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Tag: fraud

  • Oil marketer faces N12.8m fraud charge

    Oil marketer faces N12.8m fraud charge

    Managing Director of Sunjay Oil and Gas Ltd, Isolo, Lagos, Sunday Adeolu, was today brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, alleged for defrauding Erewane Enterprises Ltd of 12.8 million naira.

    Adeolu, 47, was charged alongside his company, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and forgery.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Abbas Abayomi, told the court that the accused committed the offences between March and April, 2017, in Isolo area of Lagos.

    Abayomi said the accused fraudulently obtained 60, 000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) valued at N11 million from Erewane Enterprises Ltd, and promised to remit the money after sales.

    The prosecutor told the court that the accused knew that the promise was false.

    Read Here: Malabu Oil scam: Court adjourns case until April 23

    He said the accused also fraudulently forged Erewane Enterprises Ltd Local Purchase Order (LPO) with intent that it should be acted upon as genuine.

    Adayomi said the accused also collected 10, 000 litres of diesel worth N1.8 million from Adewunmi Oil and Gas Ltd and failed to remit the money.

    “The accused failed to refund the total sum of N12.8 million he obtained from the two companies,’’ he said.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 315, 365 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, where Sections 315 stipulates a 15-year jail term for offenders.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    Komolafe said the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until March 27 for mention.

  • Malabu Oil scam: Court adjourns case until April 23

    Malabu Oil scam: Court adjourns case until April 23

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned all three suit relating to the alleged Malabu Oil I.1 million US dollars until April 23.

    In one of the suits, the prosecution had filed an oral application seeking a leave to file a written motion to withdraw charges against some of the defendants.

    In the other second leg of the suit, four out of the 10 defendants had filed notices of preliminary objections on the charges leveled against them.

    The judge, Justice John Tsoho, who eventually consolidated the motions, held that the court required quality time to peruse through the issues raised in order to deliver a water tight ruling on them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that hearing of the third leg of the suit, with five defendants, was also stalled due to absence of some of the parties.

    The judge, however, ordered the prosecution to again serve the defendants, who were not in court, with the fresh hearing notice.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 3, 2017, filed a three-count charge against two multinational oil firms, Shell and ENI, for their roles in the alleged Malabu Oil scam.

    The EFCC also in December, 2017 filed related charges against two former Nigerian ministers, Mohammed Adoke, and Dan Etete, and others, after concluding investigations on the 2011 controversial‎ sale of OPL 245.

    The alleged fraud committed by the ex-Nigerian officials and officials of the oil firms, has also led to investigations and charges in Italy.

    The EFCC had also secured a court order, ensuring the return of the OPL 245 to the Nigerian government, pending the determination of the court cases against the defendants.

    NAN recalls that all the defendants had denied any wrong doing.

    NAN

  • Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi’s wife got over N100m, says witness

    Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi’s wife got over N100m, says witness

    The trial of businessman Raymond Dokpesi resumed before a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday with a prosecution witness, Abubakar Madaki, disclosing that the media mogul’s wife, Oluwatosin, received over N100 million from the N2.1 billion allegedly paid to DAAR Investment Company by the office of National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Madaki, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said investigation did not reveal the existence of any contract between Dokpesi’s company and the office of the NSA to have warranted the payment of N2.1 billion to the defendants.

    Dokpesi and DAAR Investment are being tried before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja by the EFCC for allegedly receiving the money from the office of the NSA for an unknown contract.

    Madaki, who was led in evidence by Oluwaleke Atolagbe yesterday, told the trial court that “there was no contract and no reason for the payments”.

    The witness gave details of how Dokpesi allegedly disposed the money paid by the office of the NSA.

    He said the EFCC traced part of the fund from DAAR Investment’s account to the Presidential Debate Group.

    The witness said Dokpesi, who allegedly transferred the fund, claimed it was his contribution to the Presidential Debate Group.

    The payment was captured in a letter by Abuja Investment Company, which the court later admitted in evidnce.

    The witness also named Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa as one of the beneficiaries of the fund. He said Jijiwa confirmed in his statement to investigators that the N100 million was given to him from the fund as a soft loan

    The witness said the first defendant allegedly claimed that Jijiwa was paid as a resource person.

    Madaki said one Timawus Martins was paid N20 million, as a resource person and Matthias, a staff of AIT Yola office received N8.1 million as payment for political jingles.

    The witness also told the court that Mathias, who was in charge of Yola office of AIT, received N4.5 million as compensation for his vehicle that had an accident.

    He added: “The sum of N4.3 million and N2.3 million was used for extension of electricity installation for AIT office in Yola and another N1.3 million for borehole in AIT office in Yola.”

