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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC still owes me N5m, says Sen. Bala Mohammed

    Bauchi State gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)‎ Sen. Bala Mohammed on Monday alleged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet to pay a N5 million compensation ordered by the Abuja High Court in a judgment delivered by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf in April last year.

    The Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama  had declared that the detention of the former Minister of the FCT for a period of 49 days by was illegal and unconstitutional and consequently ordered EFCC to pay the sum of N5 million as compensation.

    Bala made the revelation during the presentation of his manifesto at a town hall meeting in Bauchi.

    He alleged his current travails with EFCC is a clear case of witch-hunt aimed at tarnishing his image and hard-earned reputation.

    “For the fact that I am being questioned by the EFCC doesn’t make me guilty and will not stop my aspiration because I know that I have not committed any crime until it is proved otherwise in the court of competent jurisdiction.

    “But everybody is aware that I recently won a case against the EFCC and was awarded‎ with five million naira damages which I am yet to be paid. So they still owe me”.

    The candidate stated his plans to govern Bauchi state, saying youth empowerment remains his major priority.

    He lamented that the youths in Bauchi state have been relegated and have become political thugs, assuring he would do everything possible to bring them to limelight if elected.

    Read Also: EFCC operatives at INEC collation centre in Lagos

    “If I am given the mandate by the good people of Bauchi, I will not allow the youths to engage in thuggery.

    “I will engage them in meaningful ventures. I will take their profile, employ those that have the educational requirements,” he stressed.

    He also pledged to provide skills acquisition programme that will train those who do not have educational qualifications and assist those who dropped out from school to go back and complete their studies.

    On Local government autonomy, the governorship candidate said: “I will allow them to function effectively. I will give them their funds and will conduct local government elections because they are the most closest to the people at the grassroots and by so doing, it will foster development.”

    Bala promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear having initiated several developmental proposals under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

  • Alleged N25m fraud: EFCC arrests former NBA, Ikeja chairman

    Former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yinka Farounbi, was on Monday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N25 million fraud in the association.

    Farounbi’s arrest during the general monthly meeting of the NBA, Ikeja Branch held at the Bar Centre, old Secretariat, Ikeja GRA, was sequel to his refusal to honour an invitation sent to him by the commission.

    Three members of the NBA, Ikeja including Gabriel Opayinka, were alleged to have petitioned the EFCC alleging N25 million fraud during the last administration led by Adesina Ogunlana.

    It was gathered that Ogunlana was recently released after spending three nights in EFCC custody over same issue.

    Ogunlana was said to have been arrested at his Ikorodu Road, Onipanu law firm after his initial refusal to honour the anti-graft agency’s invitation.

    It was gathered that Farounbi was invited for interrogation by the EFCC when investigation revealed that he was still signing bank cheques despite that his tenure had lapsed.

    It was gathered that Farounbi and another signatory were prevailed upon to sign some cheques to execute some urgent programmes of the NBA Ikeja branch as the Ogunlana led executive were yet to effect change of bank signatories as a result of the crisis that engulfed the bar after their election.

    A source within the bar said the meeting of the lawyers was in progress when it was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of the EFCC.

    On arrival, the EFCC operatives were said to have enquired for Farounbi, that they wanted to arrest him.

    The chairman of the branch, Dele Oloke was alleged to have identified Farounbi to the EFCC operatives for arrest, a development infuriated the lawyers.

    It was said that Gabriel Opayinka and two others owned up to the petition submitted to the EFCC alleging N25million fraud in the bar.

    The source said the situation turned into chaos as lawyers, who were not happy about the invasion of their meeting by the EFCC operatives, resisted the arrest of Farounbi and chastised the branch chairman, Oloke for not protecting the former chairman of the branch.

    In crisis that ensued, a female operative of the EFCC was allegedly assaulted.

    The development made the EFCC operatives to call for reinforcement from their office following their initial failed attempt to arrest Farounbi.

    However, before their arrival, Farounbi gave himself up and was driven away in a Toyota Hiace bus marked BWR 643 GA at about 15.35 p.m.

    With the arrival of the reinforcement, the female EFCC operative, whose jacket was torn and had an injury on her neck as a result of the assault, and her colleagues said they would not leave the NBA, Ikeja Bar Centre until those who assaulted her were arrested.

