawaki axis, while the remaining 12 were arrested at other locations of Abuja.

Read Also: Kogi indigenes caution EFCC over Yahaya Bello’s case

He said their arrest followed credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet activities.

”Items seized from the suspects include 23 phones, 4 laptops and 4 vehicles.

”They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

(NAN)

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has said the commission secured 3,175 convictions and recovered N156,276,691,242.30 between May 29, last year and yesterday.

He regretted the involvement of youths in internet fraud, saying the development has continued to pose serious concerns to every stakeholder in the anti-graft war.

Olukoyede spoke yesterday in Abuja during the launch of Zero Tolerance Club at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).

Speaking through the commission’s Secretary Mohammed Hammajoda, the EFCC chairman said the anti-graft agency also recovered some foreign currencies from suspects.

Read Also: EFCC secures 3,175 convictions, recovers N156b in one year

He listed the foreign cash seizures as $43,835,214.24, £25,365.00, €186,947.10, ₹51,360.00, C$3,750.00, A$740.00, ¥74,754.00, R35,000.00, 42,390.00 UAE Dirhams, 247.00 Riyals and 21,580,867,631 Crypto Currency.

Olukoyede said: “In spite of this commendable performance, the commission is deeply worried about the increasing involvement of young people, including students, in cybercrime, popularly called yahoo yahoo. Hundreds of suspects are arrested monthly with many of them ending up in jail.

“There is no justification that will make yahoo yahoo acceptable. Contrary to the impression in some quarters, being a fraudster is not synonymous with creativity or being smart.

“As students, you are expected to channel your creative energies into useful engagements and not get entangled in cheating others of their resources.”

The EFCC chairman advised students of the university to stay away from internet fraud.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede,  said the commission  secured  3,175 convictions and recovered  N156, 276,691,242.30  between May 29, 2023 and May 29, 2024 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.

He expressed regrets that the involvement of youths in internet fraud  has continued to pose serious concerns to every stakeholder in the anti-graft war.

He spoke in Abuja  at the launch of Zero Tolerance Club in the University of Abuja.

 Olukoyede, who spoke through the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda, said the EFCC  also recovered some foreign currencies from suspects.

He listed the foreign cash seizures as  $43,835,214.24,  £25,365.00,  €186,947.10, ₹51,360.00, C$3,750.00 , A$740.00,  ¥74,754.00, R35,000.00, 42,390.00 UAE Dirhams, 247.00 Riyals and 21,580, 867631 Crypto Currency.

He said: “In spite of this commendable performance, the commission is deeply worried about the increasing involvement of young people, including students, in cybercrime, popularly called yahoo yahoo.  Hundreds of suspects are arrested monthly, with many of them ending up in jail.

“There is no justification that will make yahoo yahoo acceptable. Contrary to the impression in some quarters, being a fraudster is not synonymous with creativity or being smart.

“ As students,   you are expected to channel your creative energies into useful engagements and not get entangled in cheating others of their resources.”

He called on students of the University to stay away from internet fraud.

He said conviction for fraud “ is a burden that will leave a life-long scar on the fortunes of these youths”. 

He said there was no justification for cybercrime anywhere.

Also speaking,  Director of Public Affairs Department of the Commission, DCE Wilson Uwujaren said the Commission was at the University not only to inaugurate Zero Tolerance Club, but also to mobilise youths against the ills of corruption. 

Read Also: EFCC warns public of phishing attacks surge

 “The blessings that God has given Nigeria have not really translated into wealth for all of us. And for some of us who are a little bit older, we have cause to express worry about the future of our children and the future of our youths. 

“This is why the EFCC is here today not only to launch a Zero Tolerance Club for you, but to also sensitize you on why it is important for you to embrace the fight against corruption,” he said. 

He said the club is “a platform of continuous conversation on why our nation has to fight and win the war against corruption”.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah charged the youths to be productive and avoid doing anything that would destroy the good name or image of their families.

He urged them to be productive like their counterparts in developed nations where talents  are used for creativity and innovation rather than indulging in internet fraud. 

 He commended Olukoyede and management of the commission for finding the University of Abuja worthy for a Zero Tolerance Club.

