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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC intercepts N54m at airport, probes six suspects

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intercepted N54million at Maiduguri International Airport.

    Also, four suspects and two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are already under investigation in connection with the seized cash.

    Those being investigated are Abdullahi Yarima, Francis Bako, Saraya Umaru, James K. Yadzugwa, Mercy Corps and Development Exchange Centre.

    According to a document, the EFCC had acted on intelligence report which led to the cash mop- up at the airport.

    The EFCC alleged that a BVN search on Mercy Corps indicated that it has 15 bank accounts with different Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).

    Also a BVN search on Development Exchange Centre showed that it had 40 bank accounts with different Bank Verification Numbers.

    The document said the anti-graft agency was probing alleged “cases of criminal conspiracy, money laundering and terrorist financing initiated following an intelligence report to the commission on the 18th March, 2019 against Mercy Corps and four others.”

    The document said: “On 18th March, 2019, an intelligence report on suspicious movement of large sum of money by some airport users was received from the Maiduguri International Airport.

    ”The commission immediately deployed a team of operatives to the airport based on which Francis Bako and Saraya Umoru ‘F’ both of Development Exchange Centre (DEC) were arrested with the cash sums of N45million and N9million respectively.

    ”In the course of the investigation carried so far, the following facts have emerged: The trio of Francis Bako ‘M’, Saraya Umaru ‘F’ and James Yadzugwa ‘M’ are staff of Development Exchange Centre, while Abdullahi Yerima is a staff of Mercy Corps.

    Read also: EFCC charges Italian, Nigerian with property fraud

    “The Development Exchange Centre is a Non-Governmental Organization that is a financial service provider.

    “The Development Exchange Centre was engaged by Mercy Corps to carry out cash-out services in Ngala and Dikwa Internally Displaced Persons Camps.

    “On 18th March, 2019, Francis Bako of Development Exchange Centre was in possession of N45million which was recovered from him by operatives of the commission at the Maiduguri International Airport on his way to Ngala.

    “That Saraya Umaru of Development Exchange Centre was also in possession of N9 million which was recovered from her by operatives of the commission at the Maiduguri International Airport on his way to Dikwa.”

    The EFCC gave more insights into the international NGO and some of those questioned.

    The EFCC was said to be more curious in its investigation following strange discoveries on the BVN of the two agencies being probed.

    It said: “A BVN search on Mercy Corps shows that it has 15 Bank accounts with different Bank Verification Numbers.

    “A BVN search on Development Exchange Centre showed that it had 40 Bank accounts with different Bank Verification Numbers.

    The EFCC insisted that there are strong suspicions of alleged conspiracy, money laundering and terrorist financing.”

    It said: “The cash movement of the total sum of N54million through the Maiduguri airport provides strong grounds for suspicion of conspiracy, money laundering and Terrorist financing.

    “Mercy Corps has also not been able to furnish the investigating team with vital details on the beneficiaries of the said grant to enable us cross-check and verify them.

    “In a letter dated 20th March, 2019, signed by the Country Director, Mercy Corps, the organization stated that it (Mercy Corps) would require the approval of her Donor to disclose or furnish data on the beneficiaries of the intercepted money.

    “The Operation’s Director of Mercy Corps in his written statement specifically stated that beneficiaries’ data could not be provided to the Commission ”as the donor for this particular program did not authorize Mercy Corps to share this data”.

    “The investigation has revealed that the intercepted fund was withdrawn from Sterling bank account of Development Exchange Centre. The said Sterling bank account was funded from the Zenith bank account of Mercy Corps, while the Zenith bank account was funded by Int’l FCStone Nigeria Ltd accounts at Guaranty Trust Bank. The BVN search revealed four GTB accounts linked to Int’l FCStone Nigeria Ltd, on which further search is being conducted.”

  • EFCC charges Italian, Nigerian with property fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Friday charged an Italian, Floriana De Stefani, and a Nigerian Stella Ndubusi Ogboru, with property fraud at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

    De Stefani and Ogboru were arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on a five-count charge of forgery and stealing of a property belonging to a firm, Waterside Properties Ltd.

