The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adebiyi Daramola and Bursar Ayodeji Oresegun at the Ondo State High Court in Akure for alleged N156.9million fraud.
Daramola and Oresegun were invited in October by the anti-graft agency, following a petition by non-teaching staff.
The embattled VC was arraigned on a nine-count charge and the bursar on a two count charges.
Daramola was alleged to have obtained N17.3million for accommodation allowances from 2012 till last year whereas he was living in government quarters.
The VC was accused of collecting N15.4million for biennial family vacation overseas for 2013 and 2014.
Daramola and Oresegunpleaded not guilty.
The VC’s counsel, Adebayo Adenipekun, asked the court to give his client bail, saying he has been on administrative bail and has not breached any of the conditions.
Ibukun Fasanmi, who represents the second accused, aligned with the submission.
EFCC lawyer Ben Ubi objected, saying the defendants failed to place material facts before the court.
Justice Ademola Bola granted bail at N10million each.
He ordered them detained at the State Investigation Bureau (SIB) in Akure, pending when they meet their bail conditions.
There was drama at the court’s main entrance as hundreds of workers clashed with students, who were in court to solidarise with the VC.
Security operatives intervened and normalcy was restored.
Tag: fraud
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FUTA VC, bursar arraigned for alleged N156.9m fraud
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Alleged N1.64b fraud: Court insists Nyame must enter defence
•No-case submission dismissed
Ex-Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame yesterday suffered defeat in his trial for fraud.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gudu, Abuja, dismissed his no-case submission and ordered him to enter his defence.
Nyame is being tried on a 41-count charge for allegedly misappropriating N1.64billion belonging to Taraba State. On November 22 last year, the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), announced the closure of the prosecution’s case after calling 14 witnesses.
Rather than call witnesses, Nyame, represented by Charles Edosomwan (SAN), made a no-case submission, arguing among others, that the prosecution failed in linking him with committing the offences alleged.
He urged the court to hold that the testimony of prosecution witnesses had been damaged and could not be relied on, adding that crucial elements were missing.
Nyame asked that the court dismiss the charge, discharge and acquit him on the strength of the alleged inability of the prosecution to prove its case.
Justice Bukola Banjoko dismissed Nyame’s no-case submission on the ground that the prosecution established a prima facie case against him, requiring the defendant to be called upon to enter his defence.
The judge said a prima facie case implies a ground for proceeding.
She added that it did not require proof beyond every reasonable doubt, as is required to find a defendant guilty or not.
Justice Banjoko said in determining whether a prima facie case is made, the court is required to determine whether the prosecution has made some case requiring clarification from the defendant, no matter how slight.
“In relation to this court, having had a close look at the evidence and exhibits, I hold that this case requires him to provide information and give explanation with regards to evidence presented by the prosecution. So he is ordered to enter into his defence in the interest of justice,” she said.
The judge adjourned till March 8 for Nyame to open his defence. -
Niger Assembly suspends LG chairman for embezzling N23.7m
Niger state House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Katcha local government area, Alhaji Mohammed Dogo for embezzling over N23.7 million meant for teachers cooperative deduction and staff salaries.
Allegations against Dogo include abuse of office, fraud and mismanagement of public fund.
The suspension was based on the findings of financial misappropriation by the House Committee of Local government during its oversight functions to local government councils of the state.
The Chairman of the Committee of local government, Honorable Abdulmalik Muhammad Kabir said that investigations revealed that Dogo had directed the Education department to release N20.7 million believed to be teachers’ salaries for personal use.
He added that the Chairman also directed the Director of Finance to release N6.5 million to him but N3 million was deducted adding that there was evidence that the Chairman affirmed to have received the money.
“The letter presented to the Committee signed by the Chairman and accompanied with photocopies of Cheques in the name of Alhaji Baba Wusa and Ladan Audu who confessed before the Committee that they have cashed these cheques and gave the money to the Chairman.
“The Director of Finance and Supply and Director of Administration in Katcha local government have testified before the committee and in the presence of the Council Chairman to have offered their Financial and administrative advice but the Chairman insisted and went ahead to use the funds in question.
“The Committee recommends that Katcha local government Chairman be suspended and a Committee be set up to investigate the matter. On the issue of Katcha local government Chairman and from available records and documents, the action of the Chairman is an outright abuse of office, gross misconduct and maladministration. The committee considers this as an act of sheer wickedness meted on the teachers who were denied their legitimate rights.”
