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Tag: Tony Orilade

  • EFCC Academy to begin award of degree certificates soon

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its academy in Karu, Abuja will soon be certified as the first anti-corruption degree-awarding institution in Nigeria.

    The commission’s spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

    Orilade quoted the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, as saying that the acting chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, had inaugurated a committee to fast-track the process for the certification.

    Olukoyede said that the academy would soon begin to run Certificate, Diploma and Degree courses in Anti-corruption Investigation Studies.

    He added that the training on cyber-crime investigation was designed to help increase the capacity of the investigators.

    Read also: EFCC arraigns three lawyers for alleged assault of its operative

    Mr. David Tukura, Commandant of the academy said that it had the capacity to conduct all necessary anti-corruption trainings aimed at meeting the human capacity needs of the commission.

    “Training facility is not just about the space or land mass occupied, but the quality of available trainers available,” he said.

    Tukura assured that the commission remained committed to ensuring that the Nigerian economic system was insulated against the criminal tendencies of cybercriminals.

    “That is why we catch and get the criminals punished,” he said. (NAN)

  • EFCC: No teams set up to quiz outgoing governors

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  yesterday said it has not raised  teams to probe or interrogate some of the outgoing governors.

    It said it does not go after anybody, including ex-governors on speculative ground.

    The EFCC, which made the clarifications in a statement by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, said its job starts after investigators have done a thorough job on any individual or firm involved in corruption-related cases.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to a lead story of a newspaper of March 31, 2019, titled: “EFCC raises teams to quiz Amosun, Okorocha, Yari as immunity ends.”

    “The newspaper had claimed that ahead of May 29, 2019, handover date to newly elected states helmsmen, the Commission has set up teams to probe some governors accused of perpetuating acts of corruption.

    “It is instructive to note that the reporter did not give the composition and terms of reference of the purported teams set up by the EFCC.

    “The report is a figment of the imagination of the reporter as everything about the setting of the teams ended with the first paragraph without details of such teams being set up.

    “Again, the story is not true, as the EFCC does not go after anybody, including ex-governors on speculative ground.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission only act after the investigators have done a thorough job on any individual or firm involved in corruption related cases.

    “The Commission wants to advise our stakeholders, including our friends in the media to be circumspect and verify their stories before going to press.

    “Members of the public are therefore advise to disregard the story as no team has been set up against any former governor.”

  • No plans to quiz outgoing governors, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Sunday said it has not raised teams to probe or interrogate some of the outgoing governors.

    It said it does not go after anybody, including ex-governors on speculative ground.

    The EFCC, which made the clarifications in a statement by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, said it used to only act after the investigators have done a thorough job on any individual or firm involved in corruption-related cases.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(  EFCC) has been drawn to a lead story of a newspaper of March 31, 2019, titled: “EFCC raises teams to quiz Amosun, Okocha, Yari as immunity ends.

    “The newspaper had claimed that ahead of May 29, 2019, handover date to newly elected states helmsmen, the Commission has set up teams to probe some governors accused of perpetuating acts of corruption.

    “It is instructive to note that the reporter did not give the composition and terms of reference of the purported teams set up by the EFCC.

    Read also: EFCC intercepts N54m at airport, probes six suspects

    “The report is a figment of the imagination of the reporter as everything about the setting of the teams ended with the first paragraph without details of such teams being set up.

    “Again, the story is not true, as the EFCC does not go after anybody, including ex-governors on speculative ground.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission only act after the investigators have done a thorough job on any individual or firm involved in corruption-related cases.

    “The Commission wants to advise our stakeholders, including our friends in the media to be circumspect and verify their stories before going to press.

    “Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the story as no team has been set up against any former governor.”

  • EFCC arrests impersonator of Hammed Ali

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Azeez Afolayan, for impersonating the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Retired Col. Hameed Ali and using his name to allegedly scam job seekers.

    EFCC spokesman Mr Tony Orilade made this known in a press statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The commission said that Afolayan was arrested by EFCC operatives in Ilorin, Kwara, following complaints from one of his victims.

    “Trouble started for him when a staff of the Customs Service, Hasaan Muhammed petitioned the EFCC, accusing him of defrauding innocent Nigerians seeking employment into the service.

    “He had so far defrauded them of about N1 million.

    “Under interrogation, he admitted to the crime,” it said.

    According to the statement, Afolayan confessed that “I started duping people since 2017 up till date; I have duped about five people.