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Mrs. Floriana De Stefani and Stella Ndubusi Ogboru, sometime in the year 2015 at Lagos, with dishonest intention, forged document titled, “Deed Of Assignment Dated 1983 prepared By Rosamond O. Bakare”, purported to have been entered between Mr. E.A. Abayomi Lowo on behalf of Waterside Properties Ltd, on the first part and the late Luca Signorelli and Mrs. Floriana De Stefani, on the second part.”

    Both defendants pleaded “not guilty”.

    EFCC counsel, Ahmed Yerima, asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendants in prison.

    But defence counsel, O. Adeola, opposed him and moved an application for the defendants’ bail.

    In a bench ruling, Justice Dada granted each defendant N250, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum, among other conditions.

    They were also ordered to submit their international passports to the EFCC, failure of which they should be remanded in prison.

    The defendants were also ordered to be released to their counsel pending the determination of the case.

    The case continues on May 6.

  • EFCC nabs man over N343.8m phoney investment scam

    A 40-year-old man, Ayodele Saheed Olaniyi, is currently cooling his heels in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office for allegedly duping people of sums totaling Three hundred and forty-three million, eight hundred and eighty thousand naira (N343,880,000).

    Olaniyi was arrested by the commission following a petition addressed to the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, and filed on February 13, 2018.

    Signed by a lawyer, Mr. Jimoh Ayofe Tijani of E.F.A. Adeola & Co, the petition was prepared at the instance of 89 individuals, who claimed to be victims of the suspect’s alleged fraudulent acts.

    The petitioner alleged that they were hoodwinked by Olaniyi into investing in a network business called Beerbanc Traders’ Network.

    The business required that they pool resources together to establish a beer retailing business with the promise that the proceed would be shared every month among the investors and the coordinating company.

    They further alleged that after collecting their money, Olaniyi neither share profits with them since October 2018 nor return their invested sums, even when it was apparent that the business would not fly.

    Upon receipt of the petition, the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had assigned detective officers to look into its merit, who later made shocking findings, according to a source in the Commission.

    In the course of their investigation, the detectives discovered that the suspect was operating eight different bank accounts through which he enlisted 114 people into the phoney scheme.

    It was also established that a total sum of N396.5m found in the accounts was never invested in any business as promised by Olaniyi when he was luring his victims into the ‘business idea’.

    READ ALSO: EFCC recovers five exotic cars, laptops from ‘Yahoo Boys’ hideout

    Again, EFCC investigators established that the company under which Olaniyi tend to operate the business was not registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria as other financial institution as required by law.

    After taking his statement and conducting a search on his house and business address at Oluyole, Ibadan, the commission granted the suspect an administration bail, of which he was yet to meet the conditions.

    However, having realised that the bubble had burst and there is likelihood of him facing the consequence of his actions, Olaniyi tried playing it smart on the commission.

    He feigned suffering from hepatitis B to aid his release without meeting the bail conditions. The lie failed as medical laboratory test conducted on him established that he never suffered from the health condition he simulated.

    The source however added that Investigators are fine-tuning their findings to prepare the suspect for prosecution.

     

     

     

     

     

  • New judge to hear Patience Jonathan’s suit against EFCC

    A new judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has taken over a suit filed by former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan challenging a “no-debit-order” placed on her account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It followed the elevation of Justice Mohammed Idris to the Court of Appeal.

    Justice Aneke yesterday adjourned until May 22.

    The EFCC, Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) and three companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd are the respondents.

    Read also: El-Rufai drums up support for EFCC

    Mrs. Jonathan, in the suit filed in 2016, is demanding N200 million damages.

    She is urging the court to compel the EFCC to immediately remove the “no debit order” placed on her accounts with $9.8 million.

  • El-Rufai drums up support for EFCC

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i has called on Nigerians and Kaduna indigenes in particular to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against corruption.

    The governor stated this yesterday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Goverment House, Kaduna, while receiving officers of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the commission, who were on a courtesy visit.

