Two Docked for N10.3m Bank Fraud …Another suspect for N15m Dud Cheque

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC today arraigned the duo of Sani Endurance and Hilary Odo before Justice A.O Onovo of Enugu State High Court, Nsukka on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy forgery and stealing to the tune of N10.3 million.   The suspects allegedly conspired among themselves and reactivated three accounts belonging to customers of a new generation bank without the customers' consent and diverted the funds for personal benefits.

They both pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.

In view of their plea the prosecuting counsel Michael Ani asked for a date for trial. M.A Ayamanbhor and Onodima Mathias,  counsel to the first and second accused persons respectively, applied for bail of their clients on the ground that the accused had been on an administrative bail since 2013 and did not jump bail.

The accused persons were admitted to bail in the sum of N1million each and one surety in like sum. The sureties are to produce 3 years tax clearance and two passport photographs each. The matter was adjourned to February 8, 2016 for commencement of trial.

In a related development, one Abel Charles alongside his company AB 08 Nigeria Limited were also arraigned today before Justice Nuhu Y. Galandanci of the Kano State High Court  on two counts of issuance of dud cheque to the tune of fifteen million Naira.

 

The accused allegedly defrauded one JALCOP Nigeria Limited the sum of N 15,000,000 meant for the supply of 20 trucks of black oil to Sokoto Cement Company. He only delivered one truck and when the complainant asked for a refund, he issued five cheques to the tune of N 15,000,000.00 which was returned unpaid on the ground of insufficient funds standing to the credit of the drawer.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, Douglas Gift to urge the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

 Justice Galandanci however admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties who must be resident in Kano state.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

18^th January, 2016

EFCC Arraigns Two for Visa Scam

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, January 18, 2016 arraigned the duo of Valentino Chibueze Enudi and Monday Adewale Lawal before Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja on a 15-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

The offence is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code and Section 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Enudi and Lawal were apprehended by EFCC operatives following a petition alleging that the duo specialize in using forged bank statements and other documents to fraudulently obtain money from people under the guise of processing United Kingdom visa for them.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Victor Ukagwu asked the court for a date for trial to commence.

Justice Ashi adjourned the case to February 3, 2016 and ordered the accused persons to be remanded in EFCC custody.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

18^th January, 2016

EFCC Raises Alarm over Fake Magu Facebook account

...Solicitations for Gratification

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC wishes to alert the general public about the activities of some unscrupulous elements who have opened fake facebook accounts in the name of the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Mustafa Magu. The two accounts: https://www.facebook.com/ibrahimmustafa.magu and https://www.facebook.com/magu.ibrahim.77 have become platform for various unwholesome activities including solicitation for gratification and influence peddling using the name of the EFCC boss.

The public is warned not to respond to any request for friendship and other demands in the name of Magu as the accounts do not belong to him.

Also the Commission warns the public to be mindful of telephone calls by persons claiming to be acting on behalf of the Acting Chairman and soliciting for gratification. Such calls/persons should be reported to the EFCC or the nearest police station.

The Commission has consistently maintained that it does not solicit money or gratification of any sort to carry out its statutory duties.

The general public is by this release, enjoined to be vigilant and help in unmasking these unscrupulous elements who are bent of soiling the reputation of Magu and the EFCC.

For the benefit of the public, the Commission’s official facebook account is https://www.facebook.com/officialefcc. The Commission can also be reached on any of the following hotlines: 234-9-9044751 or 234-9-9044752 or by email to info@efccnigeria.org

 

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

18^th January, 2016

 

EFCC Docks Ex-Council Boss for N3m Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today January 15, 2016 arraigned a former Chairman of Kaduna South LGA,  Bala Isa Idris before Justice Tukur Mu’azu of Kaduna State High Court on one count charge that borders on advance fee fraud.

The accused allegedly obtained the sum of N3,000,000 from one Alhaji Bashir Ahmed when he fraudulent sold a plot of land belonging to the council, situated at Mechanic village, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna State to him with the false claim that he had the authority to dispose the piece of land.

