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Tag: EFCC

  • Court to EFCC: don’t interfere in BCL, GTB case

    A Lagos High Court has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to further interfere in a dispute between Guarantee Trust Bank and Boot Communications Ltd, operators of Rockcity FM over a commercial transaction.

    Justice Taofiquat Oyekan-Abdullahi made the order following a complaint by Boot Communications’ counsel Benjamin Umudjoro.

    He alleged that EFCC, allegedly prompted by GTBank, summoned BCL officials to the commission’s Lagos zonal office over the disputed loan deal.

    The judge ordered EFCC to halt further action on the petition by GTBank until the case is determined.

    She ordered that N20 million or any other outstanding sum owed be paid through bank cheques.

    The judge also directed BCL and the bank to agree on terms of settlements, negotiate the issue of interest, and report to her on the next adjournment date of November 29.

    Umudjoro condemned EFCC over its alleged unlawful interference in the loan dispute.

    He said the commission invited his client over a petition filed by GTBank alleging stealing, diversion and obtaining money under false pretences without evidence.

    In a letter to EFCC’s Head of Operation in Lagos, Umudjoro accused GTBank of flagrantly disregarding the ongoing court process by petitioning the commission.

    He said it was in a bid to intimidate his client, thereby frustrating the claims before the court.

    Umudjoro said the invitation and interrogation of his client in a case pending before a court amounted to a violation of the act establishing it.

    According to him, loan transactions and contracts were outside EFCC’s powers.

    To him, EFCC’s intervention in a civil transaction pending before a court was an attempt to subvert the judicial process.

    The lawyer said Supreme Court had condemned attempts by banks and others to make EFCC and other security agencies debt recovery agents, especially where evidence of fraud could not be provided by petitioners.

    BCL employees, the lawyer added, reported that despite of the court order, EFCC officials were still calling them on phone, intimidating, harrassing and threatening them with arrest, allegedly claiming that the commission was not bound by court orders.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, when contacted, said he was on leave and could not comment on the issue.

    “I am not around now. I am on leave,” he said.

  • Akwa Ibom faults EFCC over probe

    Akwa Ibom State has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for instituting a probe on its account.

    The government, in a statement by Commissioner of Information and Strategy Charles Udoh, said EFCC’s actions were illegal

    Its statement reads: “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a publication in The Nation Newspaper of November 11, 2018 alleging an Economic Financial & Crimes Commission (EFCC) probe of Akwa Ibom Government over withdrawal of N6.5bn from the state coffers.

    “We wish to state emphatically as follows; that

    – this is a malicious allegation and a desperate face saving effort by the EFCC to justify the several illegalities it has allowed itself to be used by the opposition to perpetrate against the Akwa Ibom State Government which have attracted widespread condemnation within and outside the country.

    ” For avoidance of doubt, the constitution and laws of the  Nigeria authorises only the state House of Assembly and the state auditor-general to pry into the financial dealings of a state government

    ” For the records, the current administration has made Akwa Ibom State one of the few states; if not the only state that publishes its annual audited financial statements. This underscores the state government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity in governance. Copies of the state’s annual audited financial statements are available in the public domain.

    “It is ludicrous that the EFCC has allowed itself to degenerate into a tool of loopsided political mudsling and witch-hunting used by the opposition in the state to cast aspersions on the integrity of the Akwa Ibom State government.

    “This story was earlier published in the same newspaper by the same author on August 12, 2018, and since it did not have the intended effects, EFCC has sadly condescended to regurgitating the story in a flagrant act of impunity against existing laws of Nigeria.

    “The Akwa Ibom State government will do all within its lawful limits to protect the integrity of governance in the state.

    “Recall that the Akwa Ibom State government had served notices of contempt to the EFCC and would not be dragged into a public discourse on a matter that is patently sub judice. This matter is before the Federal High Court Uyo.”

  • Battle for Diezani’s extradition on, says EFCC

    THE process for extraditing former Minister of Petroleum Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom (UK) has begun, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said at the weekend.

    Acting spokesman of the commission, Mr. Tony Orilade, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Abuja.

    The Nation broke the story of planned extradition of the ex-minister last week.

    According to Orilade, EFCC’s Operations Department had made presentation to the Legal Department to begin the process, and that process has been initiated.

