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Tag: Magu

  • Abacha loot: Swiss govt has returned over $1.04b to Nigeria since 1999, says Magu

    SINCE 1999, Swiss Government has returned about $1.040 billion looted by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and his family members to Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu gave the information in a presentation at the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, (IAACA), in Vienna, Austria where he spoke about the need for an effective international collaboration by law enforcement agencies to combat corruption.

    He said the cost of corruption was enormous and needed a broader approach to be tackled.

    The excerpts of Magu’s submission were made available to reporters by the EFCC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Tony Orilade.

    Magu said: “Successes recorded in recovery of stolen assets have been achieved through Memoranda of Understanding, (MoU) signed between Nigeria and several countries, including Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (U.S.) in line with Article 57 paragraph 5 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, UNCAC.

    “The UK government returned stolen funds to Nigeria in the cases of Dariye and Alamieyeseigha, with over five million pounds recovered from the former Bayelsa State governor in 2012.

    “In the case of Joshua Dariye, a former Governor of Plateau State in Nigeria, the British government also returned £48,000 to Nigeria in fulfillment of the UK’s commitments under Chapter V of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

    “In 1999, the Swiss authorities, pursuant to a request for mutual legal assistance, returned about $723m to Nigeria.

    Read also: INEC, ACPN kick as Ezekwesili ends presidential aspiration

    “A tripartite MoU between the Swiss government, the World Bank and Nigerian government also led to the return of additional $320 million Abacha loot.

    “Other classes of recoveries made by the EFCC included whistleblowers cash recoveries, subsidy payment cash recoveries, third party cash recovery for NNPC, FIRS, NPA, AMCON and banks.

    “In 2017, EFCC made a total recovery of N473, 065,195,977.50, $142,504,121.12, and most of the recoveries, were non-conviction based asset recovery.”

    Magu listed some of them to include, real estates belonging to Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Petroleum Minister and her associates; $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 recovered in an apartment at Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in 2017; $9,772,800 and £74,000 cash in Kaduna, belonging to Andrew Yakubu, a former Group General Manager of NNPC in 2017.”

    Magu called for more international collaboration and synergy on repatriation of stolen wealth.

    “Corruption is acknowledged to have been an impediment to sustainable development in Africa, and the cost is so enormous that there is an urgent need for international collaboration for success to be achieved,” he said.

    According to him, “though the international community has created legal and institutional frameworks for the prevention and recovery of proceeds of corruption, recovery of stolen assets stashed away in foreign lands still remains a major issue to be tackled.”

  • Stolen assets: Magu meets with UAE intelligence chiefs in Dubai

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu has held talks with intelligence chiefs in Dubai on stolen assets stashed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The talks bordered on how to block repatriation of looted funds from the UAE to prevent vote-buying in the presidential elction billed for February 16.

    The EFCC chairman requested the UAE to block such illicit funds from coming to Nigeria.

    Although Magu led a team of detectives to attend a three-day 2019 Intersec Security Summit, he also decided to meet with UAE intelligence chiefs to compare notes.

    A source at the anti-graft agency said: “I can tell you authoritatively that the Acting EFCC Chairman met with Dubai intelligence in company of crack detectives for intelligence sharing and cooperation.

    “This is directly connected to the illicit assets tracing and financial flow vis-a-vis the commission’s active surveillance on vote buying and monitoring its funding source.

    “You will recall that the purpose of those who looted our commonwealth is to bring in the illicit funds into country in order to undermine the national security and engage in voters’ inducement.

    “Please note that the development is capable of scaring investors, discourage investments and cripple the economy.

    “But I can tell you that the commission is equal to the task and all hands are on deck to ensure that this infamous action is tackled for the progress of the country.”

    Read also: Fayemi removes indicted heads of institutions

    When contacted over the issue, the Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Tony Amokeodo, confirmed the development.

    He, however, declined to give details.

    About 20 Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), including nine ex-governors and six former ministers are on the EFCC radar in Dubai over looted funds.

    The Federal Government signed six agreements with the UAE on January 19, 2016 following a state visit by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The pact includes Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters (the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth).

    It was learnt that the government has been collaborating with the UAE authorities on suspicious cash and assets allegedly owned by some (Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, Shehu Sani, said over $200 billion had been hidden in UAE.

    He said: “Over $200 billion are stashed away from Nigeria to Dubai alone. This may be the monies stolen since in the past 20 years. I am not talking about estates and bonds and other securities bought with Nigeria stolen money.”

