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Tag: EFCC

  • Fayose’s trial: Obanikoro admits he was suspect

    The trial of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, resumed on Monday before a Federal High Court, Lagos, with a prosecution witness, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, admitting he was suspected and investigated.

    Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, was cross-examined by defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

    Fayose was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Oct. 22, 2018, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd. on an 11-count charge bordering on N6.9 billion fraud.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

    The EFCC opened its case on Nov. 19, 2018, and has so far called five witnesses.

    Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, began evidence on Jan. 21, saying that Fayose received five million dollars and some amounts of naira from the impress account of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, in June 2014.

    The court adjourned until Monday for his cross-examination.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) appeared for the EFCC on Monday while Agabi and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) represented Fayose and Spotless Investment, respectively.

    On cross-examination by Agabi, Obanikoro admitted that there was a long time between when he was invited for evidence and when he finally came.

    He also admitted that he was a suspect and investigated when he made a statement to the EFCC.

    When told that he made the statement in self-defence, he said: “I gave evidence of what transpired; I was stating the truth and nothing but the truth.”

    He testified that he was investigated about funds disbursed through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    “I was in custody for 21 days.”

    When asked how many statement he made when in custody, the witness replied that he made several statements but could not remember how many.

    He told the court that his investigation did not result in confiscation of his property.

    When  told that, from his statement, he did not say that the accused requested him to contact the NSA, he said:  “That is correct.”

    He admitted  that N1.3 billion was brought in bullion van by Diamond Bank on the instruction of the NSA.

    Obanikoro testified that his statement -Exhibit G – was made in answer to a petition against him by the NSA, complaining that a company,  Silver Macnamara, collected funds for which no contract was executed.

    The witness said that the former NSA  orally requested him to furnish that account.

    “If that was the case, why would the NSA turn around to petition you, ” Agabi asked.

    Obanikoro told the court that it was not Dasuki but the current NSA who petitioned him.

    He told the court that he was aware that his son, Gbolahan aged, 33,  paid  N20, 000, into the account of Silver Macnamara in 2012.

    “Look at other disbursements and tell the court if some of them are from members of your family,” Agabi told the witness, who replied that he could only see his name.

    Obanikoro testified that N74,000 was  the balance in that account before June 5, 2014, when N200 million was paid into it.

    “I put it to you that you were the owner of the funds in the account,” Agabi said, but the witness replied:  “That’s not true, that’s not correct.”

    Under cross-examination by Ojo, Obanikoro told the court that the money in the account of silver Macnamara was kept in a bank and not in his custody.

    “You agreed to return the sum of N200 million to the government of Nigeria,” Ojo told the witness, who replied: You are very wrong.”

    ” As at the time of your statement, Exhibit G, the sum of N200 million had been disbursed from the account based on your instructions to the bank,” Ojo added, with Obanikoro replying:  “It was disbursed not once and not twice on my instruction.”

    Ojo told him that he agreed to refund the N200 million because he ought not to have spent the money the way he did, but the  witness replied: ” That’s not correct; it is because it was intended to secure Lagos.”

    “So you agreed to return N200 million spent to secure Lagos?” Ojo asked, but Obanikoro said: “It was a reluctant agreement.”

    He testified that he indicated in his statement of Oct. 19, 2016, the purpose of the N200 million he agreed to refund and indicated what it was meant for.

    Read Also:Lagos APC elders settle Ambode, House of Assembly rift

     

    When asked whether he  was satisfied with the content of his statement to the EFCC before signing it, he said: “Yes and no.”

    Ojo told the witness that he did not mention in his statement that Fayose requested to know from him if there was any message from Dasuki, and he said: “Yes.”

    The witness said that he did not give the EFCC any telephone number with which he  had any discussion with Fayose.

    On the number of days he spent in Ado-Ekiti and what he was did there, the witness replied that he could not recall the number of days spent, but  said he was in the state capital to pursue Fayose’s gubernatorial ambition.

    ” I suggest to you that you are giving evidence here reluctantly,”  Ojo said, and the witness replied: “It is even painful for me to give this evidence;  I must admit that.

    “Can you recall that on June 21, 2014, gubernatorial election was held in Ekiti? Ojo asked,  but the witnes said: “I can’t recall the date.”

    The trial will  continue on Tuesday.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun handling the trial, had earlier risen shortly after the court began sitting over the case.

    She attend an official function and returned an hour later.

  • Fresh moves to ease Magu out unfounded – EFCC Spokesman

    Tony Orilade, Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, says media reports on fresh moves to remove the Acting Chairman of the commission by the Presidency is unfounded.

    Orilade said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday while reacting to a report that the Presidency planned to remove Ibrahim Magu, the commisaion’s Acting Chairman.

    According to him, Magu will not want to be distracted by unfounded media reports.

