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Tag: EFCC

  • EFCC calls second witness in Sen. Nwoboshi’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday called its second  witness in the trial of Sen. Peter Nwoboshi charged with money laundering.

    Nwoboshi, representing Delta North Senatorial District, was charged by the EFCC along with two companies – Golden Touch Construction Projects Ltd. and Suiming Electricals.

    They were accused of  laundering N322 million.

    The  EFCC re-arraigned the accused, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on Oct. 5, following the elevation of the previous trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, to the Court of Appeal.

    The senator pleaded not guilty  before Idris and Aneke.

    Following his re-arraignment, the case started afresh.

    On Tuesday, the prosecution witness, Mr Murtala Abubakar, who works with the Nigeria Export-Import Bank as Head of Enterprise Risk Management, told the court that Nwoboshi paid about N2 billion in respect of a loan his company took from the bank for  establishment of a manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

    He said that the loan  was about N1.2 billion, but with accrued interest, the senator had paid back about N2 billion, with N24 million still outstanding.

    Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr O.A. R. Ogunde (SAN), the witness told the court that his schedule of duties included identification, measurement and management of risk on behalf of the bank.

    When asked to tell the court the nature of the bank, the witness said that the bank was jointly owned by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    He added that the bank was set up to provide finance, risk bearing and advisory services to non-oil exporters.

    “However, we also finance companies that are into import substitution; that is, replacing imports with local production,” he said.

    Under cross- examination by defence counsel, Mr G.A. Mowah, the witness said that the tenure of the loan was five years, adding that it would expire in 2019.

    He admitted that all the conditions and guidelines for loan were met  before money was directly disbursed to the third accused (Suiming Electricals).

    The witness testified that the money was disbursed to the third accused after approval by the bank’s board.

    He told the court that there was a deed of guarantee between the bank and the third accused.

    The witness also admitted that there was a certificate of occupancy of the third accused.

    He also admitted that the loan was disbursed in line with the policy of the bank and Federal Government to encourage local manufacturing and  discourage importation.

    Justice Aneke adjourned the case until Jan. 30, 2019, for continuation of trial.

    The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects purchased a 12-storey building  known as Guinea House on Marine Road in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million in May and June 2014.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that N322 million out of the N805 million was part of proceeds of fraud.

    The EFCC also alleged that the N322 million was transferred to the property’s vendor on the order of Suiming Electricals, which was accused of aiding  to commit the money laundering.

    The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 15(2)(d) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. (NAN)

  • Alleged N27b fraud: EFCC picks ex-governor’s son

    •Denies  arrest of Atiku’s children

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday confirmed the arrest of Ogbonna Orji , is one of the children of a former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji.

    It, however, denied the arrest of the sons of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The commission described the purported raid on the apartments of Atiku’s sons for foreign currencies as another tales by moonlight.

    The EFCC also said it did not block or freeze the accounts of Atiku’s running mate and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

    It made the clarifications in a statement by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade.

    The statement reads: “We have received several calls and email messages asking us to confirm the arrest of the sons of the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as being alleged in some quarters.

    “Some also said we raided the apartments of Atiku’s son looking for foreign currencies. This is nothing but another tales by moonlight.

    “It is in the news that we have been investigating the former Abia governor, Senator Theodore Orji over alleged N27 billion money laundering. In the course of investigation, we discovered that he laundered part of the money through his sons.

    “We have been on the trail of some of the purchases made by his son including the cars the boys allegedly bought.

    “Last Friday, we traced one of the cars to a night club in Abuja. In order not to cause panic, we waited until the business of the club was over and when the owner of the suspected car entered to take off, we arrested him and his friend who has a similar brand of car. That was about 5am on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

    “The two boys we arrested were Ogbonna Orji, 32, and Kelvin Ilonah. While Orji’s car, a Range Rover is valued at about N100 million, Ilonah’s car also a Range Rover, is valued at about N35 million.”

    The statement gave the details of the interrogation of the governor’s son and his friend.

    “In the course of further interrogation, the two boys led us to their apartment, three flats, and documents retrieved from the apartment showed it was rented for N13 million each per annum.

    “Another new Prado Jeep, a 2017 model was recovered from the boys in the compound. The two boys in question gave useful information to the commission, which is helping in our further investigation.

    “The EFCC, as a responsible organisation is abreast of the establishment mandate and we shall not deviate from such mandate.

