N207bn Scam: EFCC to re-arraign former President of NLNG Cooperatives

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC will on September 15, 2015 re-arraign Julius Ola Peters, Emeka Iloegbunam, Ijeoma David Alanza, Jonathan Wallang and Dinijocs Nigeria Limited before Justice Ishaq U. Bello of Federal Capital Territory High Court Maitama on a twelve count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining money under false pretences to the tune of N207, 000, 000,000 (two hundred and seven billion naira).

Ola Peters and Iloegbunam, former President and Vice President respectively of the NLNG Staff Bonny Co-operative Investment and Credit Society Limited, alongside Ijeoma David Alanza and Dinijocs Nigeria Limited, fleeced members of the Cooperatives under various guises. For instance, they allegedly drew the sum of N1, 220,000,000.00 (one billion, two hundred and twenty two million naira) from the NLNG Cooperatives account purportedly to purchase a 643398 hectares of land in the Idu-Sabo District, Cadastral Zone D04 of the Federal Capital Territory as against the actual price of N830,000,000.00 (eight hundred and thirty million naira).
One of the counts reads:  “That you Julius Ola Peters, Emeka Iloegbunam being the former president and vice president respectively of the NLNG Staff Bonny Cooperative Investment and Credit Society Limited, Ijeoma David Alanza and Dinijocs Nigeria Limited sometime between August, 2011 and January 2012 in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N1,220,000,000.00 (One billion, two hundred and twenty million) naira by false pretences in excess of the actual purchase price of N830,000,000.00 (eight hundred and thirty million) naira only from the NLNG Staff Bonny Cooperative Investment and Credit Society Limited under the pretext that same was consideration for buying a plot of land viz: plot No.1, Idu-Sabo District, Cadastral Zone D04, measuring 643398 Hectares covered by file no: MISC 106282 from Larix Company Limited for the benefit and on behalf of members of the NLNG Staff Bonny Cooperative Investment and Credit Society Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

 

The accused persons had pleaded not guilty on May 26, 2015 when they were first arraigned, while the court adjourned to June 30, 2015 for trial. But EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir who was not present in court at the time, after a review of the arraignment, faulted the procedure adopted, that allowed the accused persons to take their plea outside the court room and consequently applied to the court for proper arraignment.

The accused persons were supposed to take fresh pleas today but the proceedings were stalled owing to the absence of the trial judge who sent words that he was involved in other engagements. Consequently, the parties were asked to take new dates, and settled for September 15, 2015.

 

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

30^th June, 2015

N192m Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Ex-FCT Minister’s Aide, Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 29, 2015 arraigned Yau Mohammed Gital, Shuaibu Yakubu, Jibiril M. Tahir and Jibmir Ventures Nigeria Limited before Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court Gudu, Abuja, on a 10-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, conspiracy and forgery to the tune of N192,000,000 (one hundred and ninety-two million naira).

 

Gital, a former Chief of Staff to the FCT minister and member of the Land Allocation Committee, Federal Capital Territory Administration, allegedly conspired with Shuaibu Yakubu, a former special assistant to the Chief of Staff, Jibril M. Tahir, the Managing Director, Jibmir Ventures Nigeria Limited, to obtain money from various unsuspecting persons under the false pretence that the money was for processing and facilitation of land allocation by the Federal Capital Development Authority.

 

Count one reads: 

“That you, Yau Mohammed Gital, being the Chief of Staff to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and member of the Land Allocation Committee, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Shuaibu Yakubu, being a former Special Assistant to the former Chief of Staff, Jibril M. Tahir, being the Managing Director of Jibmir Ventures Nigeria Limited and Jibmir Ventures Nigeria Limited sometimes between September 2012 to March 2014 in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of the High court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, with intent to defraud, conspired to do an illegal act, to wit: obtain monies by false pretences from various unsuspecting persons under the false pretence that the said monies was for the processing/facilitation of land allocation by the Federal Capital Development Authority which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

 

However, the accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

 

In view of their pleas, counsel to the accused persons, Nura Imam, urged the court to admit them to bail while awaiting trial.

