The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ibrahim Magu

  • Patience Jonathan: Reps threaten to arrest Magu for shunning invitation

    Patience Jonathan: Reps threaten to arrest Magu for shunning invitation

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday threatened to issue arrest warrant against the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for shunning the invitation to address its committee on a petition filed by former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

    The Uzoma Nkem-Abonta led House Committee on Public Petition said warrant of arrest would be issued to compel Magu’s appearance on November 7.

    The ex-first lady had petitioned the House over harassment and restriction on her bank accounts and that of her relatives by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, following Magu’s failure to appear at the continued hearing on Wednesday, the Committee said his disregard of the invitation was disrespectful to the parliament.

    “There is a need to say that people should work within the confines of the law because nobody is above the law

    “EFCC has consistently absent itself from this hearing. If it were here, perhaps we would have dispensed with this investigation.

    “What the EFCC is doing is not only unfair but disrespectful to the parliament,” Nkem-Abonta said.

    In addition, the Committee ordered five out of six banks where Jonathan and her relations have accounts to furnish her lawyers with details and relevant document on the restriction from the anti-graft agency and the courts.

    Earlier Jonathan’s representative had complained that only two banks complied with the Committee’s directive on lifting of the restriction.

    According to her counsel, Charles Ogboli, the former first lady was unable to access her accounts despite the Committee’s directive and the vacationing of the restriction order by the Appeal Court.

     

  • EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases

    EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has commended recent move by the judiciary to prioritise corruption and financial crime cases brought before it.

    The commendation is in a statement by Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Uwujaren quoted the commission’s Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, as saying the development was right step in the right direction.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, announced the initiative at the opening of the 2017/2018 Legal Year in Abuja on Monday.

    Onnoghen directed  all heads of courts to compile and farward comprehensive lists of corruption and financial crime cases before them to National Judicial Council (NJC).

    He said where such cases came on appeal to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates should be fixed for them every week.

    “In order for the NJC to monitor and effectively enforce the foregoing policy, anti-corruption cases trial monitoring committee will be constituted at the next council meeting.

    “This committee would be saddled with, among other things, the responsibility of ensuring that both trial and appellate courts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of the cankerworm,” the CJN had said.

    He also directed heads of courts to clamp down on both prosecution and defence counsel who indulged in delay tactics to stall criminal trials.

    The EFCC boss lauded the initiative, which he said would curtail “unnecessary delays in prosecution of corruption cases.”

    Uwujaren stated that Magu had expressed optimism that the innovation would strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.

    He quoted the EFCC boss as saying “the spate of frivolous and unwarranted adjournments at instances of defence  for the purpose of stalling proceedings is over.

    “With special courts, cases stand great chance of being disposed of quickly.

    “We had clamoured for the creation of special or dedicated courts for over six years.

    “So, the action of the CJN is commendable.”

  • Canada seeks information exchange with EFCC

    Canada seeks information exchange with EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) says the Canadian government has sought collaboration between it and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on information exchange.

    In a statement on Tuesday night, spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Christopher Thornley, delivered the request during a visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

    “The Canadian government wants to better represent itself in the global fight against corruption via the EFCC platform.

    “And this visit stems from the need to explore the possibility of opening a RCMP post in Nigeria,” Uwujaren quoted Thornly as saying.

    The envoy reportedly said that the Canadian government had liaison offices across the globe, and would like to include the anti-graft agency.

    The choice of the agency according to him, was informed by the agency’s dogged fight against corruption that “has contributed to the drop in Nigeria’s corruption index.

    The EFCC Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, expressed the commission’s willingness to collaborate with the Canadian government to strengthen the fight against corruption.

    Magu described the assignments of the RCMP and the agency as “very tough, overwhelming and challenging”, the spokesman said.

    “We are more poised more than before to surmount all challenges,” he said, recalling a request by EFCC to RCMP for technical support in 2012.

    Magu added that the good working relationship between both agencies over the years had seen 15 EFCC officers sent to Canada on various trainings at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.

    The agency boss informed his guest that a draft Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies had been developed to fast track the process.

    He said the draft would later be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for approval.

    The Canadian high commissioner was accompanied by Eric Slinn, the RCMP Regional Manager, and Stephane Cadieux, RCMP Liaison Officer for West Africa, according to Uwujaren.

  • Canada seeks information exchange pact with EFCC

    Canada seeks information exchange pact with EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Tuesday the Canadian government has sought collaboration between it and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on information exchange.