    “We never went after Atiku’s sons, neither were Atiku’s sons among the two boys arrested. There is no link whatsoever to Atiku.

    “Only last week,  PDP was alleged to have raised alarm that the commission blocked and or freeze the accounts of the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi.

    “Again, this was another lie which we immediately punctured as there was no truth in it whatsoever, to the accusation. Till now, only silence has prevailed from the camp of the accusers.”

  • CBN, EFCC to punish forex policy violators

    SANCTIONS await banks, their customers and businesses that abuse the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) policy restricting foreign exchange (forex) allocation to 41 items.

    Culprits are to be investigated and sanctioned, the apex bank said yesterday through its Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department, Kelvin Amugo.

    The investigation will be carried out by the Economic Intelligence Unit of the CBN in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Amugo said in a letter to all banks.

    As part of its developmental objective on employment generation and inclusive growth, the CBN had on July 1, 2015, stopped foreign exchange allocation to the importation of 41 items, which could be produced locally.

    The bank said that the policy had been abused by some banks and their customers.

    According to the trade information available to the CBN,  the policy is being abused as the restricted items are being dumped in the country.

    Such sanctions will, among others, include blacklisting the institutions and their directors; closing of their accounts; and restricting them from maintaining accounts in any bank under the can remit. Banks that provide their platforms for such economic abuses are to be sanctioned.

    The letter reads: “The CBN views this development with trepidation. The Economic Intelligence Unit of the CBN in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would commence immediate investigation of the accounts of the corporates and entities engaged in this unwholesome act with a view to visiting severe sanctions on all the culprits.”

    According to the apex bank, the implementation of the policy has resulted in massive investment and the establishment of cottage industries that now engage in the production of the restricted items across the country. The growth and development benefits have been phenomenal.

    It said: “Unfortunately, the trade information available to the CBN indicates the circumvention of the policy as the restricted items are being dumped in the country. The implications are that the growth and employment benefits arising from the policy may be eroded if not checked.

    “Banks are by this notice, advised on strict compliance with the Know Your Customers (KYC) and Know Your Customer Business (KYCB) requirements and be properly guided.”

    CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele had at the 53rd annual Bankers dinner in Lagos, said the CBN’s policy restricting forex access to 41 items that can be produced locally has helped to move the economy out of recession adding that there even calls that the list of 41 items be increased to cover more goods that can be produced locally.

    Emefiele said: “As I have always emphasised, it is our collective duty to ensure that the potentials and prospects of the Nigerian economy is optimally realised.

    “The ongoing economic recovery requires the joint efforts and wise counsel of everyone, if we must make giant strides forward. The CBN is more determined now than ever to remain at the forefront of the effort to ensure that the rebound is not overturned.

    “There has been considerable discourse particularly on whether the restriction on access to foreign exchange for 41 items is driving local production, with some nay-sayers stating that it has constrained productivity and growth in the economy.

    “Based on our internal research conducted at the Central Bank of Nigeria, there is strong support that the recovery of our economy from the recession may have been much weaker or even negative, without the implementation of the restriction on 41 items.

    “Our research supports the conclusion that the combination of the restriction on 41 items along with other measures imposed by the fiscal and monetary authorities has helped to promote the recovery.

    “Any attempt to reverse the course of this actions may have untold consequences on the growth trajectory of our economy particularly in our push to diversify and restructure our economy.

    “In fact, recommendations are being made to the CBN that the list of 41 items be expanded to include other additional items that can be locally produced.”

    In a separate circular by Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Ahmed Umar, the CBN said: “In the continued effort to sustain the achievement recorded from the classification of 41 import items as ‘Not Valid for Foreign Exchange’ in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange market, authorised dealers and the general public are hereby notified of the inclusion of fertilizer on the list effective Friday December 7, 2018.

    “However, the CBN will ensure that transactions (Form ‘M’) on fertilizer for which payments are outstanding are settled at the appropriate settlement dates.”

  • The EFCC and the Naked Dance in the Public 

    I have followed the events of the last 48hours with profound circumspection as it relates to the purported filing of Charges against the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro SAN,over legal fees paid to his Chambers ,by his Clients ,Akwa Ibom State Government and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State !