 

Justice Bello ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to July 2, 2015 for ruling on the bail application.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

29th June, 2015

 

Pension Scam: Court Rejects Plea Bargain

EFCC Press Release

Justice Abubakar Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court today rejected a plea bargain proposal mooted by persons accused of complicity in stealing pension funds.
Ibrahim Ahmed Mazangari, Muhammed Sani Suleiman, Hajiya Fatima Mazangari, Saleh Yerima Tsojon and Xangee Technologies Limited were to be arraigned by the EFCC on a 29-count charge bordering on staeling and obtaining by false pretence but the arraignment could not proceed owing to the absence of the 3^rd accused, Fatimah Mazangari, whose counsel, Ibrahim Salau claimed, is very sick.

He consequently pleaded for a short adjournment to allow his client recover and be present in court to take her plea.

But before the court adjourned proceedings to September 15, 2015, Salau (representing the 1^st and 5^th accused) informed the court that his clients had opened plea bargain discussion with the prosecution, but without wasting time, Justice Talba forbade him from broaching the subject of plea bargain in his court. “Don’t mention plea bargain here. I don’t want to hear about it”, the judge declared.
The accused persons, who were offered a biometric contract by a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye, to regularize names of pensioners on the pensions’ payroll, allegedly smuggled in names of fake pensioners, and collected unearned pension.

Count one of the charge reads; “That you Ibrahim Mazangari, Muhammed Sani Suleiman, Hajiya Fatimah Mazangari, Saleh Yerima Tsojon and Xangee Technologies Limited between 2010 and 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: obtaining the sum of N1,200,000,000.00 ( one billion, two hundred million naira) from the Federal Government of Nigeria by false pretence and with intent to defraud, purporting same to be monthly pension payable to M, S. Suleiman, Saleh Yerima, Tsojon, Isah U. Adamu, Daniel Mikano, Abdulahi Garba Musa whom you falsely held out at pensioners of the Federal Government by inserting their names in the pensioners’ payroll and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Count 16 reads;
“That you Ibrahim Ahmed Mazangari, Khalid Ali Biu(now at large) and Xangee Technologies Limited on or about 19^th December, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained an aggregate sum of N83, 410, 473.04 (Eighty-Three Million, Four Hundred and Ten Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy-Three Naira, Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria which sum was paid into the Fidelity Bank Account of Xangee Technologies Limited purporting same to be for the contract allegedly executed for the Federal Government of Nigeria and you thereby committwed an offence punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006”

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

30^th June, 2015

NDLEA targets 140million Nigerians for online drug education

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has disclosed that the Agency is perfecting strategies to provide quality anti-drug abuse preventive education to over 140 million Nigerians. The NDLEA is targeting over 140 million active telephone subscribers as well as internet users for online sensitisation. The move is aimed at enhancing the drug demand reduction functions of the anti-narcotics body thereby striking a balance between drug law enforcement and drug demand reduction.

According to Giade, “beyond the enforcement duties of the Agency which includes arrest of drug suspects, drug seizures and prosecution, NDLEA through the drug demand reduction component is committed to public enlightenment, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.  The NDLEA has introduced Multi-Media Drug Control Initiative to educate and provide help to victims of drug abuse. These include various online couselling platforms like Twitter @ndlea_nigeria, Instagram @ndlea_nigeria, and e-mail ddr@ndlea.gov.ng. We also have toll free lines 080000NDLEA, 08000063532 that members of the public can use to contact us”.

The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to take advantage of the initiative adding that it was an online information desk where people can access to ask questions and seek help on any issue relating to substance use.

The Multi-Media Drug Control Initiative was developed based on emerging global trend in drug abuse and illicit trafficking and the desire to reach out to a large number of youths through the social media. At the official presentation of this Multi-Media platform on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking; Dr. Martin Agwogie who is a drug abuse counselor with the Agency highlighted some of the objectives of the initiative.

They include provision of factual information about the consequences of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, increase access to professional drug counselling services and eliminating distance barrier to accessing help for drug use. Others include encouraging drug users to seek help from NDLEA counselling centres nationwide without fear of arrest or detention and to provide referral services on complex cases.

This laudable initiative is expected to further broaden the horizon of drug control efforts in Nigeria.

 

Currency Scam: No bail for you -----Court tells CBN staff

EFCC Press Release

Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, today 15 June, 2015 dismissed the bail application brought by six former staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The accused persons: Patience Okoro Eye, Afolabi Olufemi Johnson, Ilori Adekunle Sunday Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola and Fatai Adedokun Yusuf, are  being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for over N8billion mutilated currency recycling fraud.

