NDLEA LEADS STAKEHOLDERS IN A WALK AGAINST DRUGS

Emeka Ibemere

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has led other stakeholders in a sensitization road walk against drug abuse and trafficking. The walk is part of activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which holds on June 26. The Director General of the NDLEA, Mrs Roli Bode-George who led other stakeholders during the walk in Lagos said that it was aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of substance abuse.

"The Agency seeks to increase the level of awareness concerning drug abuse and illicit trafficking. There are people who have drug abuse challenges but do not know how to get solutions. Many are dying daily while others are confined to psychiatric hospitals. The NDLEA want to assist members of the public to live a healthy drug-free lifestyle through public enlightenment" she stated.

The theme for the commemoration of the World Drug Day is Listen First. Hand bills with different messages such as Harken to The Cry of Your Child, Listen First Nigeria, Your Child Must Not Be The Next, among others were distributed to members of the public during the walk.

The Director General added that parents can help save a life from illicit drug use today if only they can listen more and seek help for children before and when they get hooked on illicit drugs.

Other stakeholders at the walk are officials of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Civil Society Groups, Lagos State Ministry of Information, Skye Bank as well as Unity Bank. Representative of NAFDAC, Mrs. Samo Stella who is the deputy director drug demand reduction, Deputy Route Commander of FRSC, Mr. O.T Ayoola and Comrade Ifenuga Babatunde, president Youth of All Nations, a Non Governmental Organization against drug abuse said that they glad to participate in the walk.

EFCC Docks Two Impostors

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 14, 2016 arraigned Mohammed Sufyanu and Abbas Attahiru, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja for conspiracy, personation and obtaining under false pretence.

Abbas allegedly conspired with Sufyanu to obtain money from one Dr. Modibbo Ahmed. While posing as EFCC operatives, they told him that he had a case with the EFCC, but that they could help him “kill” the case, if he “played ball”. He alleged that he was threatened that the operatives were coming to raid his house, if he did not agree to "settle" them.

Ahmed, suspecting foul play, petitioned the EFCC. The anti-graft agency swung into action, and after a sting operation, nabbed the two impostors.

One of the counts reads: "That you Mohammed Sufyanu, Abbas Attahiru (a.k.a Ahamed) and one Alloy (now at large) on or about April 2, 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, pretended to be officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in such assumed character and under the colour of such office presented yourselves to one Dr. Ahmed Modibbo and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 132 of the Penal Code."

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, when they were read to them.                 

In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Dalyop E. Vou, asked for a date for commencement of trial.

Defence counsel, A. I. Mohammed, however, made an oral application for bail pursuant to Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and Section 158 and 162 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015. He told the court that the defendants have undertaken not to commit another offence and will not evade trial.

Vou did not object the bail application.

Justice Oriji granted them bail in the sum of N2 million each with one surety in like sum. The sureties must be resident in Abuja, and must be civil servants of grade level 10 and above. The trial judged added that the prosecution, the investigating police officer, and the court registrar must verify the status of the sureties, who must swear to an affidavit of means.

Convicted Money Laundering Suspect Forfeits $86,000 to FG

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday June 16, 2016 obtained conviction on a case of suspected Money Laundering brought against one Samuel Duru before Justice M.N Yinusa of the Federal High Court, Enugu.

Duru was charged for failure to declare the sum of Eighty Six Thousand United States Dollars ($86,000.00) out of a total sum of $96,000 (ninety six thousand United States Dollars) in contravention of Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2011.

The accused was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu while travelling to China in December 2015 and was subsequently handed to EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

 

When the case came up today, Duru pleaded guilty to the one count charge preferred against him.

The defence counsel Ikuka Kennedy pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy since the convict had shown remorse and a was a first time offender that had no past criminal records.

Justice Yinusa subsequently convicted and sentenced the accused to six (6) months imprisonment from the date of arrest. He further ordered that the undeclared $86, 000( eighty six thousand United States Dollars) be forfeited to the Federal Government, while the $10 thousand USD and his international passport be returned to the convict.

 

The charge read:

“That you Duru Samuel Ikechukwu sometime in December 2015 at Akanu Ibiam International Airport,  Enugu within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria while transporting in cash the sum of ($96,000) Ninety six thousand United States Dollars only from Nigeria to China,  falsely declared to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of $10,000 (ten thousand United States Dollars) only instead of Ninety Six Thousand United States Dollars  ($96,000) as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange ( Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence Punishable under Section 2 (5) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended by Section 2 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2012”.

Wilson Uwujaren

Internet Fraudster Bags 10 Years Imprisonment

 

Justice H.A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday convicted Frank Emem and sentenced him to ten (10) years imprisonment for internet-related offenses.  