  • Magu, detectives in Ghana to block slush funds

    Politicians relying on slush funds to run their campaigns will not have it easy, The Nation has learnt.

    Detectives are off to Ghana to block repatriation of such funds.

    The mission to Ghana is headed by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu.

    The anti-graft agency is also hunting for properties bought with illicit cash by some Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) in Ghana and other West African countries.

    The EFCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and Ghana Police Service (GPS) to track down some suspects.

    Magu and the detectives arrived in Ghana on Sunday night with some intelligence report on huge campaign cash movement along the West Coast and a list of suspects being trailed.

    It was gathered that in the last 72 hours, the EFCC delegation and the team from the EOCO of Ghana have exchanged some information.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC chairman has taken the battle against the use of slush funds for campaign by candidates to Ghana and some ECOWAS countries.

    “Due to cash crunch, there have been intelligence reports that some politicians and those who looted the treasury had been trying to haul cash to Nigeria for campaign.

    “Some of them were suspected to be engaging some Nigerian banks in Ghana for the transfer of the illicit funds.

    “We are determined to block such funds in Ghana and other countries. We have been tracking the movement of the slush funds from abroad.”

    Another source gave insights into the Ghana trip.

    Read also: $1.04billion Malabu deal: Anti-graft groups push for Shell to lose oil block

    The source said: “The Commission has been targeting safe havens all over  the world through collaboration with law enforcement agencies in those countries.  The commission is making tremendous progress in recoveries of funds and properties from such territories  and  within Nigeria.

    “There is high rate of movement  of these funds by road transportation through the porous land borders to avoid the prying eyes of security personnel at the airports.

    “ Magu’s fear is that if these illicit funds are not checked, they could be used  to undermine national security.

    “There are suspicions that these funds  could be used to support  Boko Haram terrorists as in the recent dare-devil audacity with which the group has been challenging the military.

    “As the elections draw nearer, these funds could come handy in buying votes, arming thugs and causing confusion  in the country.”

    The EFCC team is also in Ghana to identify properties and explore areas of cooperation with the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and other agencies.

    A third source said:  ”Some PEPs and cybercrime fraudsters in concert with some Ghanaians and financial institutions buy choice properties running into millions of dollars in protected neighbourhoods in Accra.

    “There is also the angle of crude oil thieves who smuggle products from Nigeria, using Ghana as their base and thereafter laundering their proceeds through buying properties or moving the monies to  Nigeria.

    “Magu is working in collaboration with the EOCO, FIC and other relevant law enforcement agencies in Ghana.

    “The Commission is in the process of  signing a Memorandum of Understanding with these agencies and the Ghana Police Service to tackle this menace according to reports.”

    When contacted,  the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Tony Amokeodo, confirmed that a team led by Magu was in Ghana.

    He declined further comments.

  • Anti-graft war: Five govs, four ministers in fresh plot to sack Magu

    A fresh plot to remove the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu,is alleged to be in the making.

    The alleged plotters include at least five state governors and four ministers, The Nation learnt authoritatively yesterday.

    A former security chief is said to be  central to the plan to give Magu what is termed the Nuhu Ribadu treatment, well placed sources said.

    The plan, specifically, is to  send the EFCC chair  on a forced course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)  on or before the conclusion of the coming  elections.

    But  some government officials who believe Magu is doing a good job at the EFCC and should be encouraged   are rallying to ensure that he is not pushed out.

    They want  to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari not to give in to the pressure from the  governors.

    According to findings, the Magu-must go forces are  angry that all steps so far  taken to prevail on Buhari to sack Magu have failed.

    It was gathered  that at a session last week in Abuja, the alleged plotters came up with the option of sending Magu on course ,the same  way the  pioneer Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,  was eased out of the system.

    Some of the governors involved in the plot will be completing their second term in office in May.

    They are said to be afraid of facing trial after their tenure on the strength of  petitions against them.

    A few governors cited in the London-Paris Club refunds scandal and some members of the National Assembly have also been implicated in the new step.

    One of the governors is alleged to have bragged to make Magu’s ouster his last assignment before leaving power.

    Investigation showed that  Magu’s removal may  affect Nigeria’s status as the chair of the Commonwealth Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The latest move was provoked by the ongoing high-profile investigations which the EFCC is handling. Those concerned felt they will no longer be in power as from May 29 and they do not want to take things for granted.