Justice Emmanuel in dismissing their application for bail, stated that the interest of the accused must not only be considered while looking at their application but that of the common man and the society. He said the court was refusing the accused persons bail because of the gravity of the offence which borders on the economy and well being of the people of the country.

Justice Emmanuel dismissed their application and ordered for accelerated hearing. He also warned counsel that he would not entertain frivolous applications.  

 The accused persons were arraigned June 2, 2015 on 28-count charge bordering on fraud and stealing. Specifically, the former apex bank employees are alleged to have compromised the CBN's Briquetting exercise, meant to combat the inflationary spiral in the economy, occasioned by excess dirty notes.

Justice Emmanuel adjourned the matter till July 6 and 7 for trial.

In a similar development, Justice Emmanuel also dismissed the bail application brought by three former staff of CBN and two staff of Sterling Bank.

The accused: Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Philips (all former staff of the CBN) and Salami Ibrahim and Oddiah Emmanuel ( both staff of Sterling Bank Plc) were arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

They are alleged to have defrauded their banks various sums of money
totaling N1, 141,303,300 using various guises and pretenses.

Justice Emmanuel adjourned the case to July 6 and 7, 2015 for trial.

It was the same situation in the case involving Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola and Toogun Kayode Philips (Ex-CBN staff) and Tope Akintade, (staff of Ecobank Plc) who were docked on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing to the tune of N910, 210,100.00 ( Nine Hundred and Ten Million, Two Hundred and Ten Thousand, One Hundred Naira only).

Justice Emmanuel dismissed their bail applications for lack of merit and ordered for an accelerated hearing.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

15^th June, 2015

 

EFCC arraigns Internet fraudster for £54,324 romance fraud

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday June 15, 2015, arraigned Ebiechina Chikeluba ( aka Lisa T. Jackson) before Justice O. A Ipaye of the High Court of  Lagos State, Ikeja on a 17-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, personation, forgery and using false document.

Chikeluba who met his victim on Facebook using the false identity of, Lisa T. Jackson, a United States citizen, has been making monetary demands of his victims, using varies guises. In one such instance in March 2013, he obtained a total sum of £54,324.59 (Fifty Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Four Pounds, Fifty Nine Pence) from one K. Oaks through Western Union on the pretext that he was an American woman dealing in Gold in Nigeria and needed money to increase her capital. The unsuspecting victim paid, having already agreed to marry the conman.

 

 When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.

In view of the plea of the accused,  prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.

The defence counsel, Chijioke Agu informed the court that he has already filed an application for bail and asked to be allowed to move his application.

However,  Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter to  July 20, 2015 for hearing of bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody.
 
Chikeluba, 21, a student of Federal Science and Technical College Yaba, Lagos was arrested by the operatives of the EFCC on February 24, 2015 for allegedly swindling  Oake, a UK citizen, of the sum of £54,000 (equivalent of N20m).

EFCC arraigns couple for $51,400 job scam

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today arraigned a couple,  Prince Alphonsus Mbakwe and his wife,  Mrs Florence Mbakwe before Justice Lawal Akapo  of the Lagos State High Court on a 5- count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

The accused persons are alleged to have defrauded one Professor Uchenna Elike under the guise of helping him to secure a consultancy job in the Presidency.

One of the counts reads:

“that you Prince Alphonsus Mbakwe between 2010­ and 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, by false pretence and with the intent to defraud ,obtained the sum of Thirty-eight Thousand Four Hundred United States Dollars ($38,400), from Professor Uchenna Elike by falsely representing to the said Professor Uchenna Elike through Mr. Chidiebere Igbokwe and Mrs. Chinwe Igbokwe that vacancy existed in the Presidency, Abuja, for the appointment of Professor Uchnenna Elike as Consultant  and that you were in position to influence the said appointment and that the money you obtained from him represented the cost of your logistics, accommodation, flight and facilitation fees for the said appointment, which representation you knew to be false.’’

 

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

 

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, G.C Akaogu prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the accused persons in prison custody.

Justice Akapo ordered that the accused persons be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter to June 30, 2015 for hearing of the bail application.

UNODC launds Nigeria's drug control master-plan...seeks improved abuse-treatment

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has extolled the formulation of a National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) by the Nigerian Government. In a goodwill message at the occasion of the official launch of the Master Plan, UNODC congratulated the government and people of Nigeria for the important document and used the opportunity of the global focus on the drug problem to reiterate the call for sustained concerted efforts in the war against drugs and related organized crime in Nigeria. The UNODC also called for more access to improved drug abuse treatment.

