The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ibrahim Abdulsalam

  • N6.8bn fraud: How ex-NAMA officials made withdrawals – Bank official

    An official of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Ade Babatunde, on Monday told a Federal High Court, Lagos, how Segun Agbolade, a former General Manager (Finance), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), defrauded the agency.

    Babatunde, while being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, made the revelations at the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyedepo had led the witness as the first prosecution witness (PW 1) in the N6.8 billion fraud case against some former employees of NAMA.

    NAN reports that EFCC had arraigned the accused including NAMA’s former Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam; former General Manager of Procurement, Olumuyiwa Adegorite and Agbolade on a 21-count charge of N6.8 billion fraud.

    Others are former acting General Manager of ICT, Bolaniran Akinribido; Sesebor Abiodun, Joy Adegorite and two companies- Randville Investment Ltd. and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.

    When the case was called for continuation of hearing, Babatunde told the court how the funds belonging to NAMA were allegedly converted for personal use by the accused when Abdulsalam was at the helm of affairs.

    He said that on July 13, 2015, a cash withdrawal of N3 million was made by Agbolade, (General Manager of Finance) from the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    The witness also said that on July 15, 2015, there was another withdrawal of N2.5 million from the account of Randville Investment Ltd. and same was transferred to the account of Agbolade.

    “On Sept. 16, 2015, there was a credit transfer of N22 million into the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    “On Sept. 28, 2015, N100 million was deposited in a fixed deposit account, and on maturity, same was paid into the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    “On the same date, N28 million was transferred out of the account, but I cannot confirm the beneficiary, because it was not stated in the statement of account.

    “Also, on Sept. 28, 2015, N100 million was placed in another fixed deposit account.

    “On Oct. 28, 2015, the N100 million earlier placed in a fixed deposit account was paid into the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    “On Nov. 2, 2015, N50 million was transferred twice from the Randville Investment Ltd. and I cannot also confirm the beneficiary, because it was not stated in the statement.

    “Then, on Nov. 10, 2015, there was a withdrawal of N3 million from the account of Randville Investment Ltd. by Segun Agbolade.” the first prosecution witness told the court.

    After the witness’ testimony, the defence counsel led by Mr Wale Akanni (SAN), sought for an adjournment to enable to them to cross examine the witness.

    The judge, however, granted the request, and the case was adjourned till April 5 for continuation of trial.

    NAN reports that EFCC had on Aug. 19, 2013, brought the accused before the court, accusing them of conspiring to induce NAMA to deliver N2.8 billion to Delosa Ltd., Air Sea Delivery Ltd. and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd.

    The anti-graft agency of alleged that the delivery was under the pretence that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    EFCC further alleged that between Jan. 2 and Dec. 17, 2013, the accused allegedly converted N191 million belonging to NAMA for their private use.

    It also accused the NAMA officials of converting N728 million between 2013 and 2015 and other sums for their personal use.

    The prosecution said that the offences contravened Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3).

     

  • Court orders temporary forfeiture of N3.5b in ex-NAMA MD, others’ accounts

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N3.5 billion and $67,586.27 in the accounts of former Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam and other officers.

    The other affected officers are – former NAMA General Manager, Procurement, Olumuyiwa Adegorite, former General Manager, Finance, Segun Agbolade and former acting General Manager, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Bolaniran Akinribido.

    The rest are – Director of Finance, Clara Aliche, Adegorite’s wife and co-director of Multeng Travels and Tours Limited, Joy, Abiodun Sessebor, Randville Investment Limited, Multeng Travels and Tours, Delosa Limited, Airsea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedule Systems Limited.

    Also temporarily forfeited are residential building at 5, Sobo Arobiodu Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, a petrol station at Egbeda-Idimu Road, by Faith Bus Stop, a filling station at Idi-Oro, Mushin, and a petrol station at Alakuko, the ownership of which EFCC said was yet to be determined.

    Abdulsalam, Adegorite, Agbolade, Aliche, Akinribido, Randville Investment and Multeng Travels and Tours are on trial before Justice Babs Kuewumi of the same court.

    They pleaded not guilty to 21- count charge of N2.8billion fraud.

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo made the interim forfeiture order based on an ex-parte originating summons filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The commission sought an order that the bank accounts of the 12 persons and companies “currently being prosecuted for offences of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence be temporarily attached and taken over by EFCC” until trial is concluded.

    EFCC prayed for an order that all dealings and transactions on the bank accounts be suspended pending the conclusion of prosecution of the alleged offences against them.

    The prosecution also asked that the properties, buildings, parcels of land and premises belonging to the accused persons be temporarily vested in the EFCC.

