DRUG TRAFFICKING: NDLEA ARRESTS 3 CLEARING AGENTS, EXPORTER

NDLEA CHAIRMAN,Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have arrested an exporter and three clearing agents in connection with unlawful exportation of illicit drugs out of the country. The seized drugs weighing 54.76kg include 24.7kg of methamphetamine disguised as artificial hair, 2.810kg of cocaine concealed in foodstuff and 27.250kg of diazepam. The seized drugs have a street value of two hundred and twenty-two million naira.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah in his reaction to the harvest of arrests said that the Agency has recorded impressive success in prosecuting drug traffickers. “Anyone whose action contravenes the NDLEA Act shall not escape justice. Many traffickers have been successfully convicted at the law courts by the Agency. Clearing agents are liable under the law when narcotic drugs are traced to their shipments. They therefore have a responsibility to know their customers and produce them on request. It is pertinent for them to take necessary measures in preventing their consignment from being used in smuggling narcotic drugs. Investigations into the cases have commenced and more arrests are in the offing” Abdallah assured.

NDLEA Airport commander, Ahmed Garba said that the command is working to improve productivity. “Preliminary investigation has shown that two of the clearing agents, Akpan Jacob and Nwaeyizia Chibuzor Sylvester conspired to export 24.7kg of methamphetamine. Another agent, Ndafia Mike had 50 packs each of diazepam tablets and injections while an exporter, Orji Sunday Otuu was found in possession of 2.810kg of cocaine. We are leaving no stone unturned in improving the operational activities of the command” Garba stated.  

Akpan Jacob who is married with five children said that he agreed to take the job because of financial difficulties. “I am from Akwa Ibom State and I work as a clearing agent. I was given this job by another clearing agent, Sylvester. Ordinarily, I would not have accepted the job but I had no choice because of my family problems” he stated.

On his part, Sylvester told officials that Akpan was the one that mounted pressure on him to do the job.  In his words, “I was never interested in this job but the pressure from Akpan was too much so I gave him the job. I also gave him one hundred thousand naira (₦100,000) before my arrest”.  He hails from Delta State.

Odofia Mike in his statement said that he was called to pick up the bag and send it to Guinea Conakry. “A customer called me to collect a bag at the motor park. I collected it and went to the airport but during examination, some injections and tablets of diazepam were found inside the bag. This was how I was arrested. I have no idea that there are injections there” Odofia stated.

Orji Sunday Otuu who exports foodstuff to India was found to have hidden 2.810kg of cocaine inside foodstuff.  “I used to export African foodstuff and spices to India. This time around, I was tempted to hide cocaine inside the foodstuff. I had wanted to make about ten million naira profit but things did not go according to my plan” Orji lamented.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.

Armsgate: DAY EFCC Docks Badeh for Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, March 7, 2016 arraigned former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh alongside Iyalikam Nigerian Limited before Justice Okon E. Abang on a 10 count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97 billion.

 

Badeh, while being the CDS, among other things allegedly abused his office between January and December, 2013. He used dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion (One Billion, One Hundred Million Naira) from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase a mansion situated at No. 6, Ogun River Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja.

 

The offence is in contravention of Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

One of the counts reads:

 

"That you Air Chief Marshal Alex S Badeh (whilst being the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force) and IYALIKAM NIGERIA LIMITED between 28th March and 5th December, 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use an aggregate sum of N878,362,732.94 (Eight Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira, Ninety-Four kobo) removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force and paid into the account of Rytebuilders Technologies Limited with Zenith Bank Plc for the construction of a shopping mall situate at Plot 1386, Oda Crescent Cadastral Zone A07, Wuse II, Abuja for yourself, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) of Air Chief Marshal Alex S Badeh and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act"

 

The first Defendant (Badeh) pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, while the court relied on Section 478 of the Criminal Justice Act to enter a “not guilty” plea for the second defendant which is a corporation.

 

In view of the plea of the defendants, counsel to EFCC, Adebisi Adeniyi standing for Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, prayed the court to fix a date for trail and remand the accused in prison custody.