  • Court remands former bank staff over alleged N81.7m fraud

    Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has remanded a former staff of Diamond Bank, Oladimeji Balogun in prison custody over alleged stealing N81.7million.

    Balogun was arraigned on Monday before the court on a four-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The anti-graft alleged that Balogun sometimes between May 30 and June, 2018 dishonestly converted to the use of one Balogun Zainab Omohomo the sum of N35 million, property of Finni Oluwakemi.

    The defendant was also alleged to have dishonestly converted to the use of Fekeman Global Ltd the sum of N30 million property of Finni Oluwakemi.

    Following to his plea of not guilty, EFCC prosecuting counsel Mr. A. Mohammed prayed the court to remand the defendant prison custody and asked for a trial date.

    Read Also: Court remands woman for alleged manslaughter

    The defence counsel, Adekunle Oyesanya (SAN) however informed the court of a bail application for his client.

    He prayed the court to grant him bail on the most liberal terms.

    He told the court that his application was supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit deposed to the defendant’s brother.

    He added that the offence to which the defendant is being charged is not a capital offence and so is entitled to bail subject to the court’s discretion.

    Mohammed, in his response, opposed the bail application in a 14-paragraph counter affidavit and relied on the paragraphs for his argument.

    In her ruling, Justice Taiwo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered one of the sureties must own a landed property in Lagos and the other surety must be a close relation of the defendant, with a tax clearance for the past three years to Lagos state.

    She therefore ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of his bail terms and  adjourned trial to April 9, 2019.

  • EFCC Arrests Atiku’s son-in-law Babalele

    • Ex-VP vows: I’ll not mortgage peoples’ mandate • Inaugurates legal team

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arrested Alhaji Babalele Abdullahi, a son in law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    It was not clear why he was arrested, but the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believed it was politically motivated.

    He vowed that under no circumstance would he mortgage “the mandate of Nigerians as freely expressed on the 23rd of February, 2019.”

    Atiku’s media team said in a statement in Abuja that the EFCC operatives invaded Abdullahi’s residence at Maitama, Abuja to effect his arrest.

    He doubles as finance director of Atiku’s group of companies.

    The Atiku Media team said: “The EFCC agents numbering about two dozen came in two regular vehicles, an 18-seater Toyota bus (registration Abuja CS 522 RSH) and a Hilux van.

    “They came with a search warrant to search the house and office of Babalele and found nothing incriminating.

    “They then proceeded to his office at Oakland Centre in Maitama and found nothing incriminating there. However, they took away some documents of landed property.

    “Not done, the EFCC officials stormed his Wuse residence where they again found nothing incriminating after the search.

    “Afterwards, Babalele was taken away to the EFCC office in Wuse to make a statement alongside Mr. Lawan Ayuba.

    “It was gathered that the petition relied upon to invade the residence and office of Babalele was authored by a brother of the wife of President Buhari.

    “As a law abiding citizen, Atiku Abubakar recognizes the constitutional role of the EFCC and indeed any other agency of the government to carry out investigations, but will not be cowed by any attempt to blackmail him into mortgaging his mandate.”

    In a separate statement, the Atiku Media office said he inaugurated a legal team to challenge the result of the 23 February presidential election.

    The legal team is headed by Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN).

    He was quoted as saying: “I am encouraged by the presence of fearless men and women of the Bench.

    “The judiciary which had in the past discharged itself ably is once again being called upon to deliver judgement on this matter that will be untainted by lucre and uncowed by the threat of immoral power.”

     

  • EFCC, Patience Jonathan to give oral evidence in forfeiture case

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday said oral evidence was required in the hearing of a forfeiture case by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The agency is praying the court to order the final forfeiture of $8.4 million and N7.4 billion allegedly belonging to Mrs Jonathan.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun declined to grant EFCC’s application for final forfeiture but directed parties to give oral evidence to justify ownership.

    She said there were conflicting depositions in the affidavits before her, adding that oral evidence was needed to clear them up.

    “The right of parties in this suit cannot be determined by affidavit evidence.

    “I hereby order parties to call upon their witnesses so that the rights of parties can be determined one way or the other,” Justice Olatoregun ruled.

    The judge had last April 20 ordered the funds’ temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government.

    Mrs Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd, Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba are the respondents.

    Among the temporarily forfeited sums are N1.085billion and N226.3million found in Finchley’s Ecobank account and N39.4million found in its Diamond Bank account, as well as N55.9million found in Pagmat Oil and Gas’ Diamond Bank account, among others.

    Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers, including Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had argued that the funds included donations and legitimate earnings by the companies linked to her.

    But, EFCC said the money was “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity”.

    It also faulted Mrs Jonathan’s claim that some of the funds were donations.

    “From the totality of what she filed, she did not disclose the identities of those who made the donations. Fictitious names were used to deposit the funds in the accounts, which show their fraudulent nature,” EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said.

    Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers had played five videos to prove the money’s source during an earlier hearing.

    The videos showed business outlets and products of Finchley Homes, including interior and exterior home decorations, household utensils, textiles, drinks, noodles, furniture, a warehouse, as well as various pickup vans said to belong to the company.

    They also showed the business outfit of the Otuoke, Bayelsa State-based Magel Resort, which comprised a luxurious hotel equipped IT centres, and the activities of Mrs Jonathan’s Women for Change Initiative, which is said to own part of the money.

    EFCC said the companies were not into “any legitimate income-yielding business venture” and did not pay tax but were incorporated for the purpose of warehousing proceeds of unlawful activities for the former First Lady.

    “The depositors into this account are domestic staff of State House, Abuja, who was procured by the Dudafa Waripamo-Owei to deposit the funds sought to be forfeited in a bid to conceal the true origin of the funds,” the commission’s operative said in an affidavit.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned until March 13 and 14

  • Court refuses to make forfeiture order on Patience Jonathan’s $8.4m, N7.4b

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday refused to order the forfeiture of $8.4 million and N7.4 billion linked to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun refused an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) application for a final forfeiture of the sums seized from the former First Lady.

    The judge had last April 20 ordered temporary forfeiture of the funds which EFCC said were suspected to be proceeds of crime.

    Mrs Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd and Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba are the respondents.

    Among the temporarily forfeited sums are N1.085billion and N226.3million found in Finchley’s Ecobank account and N39.4million found in its Diamond Bank account, as well as N55.9million found in Pagmat Oil and Gas’ Diamond Bank account, among others.

    Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers argued that the money included donations and legitimate earnings by the companies linked to her.

    Justice Olatoregun said parties must give oral evidence to justify the money’s source and ownership.

    “I have stated here that the right of parties in this suit cannot be determined by affidavit evidence.

    “Oral testimonies are to be called with cross extermination.

    Read Also: EFCC: Patience Jonathan’s ally Shagaya’s account lawfully frozen

    “I hereby order parties to call upon their witnesses so that the right of parties can be determined one way or the other,” the judge ruled.

    EFCC said the money is “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity”.

    The commission also faulted Mrs Jonathan’s claim that some of the funds were donations.

    “From the totality of what she filed, she did not disclose the identities of those who made the donations. Fictitious names were used to deposit the funds in the accounts, which show their fraudulent nature,” EFCC said.

  • Court dismisses Okoracha’s N1. 25bn damages suit against IGP

    The Federal High Court sitting in Jos, on Thursday threw out a N1.25 billion damages suit filed by Gov. Rochas Okorocha, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the EFCC.

    Okorocha filed the suit against the IGP and EFCC in November 2018 for allegedly invading and ransacking his house in Jos.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Musa Kurya, dismissed Okoracha’s application for lacking in merit.

    “Even though there was no record of how the search warrant was obtained but a search warrant dated May 3, 2017 from a Magistrate has been attached as exhibit before this court.

    “Whether due process was followed or not at obtaining the search warrant, there is no proof otherwise to its genuineness and the breach of sections 34 – 37 of the UN human rights and African Charter.

    “Consequently, judgement is hereby entered in favour of the respondents. The applicant’s claims are hereby refused.

    “I hereby declare that the application of the applicant lacked merit and is hereby dismissed and cost is not awarded to either parties in this suit, ’’ the Judge declared.

    NAN reports that Okorocha alleged that the IGP and the anti-graft agency breached his fundamental human rights following the May 3, 2017 invasion.

    Read Also: Okorocha warns against rigging of Imo guber election

    Also joined in the suit are the Commissioner of Police Plateau, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    The Governor prayed the court to declare the action of the police and EFCC as “illegal, null and void’’ and award his client the sum of N1.25 billion as general damages because there was no valid court warrant for such an exercise.

