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Tag: fraud

  • Alleged fraud: I’m not on the run, says Duru

    Alleged fraud: I’m not on the run, says Duru

    First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL) founder, Nze Chidi Duru, has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged persecution by the National Pensions Commission (PenCom) and some FGPL shareholders, who he accused of sponsoring reports that he was on the run from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The reports claimed EFCC invited Duru, Chief O.O Ojo, and a South African, Mr. Derrick Roper, who represents Novare Holding Limited, over alleged diversion of millions of naira belonging FGPL, a licensed pension administrator.

    Duru, in a statement, said the report was the “same old falsehood against me which was quashed by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court Abuja on August 11, 2011 and June 18, 2012. It is a continuous attempt to obscure issues.”

    He also denied being invited by the EFCC.

    He said it was not possible that he shortchanged some of the shareholders by withholding money given to him to buy the company’s shares.

    His explained: “Before the First Guarantee Pension, we operated under three names. Initially, we were First Provident Trust Limited, but that name was rejected by PenCom. We now changed the name to First Pension, which again was rejected before we finally changed the name to First Guarantee Pension which was now approved.

    “Each and every investor, shareholder in First Guarantee Pension, issued his cheque or instrument to either of these three names. At the beginning it was First Provident Trust, then First Pension and finally First Guarantee Pension. None of these investors and shareholders invested in any other platform other than these three. It was this instrument that was now used as a proof of evidence to National Pension Commission of the investment that was done by each and every shareholder.

    “It could not have happened that any shareholder or investor in First Guarantee Pension would have either given money to me or to any other person to invest in FGPL because the guidelines that were enunciated by the PenCom is that every investment must be made in the name of the proposed PFA on the basis of which they now issued what they called approval in principle for you to now become a PFA.

    “After the AIP, we were now given a final license when we presented the final instrument that each and every shareholder invested. When other PFA’s were raising N150 million, FGPL in the first tranche raised N235 million and then raised another N500 million and later to well over N800 million. All those investments were done in either of the three names I told you.”

    Duru said one of the charges brought before the magistrate court in Abuja was the forgery of the signature of Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam in the shareholders agreement to admit the investment of partners from South Africa into First Guarantee Pension Limited.

    “For me that was surprising because, first, I am not the management, second I have no role to play in it,” he said.

    Accusing PenCom of bad faith, Duru said Justice Okorowo had dismissed the same charges and upbraided PenCom for acting above the law and ordering that the interim management set up by the regulatory agency be removed.

    Duru said he could not have been on the run when he dutifully attends the court personally to answer to the fresh charges preferred against him in a Lagos High Court by the EFCC.

    He described the arrest of his sister, Mrs. Chinyere Christy Ekweonu, who stood surety for him in 2012, as an act of impunity.

     

  • Police charge bank, staff with fraud, forgery

    Police charge bank, staff with fraud, forgery

    The police have filed a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and fraud against two female employees of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tammy Adoki and Augustina Ezenwenkwe.

    Also named in the charge before Justice Mohammed Idris are an oil company, Maters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, UBA, Uche Ogah, Deji Somoye, Felix Eribo, Onu Ogbonnaya, and Sheidu Olayinka.

    The bank was accused of negligence and failing to apply its internal control procedures in the opening of an account in the name of one Mut-Hass Petroleum, which the police alleged was fraudulent.

    The police said the bank allowed the account to be opened sometime in 2011 at one of its regional offices in Lagos in breach of the provisions of the Bank and other Financial Institutions Act 2004.

    According to the police, the bank was liable to being punished under Section 7(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act 2006.

    Its officials, Adoki (36) and Ezenwenkwe (39), said to be at large, were accused of “facilitating, contributing or otherwise being involved in the failure of your bank to exercise due diligence.”

    The alleged offence, the police said, is punishable under Section 7(3)(b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act 2006.

    The defendants and some other persons still at large were accused of forging the signatures of one Mrs. Bridget Adeosun and Hassan Olatunji, with the intent that same might be acted upon as if they were genuine.

    They were also accused of forging a document titled, “Ordinary Resolution of Mut-Hass Petroleum Limited,” which the police claimed was contrary to Section 465 of Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 467 of the same law.

    They were said to have committed the alleged offence in Ikeja GRA, Lagos sometime in August 2011.

    Prosecuting counsel Mr. Henry Obiazi yesterday said his men were still making efforts to bring the suspects to court.