 

Counsel to the first defendant, Samuel Zibiri, SAN, on the other hand, told the court that, he had a pending bail application dated March 2, 2016 and filed March 3, 2016.

 

He prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail.

 

Justice Abang, in turning down the application said, “the motion is not competent as it was filed before arraignment.”

 

According to the judge who made reference to a decision of the Supreme Court in a similar matter, “a court will have jurisdiction of a defendant upon arraignment and not before arraignment.”

 

Consequently, he ordered the accused person to be remanded in Kuje prison  and adjourned to March 10, 2016 and March 14, 2016 for hearing on the bail application and commencement of trial respectively.

 

The judge also warned that he would not entertain unnecessary interlocutory applications until the substantive matter is concluded.

 

Lamido: EFCC Presents Another Witness

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on March 8, 2016 presented another witness, Alhaji Suraju Ahmadu, in the ongoing trial of Alhaji Sule Lamido, erstwhile governor of Jigawa State, who is being prosecuted by the Commission on a 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court Maitama, Abuja.

Lamido, who is being prosecuted alongside his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others, allegedly abused his position as governor between 2007 and 2015 by awarding contracts to companies where he had interest, using his two sons as fronts.

The former governor was equally alleged to have collected kickbacks from contractors in the state, with the funds allegedly paid into accounts that were managed by his sons.

Ahmadu, who testified as PW12, while being led in evidence by Chile Okoroma, counsel to EFCC, told the court that, he knew Lamido, his sons and Aminu Wada Abubakar (fourth defendant) very well.

Ahmadu, who is the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Rauda Integrated Services Limited denied executing any contracts in Jigawa State aside the construction of a hospital, a staff quarters, as well as the deployment of motorized boreholes providing solar energy in Jigawa State.

He further denied authorizing any other person to take decisions regarding the company on his behalf.

It would be recalled that, a witness, Joy Isen, had on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 presented to the court, account opening packages and statements of account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, Interior Woodworks Limited and Rauda Integrated Services Limited which were admitted in evidence as exhibits EFCC 28a-p, EFCC 29, EFCC 30 and EFCC 31

When shown the documents today, Ahmadu denied knowledge of it and how they came to be.

The witness further told the court that, the documents he was shown were markedly different from his company documents.

The prosecution counsel then presented invoices used in the execution of different contracts which noticeably had the same invoice number - Exhibit 46, a, d and f.  He also presented an invoice booklet with invoice numbers in ascending order which the witness identified as genuine documents for his own company.

 

This booklet was admitted in evidence by the court as Exhibit 47.

However, under cross-examination, Ahmadu stated that, there were no financial transactions between him and the 3rd defendant, Mustapha Sule Lamido, aside the sale of his Prudent Bank (now Skye Bank) shares valued at a total of N5.8million, and the purchase of a N2.4million Honda Accord from the defendant.

Agbi, SAN, however picked hole in Ahmadu’s two statements previously rendered to the EFCC on April 29, 2014 and August 4, 2015, where alleged that the shares sold were Inland Bank shares - totaling N10million, and the car purchased was at a sum of N2.5million.

Attempts by the prosecution counsel to further clarify on the matter led to a 'technicality-battle' between the two counsels as the defence posits that the witness' testimony was not ambiguous.

Both statements were admitted by the court as Exhibits 50 and 51.

Thereafter, Justice Ademola adjourned the matter to March 9, 2016 for ruling on the issue of re-examination by the prosecution and further hearing.

EFCC Docks Two Company Executives for Oil Theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday March 14, 2016 arraigned Noel Akpan (Managing Director of Digie Global Marine Service Limited), Emmanuel Ndubuisi Morah (Managing Director of Rocky Oil & Gas Services Limited) and a Vessel (MT Europoort) before Justice H. A. Nganjiwa on a 3-count charge bordering on Conspiracy and Illegal dealing in Petroleum Product.