    If indeed ,the EFCC goes ahead and Charge our revered President this Morning ,just for receiving his legitimate Income ,the Bar would have  foisted on itself ,a fait accompli,so the line to bandied about by Security Agencies will be:”If EFCC can charge the NBA President, so who are you ,that you can not be charged “.

    Lawyers are living in dangerous times in Nigeria!We have kept silence and allowed this Fascist Government deny people of their rights and freedom with impunity, but now we are the victims .

    The Law on the Matter is very Clear.The Evidence Act recognises every Communication and transaction between a Lawyer and  a Client as Privileged Communication, which should not be divulged for any reason !The same Law provides a Similar safeguard for Doctors and Clergy !

    The Legal Practitioner’s Act , does not give restrictions ,on how much a  Lawyer can  Charge his Client or whether you will agree on a specific fee before Services are rendered !

    What the Law abhors is champerty !

    The recent  cases  of Attorney General of the  Federation v.  the Registered Trustees of the NBA and Central Bank of Nigeria v. Diamond Bank of Nigeria PLC re-enforces the Law that Legal Practitioners under the Law are not within financial Scrutiny ,as it relates to transactions with their Clients, under the SCUML, a financial protocol ,put in place to fight financial crimes and track proceeds of crime   !

    The EFCC should stop fighting Lawyers who earn legitimate Income and beam  their flashlights on Politicians ,who manage or mismanage our common wealth  !

    Some unresolved financial puzzles  the EFCC should answer to :

    Where are the Billions of Naira and Millions of Dollars ,seized by the EFCC from alleged corrupt politicians and fraudsters ;

    What is  the state of the Osborn Towers Case ;

    The Case of the Millions of Naira allegedly missing in the Tenure of former SGF Lawal;

    The recently indicated missing money running into billions declared missing by the House of Reps of Emergency Funds ;

    The Many Petitions pending at the EFCC against the former Governors of Rivers ,Lagos and Edo States ,all Now Party Chieftains of the Ruling Party;

    The various investigative  reports of Government indicting some high profile Politicians ;

    The Arms Procurement Scam ;

    With all these behemoth of sleaze ,slicing through our psyche ,the EFCC is chasing shadows !

    “Rome was in flames ,Emperor Nero was chasing Rats “

    An Apposite question to ask is ,who investigates the EFCC, who audits them ?

    They are now a Law unto themselves ,detaining persons for weeks or sometimes months with out trial !If we do not rise against this reign of tyranny, being unleashed, by the EFCC, may we not be victims in the Scenario depicted in the satirical poem ,”Not my Business”,by Prof. Niyi Osundare

  • Stop sealing up suspects’ assets, Falana tells EFCC

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Femi Falana, on Sunday advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop sealing up assets belonging to suspects of financial crimes.

    The lawyer gave the advice in Ikeja at the presentation of ‘Compendium of High-Profile Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases in Nigeria.’

    The compendium, which highlights high-profile corruption cases and their implications on the economy was compiled by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), a Civil Society Organisation.

    Falana said sealing up of properties while cases were still pending in courts did not do the public any good as the assets waste away with no economic value.

    The lawyer said it would be good if those assets were put into use by the EFCC, pending the final determination of the cases in which they were linked.

    “I do not subscribe to the locking up of assets or properties while a case is still pending in court. I do not think the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies should be doing that.

    “If somebody has stolen money to build a hospital, just like the one on Adeniyi Jones in Ikeja, somebody was alleged to have stolen to build the hospital worth about N2.5billion, which is sealed now.

    “For me,you are not doing the public any good by just locking up the place and by putting your inscription: ‘Under Investigation’.

    “Why don’t you allow it to function so that the place can benefit the people, because it is already acquired for public purpose.

    “And this should go for all buildings too. People are looking for accommodation and you just lock up blocks of flat over cases still pending in court.

    “And these cases may be in court for years.And by the time the cases are concluded, the premises you have sealed no longer have their value.

    “The EFCC was set up to revive businesses not to liquidate them.You liquidate businesses by just getting some court orders.That to me, is not the way to fight corruption,” he said.

    Falana added that the sight of seized vehicles wasting away at EFCC offices was cause for concern, paying the assets could have been put into economic use.

    He, however, suggested that the vehicles could be sold by the EFCC to stop decay while the proceeds were kept in an account pending the determination of the cases involving their owners.

    “If the case is finally resolved in favour of the suspects, they are given the money, if not, the money is forfeited to government.

