Tag: EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to pursue corruption cases without fear or favour, saying no politician or high-profile individual will be shielded because of party affiliation.

EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a media briefing to mark his second year in office.

Olukoyede said the anti-graft agency would not protect any politician who defected to the ruling party, stressing that the EFCC remained impartial in all its operations.

Speaking through the Director of Legal and Prosecution, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, the chairman said the commission would not compromise its mandate in handling corruption-related cases.

He was responding to allegations that the EFCC shielded politicians who switched allegiance to the ruling party to evade investigation or prosecution.

“It is alleged that politicians who joined the ruling party are being shielded by the commission. The simple answer is that it’s not true,” Tahir said.

He added that the reference being made to the case of a former Delta State governor and others was misplaced, explaining that investigations were still ongoing.

“To the best of my knowledge, that case is still under investigation, and in due course, justice will be served. No one is shielded because of party affiliation,” he said.

Tahir urged patience in the handling of high-profile cases, noting that thorough investigations take time but yield stronger results when presented in court.

“If we are patient and do diligent work, Nigerians will see the quality of our cases. There is no intent anywhere to protect anyone who switches parties,” he added.

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The EFCC chairman also refuted allegations that the agency deducted a percentage from recovered funds without legislative approval.

He described the claim as false, saying the President of the Senate had already clarified that the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) did not authorise the EFCC to make such deductions.

“POCA stipulates that only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can make statutory deductions, following due legislative procedures,” Tahir explained.

He emphasised that the EFCC operated strictly within the law and did not engage in any unauthorised financial deductions or appropriations.

“EFCC does not have the authority to make statutory deductions and has never done so. We act only in accordance with the law and due process,” he ended.

(NAN)

• A corruption-free Nigeria possible, says President

• Akpabio, CJN pledge support for Judiciary to fight graft

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration’s anti-corruption drive has recorded a huge success in the last two years.

He said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets worth more than N500 billion in the first two years of his administration.

President said the recovered funds were being channelled into social investment programmes, such as the Students Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme.

He urged the Judiciary to uphold the highest standards of integrity and impartiality in the fight against corruption.

The President warned that the collapse of justice institutions marks the beginning of a nation’s moral decay.

President Tinubu spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of a joint workshop of the EFCC and the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence and improving the welfare of judicial officers.

“The moral foundation of the Nigerian nation rests squarely on the integrity of its judicial system. We draw our moral distinction as a people from the judiciary, and we owe it the reverence and autonomy to remain the last sanctuary of our collective conscience”, the President declared.

In a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, President Tinubu described his administration’s recent review of judicial remuneration as part of a broader reform to enhance judicial independence and efficiency.

The President underscored that while Nigerians express frustration over the slow pace of adjudication in high-profile corruption cases, his government has refrained from interfering in the process.

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“There is no person or group who can accuse this administration of shielding political actors on account of their affiliation to this government or the political party. We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-graft agencies to exercise their constitutional and statutory powers,” he said.

Addressing the evolving landscape of financial crimes, President Tinubu stressed the need for continuous judicial training in emerging technologies, particularly in handling cybercrime and cryptocurrency-related cases.

“Learning and relearning is no longer a buzz phrase but an essential undertaking for continued relevance in this digital age. How does one do justice in a cryptocurrency fraud case except one is grounded in such matters?” he noted.

The President reminded judicial officers that corruption spares no one, regardless of social standing.

He said: “Your vantage position on the Bench does not insulate you from the consequences of corruption. There are no special roads, hospitals, or communities for judges.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairperson of the NJI Board of Governors, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, noted that the decisions of judicial officers have far-reaching effects on Nigeria’s growth and stability.

The CJN urged judges to remain firm, fair, and deliberate in their adjudications, ensuring that justice is never delayed or denied.

“The strength of the judiciary lies in the trust reposed in judges by the Nigerian people. We must preserve that trust by ensuring justice is neither partial nor delayed,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, affirmed the legislature’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption agencies through enabling laws and funding.

“Corruption is an enemy of the state, and combating it requires action from all fronts—the legislature, the judiciary, and the citizenry,” Akpabio said.

He assured all of continued legislative backing for security and law enforcement reforms.

The NJI Administrator, Justice B. A. Adejumo, lauded the collaborative efforts of the EFCC and the judiciary, describing the annual workshop as “a vital platform for strengthening institutional synergy in the fight against corruption”.

He reiterated that “no nation can develop without tackling corruption head-on”.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede applauded the judiciary’s partnership in advancing the anti-graft crusade.