The accused persons were arrested on June 2, 2015 by officials of Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation PULO SHIELD Yenagoa, while on routine patrol. The vessel was laden with about 15,000 metric tones of petroleum product suspected to be AGO, was intercepted at Forupa Waterways, Bayelsa State.

The crew on board the vessel had no valid clearance to sail in the territorial waters of Nigeria and there was no document whatsoever to cover the voyage, transaction and the vessel.

The suspects and the vessel,  were handed over to EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.  

Count one reads: “that you Noel Akpan being the Managing Director of Digie Global Marine Services Limited, Emmanuel Ndubuisi Morah being the Managing Director of Rocky Oil & Gas Services Limited and the crew members aboard MT EUROPOORT with others now at large on or about the 2^nd day of June, 2015 around Forupa Waterways in Bayelsa State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did conspire  among yourselves to commit a felony to wit; Dealing in Petroleum Product contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act”.

Count two reads, “That you Noel Akpan being the Managing Director of Digie Global Marine Services Limited, Emmanuel Ndubuisi Morah being the Managing Director of Rocky Oil & Gas Services Limited and the crew members aboard MT EUROPOORT with others now at large on or about the 2^nd day of June, 2015 around Forupa Waterways in Bayelsa State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did without authority deal in petroleum product to with 1,500 metric tones of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) bunkered into MT EUROPOORT   and thereby committed and offence Contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act”.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them. 

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, J. N. Dogonyaro, asked for a date to commence trial. However, the defense counsel, S. A. Somiari, prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail.

Justice Nganjiwa granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) each with 2 sureties each in like sum. One of the sureties must be civil servant with grade level 12 and above while the second surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The sureties must be recommended by the defense counsel and provide 3 years tax clearance with a written undertaken to produce the defendants throughout the trial.

The matter was adjourned to May 17, 2016 for trial while the defendants were remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail terms.

Armsgate: Badeh’s Trial Adjourned to March 16

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned the trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd), to March 16, 2016.

Badeh, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97 billion was on March 10, 2016 granted N2 billion bail.

The decision of the trial judge followed an application filed by Akinshola Olujimi, SAN, seeking for an adjournment.

Olujimi, who told the court that he was taking over from Samuel Zibri, SAN, as the counsel to Badeh, said that he had just been briefed on the matter, adding that “though my client has been granted bail, it is on record that the process for the effectuality of that order has not been completed, and there is need for me to access the defendant for full and proper briefing as he is still in Kuje Prison.”

He also added that the prosecution only on March 11, 2016 served him additional proof of evidence, which “will need to be studied”.

S. T. Ologunorisa, counsel to Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, also told the court that he was served additional proof of evidence “some minutes before court commenced because the prosecution could not locate my office and I could not get a copy from defence counsel to the first defendant”. He urged the court not to commence trial, arguing that “it will be an infringement on the defendant’s constitutional rights”.

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacbos, SAN, however, urged the court to dismiss the application for adjournment and continue with the trial on the grounds that the defence counsel has the privilege to go to the prisons for his briefing with the accused person.

“Section 396 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 19(2)(b) of the EFCC Act states that all matters before the court shall be conducted with dispatch and given accelerated hearing,” Jacobs argued.

He further told the court that Olujimi was at the point of arraignment a member of the defence team, and so “if the court orders for the case to go on, it cannot amount to infringement of his right to choose a counsel for himself”.

In response to the defence counsels’ claim of late receipt of additional proof of evidence, Jacobs, argued that “the prosecution can at any time file additional proof of evidence before judgement”.

Having listened to the arguments of the counsels, Justice Abang, noted that the application for adjournment on the basis that counsel to the defence had been changed was baseless.



Justice Abang, granted the application for adjournment only on the basis of the newly filed additional proof of evidence, noting that “though justice delayed is justice denied; justice rushed is justice crushed”.

He thereafter, fixed March 16, 2016 for “commencement of trial without fail”.