    “Some of them claimed that with Magu’s dossiers on them, the President may not be able to spare them the agony of undergoing trial.

    “Five governors in connivance with some members of the National Assembly, about two to three ministers under searchlight and a top government official met and came up with the idea of a course for Magu.

    “In fact, one of the governors said his major goal is just to get rid of Magu before leaving office because he does not want to face trial over the London-Paris Club refund. The governor was neck deep in the fraud and he has been begging the group seeking Magu’s sack to see it through at all cost.

    “Once it gets presidential approval, their plan is that the Director of Operations of EFCC, Umar Abba,  will initially be put in charge as a camouflage before bringing in a new chairman for the anti-graft agency. Abba is the engine room of the ongoing operations in the EFCC and a trusted ally of Magu.

    “They are already shopping for amenable hands that will be in charge of the commission. The role of the co-opted members of the National Assembly is to facilitate lobbying for the confirmation of a favoured candidate.

    But there are concerns that  the sack of Magu might affect Nigeria’s status as the chair of the Commonwealth Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.

    Those who are pro-Magu in government have launched counter-moves to prevail on the President to retain Magu.

    Another source added: “It is against international convention  to remove Magu midway into his tenure as the chairman of Commonwealth Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.

    “The President is currently in charge of coordinating anti-corruption war in Africa. The removal of Magu will not augur well for his tenure.

    “This is why some government officials have launched counter-moves to prevail on the President not to bow to pressure to send Magu on forced course.”

  • EFCC secures three fresh convictions

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu on Thursday said the Commission is ready to secure more convictions in 2019.

    He said the anti-graft agency has also secured three convictions barely a few days in the New Year.

    He, however, said the EFCC will redouble its efforts to bring more corrupt suspects to justice.

    Magu made the disclosures while addressing officers during a working tour to the Lagos office of the commission.

    A statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Tony Orilade quoted Magu as pledging to work within the ambit of the law.

    Magu said: “The EFCC has already secured three convictions in 2019, which is a good start.

    Read Also: Man arraigned for N1.5m alleged visa fraud

    “With 312 convictions in 2018, we are strategizing to redouble our effort in 2019, as part of our concerted efforts aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the law, remains altered.

    “The Commission shall continue to rid the country of economic and financial crimes and effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

    He said the “EFCC remains committed to carrying out its duties in conformity to best international practice within the ambit of the Law”.

    While commending the exemplary leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for the success recorded in the past year, he stressed that the Judiciary is key to winning the corruption fight.

    He said: “Let us have it at the back of our minds that we are only prosecutors; without the support of the Judiciary, led by the CJN and other Heads of Court across jurisdictions, we could not have been able to achieve the much we did in 2018.

    “Therefore, to be able to double that feat in 2019, let us know that we cannot do without the judiciary.”

    He called for unalloyed collaboration of other stakeholders, and urged Nigerians to be “more dedicated and determined in reducing corruption to the barest minimum”.

    “Those who stole our commonwealth should know that there is no hiding place for them. A high tension searchlight is being beamed on them, it is in their interest to surrender because the game is up”, he added.

    Meanwhile, the EFCC said it has already secured three convictions in 2019.

    The statement disclosed that Justice D. Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court, Apo, on January 2, 2019, convicted Augustine James and Cyrinus Valentine Richard and sentenced them to 14 years in jail without an option of fine.

    They were prosecuted on a six-count amended charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and forgery.

    Justice Senchi also convicted Edwin Ogbomwan (aka Thomas Jerry Stars) who was prosecuted by the Advance Fee Fraud Unit of the Commission. He was convicted for Internet-related fraud and sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option of fine of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira) only.

    The convict is also to forfeit his Toyota Camry 2006 model and iPhone X to the Federal Government. EFCC secures three fresh convictions, Magu pledges more trials.

  • I don’t have two houses, Magu tells court

    ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that he did not own two houses.

    Magu told the court that he has only one house, which, he said, is situated in Karo, Abuja.

    He stated this while being led in evidence by his counsel, Wahab Shittu, before Justice Doris Okuwobi in a libel suit instituted against The Sun.

    The EFCC boss had sued the publishers of the newspaper before the court for libelous publication against his person.

    Magu is claiming N5 billion as damages in a letter written to the publishers of the newspaper.