The EFCC chairman noted that the Supreme Court’s recent decision reaffirming the commission’s constitutional mandate had further strengthened institutional confidence.

“The record of 4,111 convictions and humongous asset recoveries could not have been achieved by a lazy or ineffective judiciary,” he said.

Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s resolve to sustain its drive against financial crimes.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has emphasised the need for a stronger partnership between the Commission, media, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to effectively combat corruption in Nigeria.

Speaking at a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists and CSOs in Ibadan, Oyo state, Olukoyede described the media and CSOs as critical stakeholders in the anti-corruption drive, noting that their roles in promoting transparency, accountability, and civic responsibility are indispensable to national development.

He was represented at the workshop by the Acting Zonal Director, Ibadan Directorate, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE 1, Hauwa Garba Ringim. 

Olukoyede said: “The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.

“Our fight against corruption is not a solo mission; it is a collective national endeavor that requires synergy, trust, and shared intelligence.”

The EFCC Chairman also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Commission, media, and CSOs in promoting a culture of integrity and accountability. 

He urged participants to take full advantage of the engagement to ask questions, share perspectives, and contribute ideas that would enhance the effectiveness of the anti-graft crusade.

Harping on the need to strengthen the fight against corruption, the EFCC boss maintained that the workshop aimed to deepen engagement between the EFCC, media, and CSOs, and to foster greater synergy in the fight against corruption. 

Read Also: Metrodigital clashes with EFCC over raid, alleged rebroadcast of DSTV, GOTV channels 

Olukoyede emphasised that the EFCC is committed to building stronger partnerships with all stakeholders to foster a Nigeria where integrity, accountability, and justice become the norm rather than the exception.

He disclosed that he EFCC has secured over 17,000 convictions within its 22 years of existence, a feat attributed to the Commission’s commitment and resilience in pursuing justice.

In his presentation on “The roles of CSOs and Media in driving a preventive framework”, the Head, Media and Publicity, Deputy Commander EFCC, DCE Dele Oyewale, said the essence of workshop is to ensure that the messages of anti-corruption are passed down to the people at the grassroots through the media and CSOs.

He urged the media and CSOs to also amplify the messages of anti-corruption to their counterparts in a bid to promote the war and create awareness among the people.

The Metrodigital Limited, operators of SLTV, an indigenous Pay TV Company, has flayed Thursday’s raid of their head office in Port Harcourt by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) describing it as an ugly incident.

Armed operatives of EFCC ransacked the office of Metrodigital and arrested two employees of the company following alleged illegal rebroadcasting of DStv and GOtv content by the firm.

The operation followed a preservation order issued by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Adamu Mohammed  empowering the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to take possession of equipment and documents linked to the alleged piracy.

The raid was carried out at No. 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt.

The EFCC operatives seized broadcasting machines, decoders, transmission equipment, servers and many documents believed to contain records of signal manipulation.

The commission’s officials took statements from members of staff on duty during the enforcement action. 

The commission named the arrested employees of the Metrodigital as Chinedu Nwaikwu, a director, and Uche Kanu, an engineer in the transmission room. 

“They were caught with 22 decoders they were using for transmission at the time of arrest,” one of the EFCC sources, who spoke in confidence said.

A copy of the order obtained in Port Harcourt specifically directed the EFCC to secure and label all items connected with the unauthorized rebroadcast of DStv and GOtv channels, and to preserve them as exhibits for trial. 

A detailed seizure report with photographs and serial numbers of the confiscated materials were expected to be tendered before the court.

But the management of Metrodigital in a statement by the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ifeanyi Nwafor, faulted the actions of the EFCC saying the raid did not make any commonsense especially as the matter was civil and was still in the court.

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Explaining the development, the statement said: “There is a dispute between Multichoice the operators of DSTV and GOTV over channels sub licensing, a civil matter pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Appeal No: SC/NO/SC/CV/1248/2022- Multichoice Nig Ltd vs. Metrodigital Ltd and 2 ors. 

“Metrodigital had secured a judgment in its favour at the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt in Appeal No: CA/PH/188/2021-Metrodigital Ltd vs. Multichoice and 2 ors wherein the court ordered the broadcast regulators, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to perform its statutory roles by compelling Multichoice to sub-license acquired channels to Metrodigital Ltd as requested. The NBC complied with the directives as ordered.

“Surprisingly, the operatives of the EFCC based on apparent misrepresentation on a matter that is sub-judice, contrived a charge at the Federal High Court against the Managing Director of Metrodigital Ltd and 6 unknown persons and surreptitiously sought to obtain ex parte orders to seize the properties and assets of Metrodigital Ltd as proceeds of crime. 