EFCC Arraigns Man for $859,939 Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today arraigned Femi Ogunlowo and his five companies before Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the Lagos High Court on 10 count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

 The accused was arrested by the EFCC following  a petition dated 5th of August,2015 which was sent to the Commission through the Ministry  of Foreign Affairs Abuja on behalf of the Office of the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Switzerland. The petition alleged that some unknown persons from Nigeria broke into the server of their company Uralkali Trading SA Account and fraudulently transferred the sum of $859,939.75 into several bank accounts in Nigeria .

Investigation later showed that the said amount was traced to several corporate accounts spread across banks in Nigeria. The company accounts where money was traced and in which Femi Ogunlowo was found to be sole signatory and director are: Forston Construction Limited, Chestlinks Power System Limited, Chestlinks Concept Investment Limited, De Beauvior Integrated Limited and Crestcom Education Development Limited.

The defendant was said to have took over the complainant's email address and without their knowledge, authorized a transaction and instructed the bank to transfer the sum of eight hundred and fifty nine thousand, nine hundred and thirty nine dollars, seventy five cents ($859,939.75) to two accounts in Mainland China and 10 different bank accounts in Nigeria.

 

One of the counts reads:"That you Femi Ogunlowo, Forston Construction Ltd, Chestlinks Power System Ltd, Chestlinks Concept investments Ltd, DE Beauvior Integrated Ltd, Crestom Educational Development Ltd, Sun Riser International Co. Ltd,(still at large), Yuandeng Plastic and Hard Ware Moulds Co.(still at large) and China Value Industrial Co.(still at Large) , on or about the 22nd day of January ,2015 in  Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud conspired to commit an offence to Wit: obtaining the sum of $859,939.75(Eight Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Nine, Dollars, Seventy Five Cents) from URALKALI TRADING SA of Geneva Switzerland by false pretences." You thereby committed an offence Contrary to section 1(3) and 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14 Of 2006”.

 

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charge when it was read to him.

 

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in Prison custody.

The defence counsel, D.A. Awosika informed the court of his application for bail dated 9th day of March 2016  which he said he has served the prosecution.

However Justice Adebiyi adjourned the case to March 17, 2016 for hearing of bail application  and 18th, 19th,25th and 26th April  for trial.

 She ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi prison.

Armsgate: Court Grants Badeh N2bn Bail

... Trial Continues March 14

Justice Okon E. Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, March 10, 2015 granted the former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (retd), bail in the sum of N2billion.

Badeh, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97 billion, had on March 7, 2016 pleaded not guilty to the charges.    

The trial judge had adjourned till Thursday to rule on his bail application. Moving the application, defence counsel, Samuel Zimiri, SAN, pleaded with the court to grant Badeh (who was not in court) bail on self recognition. He argued that the former CDS served Nigeria meritoriously for 35 years.

“We depose to the fact that the applicant will be available in court for his trial. “His presence at the trial is what is paramount according to the Supreme Court, and it should be considered first before the charges,” he told the court.

He argued further that his client was, according to Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, presumed innocent until proven guilty.

His submission was in response to the argument of prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, that the offfences against Badeh were very weighty, and “he might disappear in a bid to avoid the shame of facing trial, so the severity of the offence should be looked at”.

Jacobs added that: “Some of the witnesses who would be called to give evidence against him include some of his subordinates, and so if granted bail, his presence will have impact on them.”

One of the subordinates, according to him, is the Director of Finance of the Nigeria Air Force, NAF, which according to him “was given instruction by Badeh to convert public funds into dollars and to use same to buy all the assets referred to in the body of the charges”.

He further told the court that EFCC operatives found $1m cash in the bedroom of an Abuja mansion belonging to him. He noted that while Badeh denied ownership, properties belonging to him including photographs were found in it.

Justice Abang, in his ruling, upheld the argument that constitutionally, a defence applicant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

“Having considered the gravity of the offence, availability of the defendant to stand trial, the weighty evidence and fear of the prosecution that he may evade trial, what is not in doubt is that we cannot overlook the fact that the presumption of innocence holds here,” the judge said.

The trial judge, thereafter, granted him bail in the sum of N2bn with two sureties in like sum. His trial continues on March 14, 2016.

