The Nation Newspaper

Tag: indicted

  • Lawmaker indicted as police arrest ‘political thugs’ for murder

    Operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) in Ogun State have arrested four suspected political thugs in connection with the killing of a resident of Sagamu, popularly called Arsenal-Nice.

    The suspects – Olushola, Olusegun, Azeez and Abolore – were arrested last Thursday when ZIS operatives from Obada Unit in Abeokuta, the state capital, stormed their hideout in Sagamu, for allegedly killing Arsenal-Nice.

    The arrest followed a complaint at the ZIS that the suspects, who were also believed to members of a cult group, attacked the victim’s home and killed him.

    It was learnt that some arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects, who are currently in the custody of ZIS.

    The suspects allegedly named Yinka Mafe, a member of the House of Assembly representing Sagamu State Constituency I as their sponsor.

    The complainant had reportedly told ZIS that the suspects were allegedly on the payroll of a lawmaker.

    He said this emboldened them to terrorise Sagamu and its environs.

    Police spokesperson for Zone II at Onikan, Lagos State, Dolapo Badmus, said the matter was under investigation.

    She said the suspects had confessed, adding: “The case is under investigation. They (suspects) said they work for one politician. But we are investigating it. We won’t expose it until we get to the last stage.

    “But the cogent thing is that they said they work for a politician. We are still trying to verify the claim.”

    Reacting to the allegation via a small messaging service (SMS), Yinka Mafe, who is the House of Assembly’s Majority Leader, dismissed it as a “beer parlour gist”.

    The lawmaker said the suspects should be charged to court of competent jurisdiction where he, as a lawyer, would defend himself.

    He added: “Well I don’t react to a beer parlour gist. More so, I rather they are charged to the court of competent jurisdiction so I can have my day in court as a lawyer to defend myself. Thanks.”

  • Paris Club refund: Three more governors indicted

    Paris Club refund: Three more governors indicted

    EFCC uncovers another slush account

    Release of third tranche threatened

    Three more governors are believed to have diverted the London-Paris Club refund,  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sources said yesterday.

    Besides, another slush account has been uncovered.

    The governors and their cronies are under investigation.

    Some of those implicated in the mismanagement and diversion of the refund will soon face trial, The Nation learnt.

    Governors have been pushing for the release of the third tranche of the refund. President Muhammadu Buhari is said to be weighing the request.

    Security reports allegedly indicted some governors of gross abuse of the cash.

    According to a source, who gave an update on the investigation of the refund, all suspects will be brought to book.

    The source said: “As part of the ongoing probe, we have traced diversion of funds to three more governors and their cronies. This is apart from two governors who have  been fingered in such deals.

    “Detectives have also uncovered another account opened by the Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF) where suspicious transactions related to the London-Paris Club refund have been found.

    ‘We have rated this new discovery as a slush account. This is aside the two accounts on which we placed Post No Debit(PNB).”

    According to the source, “more consultants have confessed  that they were paid for jobs not done.

    “So, we have cases of diversion of public funds into private accounts under the guise of consultancy fees. This explains why salaries have not been paid in some states”, the source added.

    He went on: “We will release the details to the public very soon. All the suspects will certainly face trial. Those who have immunity will face the consequences, no matter how long it takes.

    “Already, one of the governors has forfeited N500million and another crony of the second governor has refunded $500,000 out of $3million linked to his account.

    “We have also applied for the forfeiture of over N1.823billion by some consultants hired by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).”

    Following protests by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, President Buhari had approved the release of N522.74 billion (first tranche) to states as refunds pending reconciliation of records.

    Each state was entitled to a cap of N14.5 billion being 25% of the amounts claimed.

    The second tranche of N243, 795,465,195.20 was also disbursed to states in July.

    Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said the payment of the claims would enable states to offset outstanding salaries and pension which had been “causing considerable hardship”.

    The governors had sought for the refund to states and local governments at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on May 24, 2016.

    The Finance ministry said it was reviewing the impact of these releases on the level of arrears owed by the various states.

    “The releases were conditional upon a minimum of 75 per cent being applied to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions for states that owe salaries and pension,” Salisu Dambatta, a Finance ministry spokesperson said in the statement.

    The Senate plans to probe how the refund and bailout funds to states by Buhari were approved.

    The Senate’s decision followed a point of order raised by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu (PDP- Imo).

    Buhari is said to be weighing on whether or not to release the third tranche of the refund to states.