It added that science and evidence-based practices must prevail in the delivery of prevention and treatment of drug use. Mr. Polleak Okserei who presented the goodwill message on behalf of the UNODC country representative said that “these approaches are the foundation for all our efforts. With nearly 200,000 drug-related deaths and with 1.65 million infected with HIV in 2013, access to evidence based prevention and treatment can sometimes be the difference between life and death. People also endure unbelievable pain due to lack of controlled medications for medical purposes. At present, only one in six people who use drugs globally has access to treatment. Women face numerous barriers to treatment while one in three drug users globally are women, only one in five drug users in treatment are women”.

Meanwhile, the formulation of the Master Plan was led by an Inter-Ministerial Drug Control Committee in Nigeria with support from UNODC under the framework of the European-Union funded project, ‘Response to Drugs and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria’. According to the UNODC, “today’s commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking is all the more special as it coincides with the official launch of Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan”.

NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade thanked the UNODC, EU and the inter-ministerial committee for their priceless efforts in the formulation of the Master Plan. In his words, “I sincerely appreciate the contribution of stakeholders towards this comprehensive policy document which is a compendium of new ideas and drug control approaches. The Agency will work with all relevant bodies to ensure effective multi-sectoral interventions as specified in the Master Plan”.

NDLEA Director General Mrs. Roli Bode George who reviewed the Master Plan said that the beauty of the plan is that its formulation and implementation is based on the principle of collective participation. She listed some objectives of the plan to include, “prioritizing issues identified through inclusive and participatory consultation, address disparity between law enforcement and drug demand reduction. Others are to provide strategic direction and capacity, enhance operational coordination and implementation as well as promote systematic policy oversight and evaluation”.

The implementation strategy for the Master Plan recommends clear roles and responsibilities for lead and implementing agencies at all levels, multi-agency implementation plan and robust monitoring and evaluation.

In addition to the Master Plan, two other important documents were equally launched. They are the 2015 World Drug Report and the 2014 International Narcotics Control Board  (INCB) report. The European Union which has fully funded the formulation of the Master Plan is also committed to supporting its implementation in partnership with the government of Nigeria over the next five years.

The 2015 theme for the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is Let’s Develop, Our Lives, Our Communities, Our Identities Without Drugs.

 

Nigeria records N542 billion seized hard drugs.EU, UNODC hails NDLEA

...... CALL FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DRUGS

 

The European Union, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have reiterated the need for a global development without drugs. This was the central message as the world marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The event was also used to launch three important documents; the National Drug Control Master Plan 2015-2019, the World Drug Report 2015 and the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) report 2014. The 2015 theme for the commemoration is Let’s Develop, Our Lives, Our Communities, Our Identities Without Drugs.

The representative of the European Union, Mr. Alan Munday commended the NDLEA for the success recorded in cannabis farm destruction in 2014 and the discovery of ten clandestine laboratories for the production of methamphetamine. “I congratulate the Nigerian government for the formulation of this policy document the Drug Control Master Plan. I like to commend the NDLEA for the success of cannabis farms destroyed in 2014 as well as the discovery of ten clandestine laboratories that produce methamphetamine” Alan stated.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade told stakeholders that NDLEA’s counternarcotic measures have contributed positively to the socio-economic and political development of our country.

 “NDLEA played a very crucial role towards the peaceful conduct of the last general elections. This is because the monetary value of seized drugs and cannabis plant destroyed in 2014 hit a record high of 542 billion naira. This huge amount is mind blowing and has the capacity to derail the most credible election. Such proceeds can be used to either subvert the wishes of the electorates or instigate upheavals” Giade stated.

The commemoration of the world drug day dates back to the United Nations General Assembly resolution 42/112 of December 7, 1987. Giade noted that there can be no sustainable development in an atmosphere of drug trafficking and abuse adding that there is no better time to conduct a peer review and set agenda for future counter-narcotic interventions than now.

The Director General of the NDLEA, Mrs Roli Bode George made a presentation on the Master Plan. “the master plan aims to strengthen response to drugs in order to contribute to the enhanced health, security and well-being of all Nigerians. The major gaps in the previous master plan identified by stakeholders at consultative town hall meetings have been addressed” Roli stated.