    But the IGP and the EFCC, through their counsel, Edwin Inegbenoise and Muktar Ali-Ahmed, pleaded with the court to dismiss the governors application for lack of merit since a court warrant was obtained for the search on his residence in accordance with the law.

  • EFCC arraigns 19 men for ‘illegal oil deal’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) Wednesday arraigned 19 men at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in petroleum products illegally.

    They were charged before Justice Rilwan Aikawa with conspiracy, unlawful dealing in petroleum products and illegally storing them.

    EFCC said they conspired to deal in about 21,840 litres of Automotive 605 Oil (AGO) (diesel) without appropriate licence.

    They were said to have stored the products “in two fibre boots”, contrary to Section 4 of the Petroleum Act of 2004.

    Prosecuting Counsel Abubakar Idris said the Nigerian Navy arrested the suspects last September and handed them to EFCC.

    They are Ayeni John, Emmanuel Tosu, Emopin Moneyin, Malade Aiyetimiyi, Odroja Ojuene, Ikedehinbu Idowu, Abogun Ota, Elamah Augustine, Olarotimi Elikanah, Thankgod Benjamin, Abbas Friday and Victor Goldsmith.

    Others are Gbenga Thomas, Ibane Austine, Idowu Surprise, Asemia Thomas, Agbayoh Lawrence, Saliu Malik, Ayetiniyi Ademola.

    The alleged offence also contravene sections 1(17), 3(6) and 4 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004, punishable under Sections 17.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Aikawa ordered that they be remanded in prison pending hearing of their bail applications.

  • Alleged fraud: EFCC says defendant wants plea bargain deal

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday told the FCT High Court, Apo that Valentine Ezeife, a suspected Internet scammer, known as “yahoo-yahoo boy”, has approached the commission for plea bargain deal.

    NAN reports that on February 20, the EFCC arraigned Ezeife, who was arrested with N20 million, a Lexus 570 and Toyota Camry car 2013, before the court.

    The EFCC charged Ezeife with two counts of Internet fraud and unlawful possession of N20 million.

    Prosecution counsel Olu Adeola told the court that the terms of the bargain were agreed on by both parties, but the head of their legal team was not in town to sign the agreement.

    Read also: Police arraign two teenagers for alleged burglary

    Adeola requested an adjournment to report the terms of the bargain.

    Justice Valentine Ashi adjourned the case till March 8, for report of plea bargain terms.

    EFCC said the defendant was arrested on January 16 at Life Camp residential area in Abuja, following intelligence reports of shady activities traced to him.

    The offence, Ugwuebulam said, contravened section 319 of the Penal Code Act.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

  • EFCC: we’ve written AGF for Diezani’s extradition from UK

    THE Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has written the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) requesting the extradition of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom (UK), where she is believed to be residing.

    Lawyer with the EFCC Farouk Abdullahi stated this yesterday when he appeared before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja, where the ex-minister and some others were to be arraigned.

    Abdulllahi told the court that the EFCC has written the AGF with a view to securing Diezani’s extradition to enable her face her trial, because she is still in the UK.

    A copy of the letter, titled: “Letter of request to extradite Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom,” was said to have been received by the office of the AGF on December 14, 2018.

    Part of the letter reads: “The commission recently filed charges against Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in both the Federal High Court (Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Charge No. CR/22/2018).

    “The latter case came up on December 4, 2018, wherein the presiding judge (Honourable Justice Valentine B. Ashi) issued a warrant for her arrest to enable the commission apprehend and produce her to stand trial.

    “In view of the foregoing, I humbly request the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to make an extradition request to the relevant authority in the United Kingdom to initiate process of extraditing Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria to stand trial.”

    Abdullahi made the disclosure to explain the absence of Diezani and others in court yesterday when the case came up before Justice Ashi.

    Diezani and Jide Omokore, a former chairman, Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, were to be arraigned on charges relating to offences bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.

    They were alleged to have accepted and given gifts in properties located at Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, Banana Island, Lagos. They are to be arraigned on February 25, 2019 on a five-count charge for the offences, which are contrary to Sections 26(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    On December 4, 2018, the court had ordered the EFCC and other security agencies to ensure that she is brought to court 72 hours after she returns to Nigeria, for her to face the fraud charges.

    When parties got to court yesterday, Abdullahi said the prosecution was also yet to serve Omokore with the charge. He promised that Omokore would soon be served.

    Justice Ashi subsequently adjourned to May 22, 2019 for arraignment.