    Justice Idris adjourned till June 2 for arraignment.

     

  • Engineer arraigned for N11.2m fraud

    The Special Fraud Unit, Force CID, Ikoyi Lagos, Thursday arraigned an engineer, Shakirudeen Ajao, for allegedly stealing N11, 200,000.

    Ajao, 50, allegedly won a contract in September 2014, to construct a bridge at Ogombo in Ajah, Lagos and paid N14, 200,000 as part of the contract sum.

    He was accused of stealing N11m of the sum and an extra sum of N200, 000.

    The defendant, a resident of 30, Muri Folami Street, Ogudu, Ojota, elected summary trial before Chief Magistrate Mrs. A. O. Sholadoye.

    Prosecuting Police Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji told the court that on September 29, 2014, at Lagos Island, Ajao stole N11.2m property of one Oloyi Olatunbosun of Prissabol Nigeria Ltd.

    The defendant denied the one-count charge and confirmed to the court that he was an engineer.
    Magistrate Sholadoye granted him bail of N1 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a registered engineer with the Association of Civil Engineers, while the other must be a level 14 civil servant.

    The case was adjourned till June 17, for mention.

     

  • Man bags two years for N6m fraud

    A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos yesterday convicted a businessman, Ifeanyi Ebo for defrauding his business associate of N6 million.

    Chief Magistrate O. O. Fowowe-Erusiafe sentenced Ebo to two years in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos, but with the option of returning the N6 million to the complainant, Chidi Chukwuonye, and undergoing community service for six months.

    The court found Ebo guilty of obtaining the N6 million from Chukwuonye, an importer, by false pretence.

    Ebo, 42, of 78, Lawanson Road, Itire, Lagos was arraigned in an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, by Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Lagos, on December 19, 2013 on a charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Innocent Odugbo told the court that Ebo and others at large committed the offence around 9am on May 18, 2011.

    He alleged that Ebo deceived Chukwuonye that a European merchant had a container filled with 508 bales of clothing at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, which would be auctioned at N6 million.

    The prosecutor said Ebo obtained the N6 million from Chukwuonye “knowing full well that his representation was false.”

  • Lagos school principal bolts with N1.2m WASSCE fees

    A 42-year-old school principal, Michael Diekola, who allegedly defrauded his school of N1.2 million, was on Monday docked at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, who lives at 8, Alirat Badejo St., Oke Odo, Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu told the court that the offences were committed sometime in July 2014 at a private school — Queen Diana College, Oke Odo, Abule Egba.

    Ogu said the accused collected N1.2 million from students under the pretext of enrolling them for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    “The accused bolted with the money and all efforts to locate him were unsuccessful until he was sighted by one of the teachers and was immediately apprehended.”

    The offences violated Sections 285 (1) and 312 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused denied the charge.

    In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the school principal bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered the accused to pay N250, 000 into the court’s Chief Registrar’s account as part of the bail conditions.

    The case was adjourned to June 6 for mention

     

  • EFCC grills Enugu governor’s adviser over N200m fraud

    EFCC grills Enugu governor’s adviser over N200m fraud

    The Economic and Fnancial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed a Senior Special Adviser to Enugu State Government on Special Duties, Pastor Sam Ifeanyi Iyiogwe, for alleged embezzlement of over N200million.

    The cash was allegedly laundered when was the chairman of the Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

    The height of the sleaze was the alleged payment of N1.5million monthly to his wife without legislative approval.

    Also, the cashier of the council, Mrs. Felicia Okeke, withdrew N80million from the council account with UBA and deposited same into the UBA bank account of the suspect while in office.

    According to a top source in the commission, the invitation of the Special Adviser followed a petition on how he allegedly mismanaged funds while in office.

    Some of the allegations are as follows:

    • Diversion of funds meant for the development of the local government into a  personal account,
    • Spending funds without approval from the Nkanu East Local Government Area Legislative Council,
    • Non-execution of up to 30% capital project captured under 2012 – 2015 for which billions of naira were appropriated,
    • Withholding of workers’ salaries for several months, including leave allowances which were never paid for four years,
    • Refurbishment of the LGA bus with N5, 000,000(five million naira) and lavishing N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) of bribe to some council members to cover up some of his corrupt practices,
    • Operation of a domiciliary account with $30,000.