The sureties, according to the judge, must have landed properties in Abuja, the Certificates of Occupancy, which must be submitted to the Chief Registrar of the court. He ordered that the Registrar must verify in writing the value of the assets from the relevant department of the Federal Capital Territory Development Administration and the genuineness of their certificates.

He also ordered that Badeh’s international passport and/or official passport must be submitted to the registrar, including three years tax clearance certificates of the sureties, two passports each and their proof of means to provide the amount attached to the bail.

EFCC Docks Man For N3m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 10, 2016, arraigned one Asabe Abdulkareem before Justice Y.N. Galadanci of the Kano State High Court, Kano on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N3,000,000.00( Three Million Naira).

The complainant, Al-Amin Abba Dabo, sometime in November, 2013, allegedly transferred the sum of $7000(Seven Thousand Dollars) into the company account of one Mubaraq Abdulkareem in Century Path Nigeria Limited for the importation of some cars (Mercedes Benz C300, 2014 model, Mercedes Benz CLA 250, 2015 and Range Rover Vogue) from Canada into Nigeria.

 Dabo also allegedly paid another sum of N3, 000,000.00 into ISKA and Gas Petroleum Company account domiciled in a new generation bank for the Range Rover Vogue in February, 2014.

 However, the accused person neither delivered the cars to the complainant nor refunded him.

Investigation revealed that the accused person is the mother of Mubarak Abdulkareem (now at large), who is a director in both companies.

Count one of the charge reads:  ‘‘That you Asabe Abdulkareem and Mubarak Abdulkareem( now at large) both being Directors in ISKA Gas and Petroleum Nigeria Limited sometime between February 20 and February 24, 2014 at Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court  with intent to defraud obtained via your Guarantee Trust Bank account number 0142461447 from one Al-Amin Abbah Dabo the sum of N3,000,000.00 for the purpose of buying a described car for him thus: Range Rover Vogue from Canada, which you did not and knew to be false 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 Section1(3) of the same Act.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

The prosecution counsel, S.H. Saád, therefore, asked for a trial date.

Consequently Justice Galadanci adjourned to April 21, 2016 for hearing on the bail application.

 

EFCC Arraigns FIRS Director for N5m Bribe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, on Thursday, March 10, 2016 arraigned Abumere Joseph Osagie, a Deputy Director, Regional Tax Office of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and one Jamila Ojora on a 2-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and receipt of gratification before Justice O. O. Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

Osagie and  Ojora had on January 27, 2016 allegedly approached Senator Datti, the Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja and gave him a tax assessment of N20,029, 496.00 through a letter of intent, which he paid.

 

However, when Senator Datti requested for the assessment certificate, they refused to oblige him. Instead, they allegedly demanded for N5million gratification.

 

Consequently, marked N5million was delivered to the director through Ojora in a sting operation, an operation which led to her arrest. Consequently, her confession led to the arrest of Osagie.

The offence contravenes Section 17(1)(a) and punishable under 17 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

 

One of the counts reads:
“Abumere Joseph Osagie and Jamila Ojora on or about January 27, 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, corruptly accepted the sum of N5,000,000.00 ( five million naira) from one Senator Ahmed Datti as a gift for having done a tax assessment for Baze University”.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Upon their plea, counsel to EFCC, Joseph O. Uzo urged the court to fix a date for trial to commence and remand the accused persons in prison custody.

However, Oboma-Obla and S.B Mono representing the first and second accused persons prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail.

Relying on Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 both counsels pleaded that the accused persons had been on administrative bail of EFCC and have never breached any of the terms granted them by the Commission.

The prosecution raised no objection to the application.

Justice Goodluck, in admitting the two accused persons to bail ordered them to deposit their international passports with the court and provide two sureties who are public servants of grade level 14 from any federal government parastatals. The sureties must be resident in Abuja and their
residential address must be verified by the court. 

The judge also ordered the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody until the bail terms are met.

The case has been adjourned to April 27 and 28, 2016 for trial.

