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Tag: EFCC

  • JUST IN: A religious sect laundering money for terrorists – EFCC

    JUST IN: A religious sect laundering money for terrorists – EFCC

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyede has revealed that the anti-graft agency uncovered how a religious sect is laundering money for terrorists in Nigeria.

    Olukoyede made the revelation on Wednesday at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja during a one-day dialogue on “Youth, Religion, and the Fight against Corruption.”

    Read Also: Police arrests fake EFCC officials in Abia

    He also said that another religious body was found to be protecting a money launderer after some money suspected to have been laundered was traced to the organisation’s bank account.

    The anti-graft boss noted that religious organisations, institutions, sects, and bodies, have been found culpable of money laundering.

    Olukoyede said: “A religious sect in this country had been found to be laundering money for terrorists.”

    Details shortly…

  • Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC insists Taiga’s death certificate be produced

    Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC insists Taiga’s death certificate be produced

    Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mohammed Hussain, yesterday insisted that the death certificate of a former Director of Legal Services at the Petroleum Resources Ministry, Grace Taiga, be produced at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

    Taiga is standing trial before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi for alleged bribery in the controversial Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) between Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    She was arraigned in court by the EFCC on an amended 13-count charge bordering on bribery, among others.

    The anti-graft commission alleged that Taiga received bribe through her offshore bank account in signing the controversial GPSA.

    EFCC also claimed that she violated various laws by entering into the agreement without prior approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and a certificate of no objection to the contract from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (PBE).

    The erstwhile director pleaded not guilty to the allegations preferred against her.

    Taiga was first arraigned on September 20, 2019 at the court on an eight-court charge.

    The EFCC first amended the charge against the defendant on October 3, 2020 to 11-count and later further amended it to 13-count on January 10, 2021.

    The prosecution called eight witnesses to testify against the defendant and closed its case on February 27, 2023; then, the court directed the defendant to open her defence.

    At the hearing of the case on November 4, 2023, the defendant’s lawyer, Daniel Alumun, informed the court that the defendant had died on August 1, 2023 at a hospital in Abuja.

    Read Also: Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC insists Grace Tiaga’s death certificate be produced

    Alumun tendered a letter, titled: Hospital Death Declaration, from Primus International Super Specialty Hospital, Karu New Extension, Abuja, to notify the court of Taiga’s demise.

    Following the development, the defendant’s counsel urged the court to dismiss the charge.

    But the EFCC counsel insisted that a death certificate must be tendered in court by the defence in compliance with the law before the court could dismiss the case.

    Justice Adeniyi directed that a death certificate be produced in court.

    He adjourned the matter till yesterday for compliance with the law by the defence.

    When the matter came up yesterday, the defendant’s lawyer told the court that the death certificate was not ready.

    He prayed the court to give him more time to get it.

    The prosecuting counsel insisted that the certificate must be brought to the court, as stipulated by the law before decision can be taken.

    Justice Adeniyi adjourned till March 6 for further report on the death certificate.

  • Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC insists Grace Tiaga’s death certificate be produced

    Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC insists Grace Tiaga’s death certificate be produced

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel,  Mohammed Hussain, on Wednesday in an FCT High Court insisted that a former director of legal services at the petroleum ministry, Grace Tiaga’ s death certificate  be produced before the court.

    Taiga is standing trial before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on allegations bordering on bribery in the controversial Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) between Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    She was dragged before the  court by the EFCC on an amended 13-count charge bordering on bribery, among others.

    The anti-graft commission alleged that Taiga received bribe through her offshore bank account in signing the controversial GPSA

    EFCC further claimed that she violated various laws by entering into the Agreement without prior approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and a certificate of no objection to the contract from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (PBE).

    She, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations preferred against her.

    The deceased was first arraigned on Sept 20, 2019 before the court in the case, marked, FCT/HC/CR/504/19, on a- eight-court charge .

    The EFCC first amended the charge against the defendant on Oct. 3, 2020 to 11-count and later further amended it to 13-count on Jan. 10, 2021.

    The prosecution called eight witnesses to testify against the defendant and closed its case on Feb. 27, 2023, then the court directed the defendant to open her defence.