    He had also demanded a public apology and retraction of the said libelous publication dated March 25, 2017 in The Sun.

    Read also: Magu: EFCC suspects 60% looted funds still in Nigeria

    The publication titled: “Magu under fresh probe”, had alleged that two houses located in a highbrow area in Maitama, Abuja, were traced to his wife by the Department of State Security (DSS).

    He said The Sun publications damaged his person and character nationally and internationally.

    Magu contended that there was no iota of truth in the publication by the newspaper.

    “The publication is totally false. Even if I have the money, I wouldn’t buy houses in Maitama,” Magu maintained.

    “They said the houses are located in the Darrubbe and Missouri, Maitama and that they belong to my wife.

    “My wife Fatima Yakaka Magu is a civil servant and cannot afford to buy houses in Maitama.

    “I am an international man and the publication has damaged my reputation. The name Magu does not only end with me. The publication caused a whole lot of trauma for my lineage,” Magu said.

    However, while under cross-examination by defence counsel, Charles Enwelunta, Magu said his wife is not a party in the suit he filed against the defendant.

    “Are you sure you read the story very well?” Enwelunta asked Magu.

    “Yes, I read it over and over again and they did not say DSS was investigating my wife,” Magu said.

    Magu told the court that his appointment was to be confirmed by the Senate but that he does not know why the upper chamber declined to do so twice, when asked by the defence to name the arm of the government that was to confirm his appointment.

    He, however, said he was not worried about the refusal of the Senate to confirm his appointment.

    When Enwelunta took him up on his activities in the EFCC, Magu maintained that he secured 200 convictions in court in respect of cases bordering on corruption.

    He said the Senate was in a better position to say why they rejected him, adding: “I have been there for three years and Nigerians are watching.”

    Magu admitted knowing Inda Sule Moses, Lawal Mammah, Najeeb Iman and Adebayo Adeleke Rafiu with whom he faced the Senate during the screening exercise.

    He said it was of no importance to him, if there are forces trying to get him out of office. .

    Justice Okuwobi adjourned the matter till February 28, 2019 for further hearing.

     

  • Secondus alleges plots to arrest Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Dogara

    The national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has raised the alarm, alleging plots by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest some key leaders of the opposition party on trump up charges.

    Secondus listed the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; his running mate, Peter Obi; President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other leaders of the party as some of those marked for arrest.

    In a statement issued on Monday by Secondus media aide, Ike Abonyi, the party chairman warned that the country would explode any moment if the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu continued with such impunity.

    Alleging plots to prefer frame up charges against the PDP chieftains, the main opposition party chairman further warned that the country is presently sitting on a gunpowder.

    Prince Secondus further cautioned the EFCC chairman, saying that he won’t get away with the hatchet job he has taken upon himself by using instruments of state to harass and intimidate opposition figures.

    Regretting that Magu has made himself a willing tool for oppression, Secondus said available intelligence indicated that the EFCC chairman was working in cahoots with some prominent chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “They are presiding over clandestine meetings and developing strategies for the APC, which is aimed at caging and crushing critical leaders of the opposition”, Secondus said.

    The party chairman said aside arrest and detention of the targeted opposition leaders, their family members and business associates have also been lined up for intimidation and harassment, including freezing their business interests and their bank accounts.

    He described as an afterthought fabrication, the EFCC’s statement that the two sons of Atiku, whose residence was raided by operatives on the Commission on Saturday, were not the target of the raid.

    Prince Secondus recalled the security search on Atiku on November 11, when he arrived in the country from Dubai, saying the country has gone into full blown dictatorship.

    “After that embarrassment and harassment which was aimed at intimidating the candidate and nothing incriminating was found on him, no apology was extended to him as a former number two citizen.

    “They followed it up with the freezing of the bank accounts of our vice presidential candidate as well as that of his friends and family members as part of a large scheme to keep the party distracted from its focus of regaining power in 2019”, the statement added.

    The PDP chairman said the script being played by the ruling party was meant to bring key opposition leaders to their knees, with a view to grounding them, framing them up and putting them behind bars before the 2019 elections.

    He called on all lovers of democracy and rule of law, especially the international community to rein in President Muhammadu Buhari, Magu and the APC to observe the tenets of democracy that respect the sanctity of the opposition and human rights.

     

  • Magu: EFCC suspects  60% looted funds still in Nigeria

    About 60 per cent of funds looted by former public officers is in Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday.