419: Oronsaye To Be Arraigned March 15

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Tuesday, March 15, 2015 arraign Mr, Stephen Oronsaye, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoS, before Justice O. O Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja on fresh two counts of corruption and obtaining by false pretence.
The fresh charge followed the completion of investigation by the anti- graft agency on evidence that the former top bureaucrat allegedly abused his position as chair of the Presidential Committee on the Financial Action Task Force to fraudulently obtain a total sum of N190million, being part of the N240m grant which the Committee received from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The grant, investigation revealed, was allegedly paid into an account in Access Bank operated by Oronsaye without the knowledge of other Committee members and he proceeded to invest the funds for personal gains.

The charge reads, “ Stephen Oronsaye a.k.a. Mr Steve Oronsaye on or about 12th June, 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the  Federal Capital Territory whilst being the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force and in such capacity entrusted with certain property to wit: the sum of N90,000,000.00 ( Ninety Million Naira) committed Breach of Trust in respect of the said sum by converting it to your personal use through the investment of the said sum of N90,000,000.00 in Access Bank Plc’s Bankers Acceptance for a tenor of 90 days at 9.0% interest rate in violation of the extant financial regulations


“ Stephen Oronsaye a.k.a. Mr Steve Oronsaye on or about 30th December, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the  Federal Capital Territory whilst being the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force and in such capacity entrusted with certain property to wit: the sum of N100,000,000.00 ( One Hundred Million Naira) committed Breach of Trust in respect of the said sum by converting it to your personal use through the investment of the said sum of N90,000,000.00 in Access Bank Plc’s Bankers  Acceptance for a tenor of 90 days at 12.0% interest rate each  in violation of the extant financial regulations”.
This new charge is different in all material particular from the existing charge for which Oronsaye,  Osarenkhoe Afe, and their accomplices are being prosecuted before the Federal High court, Abuja on 35- count of fraud and money laundering involving N2billion.
In this charge, Oronsaye and his co-accused, are alleged to have been complicit in several contract awards during his tenure as HoS, using two companies – Federick Hamilton Global Services Limited, and Xangee Technologies Limited, for shady biometrics enrollment deals to the tune of N2 billion.
In one of the counts in the amended charge dated November 2, 2015, Oronsaye is alleged to have in connivance with Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina (now at large), Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited in July 2010 "in disguising genuine nature of the sum of N161,472,000 derived from an illegal act to wit conducting procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act on the contract extension of biometric enrolment purportedly awarded to Innovative Solutions Limited by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, without following due process, an offence punishable under Section 14 (1) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004”.
Cluster Logistic Limited and Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, were also alleged to have connived with Maina (alias Abdullahi A. Faizal now at large) in February 2014 to “transfer the sum of N33,800,000 to West Waves Bureau De Change from the account of Cluster Logistic Limited maintained by Maina”.
The case before the Federal High Court has no bearing on the new information filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court and therefore, puts a lie to the invidious insinuation by a section of the online media that the former HoS was a victim of persecution by the EFCC.

EFCC Arraigns Fake NNPC Staff

The Economic and financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Monday March 14, 2016, arraigned Raymond Odika on a six count charge, bordering on criminal conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence, before Justice Dugbo-Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court , Enugu.

Odika connived with one Solomon Chidi Onyia(still at large) to defraud Malachy Olife and Peter Sunday to the tune of N624,000.00 under the pretext that they were staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC.

One of the counts reads, "that you Raymond Odika and Mr. Solomon Chidi Onyia(now at large) on or about the 4th Day of December 2015, in Enugu, Enugu state, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, conspired between yourselves to commit a felony to wit; obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act".

Odika pleaded not guilty on all counts of the charge preferred against him.

In view of his plea, the EFCC counsel , I. I. Mbachie urged the court to remand the accused person in prison and fix a date for the bail hearing and continuation of trial.

But before adjourning to March 23, 2016, Justice Dugbo-Oghoghorie admitted the accused person to bail on the grounds that he had been on administrative bail granted him by the EFCC. 

