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.

I WAS NOT DRUNK – COCAINE SUSPECT WHO BROKE THROUGH A GLASS WALL

The suspected drug trafficker who broke through a glass wall at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja has told officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that he was not under any influence of drugs and that he was only trying to evade arrest. The suspect Michael Nwobodo who ran through a glass wall at the Abuja airport on Monday after being found with drugs is currently receiving medical attention. He was found with eighty-one (81) suspected pellets of hard drugs that tested positive for cocaine with a total weight of 1.350kgs.

Michael Nwobodo made a spectacle of himself by breaking through a glass wall all in a bid to escape from lawful custody. The thirty-one year-old technician was immediately apprehended. He concealed 81 wraps of cocaine in Parker Whisky packs along with boxes of chocolates inside a duty free bag. The seizure was made during screening of passengers on an Emirates airline flight from Dubai.

NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that the suspect was taken to the hospital for further medical test on Tuesday. “Though the suspect was treated for the injuries he sustained while attempting to escape on Monday, we had to take him for medical examination again. This is to ensure that he is strong and medically fit to undergo trial. Investigation has commenced into the case” Hamisu stated.

The suspect told investigators that he ran away because he was afraid of arrest. “I am not under the influence of drugs. I was only scared of arrest. I live and work in Dubai. I came to Nigeria for my father’s burial but decided to bring the drugs because I needed money for the burial rite. When the drug was discovered, I felt so disappointed and confused. I was ashamed of myself and never wanted to be associated with drug trafficking that was why I had to run”. He hails from Enugu State.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah rtd assured stakeholders that no criminal will escape justice. “The Agency will continue to work very hard in ensuring that drug traffickers are arrested and prosecuted. As we advance the frontiers of the war against drug cartels, we are prepared to adopt new and sophisticated strategies in winning this important fight. I am pleased with this arrest and I thank the officers and members of the airport community for their support” Abdallah stated. He also urged members of the public to be vigilant and report suspected drug barons to the Agency.

This is the second case of a suspect creating a scene at the Abuja airport in less than four weeks. The first was a 48 year-old woman, Saidat Hassan that allegedly vomited 15 wraps of white, powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine. The mother of three‎ was arrested at the central screening section of the departure hall during outward screening of passengers on an Egypt Airline flight to Jedda, Saudi Arabia, en-route Cairo. She also ingested 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 904 grammes.

Michael Nwobodo will soon be charged to court.

 

ILLICIT DRUGS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSECURITY IN WEST AFRICA – INCB REPORT 2015

The 2015 report of the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) has attributed rising cases of insecurity to illicit drug use in the region. It also identified Africa as a key transit point for drug trafficking to Europe and other parts of the world. According to the report which was launched in Abuja, West Africa remains a primary source of drugs entering Europe while East Africa is increasingly being used as a trafficking hub for Afghan heroin destined for Europe. The focus of the 2015 report is on health and welfare of mankind.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) country representative, Ms. Cristine Albertin who officially presented the report noted that cannabis use remains high in Africa while increasing drug use is creating security challenges. In her words, “annual prevalence of cannabis use in the region remains high as 7.5 percent of the population aged 15-64 almost double the global annual average of 3.9 percent. The figure is particularly high in West and Central Africa with 12.4 percent. Cannabis remains the primary drug for which people in Africa receive treatment for substance abuse. Rise in illicit drug use is creating security challenges in addition to having negative health and social impact”. The report also stated that only one out of 18 people suffering from drug abuse disorders or drug abuse dependence receive treatment each year.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah in his key note address stated that though there are low level of commercial and pharmacological regulation and lack of trade monitoring for precursor chemicals in African countries; efforts are ongoing to bring culprits to book. “Some cases of diversion of imported precursor chemicals have been detected by NDLEA and the culprits have been arrested. The NDLEA has discovered and dismantled ten (10) clandestine drug laboratories for the production of methamphetamine in Nigeria particularly Lagos and Anambra States between 2011 and 2015. High level investigations are on-going to detect more of such laboratories and the perpetrators arrested. In addition, we shall go after their criminal wealth and ensure forfeiture of same” Abdallah stated.