    Read Also: Why we arrested Atiku’s son-in-law, by EFCC

    “I collected different amount of money from my victims and all of them used to transfer money to my bank accounts.

    “I used to tell them that I will help them to secure employment with the Nigerian Custom Services, but I was just scamming.”

    Some of the items recovered from him include, Nigerian Customs Service Application Forms, employment letters, passport photographs of some job seekers among others.

    “He will soon be charged to court,” the statement said.

    NAN

  • Pilot in court over alleged N91m fraud

    *Gets N50m bail

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a pilot, Mamman Ali Ibrahim, before Justice A. I. Kutigi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwagwalada, Abuja on a two-count charge of the offence of criminal breach of trust.

    The EFCC, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Tony Orilade, said Ibrahim serves as a pilot, in charge of Air Ambulance Aviation Unit and Helicopter Emergencies Service, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    It is the prosecution’s claim that Ibrahim allegedly diverted over N91 million, money meant for the maintenance of the fleets, including Airbus, Air ambulance and the Helicopter.

    Orilade said: “His journey to the dock on February 7, 2019, followed a petition to the office of the Vice President, which was forwarded to the office of the acting EFCC Chairman, for investigation.

    “Investigations revealed that Ibrahim commercialised both the ambulance and the helicopter.

    Read Also: Court issues bench warrant for ex-NIA DG Oke, wife

    “He, however, claimed that the directive to commercialise them came from the office of a former vice president and a former Accountant General of the Federation.

    “Further investigations also revealed that the total sum of N285 million was realized from the commercialisation of the aircraft, while N63 million was paid to the AGF.

    “It was also gathered that N11 million was paid to NEMA, while the balance was yet to be accounted for.

    “According to the petition, over N4million was paid into the account of Aerocare West Africa Limited, a company belonging to the defendant, which he transferred to his family members.

    “One of the counts reads in part: ‘That you, Mamman Ali Ibrahim, whilst being employed in the public service and serving as a pilot in charge of Air Ambulance Aviation Unit and Helicopter Emergencies Services with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, between 2014 and 2015, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being entrusted with dominion over money, to wit, the sum of N64,550,810 (Sixty Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ten Naira) only, being part of the proceeds realized from the commercialization of the aircraft belonging to NEMA.’

    Orilade said Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the charge when the counts were read to him.

    He added: “In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Deborah Ademu-Eteh, asked the court for a trial date.

    “Defence counsel, Aduojo Abah, however, moved the motion for the bail of his client.

    “Ademu-Eteh opposed the application, urging the court to “consider the severity of the punishment and the character of the evidence before the court”.

    “After listening to all the arguments, Justice Kutigi granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum. The surety being a public servant not lower than level 14, must be a resident within the jurisdiction.

    “The case has been adjourned to April 10, 2019, for trial.“

  • EFCC secures 40 convictions In January

    The spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Tony Orilade, yesterday said the commission recorded 40 convictions in January.

    He made this known in a statement in Abuja, adding that the number was cumulative convictions secured across the commission’s zonal offices.

    Orilade said a breakdown of the figure showed that the commission‘s Lagos office secured 20 of the convictions, followed by Abuja office which recorded nine.

    “Six of the convictions were recorded by Port Harcourt and Kaduna offices with three convictions each, Kano recorded two, while Benin, Ibadan and Gombe offices had one conviction each,” he said.

    Orilade said that the convictions included that of two former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that they were sentenced to 91 year jail term and forfeiture of their properties to the Federal Government.

    “The duo was found guilty of laundering N264.8 million in the build up to the 2015 general elections.

    “The sum was believed to be their share of the 115 million dollars illicitly dispensed by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    “Another conviction of interest is that of a fraudster, named Ibrahim Suleiman, who defrauded the former First Inland Bank, now FCMB Plc of the sum of N400,700,000.

    “The money was fraudulently diverted from an account domiciled in First Inland Bank to the convict’s account from where he transferred various sums to different accounts. He bagged 32 year jail term,” Orilade said.

    The spokesman added that also of interest, was the case of Adewale Dalmeida, a staff of Dangote Cement Group who was sentenced to five year jail term.

    He said that Dalmeida was sentenced for the diversion of nine trucks loaded with 800 bags of cement each valued at N15 million each, which belonged to his employer.

    Orilade said that the enhanced counter-fraud strategies of the commission have also yielded good dividends following new trends in internet fraud.