    Besides, the $300 million on Jersey Island in the United Kingdom is yet to be repatriated, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu said.

    He said also that the request for the extradition of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, was not intended to cause a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    Magu said the EFCC will comply with the court order to bring Mrs. Alison-Madueke back to the country.

    Magu said: “Yes; 60 % of the looted funds are still in the country. This is why I called you to collaborate with me to expose them and to arrest them. We cannot do it alone; how many of us are in EFCC? There are about 180m Nigerians; how many of us are working here? I want to appeal to all law enforcement agencies to collaborate with us.

    “Everybody must fight corruption, every Nigerian must join the fight against corruption, especially other law enforcement agencies. That was the reason we were established.”

    According to Magu, “more than 80 per cent of recovered loot  recoveries outside this country are still hanging. Why is it hanging? Why is it so difficult to repatriate this money when you have established that this money came from Nigeria. And you know that this person does not own this money.

    “There is no justification for such. It is no small money. We have over $370 million hanging in Jersey Island in the UK,” he said.

    A court has okayed Mrs Alison-Madueke’s extradition, which the EFCC is pushing. Magu said the EFCC will comply with the court order to extradite her.

    He added: “We are going to comply with the court order. It is in our character to comply with court orders. And there is no time we refused to comply with court orders. If we don’t comply with any court order, it means we have reasons to appeal against the court’s decision, which we have the right to do.

    “I need less than 72 hours to produce Diezani but how can I get her because she is being investigated by other law enforcement agencies outside this country. This is our predicament; otherwise if we see her, we will arrest her.

    “The barrier is that  another law enforcement agency is in the matter. You know she is in the UK. We are making preparation to get her.

    Responding to a question, Magu said the request for Mrs Alison-Madueke’s extradition was not intended to cause a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    He added: “The demand for Diezani’s extradition is not intended to create a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. We have extra work. All we are saying is that extradite Diezani to bring her to justice.

    “And the legal process on her extradition is on. We urge Nigerian media to put pressure on the appropriate authorities to help us extradite her.”

    Reacting to the allegation that the crime agencies have not found anything against Mrs Alison-Madueke, the EFCC chairman said: “I don’t know about that. But it is not true; they cannot say that. We have been working together on this  corruption case against Diezani. I don’t have to disclose the details of our collaboration.

    “But nobody will ever say  that she has not done anything. In fact, all the countries in  Europe and America and all the law enforcement agencies in the world have the knowledge of Diezani’s laundering activities.

    “Whatever reasons they have, we will extradite her. If we cannot get her within 72 hours, whatever will happen is for the court to say, not me. I cannot decide for the court.

    “Since we say we want her and she is not here, something is wrong somewhere. I think you need to put pressure on the other side to repatriate her and to bring back the loot.”

    On the collaboration between the EFCC and INEC on 2019 poll, Magu said: “It is ongoing seriously. We are still on it, we are strategising. We must collaborate with the police. We are working with INEC  and the National Orientation Agency( NOA).”

  • Magu, UK crime agency parley over extradition of Diezani, others

    FOLLOWING moves to extradite a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu has met with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the United Kingdom.

    The meeting also discussed the efforts of the commission in the recovering of all ill-gotten assets domiciled in foreign jurisdiction by Nigerian’s Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

    A statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said the session focused on the extradition of some PEPs.

    The statement said: “Outside the recovery of assets, the EFCC boss in the course of the high power meeting with officials of the NCA also presented the commission’s position on ways to fast-track the extradition of all PEPs who have found safe heavens in foreign jurisdiction.

    “The NCA is a national law enforcement agency in the United Kingdom. It was established in 2013 as a non-ministerial government department, replacing the Serious Organized Crime Agency, SOCA, and absorbing the formerly separate Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre as one of its commands.

    “The EFCC chairman had explained why the anti-graft agency is bent on extraditing all PEPs.

    “For instance, speaking on the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, whose process of extradition from the United Kingdom has commenced, Magu explained that “Having waited for three years, the Nigerian government believes that it is time to initiate the extradition process”.

    “Outside Diezani, there are several other PEPs who have fled into exile since 2015 when the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in May 2015.

    “It would be recalled that in 2017, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6 billion alleged loot recovered by the EFCC from the Diezani.

    “The order of final forfeiture to the Federal Government was granted by Justice Abdulazeez Anka.”