Court Convicts Opara for N3.8m Job Scam

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has today secured the conviction of one Dr. Faith Chika Opara for obtaining the sum of N3.8m by false pretense.

Opara pleaded guilty on arraignment and was immediately convicted by Justice M.L Abubakar of the Federal High Court,  Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, but  reserved sentencing to Thursday March 17, 2016.
The convict had approached the complainant with the idea that there was an ongoing Federal Government Empowerment Programme from the office of the former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan, under the umbrella of Centre for Global Peace Integrity and Development, a Non-Governmental Organization, belonging to the accused. The unsuspecting applicants then paid as much as N100, 000 each, totaling N3.8m with the false hope of taking all participants to South Africa.
Before the conviction, the prosecuting counsel H. O. Anaso tendered various exhibits before the court which were all admitted and marked as such. But the defence counsel, J.C Odo (Mrs.), on the other hand prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, since her client has shown enough remorse to the State and Commission.

Suspected Fraudster Remanded for N2.8m Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday 14^th March, 2016 arraigned one Emmanuel Umebulue before Justice Peter Obiora of the State High Court Ekwulobia, Anambra State on eleven counts of stealing, to the tune of N2, 800,000.00 (two million, eight Hundred thousand naira) contrary to section 342 of the Revised Criminal Code Law of Anambra State and punishable under section 353 (g) of the same Law.

Emmanuel Umebulue who was a branch manager of Akalabo Microfinance Bank used his position to fraudulently approve loans to the tune of N2.8m, which were paid into the accounts of some customers of the bank and withdrew same using forged withdrawal slips without the consent of the customers. Umebulue also received N865, 000 from other customers of the bank meant for loan repayment, but diverted the funds for his personal use.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him

One of the counts read: “Emmanuel Umebulue sometime in 29^th of September, 2012, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State with intent to defraud, stole the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) being property of Akalabo Microfinance Bank Limited via the bank account of your customer Ezeokoye Okechukwu Damia and thereby committed an offence”.

In view of the accused person’s plea, the prosecuting counsel, Moses Arumemi prayed the court to fix a trial date. But the defense counsel, Uyo Stephen however urged the court to grant the accused person bail.

But before adjourning to May 24, 2016, Justice Peter Obiora ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

14^th May, 2016

 

 

 

Omatseye: Court may sentence Omatseye May 9

Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia has fixed May 9, 2016 for judgment in a case involving a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Raymond Temisan Omatseye. Omatseye was arraigned before the court on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged contract variation, bid rigging and awarding contract above his approval limit.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Godwin Obla, SAN, and defence counsel, E. D Onyeke made their final addresses and adopted them before the court.

Onyeke filed and served the court and prosecution a written address and adopted it. He urged  the court to dismiss the case  against the former NIMASA boss on the grounds  that,  the prosecution has not been able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Obla also adopted his written address and expressed confidence that the 27-count charge against the defendant has been proved beyond all reasonable doubt and prayed the court to find the defendant guilty of all the charges.

According to Obla,  25 counts of the charges preferred against Omatseye dwelt on the approval of contract above the threshold level and the other two counts dealt with bid rigging.  He also said that, contrary to existing regulations, contract was awarded to a company that was the highest bidder and which was not even pre-qualified for the contract.

After listening to all their submissions, Ajumogobia adjourned the matter till May 9, 2016 for judgment.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

14^th March, 2016

NDLEA nabs four Mexicans, four Nigerians for illicit drug laboratory

By Emeka Ibemere

Nigeria has discovered a super methamphetamine laboratory and dislodged a major drug trafficking organizations in the country. Officials of the Special Enforcement Team (SET) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made this known in a significant breakthrough with the discovery of a super laboratory for the illicit production of methamphetamine located at Asaba, Delta State.