    Madaki also named Mrs. Oluwatosin Dokpesi, who he said got over N100m and “other various sums”.

    He also told the court that two personal assistants to the first defendant (Dokpesi), Gabriel Agoyin and Godfrey Usifoh, received N40 million and N30 million.

    Madaki said, while investigating Dokpesi’s claim that the funds were for media activities, the EFCC wrote the media organisations he listed.

    He said the EFCC obtained responses from  Silverbird, Punch newspaper,  Guardian newspapers, Kiss FM, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Capital FM, Leadership newspapers, Abuja Broadcasting, Media Trust and Nigerian Pilot Newspapers.

    The court later admitted the letters from the media houses as exhibits.

    Madaki said when the EFCC wrote the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ascertain if there was a contract for which the money was paid, BPP responded that there was no contract and no reason for the payments.

    The witness, who concluded his evidence-in-chief yesterday, will be cross-examined by the defence when proceedings resumes in the case on March 9.

     

  • EFCC charges Goje, others with N5b fraud

    EFCC charges Goje, others with N5b fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an amended N5 billion fraud charge against former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje at a Federal High Court in Gombe.

    He is charged along with Alhaji Aliyu U. El-Nafaty, S. M. Dokoro Gombe (aka S.M Dokoro) and Alhaji Sabo Mohammed Tumu.

    The defendants are yet to be arraigned.

    The charge was filed by EFCC counsel Mr Wahab Shittu.

    EFCC said Goje, between September and November 2010, allegedly forged a document, titled: Resolution authorising His Excellency the Executive Governor of Gombe State to acquire loan of N5,000,000,000.00 only, with reference number GM/HA/RES/Vol. 1/17.

    The commission said the resolution was purportedly signed by the Clerk of Gombe State House of Assembly, Shehu Mohammed Atik.

    It added that the resolution arose from the Assembly’s proceedings.

    The prosecuting counsel averred that the information was false.

    He said the intent was for the forged document to be used or acted upon as genuine by Access Bank Plc.

    EFCC said the bank acted on the resolution in the belief that it was genuine and approved a N5 billion facility to the state for infrastructural projects.

    The anti-graft agency said Goje, between November 2, 2010 and February 24, 2011, transferred the N5 billion “allocated strictly for infrastructural projects to other purposes unconnected with infrastructural projects”.

    It said the money was allegedly transferred to several individuals and corporate bank accounts, as reflected in Gombe State government’s Account Numbers 0003273131 and 0003273227 with Access Bank Plc.

    EFCC said they were acts of illegality, aimed at concealing the illicit origin of the money with a view to evading the illegal consequences of Goje’s action.

    The offence, the agency said, contradicts Section 14 (1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and punishable under Section 14.

    EFCC said the former governor transferred the money “without appropriation”, the sum “being facility obtained from Access Bank Plc for infrastructural projects, being an illegal act, concealing the illicit origin with a view to evading the illegal consequences of your action thereof”.

    In the 20-count charge, the agency accused Goje of transferring N21,874,260.62 to his cousin, Tumu, “for the supply of food items to Gombe State Government House”.

    It said the former governor “reasonably ought to know that the contract for the food supplies awarded to Alhaji Sabo Mohammed Tumu was not the outcome of any competitive bidding process in accordance with the Due Process Guidelines contained in the due process circular with reference number GO/CS/S/MEM/VII/358, dated February 25, 2008 (and) adopted by your administration”.

    Tumu was accused of laundering the sum in the name of supplying food items to Gombe State Government House when he knew or reasonably ought to know that the contract was not the outcome of any competitive bidding process.

    Dokoro was accused of transferring, without reasonable excuse, 50 units of Toyota Hiace buses owned by Gombe State government valued at N242,500,000 to government functionaries rather than by public auction.

    EFCC said it was at a “gross undervalue of N22 million as a reward with intent to confer undue advantage on the public officials from bidding at a public auction”.

    Goje and El-Nafaty were accused of mismanaging N1.6 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) funds earmarked for a contract to Real Integrated and Hospitality Limited for the supply of 1.4 million dictionaries to primary and junior secondary schools.

    The amended charge, Shittu said, had been filed and served on the accused persons.

    According to him, plea is likely to be taken on the next adjourned date: April 10 and 11.

  • Alleged N11b fraud: I’m ready for trial, says Shema

    Alleged N11b fraud: I’m ready for trial, says Shema

    Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has said he is ready to face trial for the corruption charges brought against him, and three others, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Shema, while reacting to the Supreme Court’s January 26 judgment, prayed for an open and fair trial.

    The court held that the 22-count charge, and documents filed with it as evidence, were dully filed and competent within the requirement under Section 36(6) (a) and (b) of the Constitution.