    Meanwhile, Magu has again urged the public to support the whistle-blowing policy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the security of the informant is guaranteed.

    A separate statement by the EFCC said Magu gave the assurance in a message to at a Town Hall meeting organized on Whistle Blowing and Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria, at City Green Hotel, Yola Road, Jimeta, Adamawa State

    The EFCC chair was represented by Friday Ebelo, Head of Operations, EFCC Gombe Office.

    He said the Federal Government policy in 2016 based on the Whistle-blower Act.

    The statement said:  “The whistle-blower can report to the authorities through a secure online portal, which would also conceal the identity of the blower through the ministry of finance or through law enforcement agencies like EFCC,” he said.

    “The policy states that if you whistle-blow in good faith, you will be protected; if you feel that you have been treated badly because of your report, you can file a formal complaint. If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution,” he added.

    He further said that corruption, as we all agreed, is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of every system in Nigeria.

    “It is a crime with such a despicable viral effect and disastrous tendency like terrorism, and is capable of obstructing good governance,” he said.

    He listed EFCC achievements so far on whistle blowing. He said: “On the 10th of February, 2017, $9.2million cash was recovered from a home belonging to the former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna”.

    He added:  “In that same period, EFCC recovered N450million from an abandoned shop in the Nigerian Air Force Complex in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    “In 2017, the EFCC via information from a whistle-blower helped the government to recover $43.5million, GBP27, 800 and N23. 2million at No 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagoa, Nigeria. It will interest you to know that the Federal Ministry of Finance paid the Ikoyi whistle blower the sum of N421million.

    “This has no doubt reduced the craze for stealing government’s resources and stocking them in unthinkable locations

  • Magu seeks transfer of corruption cases from Justice Nyako’s court

    •Commission accuses trial judge of ‘likely bias’

    ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu has asked that corruption cases initiated by his agency be transferred from Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    EFCC spokesman Tony Orilade said in a statement yesterday that Magu’s request is contained in a letter he wrote to Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Orilade, who was silent on the date of the said letter, attributed the information to an EFCC lawyer, Onjefu Obe.

    Obe was quoted as stating Magu’s position in court on November 21.

    Part of Orilade’s statement reads: “Magu has written to the Chief Justice of the Federation, requesting that all EFCC court cases being handled by Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court Abuja, be reassigned to another judge in a bid to obtain fair judgment.

    “EFCC prosecuting counsel Onjefu Obe told the court on November 21, 2018, during the trial of the quartet of Umar Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri and Ogechukwu Obaji. They are being prosecuted by the EFCC over their complicity in a $1 million fraud.

    “According to Obe, the concern of the commission to reassign all EFCC cases before Justice Nyako, borders on likely bias on part of the trial judge, considering the fact that the EFCC was also prosecuting her husband, Murtala Nyako, a former Adamawa State governor for alleged fraud.

    “The EFCC had in 2017 arraigned the defendants before Justice Nyako on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $1million. They allegedly defrauded Donald Latella of North Park LLC of the said sum in a business deal involving the supply of about two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil.

    “The offence contravenes Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

    “They were arraigned alongside four companies: Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services Limited, Double Wonder Concept Limited and ICS Energy Services Limited.

    “They had pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges.

    Read also: Justice Nyako withdraws from suits against Magu

    “According to Obe, he had come to court fully prepared with the prosecution witnesses to proceed with the case. But very unfortunately, the case (FHC/ABJ/C12/ 266/16), was not listed in the court’s schedule for today as it is yet to be reassigned to another court.”

    The statement added: “Counsel for the second defendant Solomon Agada also lamented that his client usually travels from Lagos to Abuja for the case. He, therefore, urged the court to intervene and called for the speedy reassignment of the case in order for the case to proceed.

    “Both counsels however agreed to await the reassignment of the case and thereafter mutually agree on the next possible adjournment.”

    A lawyer to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, had on July 31 this year, written similar letter, in which he requested that cases involving Magu and the commission be withdrawn from Justice Nyako by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and handed to any other judge of the court.

    The letter was addressed to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Kafarati.

    The EFCC said its request was informed by the need “to avoid bias and conflict of interest, because the commission is prosecuting the spouse and step son of Justice Nyako, namely; Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd) and Senator Abdulazeez Nyako respectively”.

    Shittu said, in the letter, that he was acting based on a written instruction by Magu, dated July 30, 2018, demanding that the cases, numbering about 17, be reassigned.