 

Count one of the charge reads, “that you Bala Isa Idris sometime in 2013 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice, Kaduna being the Kaduna South Local Government chairman with the intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N3, 000,000.00 from one Alhaji Bashir Ahmad under the pretence that you had the authority to dispose off a piece of land belonging to the Kaduna South Local Government measuring 0.0628 hectares situated at Mechanic village, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna South Local Government, Kaduna state which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under same Act.  

 The accused pleaded not guilty to charge read and was granted bail in the sum of N 1, 000, 000 and one surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil servant not below grade level 12.

The case was adjourned to March 10, 2016 for commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

15^th January, 2016

 

Alleged Oil Theft: EFCC Arraigns 12 persons, Vessel

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today arraigned 12 persons, two companies and a vessel, MV PSV DEBY before Justice Muhammad  B. Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and illegal dealing in petroleum products.

MV PSV DEBY and its crew members - Christopher Okorie, John U Mbah, Tammy Bami, Osi Prince, Chukwuji Festus, Kabiru Adeyemo, Ayannubi Moses, Sopuruchukwu Chukwudi, Obinna  Ebu,  Abdullahi Oyelade, Charles Ubey and Achia Vincent- were intercepted by Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol  boat on the 3rd of September, 2015 on suspicion of illegal dealing in petroleum products. Further investigation revealed that the vessel was carrying thousands of  litres of suspected illegally refined automotive gas oil, AGO.


Counts one and two of the charge reads:
“That you Christopher Okorie, Phonic Marines Services Limited, MV PSV DEBY, John U. Mbah, Banquet Chambers Nigeria Limited, Prince Idowu Ilara (at large), Tammy Bami, Osi Prince, Chukwuji Festus, Kabiru Adeyemo, Ayannubi Moses, Sopuruchukwu Chukwudi, Obinna Ebu, Abdullahi Oyelade, Charles Ubey and Achia Vincent between July and September 2015, at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, law of the Federation of Nigeria 2014 and punishable under Section 1(17) (a) of the same Act.

“That you Christopher Okorie, Phonic Marines Services Limited, MV PSV DEBY, John U. Mbah, Banquet Chambers Nigeria Limited, Prince Idowu Ilara (at large), Tammy Bami, Osi Prince, Chukwuji Festus, Kabiru Adeyemo, Ayannubi Moses, Sopuruchukwu Chukwudi, Obinna Ebu, Abdullahi Oyelade, Charles Ubey and Achia Vincent between August and September, 2015 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did without lawful authority store 600,000 litres of Petroleum Product (Automotive Gas and Oil) in MV PSV DEBY and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(17) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In view of the plea of the accused persons, the prosecution counsel, M. F. Owebe prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the accused persons in prison custody.


However, the defence counsel asked for a short adjournment for hearing of the bail application.

Justice Idris ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to Tuesday January 26, 2015 for hearing of the bail application.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity15^th January, 2016

DasukiGate: Metuh Remanded in Kuje Prison

EFCC Press Release

Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh is to remain in Kuje prison till Tuesday, January 19, when his bail application would be considered. The embattled spokesperson and his company, Destra Investments
Limited, were today docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice O.E Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in
Abuja on a 7-count charge bordering on money laundering, an
offence punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012
(as amended).

Metuh is alleged to have received N400m (Four hundred
million naira) from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo
Dasuki (rtd) from funds meant for arms procurement.

One of the counts reads:
“That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investments Limited on or before the
24th November, 2014 in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this
Honourable court took possession of the sum N400,000,000 (Four Hundred
Million Naira) only, paid into the account of DESTRA INVESTMENTS
LIMITED with DIAMOND BANK Plc account number: 0040437573 from the account of the National Security Adviser  with the Central Bank of Nigeria
without contract award when you reasonably ought to have known that
the said sum formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of
Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the then National Security Adviser
(to wit; criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2), (d) of the Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable
under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.