The judge found him guilty of 2-counts of obtaining money by false pretences brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each count, without an option of fine The sentences are to run concurrently from the day of his arrest( 6 March, 2013). The Judge also ordered him to pay the sum of Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000)  in  restitution to the victim.

 Emem was arrested for defrauding a Chinese:  Wang Xin of Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 500, 000). The convict cloned the e-mail account of Vhelbherg International Limited and sent mails to Wang Xin, a client of the company, demanding for the said sum.The money was then paid into the Diamond bank account of the convict.

One of the count reads, that you Frank Emeh and Peter Njoku (now at large) on or about December 2012 in Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtain money by false pretence from Sinopec Changjiang Engineering Services Limited by using a false e-mail address trutobingsolutions@yahoo.co.uk to communicate with him making him believe that you are one of his client and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

Final Year Student Bags Two Years Imprisonment For Fraud

Justice M.N Yinusa of the Federal High court, Enugu on Thursday, 16th June 2016 sentenced one Frank Joseph and his accomplice, Muonwuba Valentine, a final year student of Institute of Management and Technology (I.M.T) Enugu to two (2) years imprisonment each for conspiracy, uttering, impersonation and attempting to steal brought against them by the EFCC.  .

The duo were arrested in March 2016, on an allegation that they visited an Access Bank Branch in Kenyatta Enugu State, presented themselves as customers of the bank and requested for an ATM card on a particular account claiming that the said account belonged to their grandfather who is bedridden.

The bank on suspecting foul play, alerted the Commission and the matter was investigated leading to their subsequent arraignment on 19th April 2016 on a five -count charge.

They initially pleaded "not guilty" to charges preferred against them, but suddenly recanted when the case came up  June 16, 2016  as they  changed their plea from  "not guilty" to   "guilty".

The court consequently convicted and sentenced the duo to two years each on the five counts preferred against them. The sentences are however to run concurrently.

One of the counts reads:

Judge’s Absence Stalls Arraignment of Fani-Kayode, Usman, Others

The absence of Justice Sule Hassan of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, stalled the planned arraignment of a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for a N4.9 billion fraud.

Fani-Kayode, is being charged along with a former minister of finance, Nenadi Usman; Danjuma Yusuf, and a company, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited by the EFCC on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.

The defendants who were present in court were later taken back to EFCC custody when it was clear that the court would not sit.

The trial judge was said to be attending a workshop for the week.

The court registrar, however, promised to communicate a new date to both parties involved in the suit.

Court Strikes Out Azibola’s Suit Against EFCC

Justice Candid Johnson of the Lagos State High Court sitting in
Igbosere, Lagos State, on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, struck out a motion filed by Azibola Robert, a cousin to the former President, Goodluck Jonathan, on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution.

Azibola had lost a similar motion before Justice O. O. Goodluck of the Federal High court sitting in Abuja.

 

After the dismissal of his motion by the Abuja Court, Azibola filed two separate motions before Justice C. M. A Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Justice Candid Johnson of the Lagos High Court asking both courts to restrain EFCC from arresting, detaining or investigating him.

In the motion, Azibola requested for  an order nullifying and setting aside the order obtained by the Commission to remand him; an order directing the Commission to release him from custody; an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC or any person whatsoever acting for/on behalf of the Commission from arresting or detaining him and the applicant also asked for special damages in the sum of N200million.

At the resumed hearing of the matter today, neither the applicant nor his counsel was present in court when the matter was called.

 

Consequently, counsel representing the respondent, EFCC, Idris Abdullahi Mohammed, urged the court to strike out the suit.

 

He told the court that no explanation was communicated to the respondent in respect of the absence of the applicant or his counsel.

 

The counsel argued that the case was a fundamental right proceedings, which required expeditious hearing.

Justice Johnson agreed with the respondent’s submission and accordingly struck out the suit.

 

He also ordered the applicant (Azibaola) to pay the sum of N30,000 (thirty thousand naira) as cost to the respondent (EFCC).

Azibola is being investigated by the EFCC for suspicious contracts awarded to him by the former National Security Adviser to the former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

 

The investigation revealed that between 2012 and 2015, Colonel Sambo Dasuki allegedly awarded fictitious contracts to the tunes of N2,219,188,609.50 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Eighty- eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo), $1,671,742,613.58 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy One Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirteen Dollars Fifty Eight Cents) and €9,905,477.00 (Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy -Seven Euros) respectively to Azibola, his companies and proxies. Also the sums of $40,000,000 and N650,000,000 were said to have been traced to the bank account of Azibola by the former NSA.