He pledged the commitment of the NDLEA towards an effective collaboration with UNODC, NAFDAC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure availability and accessibility of internationally controlled drugs within the limits of the provisions of the relevant laws. “While working to dismantle drug trafficking organizations in the country the NDLEA will also partner with appropriate organizations towards ensuring qualitative treatment and care for persons with drug abuse treatment”

Abdallah promised to seek for funds to enable the Agency embark on elaborate anti-drug abuse campaign to reduce cases of drug trafficking especially Nigerians caught outside the country thereby affecting the image of the country negatively.

The Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni said that her Agency is working to prevent diversion of precursor chemicals address the problem of drug abuse particularly abuse of prescription medicines. “The online pre-export notification an initiative of INCB is an effective tool for monitoring the international movement of precursors. We are also working with other agencies to reduce cases of abuse of prescription medicines” she stated. According to the acting DG, the Nigerian government is in the process of conducting a national drug use survey. The outcome of the survey will guide regulatory action as well as help in developing appropriate drug prevention and treatment strategies.

 A goodwill message from the minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole represented by pharmacist Beauty Okologo emphasized the importance of close working relations among stakeholders to find answers to the problem of drug abuse in the country. Present at the launch was the Jamaican High Commissioner, Ms. Ann Scott, representatives from the embassy of Netherlands, Germany, Norway, France and Niger.

 

N1.4bn Subsidy Fraud: Pon Specialised Services Not Known To US - Witness

The trial of Helen Aninye, Chizobam Ben-Okafor and their company, Pon-Specialized Services Limited, on allegations of N1.4billion subsidy fraud resumed today before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with the Economic and Financial Crimes commission presenting its third witness, Virginia Morgan.

 Morgan, the Chartering Manager of Sea Transport Services Nigeria Limited located in Lagos, told the court that CAH Resources hired two Vessels to lift fifteen thousand metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and that she does not know Pon Specialised Services Limited.

Led in evidence by Steve Odiase, counsel to EFCC, the witness provided details of the charter transaction with CAH Resources from the first vessel MT Fulmar with Notice of Readiness, NOR, tendered to the Charterers on March 1, 2011 and that of MT Cielo de Napoli on April 1, 2011, both with fifteen thousand metric tonnes of PMS.
she maintained that none of their Vessels came into Nigeria to discharge.

Under cross examination by Tayo Oyetibo SAN,  she was asked if it was uncommon for a company to charter a vessel for another.  She responded that she was unfamiliar with that routine. She maintained that it was CAH Resources company that she liaised with and that she does not know Pon-Specialised Services limited.

 It will be recalled that  first prosecution witness, Obinna Kevin Njoku, a staff of the operations department of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Authority, PPPRA,  who testified in July 2015 , told the court that the defendants’ company, Pon-Specialized Services Limited, had a contract with the agency and received approval to import 15, 000 (fifteen Thousand ) Metric Tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit. He confirmed the third accused, Pon specialized company, was paid subsidy of N1.4 billion after it tendered a 39 point verifiable checklist which the agency usually demanded after supply of PMS had been made.

 

Dennis Kasari, the fourth witness called by the prosecution, also revealed that information obtained from Lloyd Lease Intelligence, an agency that tracks the movement of vessels, revealed that the defendants lied about the itinerary of the vessels that supposedly brought PMS into the country between the months April and July, 2011.

Justice Goodluck adjourned to tomorrow March 2, 2016 for prosecution to present more witnesses.

Land Scam: EFCC Arraigns Two for N64m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has arraigned the duo of Essien Ekanem, a Kaduna lawyer and Murtala Shariff, before Justice Tukur Muazu of Kaduna State High Court on a 9-count charge bordering on conspiracy, Criminal Breach of Trust and Obtaining Money under False Pretence.