    A Presidency source said: “Although the governors agreed at the National Economic Council meeting to demand for the third tranche, the President has the final say.

    “From the security reports available to the President, some of the governors allegedly misused the refunds. A few of them devoted 20% -30% to payment of salaries. And some diverted the cash.”

    Advocates of true federalism have argued that the Presidency has no right to held on to the cash because it belong to the states.

    “The most feasible option is to impose stiffer conditions  on how to access and use the refunds. There might be stiffer monitoring of the utilisation of the London-Paris Club cash,” a source said.

    Read Also: EFCC raises panel to grill ex-SGF Lawal, seven others

  • Falana seeks sanction against indicted officials in Maina’s recall

    Falana seeks sanction against indicted officials in Maina’s recall

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to take action against officials involved in the controversial recall of former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Abdulrasheed Maina.

    In a statement issued yesterday titled: “President Buhari should act with dispatch on Mainagate”, the rights activist said “time is certainly not on the side of President Buhari”.

    Although the Federal Government has promised not to sweep the Mainagate under the carpet, Falana contended that the handling of the scandal generated by Maina’s recall has eroded the credibility of the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration.

    He said: “Therefore, the sanctions, which the Federal Government will mete out to all the officials who conspired to expose the administration and the nation to such avoidable shame will make or mar the fight against corruption and impunity, which is the cornerstone of the domestic and foreign policy thrust of the administration.”

    Falana’s advice was sequel to a statement credited to Maina’s family, accusing Buhari administration of official betrayal.

    He noted that at a news conference in Kaduna two weeks ago, the spokesman for the Abdulrasheed Maina’s family, Mr. Aliyu Maina, had stated that “Abdulrasheed was in fact invited by this administration and he was promised security to come and clean up the mess and generate more revenue to the government by blocking leakages. He has been working with the DSS for quite some time and he was given necessary security. So, one wonders why all the agencies and various individuals responsible for his return are now denying”.

    But Falana contended that those who recalled Maina, “deliberately set out to subvert the anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration”.

    He argued that through such demonstration of impunity, the officials involved have exposed the country to ridicule before the comity of nations.

    “In view of the revelation of the family, which has not been denied, it is crystal clear that the highly placed officials of the Federal Government, who brought Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina back to the country, gave him a clean bill of health, provided him with “necessary security”, reinstated him, promoted him and paid his arrears of salaries and allowances totalling N22 million deliberately set out to subvert the anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration,” the senior lawyer said.

    Falana described the payment of N22 million to Maina as “the height of insensitivity to pay arrears of salaries to a fugitive at a time when hundreds of thousands of workers and pensioners are owed arrears of their legitimate emoluments”.

    The senior advocate queried: “Having found Maina and exonerated him, why was Interpol not informed that he was no longer wanted to stand trial for his role in the unprecedented pension fraud?

    “Since Mr. Maina’s ‘necessary security’ provided by the State Security Service has not been withdrawn, why is the Federal Government requesting the Interpol to declare him wanted again? Will Interpol believe that a man, who was provided with ‘necessary security’ cannot be found by the Federal Government? Why is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission asking Nigerians to assist in searching for the fugitive?”

  • Indicted ex-Benue officials arrested

    Four persons indicted by the Elizabeth Kpojime-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry for allegedly looting the Benue State treasury have been arrested, and taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    Those arrested are former Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Pension Board Andy Uwouku; former Accountant of the board Paul Chile, former Accountant, Local Government Service Commission Moses Burya; and former Cashier of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Jacob Ageva.

    Leader of the investigative team, who pleaded for anonymity, said Uwouku was arrested for illegal withdrawal from the Makurdi branch of Keystone Bank Plc, an account he opened for the Pensions Board, to which he was sole signatory.

    He added that Uwouku was being investigated for alleged diversion of pension fund, while Chile allegedly conspired with him.

    Burya, who was arrested with fake receipts and receipts of a non-existent consultancy firm, was said to have defrauded the government under the pretext of training local government workers. Ageva was arrested for alleged fraud in the payment of teachers’ salaries, from 2011 to 2015.

    State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Michael Gusa, who confirmed the arrests, explained that the state reported those indicted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the police, noting that the affected persons will be arraigned in court.

    He urged the people to continue to support the Ortom administration to recover Benue’s wealth.

    Police Commissioner Bashir Makama also confirmed the arrests.

    He added that the matter was being handled at the Force Headquarters.

