The Nation Newspaper

Tag: under probe

  • Dasuki’s aide under probe over diversion of N36.4b

    Dasuki’s aide under probe over diversion of N36.4b

    • EFCC traces N3.12b meant to protect dams, wells to his company’s account
    •Agency investigates release of N10b for 2015 governorship poll

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced N3.12billion to the bank account of a company allegedly owned by a Special Assistant to a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    The sum is suspected to have been diverted from about N36.4billion voted by the Goodluck Jonathan administration for the protection of dams, wells and sources of water in the North-East against being poisoned by Boko Haram.

    Investigation by the EFCC shows that only N3.12billion of the N36.4billion was paid to a company allegedly owned by the suspect.

    A review of the company’s account suggests that the cash may have been used for “political and personal patronage.

    Detectives of EFCC are working on the theory that the N3.12billion was shared by politicians, friends of the government and relations of the former NSA.

    It has already set up a team to interrogate suspected beneficiaries of the N3.12billion to explain the services rendered to deserve such a huge payment.

    The balance of N33billion which is supposed to be in an account domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is yet to be traced. It was operated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The Nation gathered that sometime in 2011, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan received a memo alleging threats by Boko Haram to poison all the dams, wells and sources of water in the North-East and other insurgency flashpoints in the country.

    Although Jonathan initially ignored the memo, it was exhumed in March 2014 by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) when the insurgency got ferocious.

    The memo recommended the need to protect the sources of water in the North-East.

    Investigators of the alleged diversion said: “Following the delay in attending to the request, a fresh memo was raised in March 2014. At the end of the day, about N36.4billion was approved and released to ONSA through the Naira account maintained by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation but operated by the ex-NSA and the Permanent Secretary, Special Services.

    “From the N36.4billion, about N3, 125,000,000 were released to a company already traced to a former Special Assistant to the ex-NSA. Detectives have discovered that the balance of over N33billion was diverted.

    “Even the profiling of the N3, 125,000,000 account of the slush company indicated that the cash was used for political and personal patronage including transfer to some relations of the ex-NSA.”

    A highly placed source in EFCC confirmed yesterday that operatives “are working round the clock to track the whereabouts of over N33billion because no contract was executed for the protection of the dams and other sources of water in the North-East.

    “As for the beneficiaries of the N3.125billion, we are already on their trail through bank records, accounts and Bank Verification Number (BVN) which have proved useful to our operations. We will ensure the recovery of the diverted funds.”

    The latest bend of the investigation also showed curious spending of N20billion by ONSA between March and May 2015.

    It was learnt that detectives claimed that “the purpose of the cash withdrawals from the government’s account was unknown.”

    Sources said: “Immediately after the Presidential Election on March 28, 2015, ONSA requested for another N10billion to prepare for the Governorship Election on April 11. It was approved again by the ex-President.

    “And in May 2015, another N10billion was approved and released to ONSA. All these funds were remitted to ONSA outside the budget allocated to security agencies for the 2015 General Elections.

    “Our operatives are investigating the rationale behind these releases; how the funds were diverted; culpable officers and how to recover the cash.

    “So far, our team of investigators cannot trace any project executed with the N36.4billion to protect water sources from being poisoned by Boko Haram.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “About one and half years after the N36.4billion were withdrawn, the Nigerian Army on September 2015 confirmed that some sources of water in Borno State were polluted and poisoned by the insurgents.

     

    “We strongly suspected that the votes for the protection of sources of water were diverted or converted into personal use.”

    On September 15, 2015, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations said information reaching its Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole indicated that Boko Haram terrorists had now resorted to poisoning water sources like wells and streams in areas they were dislodged by gallant troops or areas threatened by offensive operations.

    He said the insurgents had allegedly “poisoned cattle water ponds in Kangallam village along Marte and Abadam axis in Borno State where a large number of cattle died after drinking water from the ponds.”

    “The action of the terrorists is no doubt aimed at taking their own pound of flesh on the innocent citizens and livestock as a result of the unbearable offensive operations through the combined effort of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force to rout them out completely from their enclaves and hide-outs all over the North East.

    “In view of this development, citizens are called upon to avoid as much as possible drinking water from unverified sources, especially in locations that troops routed out Boko Haram terrorists.”

    Dasuki is currently standing trial for corruption related cases.

     

  • Okonjo-Iweala under probe for €3.6m vehicles deal

    Okonjo-Iweala under probe for €3.6m vehicles deal

    EFCC to quiz ex-Service Chiefs in new phase of arms cash investigation

    Another round of investigations into the $2.1billion arms deals is to begin tomorrow, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sources said yesterday.

    Top on the agenda is how the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Administration bought €3,654,121million vehicles for the Republic of Niger in October 2013 and April 2014.

    The cash was withdrawn from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) account in two installments of €1, 401,869 and €2,252,252.25,

    The commission is also seeking to verify whether or not the vehicles were bought and under diplomatic or bilateral security cooperation.