    Among sums forfeited are N30,08million in Adegorite’s Stanbic IBTC account with no. 9302194973; N8.7million and N120million in Randville Investment’s Stabic IBTC account (0001427188) and Unity Bank account (0025152223), and $42,386.27 in Adegorite’s First City Monument Bank (FCMB) account (numbered 1546629019).

    Others are N2.8million in Delosa’s GTBank account, N1.2billion in Avesta Venture’s Electronics Nigeria Limited’s Zenith Bank account; N985.6million, N281million, N681million and N47million in different Zenith Bank accounts of Merry Aviation Communication Electrical, among others.

    In a supporting affidavit, an EFCC investigating officer, Nuradeen Bello, said the commission received a petition last January 13 alleging that some management staff of NAMA stole government funds running into billions of naira through fictitious procurement contracts, fake container clearing contracts and fraudulent cash advances to some members of staff.

     

  • How NAMA was looted – EFCC’s witness

    A prosecution witness on Thursday gave detailed accounts of how funds belonging to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were allegedly diverted by some of its officials.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last April 7 arraigned former NAMA Managing Director/Chief Executive, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N6.8billion.

    He was charged along with former NAMA General Manager for Procurement, Olumuyiwa Adegorite, former General Manager, Finance, Segun Agbolade, former acting General Manager, ICT, Bolaniran Akinribido, Sesebor Abiodun, Joy Adegorite, Randville investment Limited and and Multeng Travels and Tours Limited.

    EFCC said on August 19, 2013, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst themselves to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975.00 to Delosa Limited, Air Sea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedules Systems Limited under the pretense that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    Testifying on Thursday, the witness, Ade Babatunde, a staff of Stanbic IBTC Bank, who was led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, gave an analysis of entries on an account statement of Segun Agbolade (third accused), with account number 9201060421.

    He told the court that between January 2 and January 3, 2013, there was a transfer of N13.1 million from Akinribido’s account to Agbolade.

    He said the transfer came in tranches of N3.1 million on January 2, and in two tranches of N5 million each on January 3, 2013.

    According to the witness, the balance on Agbolade’s account as at January 3, 2013 was N27.8 million.

     

  • Alleged fraud: Prosecution’s absence stalls ex NAMA chief’s trial

    Alleged fraud: Prosecution’s absence stalls ex NAMA chief’s trial

    Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos Tuesday adjourned till December 2, to commence the trial of a former Managing Director (MD) of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Ibrahim Abdulsalam.

    Abdusalam and six others are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a charge bordering on the alleged theft and conversion of NAMA’s N6.8billion.

    At the commencement of proceedings Tuesday, Justice Kuewumi announced that there was a letter from prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo seeking an adjournment.

    Oyedepo, he stated, informed the court that he was summoned, through a hearing notice, to the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal.

    The court then adjourned the case till December 2.

    On April 7, EFCC docked the NAMA boss, three directors of the agency and the wife of one of the agency’s directors. They denied the charge.

    Apart from Abdulsalam, other defendants are Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Adegorite, and two limited liability companies, Randville Investment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.

    In the charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that on August 19, 2013, the defendants conspired to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2.8 billion to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd.

    The EFCC stated that the delivery was under the pretence that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    In another instance, the commission alleged that that between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants converted N191 million belonging to NAMA to themselves.

    The defendants were also said to have converted N728 million between 2013 and 2015, as well as other sums.

    According to the charge, the offence offended Sections 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and was punishable under Section 1 (3).