    At the hearing of the case on Nov 4, 2023, however, counsel for Taiga, Daniel Alumun, informed the court that the defendant passed on on August 1, 2023 at a hospital in Abuja.

    Alumun tendered a letter, titled, “Hospital Death Declaration”, from Primus International Super Speciality Hospital, Karu New Extension, Abuja, to notify the court of the demise of Taiga.

    In view of the unfortunate development, the defendant counsel, urged the court to dismiss the charge.

    EFCC counsel however, insisted that a death certificate must be brought before the court by the defence in compliance with the law before the court could dismiss the case.

    Read Also: BREAKING: EFCC arraigns ex-Gov Obiano over alleged money laundering

    Justice Adeniyi then directed that a death certificate be produced before the court.

    He then adjourned the case until today for compliance with the law by the defence.

    When the matter came up today,  the defendant counsel earlier told the court that the death certificate was not ready.

    He prayed the court to allow him more time to get it.

    The prosecuting counsel insisted that the certificate must be brought to the court as stipulated by the law before decision can be taken.

    Justice Adeniyi however,  adjourned until March 6, for further report on the death certificate.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: EFCC arraigns ex-Gov Obiano over alleged money laundering

    BREAKING: EFCC arraigns ex-Gov Obiano over alleged money laundering

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano over alleged money laundering to the tune of N4,008,573,350.

    Obiano, who dressed in a navy blue suit with a black cap, was escorted into the courtroom by more than 10 operatives of the anti-graft agency.

    Read Also: Alleged N4b fraud: EFCC to arraign ex-Anambra Governor Obiano today

    The trial judge is yet to arrive as of the time of filing this report.

    Details shortly…

  • How ex-HoS Oyo-Ita laundered funds while in service, by EFCC witness

    How ex-HoS Oyo-Ita laundered funds while in service, by EFCC witness

    A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Hamma-Adama Bello, has told a Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja how the immediate-past Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, used her companies to launder government’s funds while in service.

    Bello, a Chief Superintendent of the EFCC and Head of its Special Investigation Team (SIT), testified before Justice James Omotosho yesterday in Abuja as the eighth prosecution witness (PW8).

    While being led in evidence by the EFCC’s lawyer, Farouk Abdullah, the PW8 said his team received intelligence from the office of the anti-graft agency’s chairman sometime in 2019.

    “The intelligence bordered on the activities of the first defendant (Oyo-Ita), her minister then in the Ministry of Special Duty and Inter-Governmental Affairs, where she was serving.

    “The first defendant was the permanent secretary then, and other workers that include Mr. Ubong Effiok, the seventh defendant. The team developed intelligence and started the investigation. In the course of the investigation, we called for documents.

    “The nature of the intelligence was such that the first and seventh defendants and a host of others were using their offices to get contracts for companies they incorporated or have interest in,” he said.

    Bello said the team invited Oyo-Ita and her Special Assistant, Ubong Effiok, having received an analysed documents relating to the intelligence.

    “The team had an interaction with them and in the cause of the interaction, Mr. Garba Umar, who is also the fourth defendant, became a person of interest for the investigation and he was invited. We also had an interaction with him,” he said.

    Read Also: EFCC to arraign ex- Anambra Gov Obiano over alleged N4bn fraud

    The witness said investigation revealed that the first defendant was the beneficial owner of two companies – Frontline Ace Global Services Limited and Asanaya Projects Limited.

    “We also discovered that the first defendant also has interest in Asanaya Farms Limited,” he added.

    Bello told the court that investigation also revealed that Oyo-Ita maintained two accounts in Zenith Bank Plc for Frontline Ace Global Services Limited.

    Besides, the PW8 said it was discovered that the ex-HoS had severally sat as Chairman and CEO of Frontline Ace Global Services Limited where she issued resolutions to open the said accounts.

    “Having analysed these two board resolutions issued by first defendant, the team realised that the first defendant is the beneficial owner of the accounts.

    “We carried out a careful analysis of the account she was closing and came to a conclusion that about N124 million had passed through the account.

    “We realised that there were payments in 2010 from the Federal Ministry of Power into the account and other agencies, like Power Holding Company of Nigeria (when it was a government’s agency).

    “These payments were from government coffers while she was serving as a deputy director in the same ministry,” Bello told the court.

    Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till January 26 for continuation of trial.

  • Alleged N4b fraud: EFCC to arraign ex-Anambra Governor Obiano today

    Alleged N4b fraud: EFCC to arraign ex-Anambra Governor Obiano today

    • Court orders IG to arrest EFCC chair, one other for contempt

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano at a Federal High Court in Abuja today over alleged complicity in a financial fraud amounting to N4 billion.

     Sources at the EFCC told The Nation last night that a charge had been filed before the court to this effect and that all arrangements had been concluded for the arraignment.

     It was learnt that the EFCC is charging Obiano with money laundering-related offences for the movement of some funds, estimated at N4,008,573,350 while he was governor of Anambra State between 2014 and 2022.

     It was also learnt that the case had since been assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo.

     Also, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja, yesterday ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and the commission’s Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Aliyu Yusuf, for disobeying an order of the court made on December 6, 2023.

     Justice Abubakar Hussaini Musa ordered the IGP to arrest the two EFCC officials and produce them before his court tomorrow to show cause why they should not be sent to prison for disobeying the court’s order.

    Read Also: I’ll take on your concerns one by one, Tinubu assures South-south indigenes

     The enrolled copy of the ruling reads: “And upon reading a 16-paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by High Chief Ikechi Emenike of Number 6 Aso Drive, Abuja, the claimant/applicant in this suit, to which four exhibits were attached, and a written address in support of the application; and after listening to Adeyemi Pitan, Esq., counsel for the claimant/applicant argue in favour of the application and Hadiza Afegbua Esq., counsel for the defendant/respondent (EFCC) informing the honourable court that she has no response to the application; it is hereby ordered as follows:

     “That an order is hereby made directing the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Ola Olukoyede, who is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Aliyu Yusuf, who is the Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for the purpose of committing them to prison for disobeying the Orders of this honourable court contained in the ruling of this court delivered on December 6, 2023,” among others.

    In an affidavit supporting a Form 49 (application for committal) filed by Emenike, he alleged that despite the court’s order being served on the EFCC, operatives of the commission, acting on the instruction of the chairman, failed to comply with the order.

  • EFCC to arraign ex- Anambra Gov Obiano over alleged N4bn fraud

    EFCC to arraign ex- Anambra Gov Obiano over alleged N4bn fraud

    Barring any untoward occurrence, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday on alleged complicity in financial fraud involving about N4billion.

    Sources at the EFCC confirmed to The Nation late on Tuesday that a charge had been filed before the court to that effect and that all arrangements have been tidied up for the arraignment.

    It was learnt that the EFCC is charging Obiano with money laundering related offences on accounts of the movement of some funds, estimated at N4,008,573,350 while he was the Governor between 2014 and 2022.

    It was further learnt that the case has since been assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo.

    Meanwhile, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to promptly arrest the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and the commission’s Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Aliyu Yusuf for disobeying an order of the court made on December 6, 2023.

    Justice Abubakar Hussaini Musa ordered the IGP to arrest the two senior officials of the EFCC and produce them before his court on January 25 to show cause why they should not be sent to prison for disobeying the court’s order.

    The enrolled copy of the ruling reads: And upon reading a 16-paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by High Chief Ikechi Emenike of No. 6 Aso Drive, Abuja, the claimant/applicant in this suit, to which four exhibits were attached, and a written address in support of the application; and after listening to Adeyemi Pitan Esq, counsel for the claimant/applicant argue in favour of the application and Hadiza Afegbua Esq, counsel for the defendant/respondent (EFCC) informing the honourable court that she has no response to the application; it is hereby ordered as follows:

    *That an order is hereby made directing the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Ola Olukoyede, who is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Aliyu Yusuf, who is the Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the purpose of committing them to prison for disobeying the Orders of this honourable court contained in the ruling of this court delivered on the 6th day of December, 2023.

    *That an order is hereby made directing Ola Olukoyede, who is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Aliyu Yusuf, who is the Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to appear before this honourable court on the date mentioned in this order to show cause why an order

    in this court to show cause why an order for their committal to prison should not be made.

    Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Oyo monarchs meet Makinde, declare support for fight against illegal mining

    *That this suit is hereby adjourned to the 25th day of January, 2024 for hearing.