    Orilade, 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 would begin 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 extradition is just an aspect of Deziani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” he said.

    The EFCC spokesman could not, however, say the point at which it became necessary to seek extradition of the former minister.

  • EFCC probes Akwa Ibom over withdrawal of another N6.5b from account

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing some Akwa Ibom State officials for alleged   withdrawal of N6.5billion in cash from an imprest account.

    The cash was said to have been diverted from a derivation account to the imprest account of the Ministry of Justice/ Office of the Accountant-General in the state.

    But following intelligence report, EFCC discovered that the allocation was gradually withdrawn in cash for “unknown purposes.”

    Detectives have started investigating clues that the cash was laundered by some state officials including a commissioner.

    About N200million out of the sum has been traced to the account of a commissioner in the state.

    Findings revealed that N105million out of the N200million was suspected to be a kick-back from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who was allegedly paid about N530million as “curious legal fees.”

    According to a fact-sheet obtained from the anti-graft agency, the N6.5billion was diverted from a derivation account to the imprest account between 2015 and 2017.

    A top source, who is privy to ongoing investigation, said: “The ongoing investigation of Akwa Ibom State has led to the uncovering of how another N6.5billion was withdrawn in cash in tranches for unspecified purposes.

    “The Bank Unit succeeded in tracking the cash from the Derivation Account/ Allocation to the imprest account of the Ministry of Justice/ Office of the Accountant-General in the state. This investigation is different from the N1.4billion, belonging to the state, which was wired into 11 suspected slush accounts.

    “Preliminary investigation confirmed a serious case of money laundering. The N6.5billion was withdrawn in piecemeal in cash to cover up any trail.

    “We are already looking into the accounts of some individuals and officials of the state including a commissioner who was suspected to have benefitted about N105million out of about N530million linked with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    “In fact, records showed that the commissioner made many cash deposits of N5million, N10million and N20million into his personal accounts. One of the aides of the commissioner was discovered to have assisted in making the cash deposits too.

    “Our detectives have renewed the review of the SAN’s accounts accordingly. Certainly, many links were used to launder the N6.5billion.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The aide to the commissioner has been detected and he has made useful statement.

    “Cash transactions by officials in Akwa Ibom have become rampant. But we will get to the roots of the laundering of this N6.5billion between 2015 and 2017.”

    The EFCC had earlier discovered how about N1.4billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State Government was wired into 11 suspected slush accounts.

    The cash was remitted into the suspected accounts in two tranches of N1.1billion and N300million.

    Some of the accounts belong to eight top lawyers in the country who are under surveillance.

    One of the affected lawyers has made statement to the EFCC on how he came about huge transfers into his account from Akwa Ibom State Government accounts.

    The source told detectives that the “curious deposits” were legal fees for 16 cases but without records of any agreement between his team and the state government.

    But instead of paying the legal fees through cheques, the N1.4billion was hauled into the 11 accounts in cash.

    The EFCC however discovered that one of the accounts was opened on March 16, 2016 and the narration of the deposit showed that it received huge sum on March 14, 2016.

    The N1.4billion was remitted into the 12 accounts as follows: N135m; N120m; N100m; N60m; N60m; N65m; N570m; N75m; N75m; N75m; N30m; and N45m.

    The fact-sheet said: “There was no document tied to specific payment. The deposit also did not specify what the cash was meant for.

    “There was no evidence of any agreement between the state government and the beneficiaries of the N1.4billion. The lead coordinator of the lawyers who benefitted from the cash could not say how much was charged and how much was agreed upon.

    “The lead lawyer only said the cash was for 16 cases in various courts across the country but only a case was reflected as having gone from the lower court to the Supreme Court.

    “The lead lawyer has made statement without any shred of evidence or document to justify the legal contract.”

  • EFCC arraigns ex-NDDC director for alleged N3.6b bribery

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday arraigned a former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director of Projects, Mr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, for allegedly receiving N3.6 billion bribe from a contractor.

    He was charged along with Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited.

    They were arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos on 45 counts.

    EFCC accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise the illegal origin of a total sum of N3,645,000,000, being proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and gratification”.