  • EFCC arraigns NAMA MD, directors for N2.8b ‘theft’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on Thursday arraigned Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive Ibrahim Abdulsalam at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N2.8billion.
    He was charged along with Nnamdi Udoh (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd before Justice Babs Kuewumi on 21 counts charge.
    EFCC said on August 19, 2013, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst themselves to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975.00 to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd under the pretense that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.
    The alleged offence is contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3).
    The prosecution said the defendants conspired to deliver various amounts to Delosa Limited on different dates under the pretence that they were payment for clearing NAMA’s consignment.
    EFCC said they paid the firm N274,021,452.00 between January 31 and April 15, 2013; and between August 19 and December 31, 2013, they paid it N151,136,320.
    The defendants also paid the firm N403,485,057.70 between January 15 and December 17, 2014, as well as N285,906,834.10 between January 14 and September 16, 2015, the prosecution alleged.
    EFCC said the defendants induced NAMA to pay Air Sea Delivery Ltd the sum of N409,010,344.70 under the pretense it represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s goods. EFCC said they also paid Air Sea N230, 585,636.20 between January 14 and September 16.
    According to the agency, another company, Sea Schedules System Ltd, got N227, 634,567.20 between September 11 and December 15, 2014 under  the pretence that it cleared NAMA’s consignments, and between January 14 and September 3, the defendants paid Sea Schedulesthe sum of N314,378,212.80.
    The defendants were accused of conspiring amongst themselves on January 2, 2013 to convert N858,507, 609.56, property of NAMA, which was derived from stealing, contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
    Between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N191,616,651.56 belonging to NAMA to themselves.
    EFCC said they allegedly converted N728,870,158 between 2013 and 2015.
    Count 13 reads: “That you, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd And Multeng Travels And Tours Ltd, between the 1st day of January and the 30th day of December, 2015  within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N336,803,308 property of NAMA, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
    The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Their lawyers, who said they had filed bail applications, prayed the court to remand the suspects in EFCC’s custody where they had been held since February 12.
    But EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, who said he needed to respond to the motions for bail, urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.
    “EFCC’s detention facilities are overstretched. Arrests are being made everyday. EFCC cannot afford to keep more detainees,” he said.
    The commission listed an initial 20 witnesses, including representatives of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank Plc, who will tesfify during the trial.
    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until April 12 for commencement of trial.
  • New MDs for FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, NCAT

    New MDs for FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, NCAT

    Massive shake-up hit aviation agencies yesterday – three weeks after Princess Stella Oduah was removed as minister.

    The sudden sack gale provoked mixed feelings at the headquarters of the agencies in Lagos.

    A statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, said President Goodluck Jonathan approved the reorganisation.

    Only Dr. Tony Anuforo retained his position as Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    The statement by Sam Nwaobasi, Special Assistant (Media) to the SGF, said: “Mr. Saleh Dumona (Director Projects, FAAN) is to replace Mr. George Uriesi as Managing-Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    “Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam (General Manager, Procurements (NAMA) is to replace Mr. Nnamdi Udoh as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    “Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick (Government Safety Inspector & ICAO Focal Point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems, OASIS) is to replace Capt. (Mrs.) Chinyere Kalu as Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

    “Capt. Muhktar Usman (Commissioner, Accident Investigation & Prevention Bureau, AIPB) is to replace Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu as Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), subject to confirmation by the Senate.

    “Mr. Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA, pending his confirmation by the Senate.

    Dr. Felix A. Abali (Director Licencing, NCAA) is to replace Capt. Muhktar Usman as Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB).”

    The sack of the NCAA director general is coming on the heels of plans by the government to undergo the re-certification of Nigeria’s safety rating for Category One status.

    The United States (U.S.) team to carry out the audit will arrive in Nigeria this month.

    Nigeria attained Category One on September 18, 2010.

    Part of the requirements of the re-assessment is: certification of major international airports, the operations of aviation agencies, including airspace authority, aviation training college and the meteorological agency.

    The recertification is part of the processes to revalidate the highest civil aviation rating, which ensures that Nigeria is in line with updated standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    Aviation stakeholders expressed mixed reactions over the sack of heads of the agencies. They described removal of the NCAA DG as “controversial”.

    Mr. Sheri Kyari, executive director of the Centre for Aviation Safety and Research, said the industry would require time to recover from the restructuring.

    Captain Dele Ore, president of Aviation RoundTable, said he could not comment because no reason was given for the removal of the director general of the NCAA.

    Other players in the sector, who declined to give their names, said frequent changes of leadership could have some negative impact on the industry.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Act (2006) specifies conditions under which the NCAA DG could be removed from office.

    It states: “There shall be for the Authority a Director-General who shall be appointed by the President, on such terms and conditions as stipulated in the Act, subject to the confirmation by the Senate.

    “The Director–General shall be primarily responsible for the fostering of the safety of Civil Aviation in Nigeria and shall be the chief executive and accounting officer of the Authority responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Authority.

    “He shall be appointed for a term of five years in the first instance and may be reappointed for a further term of five years and no more.

    “A person who possesses relevant and adequate professional qualification and shall have been so qualified for a period of not less than 15 years.

    “The Director-General may be suspended or removed from office by the president if he has demonstrated inability to effectively perform the duties of his office.

    “If has been absent from 5 (five) consecutive meetings of the Board without the consent of the Chairman, unless he shows good reasons for such absence.”

    “If he is guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties as Director-General.

    The condition also states that in the case of a person possessed of professional qualifications, he could be removed if he is disqualified or suspended from practising his profession in any part of the world by an order of a competent authority.

    “Or he is guilty of a conflict of interest as stipulated in Section 10 of this Act.

    “The Director-General shall not be removed from office except in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”