    “That, I think, is better than allowing these vehicles to waste away while cases are being investigated or still pending in court,” he said.

    Falana said the fight against corruption could not be genuinely fought by the government, but by Nigerians themselves.

    He therefore urged all stakeholders to be vigilant and play their part to confront the menace of corrruption

    Also speaking. Board Chairman of Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Muiz Banire, said seizing properties and allowing them to waste away made no economic sense.

    Banire, also a SAN, said such properties were better handed to AMCON to manage for the sake of the economy.

    “When these assets are seized by anti-cortuption agencies, most of them get destroyed over time without rescue.I think it will be good if those assets are managed by AMCON for the sake of the economy,” he said.

    In his speech, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of PremiumTimes (Online news medium), commended HEDA for the compendium, saying it would add value to the war against corruption.

    Olorunyomi said corruption was an albatross to development, calling for the concerted efforts of all Nigerians to tackle it.

    He commended the EFCC for the strides made in the anti-graft war, but said more was expected from the commission to defeat corruption.

    Earlier, Chairman of HEDA, Mr Lanre Suraj, said the group compiled the compendium to provide the needed information to intensify the anti-corruption war.

    He said HEDA was deeply concerned about the economic losses to corruption, hence the compendium to stress the need for all stakeholders to share ideas and information with a view to winning the anti-graft war. (NAN)

  • N162m ONSA cash: EFCC summons Doyin Okupe ahead of arraignment

    •Ex-presidential spokesman says anti-graft agency accused him of cyber crime

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for documentation ahead of his arraignment in court.

    He is to face trial for alleged N162million illicit payments to him and his companies by a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Chanchaga Local Government Area in Niger State.

    Okupe has been on bail after he was initially interrogated on June 22, 2016.

    But necessary processes for his arraignment in court, including filing of charges, were perfected on Friday.

    Okupe, in a series of tweets yesterday, said a team of EFCC officials stormed his Ilupeju, Lagos residence “asking me to follow them. No letter. No letter of IV no warrant.”

    He added: “The men from EFCC left my house finally after I promised them that I will be in their office on Monday.

    “The officers finally agreed to leave on d promise I will see them Monday. Offence. CYBER CRIME.”

    However, a top source in EFCC said: “Our operatives were in his house to invite him for interaction on Monday in preparation for his arraignment for alleged N162million fraud.

    “The charges against him are ready but he needs to come around to our office and it is from here we will take him to court for trial.”

    Giving an insight into the allegations against Okupe, the source said: “Investigation confirmed that he received illicit payments from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki as well as strange payments to his companies by a council in Niger State.

    “He was quizzed over N50million which he collected in cash from the former NSA without record or accountability.

    “Another company that is linked to Okupe, Abraham Telecoms Limited allegedly received N35.5million from the NSA through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    “Also, one of his companies, Romic Soil Fix International Limited received N63million from Chanchaga Local Government council of Niger State and another N13.5m from the same council, for unknown reasons.

    “The payments from Chanchaga LG to Romic were made on 21st of November, 2014 during the PDP primary election and 13th February 2015, just before the general election.”

    But Okupe said the funds collected from ONSA followed a presidential directive by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He had said: “The initial N50m was approved by the President to be paid to me from his security vote. N10m was to furnish my rented living apartment and another N10m for my office. The balance N30m was approved as takeoff grant.

    “The N10m I received from the ONSA monthly was to run my office, pay salaries of staffs, including overheads, pay expenses for our numerous press conferences, pay for publications in newspapers, magazines, local and foreign, television programs, bulletins, and media consultants who assist and facilitate our work. I had about 23 staff, 11 were graduates out of which five were masters degrees holders.

    ” The second N50m was approved again by Mr. President when I reported to him that the monthly allowance had been cut from N10m to N5m and that I was no longer in a position to keep running a one hour NTA network program called INSIGHT which was aired 9-10am every Friday.

    “We paid NTA about N1.2m monthly for airtime. Two presenters were paid N600, 000 monthly.

    “The lead presenter on Insight earned N400, 000 and the second presenter earned N200, 000.

    “We paid for tapes and editing per programme. Besides we also pay honorarium for guests either directly or inform of hotel bills for those outside Abuja, or transportation.

    “This cost an average of N500, 000 weekly or about N2m monthly. All in all we spent about N4m monthly on the programme.