    In a statement, the spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Christopher Thornley, delivered the request during a visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

    “The Canadian government wants to better represent itself in the global fight against corruption via the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission platform.

    “And this visit stems from the need to explore the possibility of opening a RCMP post in Nigeria,” the statement quoted Thornly as saying during the visit.

    The envoy said the Canadian government had liaison offices across the globe and would like to include the anti-graft agency.

    The choice of EFCC, according to him, was informed by the agency’s dogged fight against corruption that “has contributed to the drop in Nigeria’s corruption index.

    The Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, expressed the Commission’s willingness to collaborate with the Canadian government to strengthen the fight against corruption.

    NAN

  • Anti-graft war now total, says Magu

    Anti-graft war now total, says Magu

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu yesterday said the war against corruption “is now total”.

    The commission, he said, is more determined than ever to fight corruption to a standstill and to sustain “the current momentum”.

    “We’re now going to declare total war on corruption. It is our responsibility to crush corrupt practices in this country,” he said.

    Magu spoke when he visited The Nation head office in Lagos. He was received by a team of senior editors and management.

    The EFCC chief was accompanied by the commission’s Public Affairs Director Mr Osita Nwaja, Head of Media Mr Wilson Uwujaren and Head, Media in Lagos Office, Mr Samin Amaddin.

    He described the biggest challenge to the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-graft crusade as “corruption fighting back”.

    “It’s real and they (those fighting back) have all the money,” he said.

    Magu said there were no fewer than 125 high profile corruption cases still “hanging in court”.

    On the delay of such cases, Magu blamed it all on Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), who he said were used by rich and powerful suspects to frustrate cases.

    “How can 31 SANs go to court to defend one (suspected) looter? Sometimes judges are intimidated. Why should 31 SANs appear for a suspect? We need to ask questions,” Magu said.

    He said such lawyers adopt several strategies to delay cases, some of which have spent nearly 10 years in court.

    “They abuse the court process, file all kinds of applications and go on appeal, which goes up to the Supreme Court and back. They adopt different technicalities and delay tactics. Sometimes they provoke the judges and write petitions against them.

    “But I don’t control the judges. We don’t have control over what happens in court. Our role is to investigate,” he said.

    Magu denied allegations that EFCC does shoddy investigations and prosecute ineffectively.

    “We investigate better than any other law enforcement agency in this country, including the police,” he said.

    Magu said he does not interfere with the work of investigators, adding that once any intelligence is received, the investigation must be concluded.

    The Acting EFCC chairman denied any rift with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “I am a law-abiding citizen. I respect constituted authority,” Magu said, adding that he duly handed over the list of high profile cases as requested by AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    On loot recovery, Magu said one of EFCC’s strategies was to recover assets and funds suspected to be proceeds of crime by applying to the court for interim forfeiture orders, publishing a 14-day notice for the owners to show up, and then applying for a final forfeiture.

    He said the EFCC had appealed the acquittal of former Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari, who was discharged by an Appeal Court sitting in Yola of corruption charges.

    Magu denied that former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, who is under EFCC investigation, had retrieved properties seized from him by the commission.

    “We have not released any property to Sylva,” Magu said.

    On his non-confirmation by the Senate, Magu said: “I strongly believe in God. When it’s time to leave I’ll leave.”

    On the threat by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units to expel the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for not being an independent entity, Magu claimed there were moves to meet the group’s demands long before the Senate intervened.

    He said before the Senate’s move to completely remove NFIU from the EFCC, there were moves to make NFIU a separate unit within the anti-graft agency and to secure the tenure of its director so it is not tied to that of the EFCC chairman.

    According to him, granting NFIU “some security and operational autonomy” was what the Egmont Group demanded.

    He believes the Senate’s move to pass a law to make the NFIU independent of the commission was a bid to “weaken the workings of the EFCC”.

    Egmont Group was created to provide Financial Intelligence Units around the world a forum to exchange information confidentially to combat money-laundering, the financing of terrorism and other predicate offences.

    Magu said the shooting at the EFCC had been referred to the police.

    “There is a real threat, but we are used to it,” he said, adding that the department that was attacked had been transferred to a safe location.

    He said the war against corruption could not be successfully fought without media support.

    “I believe all journalists are corruption fighters. Let everybody do the right thing. Let us mobilise everybody’s support in the fight against corruption. Consider yourself as if working for the EFCC.

    “Corruption is the worst developmental problem we have in this country. We need more support. This fight is for our collective good.

