The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Subsidy

  • Subsidy scam: EFCC re-arraigns Arisekola-Alao’s son, two others

    Subsidy scam: EFCC re-arraigns Arisekola-Alao’s son, two others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday re-arraigned Abdullahi Alao, son of prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arikesola-Alao, over a fresh allegation of N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the younger Alao was re-arraigned before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    He was arraigned alongside two other oil marketers, Olarenwaju Olalusi and Opeyemi Ajuyah, and their companies –Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited.

    The accused are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of false documents.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), alleged that the defendants had on February 14, 2011, fraudulently obtained N1.1 billion from the Federal Government.

    Jacobs said that the defendants obtained the money from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) for a purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    He further claimed that they forged a document titled: “Shore Tank Certificate” dated January 21, 2011 allegedly issued by an officer of Q and Q Control Services Limited.

    They were also alleged to have forged other documents, including bills of lading, to facilitate the fraud.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 1, (sub-sections 1, 2, 3) and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    Jacobs also stated that the offences contradicted Sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

    The judge remanded the defendants in EFCC custody, pending the hearing of their bail applications fixed for October 19.

    The EFCC had on July 26 arraigned Alao alongside Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex and Eternal Oil Limited, over alleged N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

     

  • Capital Oil boss Uba arrested for alleged N22.4b subsidy scam

    Capital Oil boss Uba arrested for alleged N22.4b subsidy scam

    Operatives of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), yesterday arrested the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, over his alleged involvement in a N22.4billion subsidy scam

    The Commissioner of Police, in charge SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, led operatives to arrest the Uba at about 2.30pm.

    As at press time, Uba was still being interrogated by a crack team of detectives at SFU office at Milverton Road, Ikoyi.

    SFU spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent confirmed Uba’s arrrst on telephone.

    She said the suspect is still being interrogated but did not say if he would be detained or allowed to go home on bail.

    She said, “I cannot really say much for now because he is currently being interrogated by SFU detectives. Ifeanyi Uba was arrested because of his alleged involvement in the fuel subsidy scam.

    “We are still investigating the case so I cannot say if he would be released at the end of today (yesterday). He was indicted by the presidential committee on fuel subsidy verification.

    “Our job is to thoroughly investigate the matter and then prosecute if it comes to that. We don’t want to preempt investigation by commenting on everything. As you are aware, investigation is still on.

    “But be rest assured that the Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, would in line with his mantra of zero tolerance to corruption see this case to a logical end.”

    She added, “Remember the law says one is innocent until otherwise proven guilty. That is the line we are towing until investigations are over.”

    However, one of his Uba’s Aids who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that his boss was arrested early in the day but that he was later released.

    “He was invited by thr police but he is back. He was in the office after he got back from SFU”, the source said.

     

  • Alleged N1.051b subsidy scam: EFCC to arraign four more suspects today

    •Four suspects in trouble over N2.9m scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said four more suspects will be arraigned today in Abuja for alleged N1.051billion fuel subsidy scam.

    AIhaji Saminu Rabiu, Jubril Rowaye and two companies, Alminnur Resources Limited and Brila Energy Limited – are to face trial.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the suspects allegedly collected the subsidy to purportedly import 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The EFCC said the suspects would be arraigned before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraudulently obtaining N1, 051, 030, 434, 63 from the Petroleum Support Fund as payment for the purported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.

    “Thirteen suspects were arraigned before Lagos courts on Friday, October 5, on similar charges. They are Aro Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah. The five companies involved are A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited,” he said.

    The EFCC has arraigned the duo of Uzoma Loius Jerry Okonkwo and Okonkwo Ugochukwu alongside their companies – Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solution Limited – before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos , on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Louis Jerry Okonkwo, Ugockukwu, Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solutions Limited were said to have on September 8, 2009 in Lagos obtained from Dezern Nigeria Limited under the false pretence that the money was the cost of 33,000 litres of DPK, knowing this to be false.

    The offence is contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990 read in conjunction with section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC counsel Anselem Ozioko prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody, pending the hearing of the case.

    Defence counsel Frank Ndigwe, however informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused persons and urged the court to consider the application.

    Justice Okechuku Okeke adjourned the matter till October 29 and November 1, 9, and 19. He ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

     

  • Subsidy: committee members arraigned over alleged gratification

    Subsidy: committee members arraigned over alleged gratification

    Four members of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification, who allegedly received gratification from the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd., on Wednesday appeared in court on a three-count charge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee members were docked at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, along with three executives of the oil company, who allegedly offered them N1.5 million as gratification.

    The committee members are: Buhari Ganiyu (37), Alalade Abioye (30), Oni Oluwanishola (34) and Chukwujekwu Akabueze, whose age was not stated.

    Alalade and Akabueze are women.

    Those from the Integrated oil and gas are: the Managing Director, Anthony Ihenacho, 57; Assistant General Manager, Humphrey Nwosu, 44; and Financial Controller, Akinwusi Julius, 50.

    The three of them are males.

    All the defendants are standing trial for alleged conspiracy, offering and receiving of gratification.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, SP Asuquo Effiong, said that the company executives, had on August 30 at the company’s office at Marine Road, Apapa, given the money to the committee as gratification.

    He said that the committee members were being prosecuted for receiving the money in order to refrain from exercising their duties according to the rules.

    Effiong said that the offences contravened Sections 409, 64, and 63 (1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    The magistrate, Mr Martins Owumi, earlier turned down their bail application on personal recognition, and later granted each of them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case till Nov. 10 for further hearing. (NAN)