    Justice  Musa had, on December 6, upon a motion by Chief Ikechi Emenike, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, ordered the EFCC and its operatives to vacate his private residence on 6 Aso Drive, Abuja.

    In an affidavit supporting a Form 49 (application for committal) filed by Emenike, he alleged that despite the court’s order being served on the EFCC, operatives of the EFCC, acting on the instruction of the Chairman failed to comply with the order.

    Emenike said: “Notwithstanding the service of the enrolled order, the respondent (EFCC) and its principal officers named in this contempt proceedings (Ola Olukoyede and Aliyu Yusuf) have refused to obey the said court order.

    “In a strange fashion, on December 7, 2023, at about 6:000m, 35 operatives of the defendant on the authority and directive of the Chairman and Head of p

    Proceeds of Crime Unit, over powered the security and domestic guards and broke into my living room when I was barely on pajamas.

    “My lawyers caused to be filed on December 8, 2023, Form 48 that is, notice of consequences of disobedience. 

    “But the principal officers of the defendant, named in this proceedings refused to be served personally.

    “My lawyers swiftly filed an application for substituted service of the order on the principal officers of the defendant named in this contempt proceedings, which application was granted on December 12, 2023 directing the Forms 48 to be served either by DHL Courier or by pasting same on the gate of the defendant .

    “In compliance with the order of the court, my lawyer immediately caused to be sent through the DHL Courier the court order as well as the Form 48, which was delivered on 18th December 2023.

    “The defendant has refused to vacate the premises of the claimant even after It was in receipt of the order of this honorable court and the said Form 48.”

  • Group to EFCC: probe ‘N50b earmarked to bribe judges’

    Group to EFCC: probe ‘N50b earmarked to bribe judges’

    • Sponsor of faceless body a bad loser, says Diri’s CPS

    The Ijaw Renaissance Movement (IRM) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on the ongoing judicial process challenging the victory of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri in the last election.

    The stakeholders said they decided to call on the EFCC following allegations that Diri mobilised over N50billion to influence the outcome of the court process.

    But in a swift response by Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Douye Diri, he described IRM as a faceless and non-existent group, saying its allegation is like the hand of Esau, but the voice of Jacob.

    He said the sponsor of the faceless group is a bad loser who does not want to accept the reality that he lost the November 11, 2023 governorship election, hence he continues to either make baseless allegations or use spurious groups like the IRM.

    He said the talk about N50billlion set aside to influence the election tribunal was equally hogwash.

    The Secretary of IRM, Nisakpo Augustine, said they became concerned about the allegation after billions of tax payers’ money was deployed by the Diri administration to compromise the sanctity of the last election through vote-buying.

    Augustine in a statement in Yenagoa said with such high level of voter inducement, they would no longer doubt the capacity of the Bayelsa government to settle its disputes through bribery.

    Read Also: Professionalism of EFCC officers commendable, says Olajengbesi

    He said: “As unfortunate as this seems, it is still a reminder of the November 11 governorship election where billions of Bayelsa tax payers’ money were hurled into the system for similar purposes. This is why every well-meaning Ijaw and Bayelsan must take this alarm seriously this time.

    “In a state that ranks shyly on poverty index, with infrastructural left deficit; in a state that has abandoned the shiny prospects of its youths, that has a hazy roadmap and that is nearly nil on investments, pursuing personal political dreams with what is left of the treasury is almost inhumane and narcissistic.”

    Augustine said recently, they had been on the trail of a governorship candidate from a northern state, who bought a property in Abuja with his share of the Bayelsa loot.

    He, however, expressed confidence in the country’s judiciary to toe the path of justice, especially in view of recent court judgments.

    He said: “We, naturally, would have ignored the reports before us if not for the sordid precedence already set last year. 

    “The bright side is that our judiciary has markedly matured and far more fair than those in Creek Haven are imagining. The recent court judgments are a testament and we believe our judiciary and our very honourable judges are not for sale. 

    “We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to look into the financial transactions of Bayelsa State and Senator Douye Diri.

    “We call on ‘Bayelsans’ and ‘Ijaws’ at home and abroad to pay attention to the unbecoming political spending in the state, as it is at the centre of Bayelsa’s glaring underdevelopment. 