    “We should not allow ourselves to be purchased to the detriment of our co-existence. We need to mobilise everybody. Let’s do it together.

    “We need your collective support in whatever we’re doing. You have supported us and we ask for more support. We owe a duty to this country. We must do the right thing for our collective good.

    “We’re not going to completely kill corruption, but we have a collective responsibility to reduce it,” Magu said.

  • As Sonala Olumhense glossed over the sad truth

    Solana Olumhense’s article, “As EFCC confesses the sad truth” calls to mind the proverbial chichidodo in Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born, a bird that relishes maggots but abhors excrement with all its soul even when its meal would only come from the lavatory. There are writers that abhor corruption but the ink in their pen gush only from the fountain of corruption. An unwary reader would plod through the write up in question believing that Saint Olumhense is Nigeria’s magic pill to end all corruption and that by the way is for those that are able to reconcile all the unrelated issues dragged into the writer’s frantic attempt to render paid service to whitewash a fetid sepulcher.

    Olumhense, apparently at pains to satisfy whoever it is that is paying the piper this time around cast the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu in bad light, by deciding to contrast him with someone who wanted to be perceived as worse off. Sadly, for him, his choice was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, whom he possibly has unresolved personal issues against. There is no nexus between the COAS and the EFCC.

    The kind of venom that oozed from the piece cannot just be the product of a paid hatchet job or driven by a fanatical love for the fatherland; it takes the vengefulness that comes from previous failed attempts on the same subject to marshal the intensity of hatred that manifested in the article.

    Had this been the writer’s first shot at assassinating the persona in question perhaps there would not have been need expending energy to set Olumhense on the right path. But to repeatedly tarnish the image of someone that is giving his best to the country and be allowed to get away with it implies that we will wake up one day and not have upright persons agreeing to serve the country again because of the likes of this compromised writer.

    He was categorical in declaring Buratai guilty even when there was never evidence to prove the flimsy allegations raised and this is despite the concerted efforts made in the past to nail the Army Chief. Even Magu, who was equally stylishly maligned in the piece, did not find the evidence to charge the Army Chief to court. There is of course no law that listed the position of the Chief of Army Staff as one of those granted immunity from criminal prosecution so Magu has no excuse for not putting him on trial if the many conjectures in the opening paragraphs were facts that could be taken to court.

    On the other hand, the accusations of failing to decisively crush Boko Haram or capture its leader, Abubakar Shekau is sheer mischief borne out of hatred for the COAS and based on ignorance and misinformation.

    When it comes to performance, Olumehense is apparently not at home with the reality that even as he was writing five Boko Haram commanders and at least 82 other high-ranking terrorists were neutralized. A lot of other terrorists’ assets- human and hardware, were decommissioned within the period Buratai gave for the capture of Shekau. This is not factoring in the other exploits of the Buratai-led Army such that the ridiculous piece was not enough to dwarf his achievement.

    The duplicity of the write up is best appreciated with the realization that it blatantly omitted to acknowledge the actual challenges that those entrusted with crushing terrorism and corruption face.Not the least among them is paid activists and writers like Olumehense, who for a pittance deploy their skills in furtherance of the agenda of those that want these twin evils to thrive. When sponsors of terrorism and Boko Haram want to distract the Army they procure the services of such unprincipled writers, whose only concern is getting the right price.

    Since Olumehense is playing the ostrich it may be necessary to give him a few hints, perhaps he would take the cue to at least ask those he is running errands for to make fair disclosure. They should tell him how their perceived and real grouse is that the war on terrorism is being prosecuted by Buratai in a manner that leaves no room for ill acquisition of money. What they enjoyed prior to the COAS’ coming was practically a bazaar that had rendered the army unable to fully perform as they stole and counter stole resources meant for procuring weapons to fight Boko Haram.

    The writer conveniently suffered a memory loss to the extent that he no longer has recollection of how President Muhammadu Buhari was chastised by the citizenry for seeking to engage only angels to head vital institutions. At what point did some of these same saints become as rotten as Olumehense wants us to believe? What is the use of rehashing a media trial that collapsed for want of evidence? It was the same media trial that Buratai was subjected to and at the end of the day the baying lynch-mob found nothing to hang him with. A popular portal based in Abuja at what time reported the clearance by the Code of Conduct Bereau issued not only to clear Buratai but others in Buratai shoes regarded as angels in the service of our fatherland but when the pay came calling, they betrayed their professional and ethical demands and still preferred to rubbish whatever credibility they had before their readers. Why then would Olumehense insist on being stuck in a rut that had led him nowhere in the past and certainly would not take him anywhere useful in the future.