  • I’ve not been indicted, says Kashamu

    I’ve not been indicted, says Kashamu

    Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mobilisation Committee in the Southwest Mr. Buruji Kashamu, has denied being indicted in the United States.

    In a statement last night, he said: “My attention has been drawn to yet another diatribe against my person by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in what was supposed to be his response to the pleas made to him to come back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “His statement is yet another cocktail of lies served with his legendary deceit.”

    He said he was displeased at my allegedly being made the leader of the party in the South West. First, it should be noted that as against his earlier assertion that I am “a wanted habitual criminal…for whom extradition has been requested by the US Government…”, he has now described me “as an indicted drug baron wanted in America”.

    “ He used me to prosecute his battle against former Governor Gbenga Daniel. When it was time to field candidates for the 2011 general elections, he brought his stooge, Gen. Adetunji Olurin, and asked me to roll the party structure behind his anointed candidate.

    “In his usual holier-than-thou manner, he talked about not being able to work with me because of his principles, honour and integrity. But the questions Nigerians should ask him are: where were his principles when he used to take me into the inner recesses of his abode? Where was his honour when he served me breakfast, lunch and dinner in his Hilltop mansion? Where was his integrity when he mounted the rostrum to sing my praises, praying for me as he did in May 2010 during a reception for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye?

    Despite his pretensions, the reason I have become the target of Obasanjo’s wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West. He is against the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan and he had wanted to use the erstwhile National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the former National Auditor, Bode Mustapha and the ex-National Vice-Chairman, Segun Oni, to thwart Mr. President’s re-election. The almighty Allah Subhana wa tala used me to stand up to him and the rest is history.

    “Before his very eyes the PDP in the South West is on a rebound and we are winning elections.

    Now, on the issue of my so-called indictment in the United States, I wish to state for the umpteenth time that I am not wanted by anyone. Even if that were the case, there are processes and procedures to follow, and they are not subject to anyone’s whims and caprices, not even Obasanjo’s because no man is God.

    “I have never in stepped my feet into the U.S neither do I have any business there. I was wrongly accused, arrested, tried and freed over the same indictment. If after a full trial on the basis of the same indictment, the British courts exonerated me, which other indictment is Obasanjo talking about? What happens to the general principle of International Law on double-jeopardy?.”

  • N400b subsidy cash: Fed Govt asks indicted oil marketers to face trial

    N400b subsidy cash: Fed Govt asks indicted oil marketers to face trial

    The Federal Government has urged those indicted over the diversion of over N400 billion fuel subsidy to face their trial rather than resort to propaganda.

    The government said the marketers were using propaganda to tarnish the report of the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee and investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police.

    A police officer in SFU said it was amazing to read the propaganda of some of the affected oil marketers who were speechless when confronted with the findings of the SFU on their alleged involvement in the fuel subsidy scam.

    According to findings from a senior government official, the presidency was shocked that some of the indicted oil marketers have been funding covert campaigns to rubbish the report of the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee and investigations by the EFCC and the SFU of the Nigeria Police.

    It was learnt that security reports also indicated that some of the marketers had set aside seed funds to finance a vicious campaign to prove their innocence and stampede the government to discontinue their trial.

    The government official said: “The probe of fuel subsidy scam was diligently conducted and we are confident that most of those affected have cases to answer.

    “Instead of resorting to propaganda, those indicted should go to court to clear their names.

    “We will not waiver in our commitment to ensure justice and recover looted public funds. The battle line is drawn. We will not bow to blackmail at all.

    “They had every opportunity to present their so-called fact-sheets to the EFCC, SFU and Presidential Committee.”

    A source in the SFU at the Force Headquarters, who was involved in the investigation of the scandal, said: “When some of these suspects were confronted with the findings of the police on the fuel subsidy scam, they were dumbfounded. They were shocked that we uncovered their tracks.

    “They were unable to defend the allegations levelled against them in the documents available to the police authorities.

    “They manipulated shipment records through which the nation was ripped off billions of naira.

    “When SFU investigators asked a notable oil baron among them questions about more than N9 billion traced to his firm, he did not provide any evidence to substantiate his innocence.

    “The same man’s company collected subsidy payments without proof of existence of the mother vessel bill of lading and where the products were discharged.

    “When it became clear that the evidence was too much, the man just kept quiet.

    “That man failed to defend the many allegations contained in the charge sheet. We are shocked he is now defending himself through sheer propaganda. We have done our part; it is left to the court to take a decision.”