    “Mr. President promised to help with the expenses. About a few months later when we had incurred some debts the NSA sent me this N50m which was to cover the cost of the program for 12 months.

    “I am not a thief. I have only two houses in Lagos and in my hometown.

    “The monthly allowance was not my salary. It was meant to be used to run the office. 40% went on salaries.

    “Salary sheets with names and offices of employees were submitted to EFCC. I was paid a salary of N853, 000 per month through the office of the SGF.”

    On the N76.5m contracts awarded to his firm, Romix Soilfix, by Chanchaga LGA of Niger State, he said the firm was “one of the over 20 construction companies who were duly awarded contracts for rural roads some five years ago by the Niger State Government.”

    He said the jobs were delayed because of irregular payment to contractors by the council.

    He added:  “The job is still ongoing. The relationship of this to my service as senior special assistant to President is still not clear.”

    Osinbajo flags off door-to-door campaign in Lagos

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday flagged off a door -to- door campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos.

    He said the difference between Buhari and other candidates in the 2019 elections is the president will not steal or allow stealing of public funds.

    Osinbajo said some leaders who would steal while others will  use the country’s money for the common good, noting that Buhari belongs to the latter category.

    “We should not allow those who have stolen our money in the past to come back. They stole all the money and they want to come back. People are saying, enough is enough,” he said.

    “In four years, PDP spent $383 billion. And they want to come back. 16 years is enough.

    “After 16 years of ensuring that the country did not make progress, they want to come back. They will never come back,” he said.

    Osinbajo said that Nigeria’s greatest problem was corruption and not planning because without money you could not executive any plan; hence the need to stop those who had stolen in the past from returning.

    The vice president said the door-to-door campaign was more effective in reaching out to the people, saying it goes a long way in speaking directly to the people about the plans of the government for the people.

    Director-General of the Prof Yemi Osinbajo Support Group, Pastor Yomi Kasali, said the organisation had raised 900,000 canvassers for Lagos State.

    He explained that each canvasser was expected to meet with 50 people.

    The vice president visited some parts of Sogunro community, Ogba , Ikeja to seek support directly from voters in their homes.

     

  • Ribadu bags ‘lifetime’ global anti-corruption award

    THE founding chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has  bagged a lifetime/outstanding award on anti-corruption campaign.

    The award, which was administered by Doha, Qatar-based thin- tank, Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Centre (ROLACC), celebrates corruption fighters, academics and campaigners from around the world.

    The award ceremony was  held yesterday at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Malaysia.

    Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mahamad,and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani attended the ceremony.

    Sheikh Al Thani instituted the award in support of the United Nation’s anti-corruption drive.

    The award is in four categories, with joint winners in each category.

    Each category of the award comes with a cash prize of $250,000.

    Ribadu jointly won the lifetime/outstanding achievement category alongside former South African corruption fighter and ex-World Bank vice president, Leonardo McCarthy.

    The honourees were presented with a plague and certificate each by the two leaders.

    Ribadu was nominated for the award by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), a civil society organisation doing pioneering work on whistle-blowing policy in Nigeria.

    His winning followed approval by ROLACC’s High-Level Selection Committee and the board.

    In his short acceptance speech, Ribadu described the award as a tribute to persons around the world working to curb corruption.

    He paid tribute to his colleagues at the EFCC, some of whom paid the supreme price in their line of duty.

    He said the award will boost the morale of corruption fighters who would come to realise that their job is not thankless, after all.

    Those who were honoured alongside the former EFCC chairman included Cambridge University don, Prof Jason Sharman and Dr. RobtelNeajai Pailey of Oxford University, who won the academic excellence category.

    Accountability Lab and Ms Fernanda Angelica Flores Aguirre jointly won the Youth Creativity and Engagement Award.

    The award for innovation was conferred jointly on PNG Phones Against Corruption, an in initiative from Papua New Guinea on reporting corruption, and Dr. Roger Oppong Koranteng, a Ghanaian national who heads Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

  • EFCC charges NBA President Usoro with N1.4b fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a N1.4 billion fraud charge against Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Paul Usoro (SAN), at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Justice Muslim Hassan fixed December 10 for the EFCC to arraign Usoro.

    The anti-graft agency, in a charge marked FHC/418c/18, alleged that Usoro, from Akwa Ibom, converted and laundered the money in connivance with Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    The charge sheet, signed by EFCC Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, did not list Emmanuel as a defendant.