Sharif who is presently serving  2-year jail term in a case of Forgery preferred against him by the EFCC, allegedly conspired with Ekanem and four others currently at large, forged document and sold a plot of land located at No. 5 kwato Road, Unguwar Rimi GRA, Kaduna belonging to Col. A. B. Umar (deceased) , to one Alhaji Ibrahim Idris of No. 6 kwato Road, Unguwar Rimi GRA, Kaduna at the cost of N64,000,000.00.

Count one reads,  “That you Murtala  Sharif Ahmed (a.k.a Mohammed Sfarif Ibrahim, Muhammadu Sharif), Essen Ekanmen Cletus Iliya, , David Michael (at large), and Joel (at large) sometime around 2^nd August, 2010 and 21^st September, 2011 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kaduna State conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act with: obtaining a total sum of N64,000,000.00  (Sixty Four Million Naira) only under false pretences and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 8 (c) of the same Act”.

The accused persons pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges  and counsel to EFCC, Nasiru Salele urged the court to fix a date for trial.

Justice Muazu however adjourned the case to 14^th April, 2016 to enable the prosecution to arrest those at large or to apply for separate trial.

 He also granted the second accused person bail in the sum of N1m and one well known surety within the jurisdiction of the court.

The first accused person, already serving jail term, is to be brought on the next adjourned date from prison for commencement of trial.

Wilson  Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

1^st March, 2016

Fraudster Bags Seven Years Jail Term

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday February 29, secured the conviction of one Mfon Obot Essien (alias David Morris, Femi James) at the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere. 

Justice R. A. Adebiyi convicted Essein on all the Six count charge preferred against him by the EFCC and sentenced him accordingly.
The convict was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for attempting to defraud the family of one  Shaliseon Warren by claiming that their daughter Shaliseon was kidnapped and the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of $7,000 USD.

The sentences are to run concurrently, starting from the day of his arrest. 
The convict's journey to prison started when the Commission received a  petition dated the 29th day of July 2013, from  the United States Department of Homeland Security, seeking its assistance to investigate a  transnational criminal organisation involved in drug smuggling, money laundering and fraud activities. It stated that a family, whose daughter travelled to Argentina, got a call from her boyfriend that they had both been kidnapped and a ransom of $7000 was demanded by the kidnappers who wanted the money sent to their associates in Nigeria with the following details "David Morriso,302 Apapa Expressway, Ikeja Lagos.

Investigations revealed there was no kidnap but the lady in question was actually arrested by Argentinean Authorities for attempting to smuggle Cocaine out of Argentina. She claimed that her boyfriend, a Nigeria convinced her to do so. The Homeland Security agents had sought the assistance of Money gram to issue a false funds credit which led to the arrest of the convict by the EFCC when he went to receive the money.

Essien was picked up on the 5th day of September 2013 at the Ikota branch of Access Bank Plc after identifying himself as David Morris.
Upon his arrest incriminating documents were found in his possession, including a forged Drivers License bearing the name James Femi but with his picture.

Further investigation revealed that on July 26, 2013, Essien received the sum of N237,537.68k from one Mark Mentor with another forged Drivers License  bearing the name David Morris but with his picture having falsely represented himself to the said Mark Mentor as David Morris.
Upon his arraignment on December 17, 2013, the convict pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges but later changed his plea on November 24, 2015 to amended information.

N2.3bn Scam: Court Admits More Exhibits Against Akpobolokemi, Others

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Tuesday, admitted more exhibits against a former Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial, alongside five others,  on a 13- count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of funds, to the tune of N687, 294, 680 (Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, Two Hundred and  Ninety Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira). His co-accused persons are:  Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba;  Ekene Nwakuche;  Governor Amechee Juan; Vincent Udoye, Captain Ade Sahib Olopoenia and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, prosecution counsel,  Rotimi Oyedepo, presented one of the three witnesses he earlier brought before the court. The witness: Olamide Ogunsanya, an Assistant Director in NIMASA  disclosed to the court,  how the sum of N795,200,000( Seven Hundred and Ninety Five Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) was paid into the International Shipping and Port Safety, ISPS, account and  how same was disbursed. The
witness told the court that approval for the disbursement of the money came from the office of Akpobolokemi.

