EFCC Arraigns Two Persons for N804m Pension Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today June 4, 2013 arraigned one Emmanuel Olanipekun and four companies, M.O.F Investment Limited, Moshfad Enterprises, Komobosco Integrated Services and Fesbee Global Resources Limited  before Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court Abuja on 2-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. Olanipekun a former staff in Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is said to have conspired to obtain N648, 986,256.36 (Six Hundred and Forty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Six Naira, Thirty Six Kobo) from the Pension Account thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

One of the counts read, ‘That you Emmanuel Olanipekun, M.O.F Investment Limited, Moshfad Enterprises, Komobosco Integrated services and Fesbee Global Resources Limited, at various times between 2009 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, obtained by false pretence and with intent to defraud, from the Pensions Account, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, various sums in the aggregate amount of  N648, 986,256.36 ( Six Hundred and Forty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty six Naira, Thirty Six Kobo) through various third parties and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other  Related Offences Act, 2006”.

Emmanuel Olanipekun pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ to the 2- count when it was read to him while Abikunle O.N and E. C. Ikeji counsel to  the 2^nd and 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th accused persons (companies) entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the companies.

Upon the plea of the accused person, his counsel, Ikeji prayed the court to grant the accused bail on the same terms and conditions earlier granted by Justice Mohammed Bello of the Federal High Court Abuja. Counsel to EFCC, Emmanuel Egwuagu from Godwin Obla’s Chambers did not oppose the bail application but asked the court to fix a date for trial.

Justice Olotu granted bail the accused person bail in the following terms: Twenty Million naira, two sureties residing within the jurisdiction of the court and having building in the city of Abuja. The accused person must not travel outside the country without approval by the court and that the international passport of the accused person is deposited in court.

Also today, the Commission arraigned Abdul Mohammed and three companies (Salimpa Ventures Nigeria, Sa’azab Global Limited and Omaumali Ventures Limited) before Justice Gladys Olotu on three count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence. Mohammed a former staff in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria is said to have conspired and obtained N155, 884, 277, 07 (One Hundred and Fifty Five Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira, Seven Kobo) from the Pension Account thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him while his counsel, A.S.Akpala entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the companies.

One of the charge reads: “That you Abdul Mohammed at various times between 2009 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, obtained by false pretence and with intent t defraud, from the Pensions Account, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, various sums in the aggregate amount of N80, 607, 632.97 (Eighty Million, Six Hundred and Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Two Naira, Ninety Seven Kobo} and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The prosecution applied for a date for trial while the defence moved an application for bail.

But Justice Olotu adjourned to June 13, 2013 for hearing of the bail application while ordering that Abdul Mohammed be remanded in prison custody. The case was adjourned to November 5, 6, and 7, for trial.