“Metrodigital Ltd got wind of the diabolic moves and filed an application as an interested party, challenging the EFCC application. EFCC responded to Metrodigitals application to which Metrodigital has also filed a reply and the matter is scheduled to hold on October 22, 2025”. 

The management said it was strange that despite the applications, where issues had been joined, the court was misled to grant orders affecting the interest of Metrodigital and some other companies, including Denna Rossi Ltd, Krystal food and Beverages amongst others that had nothing to do with the broadcast dispute. 

“Based on the said order of  Court, EFCC officials invaded the premises of Metrogital Ltd on Thursday, October 16th, 2025 in a brigandage, carting away set-up boxes for sale, transmission equipments, laptops, registers, receipt booklets and extension cables among others and arrested innocent employees that are not affected by the said order and despite the Courts refusal to grant the orders they sought for arrest”, the statement said.

It added: “Several employees were manhandled and three persons were taken away by the Operatives of EFCC over a civil broadcast dispute to please Multichoice. An agency of government using tax payers funds to fight civil disputes involving two companies is an anathema and happens only in this part of the globe. 

“The same EFCC had in 2019, under Magu as Chairman, allowed itself to be used by Multichoice in a similar commando style, to clamp down on all indigenous media houses then under the aegis of ACON, which gave rise to several suits until the Federal Government intervened through NBC and urger parties to withdraw their suits and Multichoice to withdraw its petition to EFCC”.

The statement said Metrodigital had taken every legal step to address what it described as the high-handedness of Multichoice, whose efforts it said was channeled to achieve monopoly in the the broadcast industry adding that the South African company had found EFCC as a willing tool.

It said after the raid, the EFCC went went on air to broadcast that their arrest of employees they found in the premises of Metrodigital Ltd was for illegal rebroadcast and wondered how a civil dispute on content and copyrights within the jurisdiction of NBC and NCC had become a criminal matter.

The statement said: “It is pertinent to point to the fact that Multichoice has taken its lawlessness too far to the extent that it resorts to falsehood and deceit to stain an indigenous law abiding organization and prevent it from carrying out its legal and lawful business responsibilities. 

“The National Broadcasting Codes is clear on the operations of organizations in the industry, but the company with a deep pocket and also diametrically opposed to competition keep shopping for frivolous orders to foreclose the market and maintain dominance. 

“It is not yet time to shout Uhuru as the raid carried out at the Metrodigital office does not pass the test of common sense especially as the matter is in Court.

It will spell doom for the country if an anti graft agency like the EFCC allows itself to be continually used to secure monopoly for another competitor. 

“The dispute between Metrodigital and Multichoice is purely civil and a responsibility of the National Broadcasting Commission and Nigerian Copyright Commission”.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two employees of the Metrodigital Television Ltd, operators of SLTV, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This follows alleged illegal rebroadcasting of DStv and GOtv content.

The operation, which was carried out yesterday, followed a preservation order issued by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Adamu Mihammed  empowering the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to take possession of equipment and documents linked to the alleged piracy.

The raid was carried out at No. 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that the EFCC operatives seized broadcasting machines, decoders, transmission equipment, servers and many documents believed to contain records of signal manipulation.

Read Also: EFCC arrests two Metro digital TV employees for alleged illegal  rebroadcast of DStv, GOtv Channel

The commission’s officials were said to have taken statements from members of staff on duty during the enforcement action.

Sources from the commission named the arrested employees of the Metrodigital as Chinedu Nwaikwu, a director, and Uche Kanu, an engineer in the transmission room.

“They were caught with 22 decoders they were using for transmission at the time of arrest”, one of the sources, who spoke in confidence said.

A copy of the order obtained in Port Harcourt specifically directed the EFCC to secure and label all items connected with the unauthorized rebroadcast of DStv and GOtv channels, and to preserve them as exhibits for trial.

A detailed seizure report with photographs and serial numbers of the confiscated materials were expected to be tendered before the court.

The court issued an injunction restraining Metrodigital Television Ltd, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and other associated companies including Denna Rossi Limited, Kristal Food and Beverages, and QTV Plus Limited from further accessing or transmitting the programme-carrying signals, channels, and contents of DStv and GOtv pending the determination of the case.

The injunction also mandated law enforcement agencies to serve the order on all the listed defendants, shut down any ongoing unauthorized signal feeds, and monitor compliance to prevent further infringement.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two employees of the Metrodigital Television Ltd, operators of SLTV, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following alleged illegal rebroadcasting of DStv and GOtv content. 