He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, thereafter urged the court to fix
a date for the commencement of trial. He also prayed the court to
order the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending the
trial.

Counsel to the defence, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, however, prayed the
court to discountenance the application of the prosecution stating
that it is “illegal and unconstitutional” to remand the defendant in
prison.

“We apply for the court to admit the defendant to bail on liberal
terms and we rest our application on section 158 of the Administration
of Criminal Justice Act 2015,” Ikpeazu argued.

While opposing the motion for bail, Tahir noted that “the defence has
not filed a written bail application”.

Responding, Ikpeazu, said that the case was a summary trial and that,
the notice for arraignment was filed and served “few hours to the
arraignment as opposed to the stipulated 7 days notice” thereby
giving them little or no time to prepare a formal application.

“The court can use its discretion to grant the defendant bail,
irrespective of whether the application was oral or formal. We refer
my Lord to the case of Abiola vs FRN,” he said.

After listening to both counsel, Justice Abang posited that “the fact
of the case of Abiola vs FRN is different from the fact of this case
and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 was not enacted
when the case was decided”.

He consequently, refused the accused bail and ordered the defence
counsel to file and serve the bail application to the prosecution
within 5 hours adding that the prosecution should respond within 24
hours.

Adjourning the case to January 19, 2016 for the hearing of arguments
on the bail application, he ordered that the Metuh be remanded in
prison custody.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

15^th January, 2016

ANTI- GRAFT STAKEHOLDERS ASSURES EFCC OF SUPPORT

EFCC Press Release

…As Commission Opens Office in Ibadan


Stakeholders in the anti-corruption war in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the works of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and assured it of their continued support. The assurances were given to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu who was on a working visit to the Oyo State Capital.

Magu solicited the support, guidance, and collaboration of all stakeholders in Oyo State. At the office of the state Chief Judge, he stressed that, " we are partners in the task of ridding the nation of corrupt practices. We all have a stake in the fight for the sake of the nation. We should be prepared to give our today for the tomorrow of our children". He specifically requested for the designation of some judges to hear EFCC cases. Magu also formally informed the judges of the opening of a Zonal office of the EFCC in Ibadan and assured them that the Commission would transfer all the cases relating to their zone to the new office.

The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Muntai Ladipo Abimbola scored the EFCC high in its handling of economic and financial crimes and assured that trial of suspects of corrupt practices will accorded more attention.  "We in the Judiciary are committed to ensure we offer ourselves in cooperation to EFCC officers, to ensure that offenders are tried within the shortest possible time. We pledge to uphold all the tenet of trial and international best practices and to ensure that justice is for all, not only must it be done but manifestly be seen to be done”, he said.

Also, the Solicitor- General and Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Justice,
Prince Adetunji Wasiu Gbadegesin advised that the EFCC should embark on compulsory training of its Legal officers in the act of prosecuting crimes. He also advised the Commission to consider reducing the number of count charges preferred against suspects and pursue plea bargaining in a more practical way.

At the Department of State Services, Oyo State Command, Magu reiterated his call for cooperation and expressed the desire of the EFCC to work with the Service. In response, Director of State Security, Oyo State Command, L. B. Baba assured the EFCC of collaboration and support. " I am an apostle of synergy. No agency can go it alone. Nobody knows it all. The era of competition is gone and gone for good. It is now the era of cooperation, collaboration, synergy. We have to do it together, because we save time, achieve better result and become more efficient and more effective. In the business of collaboration, we are all one," he said.