  • EFCC arrests 19 suspected internet fraudsters

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) Port Harcourt Zonal Office have arrested six suspected internet fraudsters at their hotel hideout in Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the commission’s spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade said they were arrested in a sting operation.

    According to the statement, the suspects comprises four men and two women; Oghenekewe Akinnawo, Kemka Amadi, Revelation Macaulay, Damilola Oyinloye, Mary Ndubuisi and Jennifer Vandi.

    Orilade said that their arrest followed series of intelligence report linking them to alleged fraudulent activities ranging from love scam on numerous dating sites, obtaining money by false pretences and other fraud still being investigated.

    “Several items were recovered from them at the point of arrest which includes three exotic cars, four iPhones, four laptops; one iPad, one iron sealed stamp; cheque books, car number plates and two un-used bullets.”

    In a related development, the Enugu Zonal Office of the commission has arrested 13 suspects for allegedly engaging in cyber crime and internet fraud.

    “Three of the suspects were arrested at Awka, Anambra State, following intelligence reports and surveillance carried out on them.

    “Six were arrested at Ngwo in Enugu State, while four were arrested at an estate in Abakpa area of Enugu State.

    “Items recovered from them include nine exotic cars, laptops, printers, cameras, phones, expensive drinks and other personal effects.”

    The Zonal Head of the South East Zone of the commission, Ahmed Usman said: “we have resolved as part of carrying out the commission’s mandate to stamp out internet scams among others to help in rebuilding the image of the country.”

    “Apart from public corruption which affects us locally, and denies us access to basic social amenities, Nigerians are treated badly because of the activities of cyber criminals and this gives us a bad name internationally.

    “We are determined to stamp that out,” he said.

  • Court seizes N1.04b traced to ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan

    A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of N1,000,494,000 traced to Magel Resort Limited, a company linked to former First Lady ,Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The former First Lady and some relatives of former president, Goodluck Jonathan were directors of the company.

    Others named as directors are Oba Oba Tamunotonye, Goodluck Jonathan Aruera, Goodluck Jonathan Ariwabai and Esther Fynface.

    The cash was lodged in three deposits with Fidelity Bank Plc on 20th and 25th May 2015.

    The order was granted by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said in a statement on Friday that the court also ordered that the seized cash be deposited in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of the Federal Government.

    He said :“The Commission had received an intelligence that a bank account domiciled in Fidelity Bank, had a huge sum of money that was not being used by anybody.

    “Upon receipt of the intelligence, the EFCC swung into action by conducting preliminary investigation, which revealed that Patience and some relatives of former president, Goodluck Jonathan were directors of the Company.

    “In trying to trace the origin of the money, it was discovered that N500,000 was deposited on the 20th of May, 2015 by Fynface, who is alleged to be in charge of the company, while N1 billion (One Billion Naira Only) was transferred in two tranches on the 25th May, 2015 from PAGMAT OIL AND GAS NIGERIA LIMITED a company that was not incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

  • We’ll not tolerate vote-buying, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) says it will not tolerate vote buying by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) during the forthcoming general elections.

    Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade, said this at an event tagged: “Say No To Vote Buying” in Abuja, on Monday.

    Orilade said it was becoming a trend that politicians buy votes from the electorate instead of going to campaign and sell their policies and programmes to them.

    “It is a crime and should not be tolerated and the only way we can do that is to create awareness that there is danger in vote buying.

    “When you sell your vote you have mortgaged your conscience for four years. You can’t complain because you have sold it.

    “Vote the person you believe in; vote the person you believe will protect and provide for the citizens,” he said.

    Mr Usen Asanga, Senior Programme Officer,Youth Alive Foundation, said campaign against all forms of corruption was everybody’s business.

    Asanga described the spate of vote buying as alarming, saying it was a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

    “If we sell our votes, we do not have that moral standing to demand for accountability from our leaders.

    “It is important that we vote with our conscience, to enable us have the moral standing to challenge our leaders when they go wrong,” he said.

    Read Also: EFCC raises alarm over scam mail

    He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections.

    Earlier, the organiser, Olanrewaju Toriseju, popularly known as “Ambassador Wahala”, urged the youth to shun acts of thuggery before, during and after the elections.

    “We are here to preach the gospel against vote buying through music and stage plays,” he said.

    Toriseju, who is also a comedian and human rights activist, said the event was with the support of the anti-graft agency aimed at highlighting the ills of corruption in the country.

  • 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.