 

NDLEA ARRESTS 8,778 SUSPECTS WITH 903,624KGS OF DRUGS

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 8,778 suspected drug traffickers comprising 8,143 males and 635 females in 2015. A total of 903,624.56kg of narcotic drugs were equally seized. The seized drugs are as follows; cannabis 871,480.32kg, psychotropic substances 30,652.93kg, ephedrine is 785.10kg, methamphetamine 410.82kg, cocaine 260.47kg, heroin 30.09kg and amphetamine 4.83kg. The Agency also won 1,690 cases prosecuted in 2015.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Col. Muhammad Mustapha (retd) made the disclosure at a meeting in Lagos to flag off activities marking the 2016 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. According to the NDLEA boss who said that the World Drug Day is for self-appraisal on how the country has suppressed illicit production and trade in narcotic drugs gave the campaign theme as Listen First.

This theme focuses on drug abuse prevention and places a responsibility on parents, guardians, opinion leaders and stakeholders to listen to the views of persons with drug abuse problem with a view to helping them overcome drug use. "Substance abuse is an equal opportunity ailment with medically certified preventive and treatment solutions. This theme is a timely caution for persons who may be provoked by the involvement of their loved ones in drug abuse into treating them harshly and unconventionally. Lets listen to them and share in their pain as we take necessary steps in drug abuse counselling, treatment and rehabilitation" Muhammad stated.

The Agency also introduced a drug support group called The Drug Anonymous Support Group. This is for people who are trying to remain in remission from drug dependency and use but need peer support assistance and encouragement to cope with the everyday pressures associated with illicit drug use. This affords them a platform continuous help without fear of inhibition as this group provides a safe environment where their individual challenges and problems can be discussed and addressed.

The weeklong programme of event has been streamlined for greater impact to include a sensitization road walk, campaign in mosques on Friday and in churches on Sunday. The grand finale which is Sunday June 26 has been shifted to Monday June 27.

Abdallah said notwithstanding the numerous challenges, Nigeria is championing the war against illicit drugs and will sustain the lead ahead of drug syndicates. "Let me reassure members of the public that the Agency shall continue to intensify its intelligence gathering and management machinery. We shall unmask more faces behind the obnoxious drug trade and prosecute them. Our advocacy and sensitization programmes shall also be expanded. We are doing everything to secure the future of our great country from the wicked clutches of drug trafficking and abuse" he assured.

The Agency observed that most people have abandoned their enviable career due to substance abuse. Marriages have broken up and others are on the verge of breaking up because of drug use. Worst still, many people have been maimed and even lost their lives either by taking drugs or due to carelessness of those under the influence of narcotics. It added that these adverse consequences would have been averted if only there were listening ears to persons with drug abuse problem.

EFCC Arraigns NNPC Sales Reps For Diversion of PMS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the duo of Munzali Ahmed, a Sales Representative of NNPC in Dutse, Jigawa State, and Alex Bala, a Sales Representative of NNPC in Hotoro, Kano State, before Justice Idrissa  Kolo of the Federal High Court sitting in  Kano, Kano State  on  one-count charge bordering on diversion of Premium Motor Sprit, PMS.

The accused persons were arrested by operatives of EFCC in March, 2016, following an intelligence report on their activities.

They were said to have sold the product above the approved pump price of N86.00k per little as at then.  

The count reads:  “That you, Munzali Ahmed and Alex Bala , on 14^th March, 2016 in Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court wilfully diverted 40, 000 litres of Premium Motor Sprit (PMS) in a truck with Reg. No: GME 804 XA to Danmarke Investment Limited and Munira Petroleum Limited, Zaria, Kaduna State with intent to prevent its distribution from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Kano, Jigawa State and you thereby committed an offence of sabotage under Section 1 (1) (a) of the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, Cap. P12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 and punishable under Section 2 of the same Act.”

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

Prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, asked the court for a trial date.

However, the defence counsel, Nuraini Jimo, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter and urged the court to allow the accused persons to continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted them by the Commission.

Consequently, Justice Kolo adjourned the matter to June 24, 2016 for ruling on the bail application by counsel to the accused persons.

The accused persons were ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

 

 

EFCC Arraigns Nyako’s Aide, Others for Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 22, 2016 arraigned Ja’afaru Maliki, an aide to former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, along with Vwapamkai Bafyau, director of Rural Access Mobility Project/World Bank; Farouk Abdullahi Tarja, director, Civil Works; James Zarma and Suleiman Mohammed, both deputy permanent secretaries, and Mamman Malgwi, a permanent secretary, before Justice Balkisu Aliyu of a Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State.

They are facing a nine-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and diversion of funds to the tune of N700 million. The funds were meant for the development of the Yola bye-pass Phase 1 road project awarded to Nasser & Associate Global International Limited.