    “He is focused on the fight against corruption and majority of Nigerians who are beneficiaries of the corruption fight are happy with him.

    “With securing 312 convictions, including two ex-governors last year and five convictions already in 2019, the EFCC under Magu’s leadership deserves an applause,” orilade said.

    NAN recalls that a report in the media stated that the EFCC chairman may be asked to pursue further studies in order to advance his career in the Nigeria Police Force where he is already a commissioner.

    NAN recalls that Magu had been in acting capacity for more than three years.

    The Senate had twice refused to confirm Magu as substantive chairman of the commission. (NAN)

  • I’ll expose Kwankwaso’s financial atrocities – Ganduje

    Kano State Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that it is high time his government will come out to expose all the financial atrocities committed by the Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration.

    Ganduje was Speaking on Thursday when he inaugurated Twelve campaign Committees at the Coronation Hall at Kano Government House.

    According to him the reason why he chose this time to expose the Kwankwaso’s government after serious pressure to do so by the populace is because of the chain of lies the former Governor is spreading during his recent political outings in the State

    Read Also: Ganduje swears in four new commissioners

    He said ” there were cases of embezzlements concerning projects such as the 5km roads embarked upon by his government where the monies meant for the projects were released and siphoned and the projects abandoned till date.

    Ganduje who said all the documents concerning such projects were handed over to the EFCC and the graft Agency is going to make a thorough investigation and expose the looters of the state resources.

    The governor then revealed the names of the Committees as that of Transport, Security, Publicity, Contact, Women, Disabled Committees among others.

    He said these committees are expected to work assiduously by ensuring victory of the APC at all levels.

    ” We are going to embark on a rancour-free electioneering campaign, we are going to keep our fingers cross and watch the sanctity of human persons. We are going to make sure that we do not engage in attacking personalities, we are going to embrace an issued based.

  • EFCC raises alarm over scam mail

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has raised alarm over the scam mail by fraudsters, who claim that such mails were from the commission.

    This is contained in a statement by the commission’s Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Mr Tony Orilade, in Abuja, on Friday.

    The statement says: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to the activities of fraudsters, who disguise as officers of the commission and send scam mails to individuals, purporting such to be from the EFCC.

    “This is with the aim of extorting money from them.

    “The commission has uncovered a number of email addresses, telephone numbers and websites used by unscrupulous persons to perpetrate such fraudulent activities, and is acting on them.

    “In some instances, they send fraudulent emails, letters and make telephone calls to unsuspecting members of the public by also impersonating government officials and organisations.

    “While alerting the public of these fraudulent activities, the EFCC states that anyone who enters into any agreement with any such impostor does so at his/her peril”.

    According to the statement, the EFCC has stated several times that none of its officers will demand for gratification to “kill” an investigation.

    It also said no operative would invite a suspect to any location apart from EFCC’s designated offices, which can be found on its website.

    “Members of the public are, therefore, advised not to send money to any fraudster demanding money in the name of the EFCC for whatever purpose, and to desist from engaging in any communication with them,” he said.

  • EFCC secures three fresh convictions

    ACTING Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ibrahim Magu yesterday said the commission is ready to secure more convictions in 2019.

    A statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Tony Orilade quoted Magu as pledging to work within the ambit of the law to achieve the aim.

    He said the anti-graft agency has also secured three convictions barely a few days in the New Year.

    He, however, said the EFCC would redouble its efforts to bring more corrupt suspects to justice.

    Magu made the disclosures while addressing officers during a working tour to the EFCC Lagos office.

    The EFCC boss  said Justice D. Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court, Apo, on January 2, 2019, convicted Augustine James and Cyrinus Valentine Richard and sentenced them to 14 years in jail without an option of fine.

    They were prosecuted on a six-count amended charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and forgery.

    Justice Senchi also convicted Edwin Ogbomwan (aka Thomas Jerry Stars), who was prosecuted by the Advance Fee Fraud Unit of the Commission. He was convicted for Internet-related fraud and sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option of fine of N1, 000,000 only.

    The convict is also to forfeit his Toyota Camry 2006 model, and iPhone X to the Federal Government.

    Magu said: “The EFCC has already secured three convictions in 2019, which is a good start.

    “With 312 convictions in 2018, we are strategizing to redouble our effort in 2019, as part of our concerted efforts aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the law, remains altered.

    “The commission shall continue to rid the country of economic and financial crimes and effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

    He said the “EFCC remains committed to carrying out its duties in conformity to best international practice within the ambit of the law”.

    Lauding the exemplary leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for the success recorded in the past year, he stressed that the judiciary is key to winning the corruption fight.

    Magu said: “Let us have it at the back of our minds that we are only prosecutors; without the support of the judiciary, led by the CJN and other Heads of Court across jurisdictions, we could not have been able to achieve the much we did in 2018.