In his presentation on the ills of cybercrime,  Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACEII David Ife advised youths to channel their energy towards productive and beneficial purposes for themselves and the nation at large.

He said criminality offered no gain to anyone.

The Head,  Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, ACE11 Aisha Mohammed said the essence of the launch of the club in Universities was to develop, nurture and empower future leaders to be proactive and  be “Ambassadors of the commission through education.

He said the EFCC will use the club to “guide them to propagate the core-values  of anti-corruption in their family, neighbourhood, schools, communities, societies and the country at large”.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted the public of an alarming rise in phishing activities targeting unsuspecting individuals across various digital platforms.

The Nation reports Phishing to be a type of cybersecurity attack in which a fraudulent individual masquerades as a reputable entity or person in an email or other forms of communication.

Attackers commonly use phishing emails to distribute malicious links or attachments that can extract login credentials, account numbers and other personal information from victims.

In a statement signed by its head of media & publicity, Dele Oyewale, via its website, the Commission revealed in recent months, it has observed a surge in fraudulent schemes, designed to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive personal information, including financial details, through deceptive emails, text messages, social media messengers and fake websites.

“These phishing perpetrators often impersonate reputable organizations, financial institutions, or government agencies, exploiting the trust of their victims for illicit gains,” it said.

The anti-graft agency emphasised the critical importance of vigilance and caution when encountering unsolicited communications or unfamiliar links, especially those requesting sensitive information or promising financial benefits.

Read Also: Adamawa honours ex-EFCC chair Lamorde, state lawmaker Musa, declares 3-day mourning

It said: “Individuals must verify the authenticity of any communication (message) or website before divulging personal details or engaging in financial transactions.”

Furthermore, the commission urged the public to promptly report any suspected phishing attempt or fraudulent activity to its nearest zonal command or the nearest law enforcement agency.

“Timely reporting enables swift action to be taken in order to disrupt criminal operations and protect potential victims from financial losses and identity theft,” the statement added.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyede has described the late chairman of the agency Ibrahim Lamorde as a soldier of anti-corruption.

He also said the deceased set up the investigation machinery of the commission.

He said Lamorde mentored the corps of officers who are today the spine of the commission’s

Olukoyede, who paid the tribute in a statement which he personally signed, said the history of EFCC is incomplete without reference to Lamorde.

He said the late chairman was a “refined officer, disciplined, unassuming, amiable, compassionate but professional.”

He said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and one of my predecessors as Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) between 2012 and 2015.

 “The loss of this distinguished law enforcement officer whose ideals and accomplishments we have long respected is painful coming at a time the EFCC and indeed Nigeria still needed his wealth of experience to deal with emerging challenges in the law enforcement environment.

 “His footprints in the Nigeria Police and the EFCC where he spent his most productive years, first as Director of Operations and later as Acting Chairman and Executive Chairman, will remain indelible.

“Indeed, the story of the commission cannot be told without a reference to Lamorde who invested his talent as an investigator in setting up the investigation machinery of the commission and   mentoring the corps of officers who are today the spine of the commission’s investigative activities.”

Olukoyede highlighted other attributes of the former chairman of EFCC, including his gift as a reformist.

Read Also: One year in office: Tinubu has performed well, says Wike

He added: “He was a refined officer, disciplined, unassuming, amiable, compassionate but professional. He was also a reformist and his legacy in the commission include the establishment of the professional responsibility arm of the commission, the Department of Internal Affairs, which was recently renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity, to police officers of the commission, and the Department of Public Affairs to drive the commission corruption prevention mandate.

“Lamorde also renamed EFCC’s Training and Research Institute, Karu as the EFCC Academy with an expanded mandate to train all cadre of officers of the commission and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and. Indeed, Africa. Under his stewardship the EFCC Academy became the centre for anti- corruption training in West Africa.

 “All of us in the EFCC feel deeply the loss of this soldier of anti-corruption. Our hearts are with his family and all those whose lives he impacted in his remarkable career. We share your bereavement in the loss of this icon. You can be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you in your grief.

 “The memory of Lamorde’s lifetime as a police officer and statesman in the service of the highest ideals will remain a legacy of inspiration to us all.”