The same assurance was given by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade. According to him, the EFCC and the Nigeria Police are fighting the same monster of corruption and must work together. "The success of the EFCC is the pride of the Nigeria police. I want to say that we are going to work together because an adage in Yoruba says: 'when the right hand and the left hand wash each other together, it makes the two hands to be clean.' The idea is that we are pursuing the same objectives, to sanitize the society, to ensure that the programmes of the government is not derailed by corrupt practices and tendencies of some unscrupulous people, and when we have opportunity to nip them in the bud, we will do the needful", he said.
Magu also visited Tribune House, publisher of the Nigerian Tribune Titles. There, he sought more collaboration and positive reporting of the activities of the EFCC. According to him, "Corruption is a social malaise...... The African Newspapers of Nigeria has serious roles to play in sensitizing Nigerians to the evils of corruption, alerting them about the fraudulent practices of those found to be corrupt and educating members of the society on the preventive ways of checking shady practices. This is a task we want you to take up more seriously and we solicit your cooperation in this regard".
In response, the Editor- In- Chief of the Tribune Titles,  Mr.  Edward Dickson commended the EFCC for its relentless war on all forms of economic and financial crimes and assured the Commission of objective and positive coverage of its activities. 

The opening of the  Zonal office of the EFCC formed the basis of the working visit of the Acting Chairman to the state and the office is now on stream. Head of Operations of the new office, Mr. Oseni Kazeem assured that the office will run in the widely acclaimed tradition of the EFCC.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

14^th January, 2016

Anti-Graft War: EFCC Seeks Army Support

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has called on the Nigerian Army to partner with it in the difficult task of fighting corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria. The Commission’s  Head of Operations, Enugu Zone, Obioha Okorie made the appeal on Thursday January 14, when he led senior officers of the zone on a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding( GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru.

He stated that the visit underscores the need for synergy and collaboration in the fight against corruption.

Responding, Gen.  Attahiru, said he was happy that the Head of Operations found it expedient to pay a courtesy visit to the Division. He pledged the support of officers and men of his division to the fight against economic and financial crimes and wished Okorie a successful tenure.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

14^th January, 2016

Two Plead Guilty to N210m ATM Fraud

Stanley Odjighere and Igho Timothy Okpekereke, who in 2014 defrauded a new generation bank of N210million, have pleaded guilty to a 2-count charge on money laundering brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice M.S Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Warri, Delta State.

The duo sometime in 2014 at the Ecobank PLC Oghara branch, in Delta State, cashed on a system glitch leading to malfunctioning of the Quickteller facility in the bank’s ATM to defraud the banks by transferring monies to several accounts.  All the transactions involved were failed transactions but the monies transferred were not reversed from the customer’s accounts.

 Over Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira was transferred into their First Bank accounts, which they laundered through other peoples bank accounts and later converted to their personal use.

Count one of the charge reads, “that you Stanley Odjighere, Michael Jesuovomine Edoja (now at large) and others at large sometime in 2014 at Oghara, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, did transfer and convert to your use over N130,753,674.09 (One Hundred and Thirty Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Six Hundred and Seventy Four Naira Nine Kobo) only, being money you fraudulently stole from Ecobank and which said sum you applied same into the purchase of cars, plot of land and development thereof, with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 11, 2011 (as  amended) and punishable under section 15 (2) of the same Act”.  

Count two reads, “that you Igho Timothy Okpekekereke, Michael Jesuovomine Edoja (now at large) and others now at large sometime in 2014 at Oghara, Delta State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court , did transfer and convert to your use over N87, 299,000.00 (Eighty Seven Million Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand  Naira ) only, being money you fraudulently stole from Ecobank and which said sum you applied same into the purchase of cars, plots of land and development thereof, with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 11, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15 (2) of the same Act”.

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, G. O Edobor asked for a date for the review of the case and sentencing.

Justice Abubakar adjourned the matter to January 15, 2016 for sentencing of the defendants and ordered that they be remanded in prison custody.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

14^th January, 2016

 

EFCC Docks Tangwami, Ex-Adamawa Council Boss for N982m Fraud

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday,
January 13, 2016 arraigned one Felix Tangwami, former chairman Demsa
Local Government Area of Adamawa state, before Justice Helen Nuhu Hamman Joda of Adamawa
State High Court, sitting in Yola, on a five-count charge bordering on
obtaining by false pretense to the tune of N981, 468, 000.00 (nine
hundred and eighty one million, four hundred and sixty eight thousand
Naira)

Tangwami, in his capacity as the council boss, used his position to award a a number of contracts to companies where he has interests and failed to deliver on the contract terms.