Professor Obot Isidore of the University of Uyo and a consultant to the UNODC reviewed the World Drug Report 2015 and the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) report 2014.

According to Giade, “drugs do not make heroes but drug addicts. Drug trafficking do not make people successful rather it makes them prisoners. Drug use does not make stars but great stars who use drugs have lost their identities and precious lives. Drug trafficking is a threat to public health, peace and safety. It undermines socio-economic and political stability of a country”.

Giade attributed drug trafficking to moral decadence in the society. “The excessive crave for materialism among other factors has forced many into drug trafficking. This situation is gradually eroding the foundation of integrity and good conduct. The age long cords of love, discipline, diligence and cultural values that held families together are falling apart. We must act fast in protecting our lives, communities and identities from the devastating effects of drugs”.

Drug addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer with adverse consequences cutting across age, gender and cultures. According to 2012 estimates by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), about 183,000 drug related deaths were recorded globally. The report also added that between 162 million and 324 million people, corresponding to between 3.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent of the world population aged 15-64, had used an illicit drug mainly a substance belonging to the cannabis, opioid, cocaine or amphetamine-type stimulants group at least once in the previous year.

The Agency also recorded unprecedented success in cannabis farm destruction operation in 2014. “A total of 4,529.15 hectares of farmland representing 53,719,342.32 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed and prevented from causing untold harm to Nigerians. A total of 8,826 comprising 8,332 males and 494 females were arrested or questioned during investigation while illicit drugs seized weighed 166,697.18kg” the NDLEA stated.

The breakdown of the drugs is as follows; cannabis sativa 158,852.2kg, cocaine 226.041kg and heroin 56.449kg. Others are methamphetamine 119.2kg, amphetamine 0.05grammes, ephedrine 35.8kg and psychotropic substances 7,407.44kg. Besides arrests and drug seizures, 3,403 drug dependent persons received drug counselling services in NDLEA centres nationwide. NDLEA also had a good prosecution scorecard as 2,070 cases were charged to court and 2,054 were convicted in 2014.

However, between January and May 2015, the Agency arrested 3,478 drug suspects and seized 170,341.704kg of narcotic drugs. The drugs are cannabis 167,461.826kg, cocaine 103.848kg, heroin 17.976kg and psychotropic substances 2,619.195kg. The Agency also discovered cannabis farms measuring 126.721 hectares. A total of 783 cases have so far been won in court.

In June 2011, the first clandestine laboratory in the country was discovered in Lagos. In 2012, four similar laboratories were detected, three in Lagos and one in Anambra State. In 2013 and 2014, the Agency discovered two additional laboratories in Lagos. In the past few weeks, three laboratories were discovered in Anambra State making it a total of ten. 

Giade commended the European Union and UNODC for their support particularly over project NGAV 16 - Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime. One of the benefits of this project is the current National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2015 to 2019 which was successfully reviewed. This comprehensive policy document is a compendium of new ideas and drug control approaches with specific roles for stakeholders.

The master plan was officially launched together with the current World Drug Report and International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) report.

Efforts are ongoing to strengthen our investigative capacity for in-depth and analytical investigation. The Agency recently apprehended a suspected drug kingpin after thirteen months of high level surveillance. The suspect, Mr. Chukwunwendu Sylvester Ikejiakwu aka Blessed was found to be the brain behind three clandestine laboratories and leader of an International Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) that recruits and sponsors drug couriers to China, Malaysia, Turkey and Italy.

The Agency shall continue to subscribe to an effective reward system for discipline, bravery and outstanding performance. This is expected to further motivate staff to give their best performance at all times. Tribute was also paid to all that lost their lives on the job. “On this occasion, I salute the courage and gallantry of officers who lost their lives in the line of service. The Agency shall continue to honour them for their supreme sacrifice. Their memories remain ever fresh in our minds. The best way to immortalize them is continue to fight and win the battle against illicit drugs. May their loving souls continue to rest in the Lord” Giade stated.

The event was attended by many stakeholders including former head of service Mr. Steve Oransaye, two former Chief Executives of the NDLEA, Commissioner of Police Fulani Kwajafa retired and former Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo. Also present was the immediate past Director General of the NDLEA, and Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), members of the diplomatic community among others.