    “Therefore, to be able to double that feat in 2019, let us know that we cannot do without the judiciary.”

    He called for collaboration of other stakeholders, and urged Nigerians to be “more dedicated and determined in reducing corruption to the barest minimum”.

    “Those who stole our commonwealth should know that there is no hiding place for them. A high tension searchlight is being beamed on them, it is in their interest to surrender because the game is up,” he added.

  • EFCC secures three fresh convictions

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu on Thursday said the Commission is ready to secure more convictions in 2019.

    He said the anti-graft agency has also secured three convictions barely a few days in the New Year.

    He, however, said the EFCC will redouble its efforts to bring more corrupt suspects to justice.

    Magu made the disclosures while addressing officers during a working tour to the Lagos office of the commission.

    A statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Tony Orilade quoted Magu as pledging to work within the ambit of the law.

    Magu said: “The EFCC has already secured three convictions in 2019, which is a good start.

    Read Also: Man arraigned for N1.5m alleged visa fraud

    “With 312 convictions in 2018, we are strategizing to redouble our effort in 2019, as part of our concerted efforts aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the law, remains altered.

    “The Commission shall continue to rid the country of economic and financial crimes and effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

    He said the “EFCC remains committed to carrying out its duties in conformity to best international practice within the ambit of the Law”.

    While commending the exemplary leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for the success recorded in the past year, he stressed that the Judiciary is key to winning the corruption fight.

    He said: “Let us have it at the back of our minds that we are only prosecutors; without the support of the Judiciary, led by the CJN and other Heads of Court across jurisdictions, we could not have been able to achieve the much we did in 2018.

    “Therefore, to be able to double that feat in 2019, let us know that we cannot do without the judiciary.”

    He called for unalloyed collaboration of other stakeholders, and urged Nigerians to be “more dedicated and determined in reducing corruption to the barest minimum”.

    “Those who stole our commonwealth should know that there is no hiding place for them. A high tension searchlight is being beamed on them, it is in their interest to surrender because the game is up”, he added.

    Meanwhile, the EFCC said it has already secured three convictions in 2019.

    The statement disclosed that Justice D. Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court, Apo, on January 2, 2019, convicted Augustine James and Cyrinus Valentine Richard and sentenced them to 14 years in jail without an option of fine.

    They were prosecuted on a six-count amended charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and forgery.

    Justice Senchi also convicted Edwin Ogbomwan (aka Thomas Jerry Stars) who was prosecuted by the Advance Fee Fraud Unit of the Commission. He was convicted for Internet-related fraud and sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option of fine of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira) only.

    The convict is also to forfeit his Toyota Camry 2006 model and iPhone X to the Federal Government. EFCC secures three fresh convictions, Magu pledges more trials.

  • $2.8m: EFCC secures order to seize cash

    • Retrieves forex details from bank
    • Bank, firm yet to make claim for cash before EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured an interim order to seize the $2.8million which its operatives recently intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

    The anti-graft agency has also retrieved documents on foreign transactions from the Enugu branch of Union Bank.

    Neither the bank nor the Bankers Warehouse has approached the EFCC to lay formal claim to the cash.

    Bankers Warehouse only allegedly wrote to an unnamed Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the cash.

    The Nation gathered that the EFCC secured the interim forfeiture order from a Federal High Court in Enugu on Friday.

    The commission filed the forfeiture application following the submission of an interim investigation report which indicated that there might be more to the movement of the cash.

    The EFCC said: “A vacation judge granted the interim forfeiture order following an application by our counsel, Anasoh Onyedikachi. The forfeiture will subsist till the conclusion of investigation into the $2.8million.

    “The court also ordered the publication of the forfeiture in a national newspaper in line with Section 17 of the EFCC Act.”

    The court granted the prayers of the anti-graft agency in line with sections 7, 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

    Detectives from EFCC have also gone ahead to retrieve  foreign exchange transaction records from the Union Bank in connection with the $2.8million.

    A top source said: “More clues are emerging daily making our detectives to be eager to get to the root of how the $2.8million was being transferred in transit. Both the bank and Bankers Warehouse have not made any claim to the EFCC admitting ownership of the cash.

    “There was a story in the public domain that a complaint was made to an unnamed Deputy Governor of CBN when the governor is not on leave.

    “When Union Bank officials refused to come to EFCC to make a formal claim, our operatives had to go to a branch of the bank in Enugu to ask for their foreign exchange transaction records.

    “Our detectives are seeking  answers to the following questions: Where was the cash sourced?  Who owns the cash?  What was it meant for? Who authorized the movement?  Where was it moving to?

    “We isolated these questions because we remember the case of $118m used for poll bribery in 2015 which  was kept in a bank without records. Our detectives are of the opinion that there is more to the movement of the cash.”