    The source added: “Iyiogwe, who is said to be a pastor, was alleged to have been paying his wife N1.5m monthly without legislative approval. He allegedly diverted public funds for the construction of a shopping plaza at the Ogui Road Junction; an estate near Mbaukwu Street, Enugu; a multi-million naira mansion in his village at Ubaha; a filling station at Agbani; fleet of cars for transport services being managed by his wife in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “He was said to have used some of his special advisers to divert N20million for road repairs that was never carried out, while awarding another road contract for N100million that was never constructed, among other alleged infractions.

    “Investigations into the allegations contained in the petition confirmed that the cashier of the council, Mrs. Felicia Okeke, withdrew N80million from the council account with UBA and deposited same into the UBA bank account of the suspect while in office.”

    The source added that the Head of Works of the local government, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, admitted during interrogation that he was used by the suspect to “steal and launder various sums of money.”

    “Okonkwo admitted that the suspect, Pastor Sam Iyiogwe Ifeanyi, actually asked him to forge the various receipts used for the retirement of the looted funds, while a certain Evangelist Felix Okoye forged the receipts of Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, Radio Nigeria and Nigerian Television Authority NTA, used in carrying out some fund retirement for purported Public Relations.”

    The EFCC said investigation was still ongoing as at press time.

    More arrests might be made with all the suspects likely to be arraigned for trial.

  • Ex-Air chief Umar arraigned for N7,382b fraud

    Ex-Air chief Umar arraigned for N7,382b fraud

    Former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar (retd) was yesterday arraigned at the  Federal High Court, Abuja, on alleged money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption involving about N7.382 billion.

    Umar  was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako on a seven-count charge dated and filed on April 22.

    When the charge was read to Umar yesterday, he pleaded not guilty. Justice Nyako granted him bail on self recognition, without objection from prosecution lawyer Sylvester Taihir, an in-house lawyer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge ordered Umar to submit his passport to the court’s registrar and refrain from travelling out of the court’s jurisdiction while the trial lasted, except with permission.

    The seven-count charge against Umar reads:

    Count 1: “That you, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, whilst being the Chief  of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force between September 2010 to September 2012 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court directly converted the United States Dollars equivalent of the aggregate sum of N4846000 (Four billion, eight hundred and forty six million, six hundred and thirty thousand naira) only removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, to wit, criminal breach of trust and corruption, and you thereby committed an offence contrary section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    Count 2: “Whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, NAF between November and December 2010 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court did use the USD equivalent of the sum of N700000 (seven hundred million naira) only removed from the accounts of the NAF, to purchase for yourself a property lying and situate at No. 14, Vistula close, off Panama street, maitama Abuja.”

    Count 3 “Whilst being the Chief  of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force between March and April 2012 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court did use the United States Dollars equivalent of the sum of N860000000 (Eight hundred and sixty million naira) removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force, to purchase for yourself a property lying and situate at plot No. 1853 Deng Xiano ping street, off Mahathir Mohammed street, Asokoro extension Abuja.”

    Count 4 …”Whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, NAF, Bwteen September and December 2012 in Abuja, did use the United State Dollar equivalent of the sum of N500m removed from the accounts of the NAF, to purchase for yourself, a residential property comprising 4 bedroom duplex, with boys quarters at Road 3B, Street 2 Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja”

    Count 5….”Whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, NAF, in the year 2011 in Abuja, did use the United State dolas equivalent of the sum of N250m only, removed from the accounts of the NAF, to purchase for yourself, a property situate at No. 14 Audu Bako Way, GRA, Kano “

    Count 6…”Whilst being the Chief of Air Staff in the year 2011 in Abuja, did use the United States Dollar equivalent of the sum of N160m only, removed from the accounts of the NAF, to purchase and renovate for yourself, a property situate at No. 8 Kabala Road, Unguwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna (3 bedroom duplex and 3 rooms boys quarters) .”

    Count 7…”whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, NAF on or about March 2012 in Abuja, indirectly transferred the sum of N66m only into the StanbicIBTC account No.9202077424 belonging to Capital Law Office from NAF Operations Account domiciled at UBA Plc for the renovation/improvement of House No.1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, Off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja”

    Upon request from Tahir, Justice Nyako adjourned to July 7 for trial.

  • Alleged N600m fraud: Court remands ex-Presidential Committee chair, Air Force chief

    A former Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMSS), Rabiu Hassan and a retired senior Air Force personnel, Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi were yesterday orderd to be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja by Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The judge’s directive followed their arraignment on a three- count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

    Hassan, Atawodi and a firm believed to be owned by Hassan – Hypertech Nigeria Limited – were said to have  defrauded the government to the tune of over N600m through suspicious contracts to procure military boats.