    El-Rufai assured the commission that the state would work hand in hand with the EFCC in tackling corruption by giving the commission the necessary support, saying transparency is key in his government.

    He added that the state government has enacted laws that would help in regulating corruption cases ravaging the state.

    Read also: New judge to hear Patience Jonathan’s suit against EFCC

    The EFCC, team led by the Kaduna Zonal Head, Mailafia Yakubu, told the governor that the commission was ready to get rid of corruption.

    He said: “Our job is to get rid of corruption for the betterment of our generation and the generation yet unborn.”

    Mailafia stated that the fight against corruption “is a fight for all and the commission needs everyone’s support to achieve its mandate”.

    He lauded the state government for creating Kaduna State Geographical Information System (KADGIS), which helps in dealing with land cases.

  • New judge to hear Patience Jonathan’s suit against EFCC

    A new judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has taken over a suit filed by former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan challenging a “no-debit-order” placed on her account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It followed the elevation of Justice Mohammed Idris to the Court of Appeal.

    Justice Aneke on Wednesday adjourned until May 22.

    The EFCC, Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) and three companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd are the respondents.

    Mrs Jonathan, in the suit filed in 2016, is demanding N200 million damages.

    She is urging the court to compel the EFCC to immediately remove the “no debit order” placed on her accounts with $9.8 million.

    The plaintiff’s counsel Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) said there was an amendment to the suit to reflect the change in the bank’s name.

    An aide, Sammie Somiari, deposed to a supporting affidavit on behalf of the former first lady.

    The deponent said a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, helped Mrs Jonathan to open the banks accounts.

    Somiari said Mrs Jonathan is the sole signatory to the accounts, adding that after five accounts were opened for, she discovered that Dudafa opened only one in her name while the others were in the companies’.

    The deponent said Mrs Jonathan continued to operate the accounts with debit cards until EFCC placed the “no-deposit order”.

    But, in its defence, EFCC said Mrs Jonathan does not run any business from which she could have earned such huge sums, being the wife of the former president, a civil servant and a retired Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.

    “Investigation conducted by the first defendant (EFCC) revealed that the plaintiff is not the owner of the funds in the accounts of the third to fifth defendants (companies), which funds were discovered to be proceeds of fraudulent activities of Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa,” EFCC said.

    The commission said between 2013 and 2015, “huge sums of money were stolen from the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies.”

    The agencies, it said, included the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA

  • Money laundering: Absence of counsel stalls trial of lawyer Dele Belgore

    Absence of Mr Ebun Shofunde, SAN, defence counsel to Mr Dele Belgore, SAN, has stalled his trial in the N450 million money laundering charge filed in a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Belgore is standing trial by the EFCC for allegedly benefiting N450m from the sum of $115m which a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly doled out to influence the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

    The EFCC had alleged that himself, and his co-defendant, a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, went to a branch of Fidelity Bank in Ilorin on March 26, 2015, to sign for and collect the N450 million.

    The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The case which was earlier slated on Wednesday, for continuation of trial, could not proceed as planned, as the court was informed that counsel to Shofunde was indisposed.

    Counsel, who appeared on behalf of Shofunde, prayed the court for an adjournment on this ground, after informing the court of the position.

    Read Also; No Debit Order: Court fixes May 22 to hear suit filed by Patience Jonathan

    The prosecution did not object to the oral application.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa, consequently, adjourned the case until April 10 for continuation of defence.

    The EFCC had since closed the case for the prosecution, after calling several witnesses and tendering exhibits.

    The defence had accordingly, opened his case, and is still leading evidences.

    At the last adjourned date, the court had viewed electronic evidences in the case, which included two video clips, and the court adjourned for continuation of trial.

    In the nine-count charge, EFCC accused the defendants of making cash payments to a Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

    The commission said that they made cash payments without going through any financial institution.

    EFCC said they “directly took possession of the sum N450 million,” which they allegedly indirectly spent, adding that they “reasonably ought to have known (that the money) forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated the provisions of sections 1(a) and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, of 2012.