    Olumehense must learn not to trivialize national issues by comparing instances and individuals that have no correlation. He needs to step back from the euphoria that bank credit alerts can induce to evaluate issues from the proper perspective. For one, he can allow some lapse in time between when he gets the brief and when he pens his articles so that the cloud obstructing his reasoning must have lifted.

    The sad truth remains that the likes of Olumehense, comfortably ensconced in the comfort of imperial nations that are behind the emerging world’s woes, have become the new problem for the trusting readers in search of information. His likes are abusing the sacredness of media platform and ridiculing their loyal followers by regularly slipping paid content into their columns and presenting same as gospel truths. This they do with such arrogance that suggest they never expect anyone to find them out. The fact that they are on the take to defend the interests of those seeking the downfall of the country should not translate into this level of arrogance that dispose of facts to wallow in inanities and believe that the rest of humanity should kotow to their perverted worldview.

    Ochada, is a Guest Columnist.‎

  • Court okays EFCC ’s power to freeze suspicious accounts

    Court okays EFCC ’s power to freeze suspicious accounts

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has the power to freeze suspicious accounts.

    The court said the anti-graft agency can direct banks to suspend operation of accounts suspected to have been used for criminal activities, or any account of into which slush funds and proceeds of crime have been deposited.

    The court, however, said such a directive by the EFCC to banks must be followed by an order of a court for interim freezing, which it must obtain from a competent court, to enable it conduct investigation to ascertain the origin of the funds.

    The appellate court said these in a unanimous judgment by its three-man panel on an appeal by Messrs A. R. Security Solutions Limited, which challenged the refusal by a Federal High Court in Abuja to vacate an interim freezing order earlier granted against it.

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on January 25, 2016, granted an ex-parte application by the EFCC for, among others, an interim freezing order on A. R. Security accounts with Heritage Bank.

    1. R Security applied to the court to have the order set aside, a request Justice Nyako, in a ruling on April 22, 2016, refused, prompting the company to approach the appellate court.

    Justice Mohammed Mustapha, who prepared the lead judgment of the appellate court, resolved the sole issue raised for determination against the appellant.

    The issue was whether the trial court was right to have held that the EFCC could obtain an order of court to temporarily freeze the appellant’s account, once the account is the subject of investigation.

    Justice Mustapha said while the EFCC was empowered, under sections 28 and 29 of its establishment Act to trace, attach and apply for interim freezing order on such suspicious accounts, the court, under Section 44(2)(k) of the Constitution, was empowered to grant such interim injunction.

    He said: “The respondent ( EFCC ) clearly bears the burden of establishing that there is a prima facie evidence that the property in issue is liable to be forfeited on account of its being proceed of crime.

    “That burden is discharged once there is an arrest for an offence under the Act ( EFCC Act), and the respondent traces the assets and attaches the property of the accused person acquired as a result of economic and financial crimes. That done, the respondent is entitled to an interim attachment order by the court.”

    Justice Mustapha agreed with the appellant that the EFCC must show that the origin of the suspicious funds is illegal.

    He added: “If bank accounts have to be investigated with any degree of success for the purpose of tracing criminality in transactions, how else can that be done without exercising some degree of control over the account?

    “It stands to logic and common sense that any serious investigation of criminality in a bank account has to first and foremost start with taking control of the bank account or at least putting restraints on the account; anything short of that will be quixotic, because funds in the account investigated will simply take a flight. That is the logic behind sections 28 and 29 of the Act.

    “Prima facie proof starts, for the purpose of the Act, with arrest of the accused person for financial and economic crimes, which now denotes, at this stage, that the monies in the account are likely proceeds of crimes, and therefore, liable to forfeiture, thus necessitating the grant of the interim order.

    “It is for these reasons  that the money in the accounts is fair game, because that attachment and proper investigation of such accounts will assist the respondent (EFCC) in prosecuting the accused successfully or consequently lead to the discharge of the order, depending on how the investigation goes.

    “The need for credible evidence, showing the money to be proceeds of crime, underscores the necessity for the respondent’s mandate to ‘immediately trace and attach’ the property.”

    He added that the grant of the interim order by the court was to enable the EFCC conduct a holistic investigation on the account to enable it establish whether or not the origin of the funds in the affected account was illegal.