    They allegedly committed the offence between August 2014 and September 2015 in Lagos contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 1 of 2012 and were liable to be punished under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The EFCC had in May obtained a forfeiture order on Omatsuli’s four landed properties valued at N846.03 million.

    An EFCC operative, Adamu Yusuf, said Omatsuli allegedly received a bribe of N3,645,000,000 from a consultant to the NDDC, Starline Consultancy Services Limited.

    He said the firm was engaged to help NDDC recover its statutory three per cent annual budgets of oil and gas producing companies in the Niger Delta.

    Yusuf said it was agreed that Starline Consultancy Services would be paid 10 per cent commission on the total funds recovered.

    According to the operative, Starline Consultancy Services eventually succeeded in the job and was paid N10,218,019,060.59 as its 10 per cent commission between August 22, 2014 and June 25, 2015.

    Yusuf said: “Omatsuli agreed and received kickbacks to the tune of N3,645,000,000.000 from  Starline Consultancy Services Limited through Building Associates Limited, whose alter ego is Francis Momoh.”

    The anti-graft agency presented a table showing that Omatsuli allegedly received kickbacks 11 times from Starline Consultancy Services between August 28, 2014 and September 8, 2015.

    Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned until November 16 for hearing of the defendants’ applications and ordered that they be remanded in EFCC.

     

     

  • EFCC amends N21b fraud charge against Amosu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has amended its fraud charge against former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    He was charged with former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo and former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun.

    The amendment followed the elevation of the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, from the Federal High Court in Lagos to the Court of Appeal.

    The case has been re-assigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and will begin all over again (de novo).

    In the amended charge, EFCC reduced the number of defendants from 11 to three, removing the eight companies previously named in the charge.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo told Justice Aneke that the amended charge was dated October 15.

    He prayed that it be accepted and read to the defendants for their plea.

    But, Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said although the prosecution had the right to amend the charge, there should be a pronouncement discharging and acquitting the other defendants, the prosecution having dropped the complaints against them.

    He said: “The old charge contained 11 defendants while there are only three defendants in the new charge. The court already has jurisdiction over the existing charge. The old charge must be given a decent burial as it cannot co-exist with the new charge.

    “If the prosecution is withdrawing the old charge for the new charge, there must be a consequential pronouncement by the court. A pronouncement ought to be made regarding the fourth to 11th defendants that are not part of the new charge.”

    The SAN urged the court to rely on Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to discharge and acquit the companies, a submission other defence counsel aligned themselves with.

    But, Oyedepo argued that the court could only consider any objection after the defendants’ re-arraignment on the new charge.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until November 13 for ruling.

     

  • EFCC seeks final forfeiture of ex-Air chief’s N2.2b, others

    •Court to hear case Monday

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a motion for a final forfeiture of N2.2 billion recovered from former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had on June 7 ordered the money’s temporary forfeiture based on an ex-parte application by the commission.

    The judge ruled: “An interim order is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the total sum of N2,244,500,000 found and recovered by the commission from the first respondent (Amosu), which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    The judge also granted an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of N190,828,978.15 recovered from a former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo, as well as N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.

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

    The judge had directed EFCC to publish the interim order in The Nation and Punch newspapers so that the respondents or anyone interested could show cause as to why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

    Yesterday, the court granted applications by Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) to regularise his processes for extension of time to file an affidavit to show cause as directed by the court.

    A former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, who is on trial with Amosu and Gbadebo, was represented by Mr. Oluwakemi Balogun (SAN) and Dapo Ogungbe, as an interested party.

    Ogungbe informed the court about an application in which Adigun is seeking to be joined as an interested party, as well as a motion seeking extension of time to file an affidavit to show cause as ordered by the court.

    But, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said he was only served with Adigun’s counter-affidavit, but had not received both the application for joinder and the one seeking time extension.

    After noting that there was no proof of service in her file, Justice Olatoregun adjourned until November 12 for hearing and ordered counsel to ensure proper service.

    EFCC alleged that while in office, the respondents diverted huge sums of money from NAF to purchase properties within and outside the country.

  • Prophet arraigned for allegedly defrauding church members of N54.5m

    The founder of Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry, aka Tuesday Tuesday Church, Shoba, Abule-Ado, Lagos, Prophet Cletus Ilongwo, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State for allegedly defrauding church members of N54.5 million.