The operation, which was carried out on Thursday, followed a preservation order by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Adamu Mihammed  empowering the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to take possession of equipment and documents linked to the alleged piracy.

The raid was carried out at No. 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that the EFCC operatives seized broadcasting machines, decoders, transmission equipment, servers and many documents believed to contain records of signal manipulation.

The commission’s officials were said to have taken statements from members of staff on duty during the enforcement action. 

Sources from the commission named the arrested employees of the Metrodigital as Chinedu Nwaikwu, a director, and Uche Kanu, an eguneer in the transmission room. 

“They were caught with 22 decoders they were using for transmission at the time of arrest,” one of the sources, who spoke in confidence, said.

A copy of the order obtained in Port Harcourt specifically directed the EFCC to secure and label all items connected with the unauthorized rebroadcast of DStv and GOtv channels, and to preserve them as exhibits for trial. 

A detailed seizure report with photographs and serial numbers of the confiscated materials were expected to be tendered before the court.

The court issued an injunction restraining Metrodigital Television Ltd, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and other associated companies including Denna Rossi Limited, Kristal Food and Beverages, and QTV Plus Limited from further accessing or transmitting the programme-carrying signals, channels, and contents of DStv and GOtv pending the determination of the case.

The injunction also mandated law enforcement agencies to serve the order on all the listed defendants, shut down any ongoing unauthorized signal feeds, and monitor compliance to prevent further infringement.

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The court further granted a Post-No-Debit (PND) restriction on many bank accounts linked to the alleged piracy proceeds. 

The affected accounts were those of Ifeanyi John Nwafor, Metrodigital Television Ltd/SLTV, Denna Rossi Limited, Kristal Food and Beverages, and QTV Plus Limited. 

The EFCC was also directed to notify commercial banks to enforce the restrictions, obtain account and BVN details, and preserve the funds as suspected proceeds of crime.

The case has been adjourned to October 22, 2025, for plea and continuation of trial. 

The court, however, declined to grant the EFCC’s request for an arrest warrant and INTERPOL watch-listing of the defendants, noting that they had not yet been formally arraigned.

The court said: “An order is hereby made permitting the complainant to access the premises of the sixth defendant (Metrodigital) situated at No 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road GRA Phase IV Port Harcourt Rivers State for the purpose of taking possession of machines, equipment, documents and all instrumentalities and infringing products and documentary evidence of the volume of dealing in the infringing product to be found therein.

“An order is hereby made of injunction restraining the defendants and all other unauthorised persons, companies, firms or bodies from dealing in, manipulating and accessing the programme-carrying signals, channels and contents of DSTV and GOTV”.

The EFCC has since assured the court that all seized items had been properly secured and would be presented as evidence at the next hearing. 

The EFCC reiterated the commission’s  resolve to dismantle illegal content redistribution networks and protect the intellectual property rights of legitimate broadcasters.

The arrests and seizures were reportedly executed strictly under the authority of the Federal High Court’s preservation, injunction, and Post-No-Debit orders.

Supreme Court has struck out an appeal filed by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to overturn the acquittal of Dismass Adoon, former aide to former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpolobokemi.

The panel was led by Justice Mohammed Garba, with Justices Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Haruna Tsammani, and Jamilu Tukur concurring.

In its September 25 ruling in Appeal SC/ML/29/2025, Supreme Court struck out EFCC’s motion after prosecution withdrew it, holding the case could not proceed any further.

The legal tussle originated at Federal High Court, Lagos Division, which, in 2019, convicted Adoon on counts of conversion contrary to Section 15(1) of Money Laundering (Prohibition Amendment) Act.

He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N7 million fine per count.

Adoon challenged the decision at Court of Appeal, Lagos.

In its unanimous judgment, the court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Chidi Uwa ruled that Section 15 of the Money Laundering Act is not a strict liability offence and requires proof of knowledge or intent.

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The court found that Adoon, as personal assistant to NIMASA’s chief, was responsible only for managing schedules, visitors, and itineraries.

He neither participated in meetings nor in tender processes or committee accounts.

Consequently, there was no evidence he knew or ought to have known that the funds iwere unlawfully obtained.

Emphasising the principle that any doubt in a criminal trial must be resolved in favour of the accused, the appellate court set aside the trial court’s conviction and acquitted Adoon on all counts.

Dissatisfied with the decision, EFCC approached Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the acquittal and reinstate the conviction.

However, following the withdrawal of its motion dated February 4, Supreme Court struck out the appeal, thereby leaving the acquittal intact.