    When contacted, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade said: “We are already in court , we have an secured interim forfeiture order and we are waiting for whoever or institution laying claim to the said money to come forward with proof.

    “But as part of our ongoing discreet investigation, our operatives have secured the relevant foreign exchange transaction documents/ records from the bank where the $2.8million originated.”

  • EFCC secures 312 convictions in 2018

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it has secured 312 convictions between January and December 24, 2018.

    It said the rate of convictions was “undoubtedly a significant improvement from the 189 convictions in 2017”.

    The commission said the convictions were secured in all its 11 zonal offices nationwide.

    Acting Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Tony Orilade gave the breakdown in an appraisal statement in Abuja.

    The statement said: “The record of convictions cuts across the various offices of the EFCC with Lagos securing 85 convictions, Abuja (53), followed by Kano with 36. Port Harcourt secured 33 convictions, Gombe recorded 28; Benin had 27; Enugu (15); Maiduguri (11); Ibadan (10); Uyo (eight), and Kaduna (six).

    “More significantly is that it includes the conviction of two Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) – Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba State and Joshua Dariye, a serving senator and a former governor of Plateau State. Both are currently serving jail terms at Kuje Prison.

    “A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Nwobike, who has been stripped of the highly revered legal title, was also convicted for perverting the course of justice.”

    The statement gave update on the status of the jail terms of the two ex-governors.

    It added: “Dariye and Nyame, who were sentenced to 14 years in prison, had approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the “guilty” verdict handed down on them by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu presided over by Justice Adebukola Banjoko. “However, while upholding their convictions, the Appellate Court commuted Dariye’s jail term to 10 years, and that of Nyame to 12 years with a fine of  N495 million.”

     

     

  • Bankers Warehouse urges EFCC to release detained $2.8m cash, employees

    THE management of Bankers Warehouse yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release the $2.8 million cash and its employees arrested at Enugu Airport last Thursday.

    Bankers Warehouse is a company registered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to carry out cash movement as well as currency processing.

    In a statement titled: “Interception of $2.8 million at Enugu Airport by EFCC”, the company said the cash was seized and its employees were arrested while carrying out legitimate business of cash movement for one of its banker clients.

    It said the employees were arrested, interrogated and detained at Enugu Airport by the EFCC while carrying out cash movement of its clients from its Onitsha branch to Lagos in spite of providing identification details.

    The statement read: “We hereby state emphatically that the movement of this currency was a legitimate exercise, being carried out on behalf of a legitimate financial institution. We emphasise that our employees are in no way criminals, carrying out any act of illegality as the EFCC has tried to portray. The young men whose character and reputation have been deliberately soiled by the EFCC operatives were conducting their legitimate duties as requested by a bank customer of our company.

    “We request for the swift and immediate release of our employees and our customer’s currency, both detained without proper cause. We also demand an immediate retraction by the EFCC and an apology issued to our company and our employees, whose images have been maligned. Our client, who has been unfairly exposed and accused of implied illegality, and whose money is still being improperly held by the EFCC operatives, deserve a very special apology for the disclosure of their business and damage done to their image.”

  • Bankers Warehouse  calls on EFCC to release detained $2.8m cash, employees

    The management of Bankers Warehouse today called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release the $2.8 million cash and its employees arrested at Enugu Airport on  Thursday December 20.

    Bankers Warehouse is a company registered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to carry out cash movement as well as currency processing.
    In a statement titled: Interception of $2.8 million at Enugu Airport by EFCC, the company said the cash were seized while its employees were arrested while carrying out legitimate business of cash movement for one of its banker clients.
    It said the employees were arrested, interrogated and detained at Enugu Airport by the EFCC while carrying out cash movement of its clients from its Onitsha branch to Lagos in spite of providing identification details.
    The statement read: “On Thursday evening, December 20, 2018, while providing a legitimate Currency movement service for one of our Bank clients from their branch at Onitsha to their branch at Lagos, our Couriers were stopped at the Enugu airport, detained and interrogated by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), despite providing their identification details. The documents provided also included a covering note from the bank, authorizing the team to move the consignment; which is the standard practice”.
    “We hereby state emphatically that the movement of this currency was a legitimate exercise, being carried out on behalf of a legitimate Financial Institution. We emphasize that our employees are in no way criminals, carrying out any act of illegality as the EFCC has tried to portray. The young men whose character and reputation have been deliberately soiled by the EFCC operatives were conducting their legitimate duties as requested by a bank customer of our company,” the statement said.
    “We request for the swift and immediate release of our employees and our customer’s currency, both detained without proper cause. We also demand an immediate retraction by the EFCC and an apology issued to our company and our employees whose images have been maligned. Our client who has been unfairly exposed and accused of implied illegality, and whose money is still being improperly held by the EFCC operatives, deserve a very special apology for the disclosure of their business and damage done to their image,” it said.