    The EFCC is to find out from the Republic of Niger if there was such assistance from Nigeria.

    The agency plans to quiz some more public figures, including former Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, some former Service Chiefs and serving military officers in connection with the $2.1billion arms deals.

    Some suspects may be taken into custody, it was learnt.

    The EFCC,it was gathered, is through with the first phase of the probe, which led to the arraignment of ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and 10 others.

    The interrogation of the likes of Dasuki and the others now facing trial or about to be arraigned seems to have convinced the agency of the need to dig deeper than originally planned.

    A top source said: “We are beginning the second phase of the ongoing investigation of the $2.1b arms deals on Monday. From the preliminary findings, the scandal is mind-boggling.

    “We are going to question more high-profile serving and former public officers, including a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the release of some funds.

    “We want the ex-Minister to shed more light on how about $322million was disbursed to the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

    “Some serving and former military chiefs will have to respond to issues which we have already isolated for clarification.”

    The source said investigators had already obtained the list of military equipment which were bought and the inventory by the Armed Forces.

    “This explains why some serving and former military chiefs will need to come and assist our investigators,”he said.

    “Some of the companies which supplied these equipment have been contacted too.”

    On the purchase of security vehicles for Niger Republic,the EFCC is said to have established that the money was withdrawn from the ONSA account in two installments of €1, 401,869 and €2,252,252.25,

    The commission is keen to confirm whether or not the vehicles were bought and under what diplomatic or bilateral security cooperation.

    It was gathered that it will require finding out from the Republic of Niger if there was such assistance from Nigeria.

    The initial cash of €1, 401,869 was drawn from the Central Bank in an October 2013 through ONSA memo ACCT/87/VOL.1/384.

    The second tranche of €2,252,252.25 was got from the CBN in an April 1, 2014 via a memo ACCT/87/VOL.1/60

    The first memo to the CBN Governor, “Transfer of foreign exchange”, said: “You are please requested to transfer the sum of €1, 401,869.00 only in favour of SEI Societe d’equipments Internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 as payment for the supply of security vehicles to Republic of Niger. The wire transfer details are as follows: Banque: SONIBANK (Republique du Niger-Niamey). Compete N025111123981/22. Code Banque:80064. Code Guichrt: 01001.

    “The amount should be charged to National Security Adviser Account no. 0020172241019 with the Central Bank of Nigeris Abuja and all charges thereto.

    “Please accept the assurances of the National Security Adviser.”

    Magu, earlier in the day told the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes that Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and one of her associates, Mr, Kola Aluko, are being investigated.

    He also told the committee, why defending the EFCC’s 2016 Budget, that the agency should be supported to hire additional 750 employees in different cadres.

    Magu also sought the backing of the committee to consider and approve “additional N500,000 million to assist in our operational activities as more sectors of the economy may likely come under investigative activities during the year.”

    Magu said the agency’s estimate is made up ofN11, 422, 991, 540.00 for capital, and N2,999,245,761.00 as the overhead component of the recurrent. He requested that “the National Assembly should graciously support a planned recruitment of additional 750 employees of different cadres in 2016.”

    A second memo said: “You are please requested to transfer the sum of €2, 252, 252.25 only in favour of SEI Societe d’equipments Internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 as payment for the supply of security vehicles to Republic of Niger. The wire transfer details are as follows: Banque: SONIBANK (Republique du Niger-Niamey). Compete N025111123981/22. Code Banque: 80064. Code Guichrt: 01001.

    “The amount should be charged to National Security Adviser Account no. 0020172241019 with the Central Bank of Nigeria,Abuja and all charges thereto.

    “Please accept the assurances of the National Security Adviser.”

    The EFCC has intensified its collaboration with the National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom, with the ongoing probe of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The International Corruption Unit (ICU) of NCA on October 2 arrested Mrs. Alison-Madueke and four others.

    The identities of the remaining four suspects are yet to be unveiled.

    But all the suspects are being investigated for alleged bribery and money laundering.

    The EFCC source, who is actively involved in the ongoing investigation, said: “We have been collaborating with NCA on Diezani’s case, which has reached an appreciable level.

    “We have the details of others arrested with Diezani but we will not disclose until the matter gets to a convenient bend.

    “So far, we have been comparing notes with NCA on a faster note in terms of tracking a few transactions and documents. There is no hiding place for the ex-Minister and her alleged accomplices.

    “By the time the trial begins, the NCA and EFCC would have established a solid case against the ex-Minister and other suspects.”

     

  • IGP: Army, Shiite clash under probe

    IGP: Army, Shiite clash under probe

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has promised to carry out a professional investigation into the clash between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite Islamic group in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    He said this yesterday in a statement by the Force spokesperson, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, in Abuja.

    The statement indicated that Arase gave the promise when a delegation of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by its Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, visited him.