 

Tricycle operators petition Ambode, Buhari over extortion in Lagos

Emeka Ibemere

Tricycle operators plying Ojodu-Bagger, Ogba and Ascon-Boulos- First Gate route at Ogba, Lagos State have petitioned the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode over officials of the Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), touts belonging to the Local Council Development Areas, LCDA, and other agencies for harassing and extorting money from them.

The alleged criminal activities of the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) and policemen from Area G has come to the notice of the populace during their reckless and out of the law activities by impounding their tricycles, popularly known as Keke Marwa.

Despite the orders of the governor against nefarious activities of the LASTMA, the VIO and LASTMA officials are still extorting money from the tricycle operators.

According to those who summon courage to talk to our correspondent last week during the launch of www.stopthebribes.net in Lagos State, before the representatives of the Inspector General of Police, said when police arrest any of them, sometimes for a minor thing like stopping where we are not supposed to, instead warning, they would demand between N5000 and N7, 000.

 Commenting further on the activities of the VIO officials, Ude Chisom Ude, gave out his petition to journalists at the event in Ojodu’s office of the CLEEN Foundation and said the Governor should investigate the VIO, LASTMA, Police and some touts working for Local government councils.

Ude said the policemen have left what they supposed to do and start chasing okada riders and tricycle operators about extorting money from them.

According to Ude, touts and area boys, or urchins recruited as revenue collectors on daily basis harass, and inflict physical assaults on the tricycle operators who are genuinely working for their daily bread on flimsy traffic laws. You need also to know that the Nigeria police collaborates and encourage these bunch of lazy touts and area boys as against the diligent Nigerians”, he said.

 “Even some of their violent proceeds are called police money-(Owo-police)’. it might also interest you to know that these miscreants have the full backing, support, protection and even control over the Nigeria police than any law abiding citizens to the extent that when you resist their intimidations, the touts arrest you and hand you over to the police who now subjects you to humiliation and from their to detention as a deterrent to others”.

 Ude explained that an idle tout and agbero who are not working are making millions of naira on daily basis at the expense of ordinary hardworking citizens. Are all these not corruption and are they not economic and financial crimes that involves billions of naira daily committed against the wish and will of Nigerians. He queried. The petitioner called on Ambode to try and help the grassroots for they are now in distress and despair. Ude narrated how he was skinned N50, 000 for using a plate number he registered in Ogun State.

He said VIO officials arrested him with his Ogun State plate number and impound his tricycle until he paid N50, 000 which he paid and obtained receipt. According to him, the VIO officials in Lagos State told him that he cannot use the Ogun State number in Lagos because it’s not allowed. According to him, Lagos State issued their number and later stopped issuing the numbers without any excuse and doesn’t allow any number from the neighbouring states. Speaking further, Ude said the VIO officials denied tricycle operators to operate and ply some roads without official orders and are using it to extort money from them. The license was obtained at the cost of N20, 000 in Ogun State while in Lagos State it was N15, 000 before the VIO officials turned it into money-making machine through extortions. 

In Ikotun area of Alimosho, the situation is not different; VIO officials are accused of making illegal money through extorting by impounding their tricycles for not using Lagos numbers while they refused to issue the numbers to them. It was gathered that they want to make money before start issuing the numbers. VIO officials always mount checkpoints to arrest and impound tricycles on daily basis in Ikotun, Alimosho areas. Tricycles pay as high as N10, 000 as bribes to recover their tricycles. “If you come out early in the morning and they catch you, they will ask you to pay N5, 000 or N7, 000 before they can release your tricycle”, Nwosu Akachi stated.

“We don’t work full day again, and we have to wait till four o’ clock in the evening to come out and during that time, police will start their own. We don’t meet up on our delivery again because by the time you paid police, touts you go home with nothing. We want the new Governor, Ambode and President Buhari to come to our aides”.

“If they arrest you, they will just write any amount they like and you will be begging them to reduce it. But they will not listen. The amount can be up to N25, 000 or sometimes even N35, 000”.

In Isolo area, Mustapha Ojo, lamented over the activities of LASTMA, VIO and police, and said all of the agencies are corrupt and making things difficult for the common man. At Ikotun roundabout, Ijegun-Abaranje junction and Ikotun-Igando traffic junction are the worse place where VIO, Police and touts work hand-in hand to extort the tricycles.  The police extortion of the tricycles is very disheartening. Every tricycle is forced to pay N300, at any of these junctions and each junction is N100, per day. Failure to pay attracts impounding of the bike and it’s affecting the tricycles.