    The cleric is facing an 11-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Sherifat Solebo.

    According to the EFCC, Ilongwo allegedly committed the offences between January and April 2016.

    In one of the charges, Ilongwo allegedly collected N13 5million from Obinna Ezenwaka on the pretext that he would help him purchase a property located at 165c, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

    He was also accused of collecting N10million from Ezenwaka on the pretext of purchasing the same property, but, however, failed to do so.

    The defendant was alleged to have at various times collected N10million, N7million, N3million and N150,000 from Ezenwaka through his Zenith Bank account 1003455899.

    Prophet Ilongwo, who wore a long red robe, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Counsel to the defendant, P.N Orji, informed the court about a pending bail application he had filed on behalf of his client.

    EFCC prosecutor Ahmed Yerima did not oppose the application, but asked for time to respond to the application.

    Justice Solebo adjourned the matter till November 14 and 19 for hearing of the bail application and for trial to begin.

    Prophet Ilongwo was arrested early this year by the Police and EFCC after a former member of the church reported that he allegedly defrauded him of N85 million.

    After he was invited for interrogation, he jumped bail and efforts to re-arrest him failed until his surety was arrested by security operatives.

  • EFCC to push for Diezani’s extradition

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is to be extradited from Britain, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to approach Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami( SAN) this week with a request to file charges against Mrs Alison-Madueke based on its findings.

    As part of its investigation, the EFCC has traced N47.2 billion and $487.5million to the ex-minister, it was gathered.

    Besides, about N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) have been located in various Nigerian banks.

    But only about $37.5million Banana Island property  has been finally forfeited by the ex-minister.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of the property.

    According to a fact-sheet The Nation stumbled on, the EFCC has concluded the investigation of the allegations against Mrs Alison-Madueke.

    More than 50 suspects in some of the cases linked with her have been arraigned in court, especially the alleged N23.29billion 2015 poll bribe.

    The EFCC review team felt it will be “in the interest of justice to extradite the ex-minister to Nigeria for trial”. She is believed to be in Britain.

    Some of the investigated allegations against the ex-Minister, with substantial evidence, include the following:

    • release of $1.3b NNPC cash to the Office of the national Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014 to fight kidnapping in Niger Delta;
    • whereabouts of $18.5billion earnings by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);
    • $15.8billion NLNG dividends  between 2000 and 2014( especially about $9b component between 2010 and 2015);
    • $1.7billion oil contracts involving Mrs Alison-Madueke and two business associates;
    • N23.29b 2015 poll bribery scam;
    • $37.5m property on Banana Island; and
    • acquisition of many properties at home, in Britain, and in the UAE

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC has reached a convenient bend to request for the extradition of Diezani from the UK. Most of the cases against her have reached maturity level for her trial at home.

    “The commission will formally approach the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami( SAN) to assist it to invoke the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK against Diezani.

    “Through the office of the AGF, appropriate charges will be filed in court to commence the process for the extradition of the ex-Minister.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The extradition process is without prejudice to the ongoing investigation of Diezani in the UK.

    “The US end of Diezani probe has been done. The EFCC has also hauled evidence to the UK to assist the authorities. Some detectives from the UK have visited this country too.

    “For the Nigerian flank of the probe, it is necessary to extradite Diezani to answer allegations against her.”

    The source, however, added that the AGF has the final say on whether or not to initiate the extradition process. He stressed that all the allegations against the former minister are within the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK.

    The laws guiding extradition in Nigeria include:

    • The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) with extradition matter within the purview of  the Federal High Court.
    • The Extradition Act, Cap E 25, Laws of the Federation, 2010
    • The Immigration Act, Cap 11, Laws of the Federation, 2010
    • Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
    • The Evidence Act, Cap E14, Laws of the Federation, 2010.

    Twice, the embattled former minister has defended some of the allegations against her.

    On the N23.29m poll bribery cash, she said: “In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the EFCC should publish the details of the $153.3million lodgements, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of my link to them.

    “Having also alleged that the said $153.3million was ‘wired’ from NNPC, the EFCC should also publish details of the NNPC accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken, with proof that I authorised such a transaction/transactions, acting either in my private capacity or as The Honourable Minister of Petroleum.