    It also said the EFCC was empowered under the law to prosecute Shema and others at the state High Court, and under the state’s law, as long as it relates to economic and financial crimes.

    Other defendants are Sani Hamisu Makana (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars); Lawal Ahmad Safana (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs I; and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba (Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Shema, in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Olawale Oluwabusola, said since the apex court agreed that the prosecution must provide him with all necessary materials for his defence, he was sure he would be exonerated.

    The statement reads: “Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema received the Supreme Court’s judgment as a welcome development, with the decision of the court affirming his right to be provided with the statement of claims, bank statements, documents and list of witnesses relevant to the charges against him.

    “Shema has never been opposed to fair trial; his grouse has been against what was playing out in the allegations and trial by ambush. Now that the highest court has spoken, he expects the EFCC and the Katsina State government to comply with, and provide necessary documents to prepare his defence, as provided by the Constitution.

    “The former governor is ready to defend himself, and prove his innocence, on universal principles of rule of law and fair hearing against the politically-motivated smear campaign of calumny orchestrated by the Katsina State government.”

    The EFCC, upon a petition from the Katsina State government, investigated allegations of diversion of N11 billion against Shema and three others.

    The commission filed a 22-count charge against them before the state High Court last year.

    They were charged, among others, with conspiracy, money laundering, corruption criminal breach of trust, aiding and abetting. They were accused of diverting Local Governments’ funds.

     

  • N20b UBEC ‘fraud’: EFCC seizes 5 houses from contractor

    N20b UBEC ‘fraud’: EFCC seizes 5 houses from contractor

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized five houses from a contractor Prof. Adenekan Iyiola Adesanya for allegedly diverting about N8billion out of over N20billion spent by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for the supply of textbooks, science and technical equipment to schools.

    The N8billion was meant for the purchase of science, technical and laboratory equipment to 104 Unity Schools.

    The suspect, who is also the Managing Director of Macmillan, was alleged to have paid out N5billion to some individuals and used part of the balance to buy some properties.

    The sealed properties include a duplex at 3A Prince Adesanya, Parkview Estate in Ikoyi; another duplex at Plot 10, Segun Olusemo Crescent, Parkview Ikoyi;  and three others in Block B 1-6 Erinko Residential and Industrial Estate, Ijoko in Ogun State housing five firms.

    Also, eight firms linked with Adenekan are under probe with their accounts frozen in line with the ongoing investigation.

    The eight companies traced to the suspect are Aristocrat Specialities Limited; Bromley Technology Limited;  Bromley Laboratory Equipment Limited; Calendar Investment Limited; Adeyinka Ventures Limited; Taisol Global Limited; L’enfant Enterprises Limited and Melrose Publishing Company Limited.

    A top source said : “The EFCC received a petition bordering on alleged reckless award of contracts in UBEC to launder public funds , diversion of contract sums, non-execution of contracts and misappropriation of funds. The petitioner alleged that about N100billion was involved but our detectives have so far traced about N20billion of the funds disbursed.

    “We have confirmed that about N8billion worth of contracts(out of the preliminary N20billion being looked into) for the supply of science and technical equipment to 104 Unity Schools(mainly Federal Government Colleges) were not properly executed.

    “Most of the contracts awarded to at least seven of these eight companies did not go through the bidding process. There was no evidence of due process.

    “In the course of our investigation, we invited the principals of the 104 schools and their store officers to give account of the total quantity of the items supplied. Some schools received about 30% of their equipment, some got 40% and some 50%.

    “About three to four schools in the North-East, particularly those sited in Boko Haram insurgency axis, did not receive any science and technical equipment.

    “When we discovered that these equipment were not supplied, EFCC investigators decided to track the money paid by UBEC.  The detectives discovered that about N5billion was paid out to some individuals with a strong suspicion that it might have been diverted and used for 2015 general election.

    “The suspect allegedly used substantial part of over N3billion  balance to buy and build these properties. We have sealed off the affected buildings. Also, the accounts of the eight firms have been frozen.”

    The source added: “When we interrogated the contractor, he simply said he was paid for “services rendered.” He also said he sublet the contracts but he was not able to prove to our team the beneficiaries.”

    The anti-graft commission had already quizzed  a former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mallam Suleiman Dikko and seized his passport.

    Also grilled were top directors of UBEC including those in charge of Finance and Procurement.

  • Belgore: I have no case to answer in ‘N450m fraud’

    Belgore: I have no case to answer in ‘N450m fraud’

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Dele Belgore, has filed a no-case submission to a N650 million money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Belgore’s co-defendant, former National Planning Minister Prof Abubakar Suleiman also filed a similar application before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    In effect, they intend not to call any witnesses to defend themselves because they believe the prosecution did not present a strong case against them

    Both men urged Justice Aikawa to discharge and let them go.