The Niger state House of Assembly have also called on the state government to ensure that the sum of N23.7 million meant for NUT Cooperative Katcha local government branch is refunded by the Chairman.
The House Committee on local government has also directed that all monies belonging to NUT Cooperatives and teachers in Paikoro and katcha local government with the state Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs be released.
“The Ministry for local government and chieftaincy affairs is holding N16.6 million belonging to teachers in paikoro local government while the sum of N20.7 belonging to teachers is being held in Katcha by the Ministry.”
The Committee further lamented that most of the local government councils in the state are violating several sections of the local government law.
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Civil servant faces N2.5m fraud charge in Lagos
A civil servant, Ogunlolu Kolawole, who allegedly defrauded Adeoso Ademola of N2.5 million, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Kolawole, 45, who resides at No. 22, Salvation Ave., Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Peter Nwangwu, told the court that the accused committed the offences in Dec. 2015 in Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Nwangwu said that the accused collected the money from the complainant under the pretext of helping him to purchase a Honda 2009 model car from Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
“The accused failed to purchase the car, and instead converted the money to his personal use,’’ he said.
Nwangwu alleged that the accused refused to pick his calls, until he was trailed and apprehended by the police.
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term for offender if found guilty.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs Y.O Aje-Afumwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N700, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Aje-Afumwa adjourned the case to March 15 for mention.
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Alleged N2.2b fraud: AGF withdraws charges against Supreme Court’s officials
Prosecution to call registrar as witness in Justice Ngwuta’s trial
Facts emerged late yesterday why the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) withdrew the charge against Supreme Court’s Chief Registrar, Ahmed Gambo Saleh and two others.
An official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Hajara Yusuf announced the state’s decision to withdraw the charge against Saleh and others yesterday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja.
Mrs. Yusuf was silent on the reason behind the sudden change of mind on the part of the prosecution.
But, investigation by The Nation revealed that the state’s decision to discontinue against Saleh was because it has planned to feature him in the trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court.
Justice Ngwuta is being tried before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on sundry charges including money laundering.
It was learnt that Saleh is billed to attend court on Thursday to testify as the prosecution witness when trial resumes in Justice Ngwuta’s case.
The Nation sighted a copy of an invitation to Saleh, informing him of the role he is billed to play in the case on Thursday.
The document, titled: “Subpoena ad testificandum/and duces tecum,” is dated January 23, 2017.
The office of AGF had on November 3 last year filed the nine-count charge marked: CR/13/2016 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing Saleh and others of diverting N2.2b public funds and receiving gratification.
Named with Saleh in the charge are Mahmud AbdurRahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal, who are official in the Supreme Court’s Account Department.The office of the Attorney General of the Federation yesterday withdrew the N2.2b fraud charges brought against the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Ahmed Gambo Saleh and two other officials of the court.
The AGF had on November 3 last year filed nine-count charge marked: CR/13/2016 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing the defendants of diverting N2.2b public funds and receiving gratification.
Named with Saleh in the charge are Mahmud AbdurRahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal, who are official in the Supreme Court’s Account Department.
The prosecution had, before yesterday, tried without success to arraign the defendants. On every occasion, one of the defendants was always absent.
But, when the case was called yesterday, all the defendants were present. Prosecution lawyer, Hajara Yusuf, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, however informed the court that she was instructed to withdraw the charge brought against the three defendants.
Mrs. Yusuf was however silent on the reason behind the state’s decision to withdraw the charge.
The defence team, comprising Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), Tetengi Garba (SAN) and Sanusi A. O. (SAN) did not object to the prosecution’s decision to withdraw its charge.
Ruling, Justice Abba-Bello Mohammed granted the prosecution’s application and struck out the charge.
The defendants were, in the charge, accused of diverting N2.2b belonging to the Supreme Court into their UBA account with number 2027642863 between 2009 and 2016 contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Act and punishable under Section 97 Cap 532 of the Code.
They were also alleged to have collected gratification to the tune of N10million from Willysdave Limited, a contractor with the Supreme Court, between 2009 and 2016 contrary to Section 10 (a) (i) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same section.
The three defendants were equally accused of obtaining gratification from Welcon Nigeria Limited to the tune of N6m and another N2.4m from the same contractor between 2009 and 2016.