These include: Contracts for supply of cerebrospinal meningitis vaccines awarded in favour of Binam Integrated
Services Ltd; supply of VVF Oral Vaccines for Immunization against typhoid in favor of  Nchaloro Nigeria Ltd; supply of 500 units of motorcycles to
be distributed to all the Local government Areas in Adamawa State in
favor of Bange Integrated service Ltd; building of a school for
technical skill acquisition in Numan  in favor of Bange Company Ltd;
and the supply of anti-snake venom in favor of Tafari Nigeria Ltd.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Chris Meishelia told the court to fix a date to commence trial.

However, defence counsel, Sule J. Abdul, told the court that he had a pending application for the bail of the accused. He urged the court to admit him to bail adding that, the offence for which he is being charged is bailable.

Justice Joda, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500million
with one surety in like sum.
The surety must be a family man residing within the jurisdiction of
the court. He must own a landed property worth
N100million.

The case was adjourned to February 22, 2016 for hearing.

Alleged N34bn Fraud: Court Issues Bench Warrant on Tompolo

The warrant of arrest is sequel to Tompolo’s refusal  to honour the court summon. The EFCC had earlier secured an order of court to serve the defendant through substituted means by affixing the summon and charge at his last known address in Warri, Delta State. At today’s sitting, Joseph Nwobike, SAN, counsel to the second accused person, Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, pleaded with the court to give Tompolo more time as he was only served with the summon yesterday. But Justice Buba informed the court that the reason why the summon was ordered in the first place is to compel the suspect to appear in court and defend the charge against him since
he has consistently refused to honour invitations sent to him by the prosecution.
Festus Keyamo, prosecuting counsel, told the court that after series of invitations were extended to him, Tompolo responded by placing an advertisement in the newspaper warning the EFCC not to push him to war. Justice Buba granted the request of the prosecution by issuing a warrant for the arrest of the suspect. He noted that “compelling the presence or attendance of accused person or defendant in court is to serve him with summon to appear... Where he fails to appear in obedience to the summon, the other process to compel his attendance is by way of arrest’’.

Tompolo alongside nine others including Patrick Akpobolokemi,  are facing a 40 count charge of alleged money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds  before a Federal High Court, Lagos. Others are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem,
Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Global West Vessel  Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited and Destre Consult Limited.  The defendants are said to have fraudulently converted the fund which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel  Specialist Limited for personal use.
The case was adjourned to February 8, 2016 for arraignment.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

14^th January, 2016

Igbos In Need Of Credible Leaders, Says ASETU Chieftain, Emeka Diwe.

The Igbo nation is in dire need of credible leaders, according Emeka Diwe, a chieftain of Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU).
Diwe said lack of credible leaders has been the bane of Igbos and has seriously affected the place of Igbo nation in Nigeria.
The ASETU chieftain told journalists in Aba, Abia State that only genuine leaders in Igboland will advance the cause of the people, stressing that such leaders cannot emerge based on the size of their pockets.
 He stated  that Igbos need selfless leaders who are ready to fight for a cause, stating that credible leaders can only emerge in Igboland through town union mode of electing leaders. 
He said Town Unions have produced good leaders, saying such mode of electing leaders in Igboland will ensure that only credible persons emerge at all strata of leadership.
“Town Union structure is the most credible platform to elect credible leaders in Igboland. The Town Union is development driven and has addressed the need of the common people in Igboland. We need to enhance its gains for sustainable development, peace, progress, law and order.
“It is regrettable that what we have seen in Igboland is forced leadership and  submergence of credible leadership .We have monetization of the truth and this is not acceptable to us anymore” the ASETU chieftain stated.
Diwe pointed out that the apathy demonstrated by the people towards the military to civilian transition in 1999 only succeeded in throwing up leaders in Igboland who were not prepared for the onerous task of leadership
“Because credible people did not show interest in the transition process in 1999, many ill-prepared people came up and won elective positions. Most credible people did not contest in that election and thus we have seen degenerative leadership since then. This is why we have not gotten the right set of leaders in Igboland”, the Akpulu, Ideato North LGA businessman stated.
The President of Association of Indigenous Town Unions of Imo State backed the ongoing fight against corruption embarked upon by the Buhari administration. He said corruption has really affected the progress and development of the nation.
“If we recover 10% of the funds said to be stolen by past government officials, Nigeria would have been better” he explained.
Diwe who was honoured by Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for his commitment to the cause of Igbos also spoke on the recent protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)
He said ASETU condemned marching out soldiers to shoot and kill unarmed teenagers during the pro Biafra protests in Onitsha. 