    “It has to be pointed out that ultimately, it is for the same reason that the grant of interim order becomes necessary, as it explains the necessity for the respondent to have, not only access, but control of the account, by having it frozen, anything else might end up being pyrrhic for the respondent,” Justice Mustapha said.

    Other members of the panel – Justices Abubakar Datti Yahaya and Tani Yusuf Hassan – agreed with the lead judgment a copy of which was seen by The Nation.

  • EFCC officials undergoing trial for corruption – Magu

    EFCC officials undergoing trial for corruption – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) says some of its officials are currently being prosecuted for corruption in various courts across the country.

    The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, disclosed this at an interactive session with Editors in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Magu, who did not immediately give the number of the affected officials, said he would not condone any act of corruption in the agency.

    “Recently, we had to discharge about nine cadet officers because they have problem with their certificates from various institutions.

    “We are also prosecuting a lot of officers. Some of them are already in court.

    “There is a way you can help us. Just like you can help us with information regarding corrupt practices outside the EFCC, and proceeds of corruption, you can also assist in giving us the information.

    “But, I assure you, I do not tolerate, I won’t condone any act of corruption in the EFCC .

    “I cannot be everywhere but I am telling you I don’t spare any allegation no matter how little, we make sure we investigate.

    “No allegation against the EFCC personnel is left uninvestigated. Even if there is allegation against me, we will refer it to the appropriate authority to investigate.’’

    The EFCC boss said that the ongoing anti-corruption war was getting tougher, saying the fight had never been this tough in the several years he had spent in the battle.

    He reiterated his call for concerted efforts by all stakeholders, especially the media,  in the fight.

    `Nobody will claim ownership, nobody has a better knowledge than the other person, nobody has a monopoly of knowledge in the fight against corruption.“We need everybody on board now that the fight against corruption is getting tougher. I have been in this business for a very long time; it has never been this tough like now.

    “Some of us feel that it is our generation that caused corruption. So, we have a responsibility to clear the debt.

    “Please don’t get tired because it is about Nigeria, it is not about individuals. All of us have a responsibility to God Almighty to fight corruption.

    “Let us double our efforts. From the way we are going, they have already failed. It is almost half won, but we must sustain the momentum.’’

  • EFCC recovers over N409bn in eight months – Magu

    EFCC recovers over N409bn in eight months – Magu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, said on Wedneday the Commission has recovered over N409billion, $69.5million, £230,000, €443,000 and 7,500 Riyals from January to August this year.

    Magu said he meant no harm in pursuing the fight against corruption.

    But he vowed to fight graft to a standstill.

    He urged Nigerian media to remain undaunted in supporting the EFCC.

    Magu, who stated these at a session with Editors in Abuja, said the battle against corruption has been won.

     

  • Cybercrimes: EFCC detains over 100 undergraduates in nine months

    Cybercrimes: EFCC detains over 100 undergraduates in nine months

    Over 100 undergraduates of tertiary institutions across Southwest have been detained for various cyber crimes by the Ibadan Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), it was learnt Month.

    While addressing reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital Monday, the commission’s Deputy Zonal Head, Ibadan, Kazeem Oseni, who spoke on behalf of the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, also disclosed that the suspects were arrested for mainly online love scam, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fraud and online marketing scams.

    Oseni also disclosed that that the Ibadan office had recovered around N277.9 million from fraudsters in the past nine months, adding that 50 cases had been instituted against the suspects with 381 others being investigated.

    “The commission is attending to 431 cases among which 50 cases are already in court. In the past nine months, we have arrested 195 individuals in connection with bank fraud, internet fraud, land and general disputes. Among the cases in court are the ones involving the Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, that of the Federal University of Technology, Akure and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

    “The prevailing case in Ibadan is internet frauds involving young people. The Ibadan office has so far recovered N277, 931,341m from various financial criminals while we have also recovered objects like cars used by fraudsters to perpetrate crimes.” He said.

    While shedding more light on the number of arrests made by the commission, the Head, Public Affairs of the zone, Mr Ayo Oyewole, told explained that undergraduates formed larger part of those in custody, adding that some hotels were also seized.

    “Many cars were recovered from undergraduates who were investigated or being investigated. They deal in fake online marketing, fraudulent online dating, ATM fraud and other forms of internet crimes. Over 100 of them have been arrested in the past nine months by the Ibadan office of the EFCC. We have also seized some hotels from fraudsters,” Oyewole said.