  • No Debit Order: Court fixes May 22 to hear suit filed by Patience Jonathan

    A Federal High Court Lagos on Wednesday, fixed May 22, for further mention of a suit filed by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, challenging a “No Debit Order” placed on her accounts.

    Patience had filed the suit in 2016, to challenge the order’ placed on four Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank Ltd) accounts harbouring a total of 9.8 million dollars.

    Joined as defendants in the suit are: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Polaris Bank Ltd, Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd.

    The plaintif is seeking a declaration that she is the owner of the funds in the accounts opened in the names of the third, fourth and fifth defendants, and so, entitled to access to the funds for her use and benefit.

    When the case was called on Wednesday, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) announced appearance for the Plaintiff.

    On the other hand, Messrs Mohammed Idris, Abayomi Arole, and Chimaobi Onuigbo announced appearances for the second, third and fourth defendants respectively.

    There was no representation for the fifth defendant.

    Read Also: Patience Jonathan’s $5.7m, N2.4b forfeiture case adjourned

    Adedipe then informed the court that the case which was first before his brother judge, Justice Mohammed Idris (who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal) was for mention.

    He said that the matter was coming up before Aneke for the first time, and will be commencing afresh.

    According to him, plaintiff had to amend her statement of claim to correctly reflect the name of Skye bank as now Polaris Bank, adding that the change in nomenclature necessitated the amendment.

    Other counsel confirmed the position to the court, adding that their respective amended processes will also be filed and served.

    Consequently, Justice Aneke adjourned the case until May 22, for further mention.

    Jonathan is seeking an order, restraining the EFCC or any other person, from preventing the plaintiff access to the said funds contained in the third to fifth defendant’s account with Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank)

    Plaintiff is also seeking an order, discharging the “No Debit’Freezing Order” placed on the accounts of the third to fifth defendants.

    She seeks an order, directing Polaris Bank to release forthwith, the sum of 9.8 million dollars standing to the credit of the plaintiff, as at March 29, 2016, or any such other funds in the account.

  • EFCC arrests six `Yahoo’ boys, recovers exotic cars

    OPERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Ibadan Zonal Office have arrested six `Yahoo’ boys and recovered five different models of exotic cars and laptops.

    The Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade, who broke the news yesterday in Abuja Tuesday, said other items recovered from the suspects include mobile phones and documents containing false information.

    Orilade identified the suspects as: Tella Ibrahim, Awoniyi Abiodun, Oladele Wasiu, Olabiti Ajibola, Akeredolu Temidayo and Oyaremi Olabode.

    REad also: Court orders EFCC to charge lawyer, ex-senator by March 28

    He said: “The raid on apartments within the Kolapo Ishola Estate in Akobo area of Ibadan led to the arrest of the six young men between the ages of 24 and 30.

    “Series of intelligence gathered on them suggested that they are deeply involved in all manners of fraudulent activities, including love scam, through which they illegally obtain money from unsuspecting victims.

    “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed,’’ he said

  • EFCC recovers five exotic cars, laptops from ‘Yahoo Boys’ hideout

    No fewer than six suspected internet fraudsters were on Tuesday arrested when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan zonal office raided their suspected hideout at the Kolapo Ishola Estate, Akobo area of the Oyo state capital city.

    The early morning burst, according to sources in the commission, followed series of petitions from residents of the community detailing the alleged illegal activities of the suspects.

    Ranging between the ages of 24 and 30 years, the suspects are Tella Adefemi Ibrahim, Awoniyi Adeseye Abiodun, Oladele Olawale Wasiu, Olabiti Afeez Ajibola, Akeredolu Oluwafemi Temidayo and Oyaremi Olalekan Olabode.

    Read Also: Court orders EFCC to charge lawyer, ex-senator by March 28

    The EFCC source added that the series of intelligence gathered on them suggested that they are neck deep in fraudulent activities ranging from love scam to other forms of internet frauds through which they obtain money from unsuspecting victims.

    Items recovered for the suspects include five different models of exotic cars, laptops, mobile phones and several documents containing false pretences from the suspects.