     A count in the charge reads: “That  you, A.V.M. Saliu Atawodi (retd.), whilst serving as the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS), Rabiu Hassan and Hypertech (Nig) Ltd on or about the 28th day of November, 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court with intent to defraud did conspire to obtain property by false pretence to wit: the sum of Six Hundred and Twenty Million Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (N620,910,0000 , property of the Federal Government under the pretence that the money represents payment for the supply of six piece of K-38 Armoured patrol boats to Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) and which pretence you knew was false.’’

    They all pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which the prosecution lawyer, Mohammed Bello applied for a date for the beginning of trial.

    Lawyer to Atawori, Karina Tunyan, (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail pending trial.

     Hassan’s lawyer, Shareef Mohammed, urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that his client, who acted as a whistle blower in the case, had not jumped the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC

    Bello responded, saying he has filed a counter affidavit to the bail applications by both men.

    He added: “I agree that the complainant granted an administrative bail to the defendants and they did not jump bail. However, it is because they do not know what they are up against and bail is at the discretion of the court.

    ‘‘It is true that the second defendant is a whistle-blower, but the EFCC is an investigating agency; it investigates to establish a prima facie case and a prima facie case was established against the second defendant from the proof of evidence.’’

    Justice Kekemeke adjourned to May 16 for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that Atawodi and Hassan be remanded in Kuje prison.

  • Alleged Fraud: Court remands ex-Presidential Committee Chair in prison

    Alleged Fraud: Court remands ex-Presidential Committee Chair in prison

    A former Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMSS), Rabiu Hassan and a retired senior Air Force personnel, Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi were Wednesday ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja by Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The judge’s directive followed their arraignment on a three- count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

    Hassan, Atawodi and a firm believed to be owned by Hassan – Hypertech Nigeria Limited – were said to have defrauded the government to the tune of over N600m through suspicious contracts to procure military boats.

    A count in the charge reads: “That  you, A.V.M. Saliu Atawodi (retd.), whilst serving as the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS), Rabiu Hassan and Hypertech (Nig) Ltd on or about the 28th day of November, 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court with intent to defraud did conspire to obtain property by false pretence to wit: the sum of Six Hundred and Twenty Million Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (N620,910,0000 , property of the Federal Government under the pretence that the money represents payment for the supply of six piece of K-38 Armored patrol boats to Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) and which pretense you knew was false.’’

    They all pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which the prosecution lawyer, Mohammed Bello applied for a date for the commencement of trial.

    Lawyer to Atawori, Karina Tunyan, SAN, prayed the court to grant his client bail pending trial.

    Lawyer to Hassan, Shareef Mohammed, urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that his client, who acted as a whistle blower in the case, had not jumped the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC.

    Bello responded, saying he has filed a counter affidavit to the bail applications by both men.

    He added: “I agree that the complainant granted an administrative bail to the defendants and they did not jump bail. However, it is because they do not know what they are up against and bail is at the discretion of the court.

    ‘‘It is true that the second defendant is a whistle-blower, but the EFCC is an investigating agency; it investigates to establish a prima facie case and a prima facie case was established against the second defendant from the proof of evidence.’’

    Justice Kekemeke adjourned to May 16 for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that Atawodi and Hassan be remanded in Kuje prison.

     

  • FCT council boss in EFCC net over N17.5m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has arrested the outgoing chairman of Kuje Area Council of the FCT, Mr. Tete Shaban over N17.5 million fraud.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesman of the commission.

    The statement said Shaban was arrested on Tuesday for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence and abuse of office.

    It said that a businessman, Mr Najumudeen Gidado, had petitioned the commission sometime in 2014, and claimed that his company, Trade Executive Network Limited, bid for the reconstruction and modernisation of Kuje Main Market.

    The statement said the petitioner’s company was awarded the contract and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed.

    It said Gidado alleged that Shaban later demanded for the sum of N17.5 million to facilitate the approval of the contract for his company, which he obliged.

    “I later paid the money into his accounts domiciled in Zenith and FCMB Banks,” the statement quoted Gidado as saying.

    The statement said Gidado had alleged that his company was denied the contract and that the outgoing chairman had refused to refund the petitioner without explanation.