    “We will keep tabs and work with our reports and liaise with specific agencies of the government if the plan to pump in billions of Bayelsa taxpayers’ money in a bid to influence the November 11, 2023 governorship election from the tribunal up to the Supreme Court is not abandoned forthwith.”

    Alabrah said: “Everyone in Bayelsa State knows that Governor Diri was the most popular candidate in the election, which he won freely and fairly. So anyone talking about compromise in an election that was adjudged as credible even by the leadership of the party that came second, the APC, is clearly a bad loser. We are confident that the courts will affirm the decision of the Bayelsa people. 

    “The talk about N50billion set aside to influence the election tribunal is equally hogwash. A man that was popularly elected by the Bayelsa electorate has no reason to panic. But the fear of another imminent defeat will make a loser point accusing figures at a tribunal that is yet to begin sitting.

    “Likewise, asking the EFCC to beam its searchlight on the Bayelsa State Government is just crying wolf where there is none. The anti-graft agency knows where to look, as it is already doing in the investigation of those who awarded frivolous contracts while in office.”

  • Professionalism of EFCC officers commendable, says Olajengbesi

    Professionalism of EFCC officers commendable, says Olajengbesi

    A human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over the increased professionalism of anti-graft officers.

    In a Facebook post on Thursday, January 18, the lawyer chronicled his encounter with EFCC officers at the agency’s headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The Managing Partner at Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, said the “chaotic experience” at the agency’s gate has been eradicated.

    He said: “After a while, I visited an EFCC office today and was thoroughly impressed. Nigeria seems to be improving. The professionalism at the EFCC Headquarters stood out, showcasing a significant transformation with the eradication of chaotic experiences at the gate.

    Read Also: Absence of EFCC witness stalls Mompha’s N6b money laundering trial

    “The new Chairman’s commendable efforts are evident, and the EFCC’s commitment to avoiding involvement in civil matters is noteworthy.

    “However, I was perplexed to see numerous well-dressed officers working in slippers like you well dressed and now have slippers, a consistent sight among both senior and junior staff in the compound.

    “If I were visiting from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), such a detail would genuinely raise concerns.”

    Recall that President Bola Tinubu appointed Olukoyede as EFCC boss last October after the controversial exit of Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    Upon assumption of office, Olukoyede, a trained lawyer, had banned EFCC officers from Gestapo night raids, drawing commendations from near and far.

  • N583m fraud: Allow EFCC to do its job on Betta Edu – Amb. Mumuni

    N583m fraud: Allow EFCC to do its job on Betta Edu – Amb. Mumuni

    A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni has justified President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

    Mumuni, the gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 in Lagos state, advised Nigerians to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to do its job in the ongoing investigations surrounding an alleged diversion of N583m into a private account by the suspended minister.

    The advice is contained in a statement made available to journalists through his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar on Wednesday, January.

    The renowned author and security expert urged Nigerians to be mindful of what they say about the president’s action in the matter in order not to jeopardise the national interest.

    While noting that the minister has been one of the promising ministers in this administration, the APC chieftain maintained that Tinubu was not wrong in appointing a female and a youth to head the ministry. Hence, he posited that the president should rather be commended for the suspension.

    He said: “Tinubu has done the right thing by appointing a female to head the ministry, and he should be praised for suspending her over the allegation of diverting public money into a private account.

    “Aside from the allegation, she has been one of the promising Ministers in this administration, it is just unfortunate she found herself in this mess. Like the popular saying, evil communication corrupts good manners.

    Read Also: 2027: Stop distracting Tinubu, APC chieftain Mumuni tells Yerima-led forum

    “Nigerians should not turn themselves to judges, allow EFCC to do their job, and leave Tinubu alone to concentrate on delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

    “We should be calm and continue to work together as a nation to enable good governance and also encourage the president to discharge any rot from the government.

    “Nigerians should understand that corruption is more like a regalia that will always want to remain after many washing, but it will only take a while to get rid of the rotten elements in the system.

    “We are aware that our country Nigeria has been recycling corrupt systems for decades without pretending, but with the support of the citizens, better days will surely come.”