    “Let me state for the record that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were outside my purview as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act.

    “The only involvement I had in NNPC finances was in terms of statutory matters, where the Petroleum Act prescribes that as minister, there were certain duties or actions which I had to perform or take in relation to NNPC.”

    The ex-Minister said also that she acted on the instructions of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to release $1.3billion to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    She said it was not within the power or discretion of any minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president.

    Although about $1.4billion was requested by the ONSA via three memos, for “Intervention for Urgent National Security Projects,” about $1.3billion was released from NNPC accounts.

    But it was unclear what became of the $100million balance.

    Documents revealed that ONSA had requested for $1.4billion between March 27, 2014 and May 5, 2014 when approval was given and cash backed.

    About three memos were sent to ex-President Jonathan on March 27, 2014, 31st March 2014 and May 5, 2014.

    But Diezani insisted that she could not be held liable for carrying out a presidential directive.

    The statement said: “The attention of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum, has been drawn to a story in The Nation Newspaper of Monday 22nd January, 2018 as well as other print and online media titled “Diezani in trouble again over withdrawal of $1.3b from NNPC accounts”.

    “Under Section 5 of the Constitution, all executive powers are vested in the President who may exercise it directly or through the Vice President or Ministers of the Federation. As Minister for Petroleum Resources Mrs. Alison-Madueke was an appointee and delegate of the President.

    “Consequently, the Minister of Petroleum Resources acted on the basis of the written approvals and directives given by the President, which approvals were given after written requests from the relevant security agencies were made to the President.

    “At such instances, as in fact the article clearly shows, a Service Chief or Intelligence Chief makes a written request/appeal to Mr. President outlining whatever urgent and critical security needs of the nation they consider imminently paramount, at any given point in time.

    “If such a request received the approval of the President, the President may direct that the requested funds be drawn from a Security Budget maintained by NNPC, or that the funds be sourced from elsewhere.

    “Where the President directs the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in writing, to make the payment from the NNPC, the Minister in turn, directs the GMD NNPC in writing to execute the directive of the President. NNPC then wires the funds from one of its major foreign bank accounts, or from the CBN, directly to the stipulated account of the particular branch of the armed services, or intelligence unit, or department, that initiated the request.

    “It is not within the power or discretion of any serving minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president including that of the incumbent President

    “The former Minister of Petroleum Resources in the statement stated that at no time, did she, or could she, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, interfere with this process.”

    The ex-Minister said since the disbursement of $1.3billion can be traceable, it was wrong to assume that it was diverted.

    “It is, therefore, impossible and implausible, for any monies under such presidential directives to be diverted during the process, at least from the standpoint of the Minister.

    “Any and all amounts approved and directed by Mr. President to be paid, were executed exclusively by NNPC, directly from NNPC’s foreign and or, Central Bank of Nigeria accounts, to the stated recipients.

    “Therefore, let it be very clear, that all funds disbursed by these banking institutions on behalf of NNPC are easily and openly traceable, and the process cannot and should not be utilized for the distortion of facts.”

  • EFCC arraigns seven for alleged N148.3m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned six men and a company at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N148.3 million fraud.

    Alimi Haruna, Momouda Mohammed, Shittu Muideen, Akpojaro Amos, Joga Yusuf, Duru Patrick and Ashmina Oil and Gas Ltd were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    They were charged with conspiracy, money laundering, unlawfully retaining of proceeds of illicit act, obtaining huge amount of money without going through financial institution and obtaining under false pretence.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr. Ekene Iheanacho said the alleged offence contravenes sections 18, 15(2)(d) and 1(a) and punishable under sections 15(3) and 16(2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

    The defendants allegedly committed the offence last May in Lagos.

    The prosecutor said they conspired to disguise the origin of the money, which were proceeds of unlawful activities.

    Haruna, his company, Ashmina Oil and Gas, and Okey Onyejiaka and Dublin Energy Ltd allegedly retained the sum in their United Bank for Africa (UBA) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) accounts knowing that the money was proceeds of unlawful activity.

    EFCC told the court that Haruna made cash payment of N68.1 million to Dublin Energy without going through a financial institution.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned till November 5 for hearing of their bail applications.

    He ordered that they be remanded in prison until then.