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge. EFCC said she is “at large”.

    The defendants were accused of collecting a cash sum of N450m from Mrs Alison-Madueke in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

    After calling two witnesses and tendering a number of exhibits, the EFCC closed its case against the defendants last November 28, leaving the floor for them to open their defence.

    Oyedepo said the anti-graft agency believed it had already established its allegations against Belgore and his co-defendant.

    At the resumed proceedings yesterday, defence counsel, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), told the court that they had filed no-case submissions on behalf of their clients.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa adjourned till February 15, 2018 to hear the defendants.

    The duo was first arraigned on five counts on February 8, 2017 before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The EFCC subsequently amended the charges on two occasions.

    In the nine-count amended charge, EFCC accused Mrs Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Suleiman of making cash payment of N10million to a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The commission said they also paid N10million to a Commissioner of Police Garba Saliu.

    EFCC also alleged that the defendants “directly took possession of the sum N450million.”

    They were accused of handling the sum without going through any financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

    They were also accused of paying N50m cash to one Sheriff Shagaya; N61,656,000 cash to one Isa Biu and N87,962,000 to the duo of Sola Adeoti and Hajiya Farida Dankaka.

  • Ex-minister, senator charged with ‘N650m fraud’

    Ex-minister, senator charged with ‘N650m fraud’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), yesterday re-arraigned former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly laundering N650million.

    Akinjide was charged alongside Senator Ayo Adeseun, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Chief Olanrewaju Otiti and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was said to be at large.

    The defendants are standing trial on a 24-count charge before Justice Muslim Hassan.

    They were accused of conspiring to obtain the 650m from Mrs Alison-Madueke, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

    According to the EFCC, they reasonably ought to have known “that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.”

    At yesterday’s proceeding, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the agency had an amended 24-count charge and urged the court to admit same as their charge in the suit.

    He said Akinjide, Adeseun and Otiti acted contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012.

    The amended charge was not opposed by the defence team, following which Justice Hassan ordered the registrar to take the plea of the defendants.

    Trial commences on February 5, 6, 13 and 14.

  • N50m fraud: Fraudster clones Ambode’s phone line

    N50m fraud: Fraudster clones Ambode’s phone line

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday commenced trial of two suspects arraigned for allegedly attempting to defraud the State Government of N50m by cloning the official line of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The suspects – Rilwanu Jamiu and Balogun Oyewole were arraigned before Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya of the Lagos High Court in Igbosere on three-count charge bordering on the alleged crime.

    Specifically, they are standing trial for alleged possession of fraudulent document, impersonation and attempt to commit felony.

    While testifying before the court, the State’s Accountant General, Mrs Abimbola Shukurat Umar revealed how she received a text message from the suspects on February 10, 2016, purportedly from Governor Ambode, directing her to transfer the sum of N50m to a designated Keystone Bank account.

    Umar, who was led in evidence by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adenijii Kazeem, said she found the message suspicious and highly irregular of the official accounting protocol.

    She said the text prompted her to bring the message to the attention of the Governor, who, after distancing himself from the message, ordered the immediate investigation of the matter.

    The investigation, which was conducted by the Department of State Security (DSS), led to the eventual arrest of the defendants, who were subsequently charged before the court.

    The prosecution also called Mr Wale Odu, Director of DSS, Lagos State Command, to give evidence in the matter.

    In his testimony, Odu confirmed that the investigation leading to the arrest of the defendants was conducted by his team.

    According to him, investigation revealed that the second defendant (Oyewole) is one of the directors and shareholders of a firm, Clayder Limited to whose Keystone Bank account, the N50m fraud money would have been paid.

    The matter was later adjourned to February 14, 2018 for continuation of the trial, while the defendants were to continue to be remanded at the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison.

  • Businessman charged with N2m fraud

    Businessman charged with N2m fraud

    A 43-year-old businessman, Kamal Ajas, was yesterday arraigned at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly defrauding a man of N2 million.

    Ajas, of Apo Resettlement, Abuja, was arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    The Prosecutor, Otu Urom, told the court that Sule Musa, of Asokoro, petitioned the Area Command, Maitama, Abuja, on November 28.

    He said the defendant collected N2 million from the complainant with the pretence of securing a contract for him in the Ministry of Health.

    The prosecutor said the complainant demanded his money when he did not get the contract.

    Urom said the defendant issued the complainant a N2 million dud cheque, adding, however, that N1.2 million was later recovered from him.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Senior Magistrate Musa Jobbo granted him N500,000 bail with a surety, who must live within the court’s jurisdiction.

    He adjourned the case till Februay 6.