They were alleged to have, on January 9, 2015, obtained a bribe of N16m from Dean Musa Nigeria Limited, a contractor to the Supreme Court.
Saleh, Sharif and Lawal were said to receive N19m from Ababia Ventures, a contractor to Supreme Court and another N21m gratification from MBR Computers Limited between 2009 and 2016. -
Man charged with impersonating pharmacist, N3m theft
A 32-year-old man, Gegele Ibrahim, who allegedly impersonated a pharmacist and obtained N3.1 million for the supply of pharmaceutical products to a customer, was on Friday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Ibrahim, whose address was not given, is facing an eight-count charge bordering on stealing, fraud, impersonation and forgery.
According to Police Prosecutor Igonbo Emby, the accused committed the offences between May 2014 and August 2016 in Ikorodu and Ejigbo areas of Lagos State.
He said the accused presented himself as a pharmacist and collected N3. 1 million from the complainant, Mr Aregbesola Olubusayo, to supply him some pharmaceutical products.
Emby alleged that the accused also forged two documents purported to be his degree certificates he acquired as a pharmacist which he presented to the complainant.
“The accused forged a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree certificates which he purportedly acquired from two Nigerian universities.
“The certificates were presented by the accused so that the certificates would be acted upon as genuine.”
Emby said the accused issued two different bank cheques in the name of the complainant to the tune of N1.2 million which were dishonoured on presentation because of insufficient funds in the account.
The offences contravened Sections 285 (1), 312 (1), 313, 363 (1), and 382 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Ruling on the accused’s bail application, the Magistrate, Mr W. B. Balogun, granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
He said that the sureties must possess a landed property in Lagos State and provide evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned to Feb. 28 for mention.
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EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi for alleged N8.5b fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Friday re-arraigned former Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe for alleged N8.5billion fraud.
Atewe was charged along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi.
The prosecution, which also named Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuga in the charge, said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel, who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.
The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud NIMASA of N8.5billion using six companies – Jagan Limited, Jagan Trading Company Limited, Jagan Global Services Limited, Al-Nald Limited, Paper Warehouse Limited, Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-Newlink Integrated Services Limited.
They pleaded not guilty.
Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, from Lagos to the Port Harcourt division.
The accused were re-arraigned before a new judge, Justice A.O Faji, and their pleas taken afresh.
After their re-arraignment, defence counsel prayed the court to allow the defendants continue on the earlier bail granted by the previous judge.
Atewe, Engozu and Otuaga were each granted N100million bail each with two sureties in like sum by Justice Saidu.
One of the sureties, the judge said, must be a relative and must own a landed property within Ikoyi, Lekki or Victoria Island.
The other surety must be a civil servant not below a Deputy Director in either the state or Federal Civil Service.
He ordered all the defendants to deposit their International Passport with the court’s Chief Registrar until trial is concluded.
Justice Faji upheld the bail conditions.
One of the counts reads in part: “That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N8,537,586,798.58, property of NIMASA and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Justice Faji adjourned till February 13 and 17 for trial.
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Ugo-Ngali jailed 10 years for oil subsidy fraud
Mrs Ada Ugo-Ngali, the Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, was on Thursday sent to jail for 10 years for defrauding the Federal Government of N754 million in oil subsidy transactions.
Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court handed down the verdict, the first conviction since the massive oil subsidy fraud trial allegedly perpetuated by oil marketers began in 2012.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Walter Wagbatsoma, Ugo-Ngadi’s co-defendant and the Chairman of Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, was absent in court for the judgment.
He is currently being held in the United Kingdom on charges relating to a £12 million National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Trust fraud.
Okunnu, in her judgment, sentenced Wagbatsoma and Ugo-Ngadi to a minimum of 10 years imprisonment for the six– count charge proffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“For each of the counts of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, the defendants are sentenced to 10 years in prison.
“For each of the counts of obtaining money by false pretences, the defendants are sentenced 10 years in prison.
“For the count of conspiracy to commit forgery, the defendants are sentenced to seven years in prison, for the offence of forgery, the defendants are sentenced to eight years in prison,” she said.
The judge noted that the total sentences passed were 69 years for each of the defendants, but that the sentences would run concurrently.
On Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, Okunnu said:“I hereby give an order of restitution to Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd.
“The N754 million which was defrauded by the company should be returned to the Federal Government.”