    The EFCC indicated that he is “currently constitutionally immuned against criminal prosecution”.

    It did, however, mention four other defendants.

    They are: Nsikan Nkan, described as commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State; Mfon Udomah, described as the accountant-general of Akwa Ibom State; Uwemedimo Nwoko, described as the Akwa Ibom State attorney-general and commissioner for Justice; and Margaret Ukpe, all of whom are said to be at large.

    The commission alleged that Usoro, in connivance with the others , conspired to commit the offence “sometime in 2015 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.”

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the N1.4 billion belonged to the Akwa Ibom State government.

    According to Oyedepo, the offences were contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

  • Judge gives EFCC, DSS others 72hrs to arrest ex-Petroleum minister

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and all other security agencies yesterday got an order to arrest a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke within 72 hours.

    Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, gave the order.

    According to a press statement signed by acting spokesperson to the EFCC Mr Tony Orilade  it  had prayed for an order of the court, to issue a warrant of arrest against Madueke, to enable the Commission apprehend and arraign her for alleged financial crimes in Nigeria.

    The said that the commission investigated the former minister and a former Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, Mr. Jide Omokore, following a petition dated October 2, 2013, from the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), bordering on money laundering and official corruption.

    Read also: Alleged graft: Court grants EFCC leave to arraign Diezani

    Orilade said in the statement that Mrs. Alison-Madueke as supervising minister of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was found to have engaged in alleged illicit and monumental fraudulent dealings in oil transactions, which she entered into on behalf of the Federal Government.

    The statement reads: “Mrs. Alison-Madueke and Omokore, are also 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

    “The court also granted the ex parte motion, and ordered the security agencies to provide Mrs. Alison-Madueke within 72 hours, for her to face the charge preferred against her

    “The Inspector-General of Police, the Chairman of the EFCC, the Attorney-General, the Department of State Services, are hereby ordered in the name of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to apprehend and arrest the first defendant and produce her before the court for further directives within 72 hours.”

  • Alleged graft: Court grants EFCC leave to arraign Diezani

    A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo yesterday granted the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leave to arraign former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and a former Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, Olajide Omokore, on February 25.

    Alison-Madueke and Omokore are to be arraigned on five counts bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.

    Justice Valentine Ashi granted the EFCC leave, after prosecution counsel Mr. Faruk Abdullahi  told the court that while investigations were on going,  the former minister left the country and is presently in the United Kingdom (UK).

    Justice Ashi also ordered the EFCC to put its house in order.

    He alleged that Alison-Madueke refused to honour an invitation by the EFCC to appear at the commission.

    The suspects are to be arraigned for allegedly accepting and giving  gift of properties described as penthouse 22 ,Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi and penthouse 21, building 5, block C, Banana Island, Lagos.

    The EFCC said the alleged offence  contravened the provisions of Sections 26(1) and 17 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences  Act, 2000.

    Abdullahi said on invitation by the EFCC, Mrs. Alison-Madueke refused to honour the invitation but steps are being taken to ensure she comes back to face trial.

    The counsel for the second defendant, Tayo Adeniyo, SAN, told the court that his client was not served with the charges and his client was read to clear his name.

    On November 11, the EFCC confirmed that the process to bring back Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom had begun.

    The commission’s acting spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said  that EFCC’s Operations Department had made a presentation to the Legal Department to begin the process.

    He, however, said the action had to be processed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, explaining that it was not something the commission could commence and conclude on its own.

    “It is ongoing. Within the next few weeks, the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public.

    “It is not a fresh case; it is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into; the whole process is a total package.

    “This request to have Mrs. Alison-Madueke repatriated to Nigeria is just an aspect of Diezani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” he said.

    In 2017, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6 billion alleged loot recovered from the former minister to the Federal Government.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka granted an application by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the money to the government.

    Granting the application, the judge had said: “I have read the motion on notice seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of N7.6 billion reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

    “I have also gone through the affidavit in support of the application.

    “In the circumstances, I am of the view that the application has merit and is hereby granted as prayed. Parties have a right of appeal.”

    In October, 2017, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Abubakar Malami said Nigeria had no immediate plan to bring Mrs. Alison-Madueke back home to face trial.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who is being investigated in the UK, had urged the Federal Government to have her repatriated to Nigeria to face corruption charges against her.