A group, Adamawa Awareness for Change had petitioned the EFCC, which subsequently investigated the allegation of fraud and misappropriation of funds levelled against them.

They pleaded “not guilty”, when the charges were read to them, and were afterwards granted bail.

Justice Aliyu has adjourned their trial to October 26, 27 and 28

EFCC Arraigns ‘Dan China’ for N23.4m Scam

... Docks Three for N5m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  on Thursday, June 9, 2016 , arraigned one Abdullahi Adamu Usman aka Dan China alongside his company,  Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, before Justice Yakubu  Dakwak of the High Court  of Plateau State (Court 2), Jos,  Plateau State,  on a two-count amended  charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N23, 431,000. 00 (Twenty-three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-one Thousand Naira).

The accused, who claimed to own a functional mining site, allegedly obtained the money from the complainant, Olajide  Olaleye,  Managing Director,  TTMW  Services Nigeria Limited, for the supply of Iron Ore and Zinc Ore.

However, the accused allegedly became evasive after receiving the money from the complainant.

Count one of the charge reads: " That you Abdullahi Adamu Usman,  aka Dan China,  being the Director of Solid Unit Nigeria Limited,  Solid Unit Nigeria Limited,  and Yusuf Ali (still at large)  sometime in June, 2011 within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Plateau State did conspire among yourself  to commit an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee  Fraud  and Other Fraud Related Offences Act,  2006”.

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

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Aliyu Bokani Usman, asked the court for a trial date and pleaded that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

The defense counsel, Gyang  Zi, however,  prayed the court to grant the accused person bail.

Consequently, Justice Dakwak adjourned to Friday, June 10, 2016 for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused person be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of his bail application.

Meanwhile,  the Commission also arraigned the duo of  Nannim Tali and James Pwol,  both staff of Ministry of Finance,  Plateau State and one Njin Gyara, a staff of  Ministry of Health ,  Plateau State before Justice Dakwak on a 13-count charge bordering on theft to the tune of N5, 050,800.00(Five Million, Fifty Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).

The accused persons allegedly conspired to steal the money, being fund for the payment of scholarships to students of College of Nursing, Jos; College of Health Technology, Zaman; College of Health Technology, Pankshin and College of Nursing, Vom, Plateau State.

Count two of the charge reads: "That you Nannim  N. Tali,  Njim  Gyara  and James Pwol  sometime in October, 2007 in Jos within the judicial division of the High Court  of Plateau State committed the offence of theft of N36, 400.00 only meant for payment of scholarship  to students of School of Nursing, Jos and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 286 of the Penal Code punishable under Section 287 of the same code”.

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

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Eunice Dalyop, asked the court for a trial date.

Counsels to the accused persons, however, urged the court to grant their clients bail.

Consequently, Justice Dakwak granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N500, 000(Five Hundred Thousand Naira) each with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have landed properties and must submit documents of same for verification by the court registrar.

The case has been adjourned to July 26, 2016 for commencement of trial.

Banker Bags 39 Years Jail Term for Stealing dead customer's funds

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court today sentenced one Olawale Garuba to thirty nine years imprisonment for stealing from the dead.

The convict was arraigned alongside six others in July 2015 forconspiring among themselves to steal over N30, 000,000 (Thirty Million Naira) from the bank account a deceased customer of a new generation bank where the convict works.The fraud was uncovered by the bank when they discovered that some of their staff, including the convict had connived with proxies
to steal from a dormant account of one of the bank’s customers.

 

Upon the discovery of the fraud, the bank apprehended the staff and handed them over to EFCC for investigation and prosecution.
Upon their arraignment, they pleaded not guilty to eighteen counts of fraud. Subsequently, Justice Ipaye refused their bail application and remanded them in prison custody.
However, on June 2, 2016 the convict changed his plea from ‘not guilty’ to ‘guilty’. He was immediately convicted by Justice Ipaye, who adjourned the case to today for sentencing. Counsel representing the convict, O. Ajanaku pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client. He told the court that his client was a remorseful first time offender with a young wife and two
little children.

Prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, urged the court to consider the three way traffic while tampering justice with mercy. That is the
interests of the court, the victim and the convict. After listening to the prayers of counsel, Justice Ipaye said

despite the remorse of the convict, she has no sympathy for him as he compromised his position as a banker to steal from a deceased customer whose money would have been used by the family she left behind. She added that the convict allowed his greed to overcome him and risk losing the job that thousands of job seekers are craving to get. She found the convict guilty on thirteen of the eighteen

counts, and sentenced him to three years imprisonment on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently from the date of
his first detention, which is July 24, 2015.