After the sentence was pronounced,counsel to Ugo-Ngadi, Mr Y.A. Kadiri, made an attempt to complain to Justice Okunnu about the treatment given his client by the EFCC.
“For the record, the conduct of the prosecution has been unethical.
“The second defendant has been in hospital though her situation had improved slightly, the prosecution mounted tremendous pressure on the hospital management to discharge her,” he said.
Okunnu, however, refused to listen to the complaint of the defence.
“I am now `functus officio’, if you have any complaint of ethical conduct, go to the appropriate authorities,” she ruled.
NAN also reports that Ugo-Ngadi, who was on a wheelchair while the sentence was read, remained stoic and expressionless.
She had earlier on Jan. 13 slumped in the dock when the sentence was about to be passed by Okunnu and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Her family and well-wishers had escorted her to the court from the hospital.
As soon as the court rose, a white Kirikiri Female Prison van drove into the court’s premises and immediately conveyed her to the facility to serve her term.
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N2.5b fraud claims: UNILORIN VC denies allegation
Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali has, for the first time, reacted to the corruption allegations levelled against him and his predecessor, Prof Ishaq Oloyede by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Ambali described the allegations of N2.5 billion fraud against him and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar as attempt to embarrass them and the university.
ASUU Southwest Zone had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the duo of N2.5 billion pension scam and other allegations.
Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the professor of Vet Medicine, said: “All they wrote were cooked up because on the issue of PenCom. It has been trashed by the person concerned. He has given details of what happened and when the amount was increased from N7.5 million to N8 million based on the circular we got we increased and members were adequately briefed.
“On the issue of PC tablets we have started distributing them a couple of days ago and that will continue. And they talked about N2.5 billion. Where will I get such amount? It all sounds very funny to me and they are just out to embarras our persons and UNILORIN. They have tried to penetrate the university without success.”
He continued: “Nobody will know your house more than yourself. For somebody to be levelling allegations by proxy appears very unusual to me. But most importantly, when I read the whole thing, it was just like somebody sitting down to cook up lies against another personality.
“These people have tried several times to invade UNILORIN. For of us, they came trying to convince everybody that they wanted to carry the university along. They wanted to have UNILORIN in their fold and I created the environment for them to interact with the stakeholders in the university. That was about three years ago. The stakeholders include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (UNILORIN) branch on ground, the elders of the university and other stakeholders.
“Unfortunately, that attempt didn’t see the light of the day, probably because of their approach, but I did what I had to do to introduce them to the stakeholders.
“Then the national ASUU advised the remaining UNILORIN sacked but reinstated 49 to go on membership drive as they are in the minority.’’
Ambali said the ASUU planned to hold their zonal convention and but that he advised them to discuss with the collaegues on the campus in view of its security implication.
He continued: “If minority is coming to hold a convention within a majority that is ready to welcome them, there was going to be confusion. I, then, said that the time we were then was not ripe for them to come and hold that kind of meeting on our campus.
“Probably, they were not happy with that advice. Their next step was to mobilise all the ASUU members within the zone to force themselves on campus even when the session was on. When I heard this, I said that would cause chaos within the campus. That was when that attempt was resisted.
“They also made several contacts with several people that could force me to open up the gate and allow them, but I told the people the situation on ground then. They didn’t like that.
“The next thing was for them to meet and embarrass by writing petition against us. They know that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is zero tolerant to corruption.
“When you look at the school in relations with what we have been doing in the last four years, even a blind man will know that the institution has changed positively and the promise I made, which I still adhere to, is that I want to leave the university better than I inherited it.”
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Kano suspends director, nine others over fraud
The Kano state government has suspended a Director in the ministry of Finance and 9 staff of the Ministry of Local government over alleged diversion of millions of Naira meant for payment of salaries.
This is contained in a statement signed by the state Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya and made available to newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.
The statement further revealed that the nine local government employees were scheduled officers under the platform of REMITA.
According to the report, the government has handed over four employees of the Kano State Pension Funds Trustee, including two top members of Kano Pension Union to police authorities for investigation. .
The four persons, whose case files had been handed over to the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation, were accused of connivance to siphon public funds.
Further more, the statement expressed the state Governor ‘s concern over the salary scam, warning that “any violation of due prcess, contravening the government’s quest against corruption would not go unpunished.”
It added that the state government would deploy the necessary machinery to recover all the diverted funds.(NAN)