 This super methamphetamine laboratory similar to the ones found in Mexico is the first to be discovered in the country.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah said that the laboratory has a capacity of producing between 3,000kg to 4,000kg of methamphetamine per production cycle. “A significant feature of this laboratory is that the production process is more technical and sophisticated because it uses the synthesis method of methamphetamine production. All the principal actors linked to this illicit act were apprehended in a simultaneous raid on members of the drug syndicate in Lagos, Obosi in Anambra state and at the laboratory in Asaba, Delta state” Abdallah stated.

Those arrested include four (4) Nigerians believed to be joint owners of the laboratory and four Mexicans who are methamphetamine production experts hired as technical partners into the country. The NDLEA boss gave the names of the suspects are Chief Chibi Aruh, William Ejike Agusi, Umolu Kosisochukwu and Umolu Ckukwemeka.     Others are Cervantos Madrid Jose Bruno, Rivas Ruiz Pastiano, Castillo Barraza Cristobal and Partida Gonzalez Pedro.

Abdallah described the operation as technical undercover assignment leading to the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization. “In a technical undercover operation, four Mexicans were arrested in active production exercise inside the super laboratory. The cartel first brought two Mexican methamphetamine experts, Cervantos Madrid Jose Bruno and Rivas Ruiz Pastiano to Nigeria but because of the size of the laboratory coupled with the volume of work, two additional Mexicans, Castillo Barraza Cristobal and Partida Gonzalez Pedro were added. Our investigation revealed that a successful test production was done at the laboratory in February 2016”.

The laboratory was raided while the second production cycle was ongoing. Items recovered at the laboratory include 1.5kg of finished methamphetamine and 750 litres of liquid methamphetamine. Other items found in the laboratory include industrial pressure pots, gas cylinders, gas burners, facial masks and numerous chemicals. Also recovered in this operation are Toyota Tundra, Mercedes Benz Jeep ML and a Toyota Corolla car.

The Agency warned that unless drastic measures are taken against this trend; the rise of super laboratories will put Nigeria on the global spotlight in methamphetamine production. “This is because the laboratory operates at an industrial scale with a high yield of 3,000kg to 4,000kgs of methamphetamine per production cycle. Nigeria methamphetamine is now competing with others in Asia and South Africa markets. The super laboratory does not need ephedrine because it uses the synthesis method. Drug cartels are now shifting from simple method of methamphetamine production to a more complex process. The discovery calls for celebration because the operation demonstrates the capacity and preparedness of the agency to track down drug cartels irrespective of their covert mode of operation” he stated.

The threat posed by this laboratory is disturbing because mass production will make the drug easily available thereby increasing the rate of abuse. More citizens will equally be targeted by drug cartels that are searching for drug mules to smuggle drugs outside the country. This has the tendency to increase the number of Nigerians in foreign prisons thereby affecting the image of our country.

Methamphetamine laboratories pose a serious threat to humanity because of the toxic nature of chemicals used. Methamphetamine dump pollutes the environment. This is because for every one pound of methamphetamine produced, about three to six pounds of toxic waste is created. This can contaminate the water table within 500 meters radius from the laboratory. Even plants close to the dump were found to be dead. The laboratory contains highly poisonous solvents and gases. Some are pyrophoric in nature capable of explosion; other chemicals are carcinogenic, capable of causing cancer while some are highly combustible and corrosive.

The NDLEA noted that adequate funds are required to detect laboratories, provide protective kits and also to decontaminate the production site. Major body organs can be damaged through exposure to poisonous gases and chemicals. The estimated cost of cleaning this laboratory is about thirty-five million (N35,000,000) naira. Money is also needed to carry out public enlightenment. This will create awareness and provide information to help people make informed decisions. Protective measures must be taken to safeguard the lives of officers and that of innocent Nigerians.

Members of the public were advised to be vigilant and report suspicious factories to the NDLEA. A methamphetamine laboratory can be identified by their secret operations. It can be detected by irritation caused by chemicals, smell of chemicals and coloured water on sewage. The Agency cautioned that houses used for methamphetamine production should be avoided while chemical containers must not be used for domestic purposes. The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to work with the relevant Agencies like the ministry of health and environmental protection in enhancing public health and safety.