Our correspondent reports that he had had cause to intervene in some cases where VIO officials arrested tricycle operator for not operating with Lagos number but with Ogun State number.

It’s observed that VIO and LASTMA officials are enjoying a field day extorting money on daily basis without any justification. It’s on this ground that Ude said the government should come to the aid of the tricycle operators. “We are begging them to leave us alone because we are only struggling for our daily bread”, Ude stated.

It was gathered that the Vehicle Inspection Office Driver and Vehicle Licensing Administration (VIO-DVLA) is of the Ministry of Transport in the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. State VIO have autonomy on the VIO-DVLA platform, but shares information across the states.  Our investigation claimed that because of they enjoy autonomy; each state determines its operations as its run through administration through its Ministry of Transport.

According to one of the officials of the tricycle operators in Ikotun, Lagos, the state’s VIO, carry out alleged indiscriminate arrests, double charging of tricycle operators, extortion of tricycles owners, impounding of the bikes on weak reasons, asking them to pay money into officers’ account, as against the appropriate accounts.  Checks revealed that the issuance of driver and vehicle licenses is an exclusive preserve of the state government under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Vehicle Inspection Office is constitutionally authorised to issue valid drivers’ licence in any state of the Federation. But in Lagos State, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) is frustrating the users of the tricycles from getting their tricycles registered. Lagos State VIO regards any plate number from another state as fake plate number.

“If you get into their compound, you will see cars. I was arrested for fake plate number. And all of us who were arrested on that day were charged with the same offence others were charged with fake drivers’ licences were declared fake despite the fact that the licenses had been issued by the same VIO,”  Mrs Dorothy Ekwueme said.  An effort to reach the Director of Vehicle Inspection Service at the Lagos State VIO, Engineer Abdullaziz Toriola, to get his reaction through calls to his phone was unsuccessful as he neither picked his phone.

A search on the operations of the agency on their website shows nothing on their website except the operations of the VIO.

“This is the Vehicle Inspection Office Driver and Vehicle Licensing Administration (VIO-DVLA) of the   36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Department for Vehicle Inspection in the States of the Federation views with serious concern the high rate of accidents on Nigeria roads as a result of lack of SKILL, KNOWLEDGE and the right ATTITUDE of drivers. Applicants for driving license must obtain Provisional Driving License and will be issued a full driving license on successful completion of the theory test and practical driving examination by the Vehicle Inspection Office”, the site said.

“If you have obtained full driving license by proxy from any State or Federal agent without being tested and certified competent to drive on Nigeria roads by a qualified Vehicle Inspection Officer, you may have been issued a fake driving license and you need to Authenticate your current drivers' license now. By authenticating your driving license you will be issued the Vehicle Inspection Office authentication certificate”.

According to the site, each State is however independent on the VIO-DVLA platform but shares information across the States of the Federation. The general public is hereby informed that the issuance of driving licenses and other motor vehicle related taxes are exclusive preserves of the States under the 1999 constitution as amended. All applicants for driving license are strongly advised to visit the nearest Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) or the State Board of Internal Revenue. Alternatively, applicants can submit an online application here All applicants must be tested and certified competent by a testing officer before they are issued drivers' license”, the organisation warned.

It was gathered that every vehicle registered in Nigeria must be taxed if used or kept on a public road. If the vehicle is kept off-road it must either be taxed or have a VOPRN (Vehicle off Public Road Notice) in force. If not it could be wheel clamped or removed.  Before you can obtain a vehicle license (vehicle tax) you must first have MOT test of your vehicle and have a suitable insurance cover in place. “The wrong insurance cover, an overdue MOT, insurance certificates that are incorrect, misplaced or late arriving, these can all stop you from taxing your vehicle on time. Your vehicle tax information is registered on our database. You must inform VIODVLA if you sell, transfer, and scrap or export your vehicle; otherwise you will continue to be responsible for taxing it even though you no longer have it”. Vehicle Registration is required and mandatory to enable any vehicle user to carry out other vehicle related services. But taxes collected on behalf of the states by VIO officials are not remitted to the governments because the money they collect from tricycles and vehicle owners are extortion and bribes. At the office of the VIO in Ejigbo, an officer declined comment because he wasn’t in position to talk and referred our correspondent to the headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.