Human Trafficking: Court Extradites Nigerian Fugitive, Asemota to the UK

              EFCC Press Release



Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 ordered the extradition of one Franca Asemota, a Nigerian fugitive whose extradition is being sought through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the United Kingdom for offences bordering on trafficking of minors.
Asemota,  36, is wanted by the UK government for trafficking of minors to Europe through London.
She was accused of allegedly organising a network that trafficked young women, mostly teenagers, from remote Nigerian villages into Europe using Heathrow airport as a transit hub.
The girls were promised education or jobs such as hairdressing in countries including France and Spain, but were forced into prostitution
However, the long arm of the law caught up with Asemota when she was arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 24, 2015 in Benin , Edo State on suspicion of money laundering offences.
On arrest, checks on her profile revealed that, she had been on the wanted list of the National Crime Agency, NCA.
When the case came up on Monday, January 11, 2016, Asemota’s counsel, Ugochukwu Ezekiel prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable her seek medical attention as she had spent almost a year in custody.
Akuta Pius Ukeyima from the office of the AGF however, opposed the application saying that, it would be better to ask for a short date for ruling on the substantive matter.
Consequently, Justice Kafarati adjourned to today for ruling.
At the resumerd sitting, Justice Kafarati granted the extradition request and ordered that the accused be extradited to the United Kingdom to face trial for the charges filed against her.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
13th January, 2016

ZAMFARA SUBEB CHAIRMAN ARRAIGNED FOR N10.7m FRAUD

                      EFCC Press Release

       
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today arraigned Murtala Adamu Jangebe, Chairman Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and his associate, Sani Bawa Jabaka before Justice Nasiru Umar Gumi of Zamfara State High Court on a 3-count charge bordering Misappropriation and Diversion of Public Funds
The  accused persons allegedly diverted funds earmarked for the payment of contractors for sundry contracts executed for SUBEB under the 2008/2009 UBE projects across Zamfara State.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge . The case has been adjourned  to February 17 and 18, 2016 for consideration of their bail applications, while the accused were remanded in prison custody.
Jangebe  is also being prosecuted by the EFCC on money laundering charges before Justice Z.B Abubakar of Federal High Court Gusau.
                                            Wilson Uwujaren
                                      Head, Media & Publicity
                                            13th January, 2016

EFCC set to Arraign Tompolo, former NIMASA DG, Others

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday
January 14, arraign Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), and Patrick
Akpobolokemi, former director general of Nigeria Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA  before a Federal High Court,
Lagos on a 40 count charge of alleged money laundering , conspiracy,
stealing and diversion of funds. Four other persons alongside four
companies are also to be arraigned. They are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem,
Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh. The companies are Global
West Vessel   Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited,
Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Destre Consult Limited,  The
suspects  allegedly  diverted the sum of N34
billion which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA
and Global West Vessel   Specialist Limited for personal use.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has secured an order of the Federal High Court to
serve the summon and charge on Tompolo by
substituted means as the suspect has continuously evaded service.
The order by Justice Ibrahim  Buba allows the EFCC to serve the
defendant through substituted means by affixing the summons and charge
on a  conspicuous part of his known address situated at No. 1 Chief
Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension Warri, Delta State.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

13^th January, 2016