    He said the police and other security agencies were conscious of the citizens’ fundamental rights and would protect them.

    Arase appealed to the Islamic body to use its platform to caution all groups in the country against encroaching on other citizens’ rights.

    “While they have the constitutional rights to express their views, it should not circumscribe the rights of others,” he said.

    The IGP denied an online report which quoted him as saying that relations of detained would have to seek special clearance before they would be allowed to visit them.

    “The Inspector-General of Police at no time said there would be special clearance from anywhere before the Shiite members could be visited while still in custody,” it said.

  • Echocho-Wada suit: Four Supreme Court officials under probe over hearing date

    Echocho-Wada suit: Four Supreme Court officials under probe over hearing date

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that four more officials of the Supreme Court are being investigated over allegation of shifting hearing date of a petition of a governorship candidate, Jibrin Isa Echocho against Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State from June to November.

    But an aide to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alooma Mariam Mukhtar said November was fixed for the hearing of Echocho’s appeal in order not to allow disruption by judges’ vacation.

    It was gathered that the four officials in the Litigation Unit juggled Echocho’s case file and rated it as insignificant to the CJN.

    The officials were said to have adopted a hide and seek game on Echocho’s file after allegedly collecting bribe said to be in millions from some vested interests.

    It was gathered that the case was strategically listed and not prioritised in order to defer hearing till the middle of next year.

    When the alleged fraud was noticed, a counsel from the chamber of one of the Senior Advocates in the matter drew the attention of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi to it, it was learn’t.

    Although the counsel alleged bribery scam, the Registrar made sure the laid down rules and regulations in listing matters were followed.

    But the Supreme Court was said not to be glossing over the allegation from a counsel in the matter.

    A source said: “This important case would have been heard either in June or this July, but some forces penetrated the litigation unit to change the order of listing cases.

    “Now, the matter will come up in November in spite of its constitutional importance to the fate of democracy in a state.

    “We learnt that they collected princely sum to list the case as one of the least ones to be attended to by the Supreme Court.

    “The activities of the four are being investigated and those found guilty might be dealt with.”

    An aide to the CJN, however, said: “I cannot say it (the listing fraud) is not existing, I cannot say it existed. It is the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Alooma Mukhtar, who fixes date for hearing of cases.

    “The only way the litigation staff are involved is to compile the list of cases according to how the cases were filed or based on the order of dates the cases were filed.

    “Regarding this case, I think the CJN fixed it for November because of judges’ vacation. The rule says the Supreme Court must determine any matter within 90 days. If the apex court begins to hear the case now, it would affect the vacation of judges.

    “These are the facts that I know on this matter.”

    Echocho had in February headed for the Supreme Court seeking to be declared as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2011 governorship poll in Kogi State instead of Governor Idris Wada.

    He said he is also challenging the validity of the governorship election held by INEC in Kogi State on December 3, 2011 during the pendency of an appeal at the Supreme Court.

  • Corruption: Three Chief Judges under probe

    Corruption: Three Chief Judges under probe

    Few hours after two judges were suspended, there were strong indications yesterday that three Chief Judges are under investigation for alleged corrupt practices.

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) had on Thursday suspended Justice C. E. Archibong of the Federal High Court and Justice T.D. Naron for alleged misconduct.

    Investigation, however, showed that the suspension of the judges was just the first step in a cleansing exercise the Federal Government wants to carry out in the Judiciary.

    It was learnt that three Chief Judges are already being investigated for corrupt practices and for allegedly compromising their position.

    It was gathered that after the preliminary probe of the allegations against the CJs, security agencies will forward their report to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for consideration.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The cleansing of the Judiciary has started in earnest and the government will not relent until bad eggs are sent out of the system.

    “The last time we had this kind of exercise was when the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, raised the late Justice Kayode Eso panel in 1994.

    “Besides those suspended by the NJC, three Chief Judges of some states are already undergoing discreet investigation for alleged corrupt practices. Many security agencies are involved in the ongoing exercise in order to establish the truth or otherwise of the allegations against the CJs.

    “Although the names of the judges are being kept under wraps, those affected are already aware that issues are being raised against their conduct.

    “We have not disclosed their identities in order not to prejudice investigation.”

    Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: “Once infractions are established against these CJs and confirmed by the NJC, they will either be dismissed or retired from the bench.

    “What is important is that the system will no longer condone corruption, laxity and misconduct.”

    Section 13(b), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution reads: “The Federal Judicial Service Commission shall have power to recommend to the National Judicial Council(NJC), the removal from office of the judicial officers specified in sub-paragraph(a) of this paragraph(CJN, Justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Court of Appeal, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, a judge of the Federal High Court, and others.)

    “Recommend to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the removal from office of the judicial officers specified in sub-paragraph of this paragraph.”

    Section 21 (b), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, says: “The National Judicial Council(NJC) shall have power to recommend to the President the removal from office of the judicial officers specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers.”