The document conveying the presidential approval through the office
of the National Security Adviser, NSA, was identified by the witness and same was admitted as exhibit P22. On the document, Ogunsanya identified the
endorsement of the first accused person, Akpobolokemi.

Also tendered through the witness are letters from NIMASA to the
Accountant General of Federation and approval from the
Accountant General's office. The documents were eventually admitted as exhibits
P24 and P25 respectively.

The witness also identified the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche as the first beneficiary in the disbursement of the N795,200,000. She told the court that between 16 September, 2014 and 6 November, 2014, Nwakuche  received N3,000,000 each, on eight occasions, from the ISPS
account totalling N28,000,000 (Twenty Eight Million Naira Only).

Other beneficiaries are Avant Guard Securities, N94,000,000; Extreme Vertex Limited, N318,000,000; Suco Global, N15,000,000; O2 Services Limited, N21,200,000 and N16,000,000;  and Aroward Consulting, N70,000,000.

At the
end of the day, the witness said there was a balance of N198, 635 (One
Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Five Naira
Only) left in the account.

While explaining  the procedure for receiving and disbursing money in NIMASA, Ogunsanya said a request would be made  to the presidency
through the NSA’s office and when approved, the DG
would then asked the Executive Director to implement. From the executive director’s
office, an internal memo is raised and directed to the Director, Financial Services Department where payment instructions would be issued.
The witness further disclosed that on 20 March, 2014, the sum
of N447, 000,000 was paid into the ISPS account and same was disbursed following the same procedure, with a slight change in the beneficiaries.
In this instance, new beneficiaries were included. They are: Green
Lemon Limited and Seabulk.

Oyedepo asked the witness about the procedure for the award of contracts in NIMASA and she said the agency
has different threshold in terms of contracts award as stipulated by
the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPE). She said the DG has An approval limit of N5,000,000. For contracts that exceeds N5,000,000 to
anything below N50,000,000 it falls into the threshold of parastatal’s
tenders board. Contracts  that are between N50,000,000 to below
N100,000,000, falls under the threshold of ministerial tenders board
and any contract above N100,000,000 falls within the presidential or
Federal Executive Council’s threshold.

The N318,000,000 payment to
Extreme Vertex Limited was sighted as example of violation of BPE’s
stipulated threshold by the former leadership of NIMASA.

Ogunsanya said that though the normal procedure for awarding contract was always followed, she never met or saw any representative from any of the companies that were alleged to have been awarded the purported contracts.
During cross examination, the witness admitted that she was one of  the signatories to the ISPS account but when she was asked whether she was
aware of the 2013/14 National Assembly’s budgetary appropriation for
the sum of N447,000,000, Ogunsanya said she had to look at the budget to be able to answer the question.
Counsel to Akpobolokemi, Joseph Nwobike, SAN, prayed the
court for an adjournment in order to effectively cross examine the witness.

 Justice Buba adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 2 March 2016 for continuation of trial.

N2bn Fraud: Twist as Judge Returns Oronsaye's Case File

The N2bn fraud case involving a former Head of Service, HoS, to the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye, would have to start de novo as the presiding judge, Justice J. T. Tsoho, has said he has been “instructed” to return the case file to Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who was initially assigned the case in July 2015.

Oronsaye is being prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on offences bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretence. He is alleged to have been complicit in several contract awards during his tenure as HoS, and is being charged along with Osarenkhoe Afe on an amended 35-count charge.

They had taken a plea of “not guilty” before Justice Kolawole, to the initial 24-count charge brought against them. However, findings from further investigations, according to the prosecution, had necessitated a need to amend the charges, in which Oronsaye, Afe, and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, were alleged to have been complicit in several biometric contract awards.

In the amended counts, they are charged along with three others, which are corporate bodies - Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and Drew Investment and Construction Company Limited.

Justice Kolawole had fixed February 16, 2016 for the defendants to enter their pleas for the amended counts; but on the said date, information at the court indicated that the case had been reassigned to Justice Tsoho.

At the sitting before Justice Tsoho, they could not, however, take their pleas as there were no legal representatives at the proceeding for Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and Drew Investment and Construction Company Limited. The trial judge had at the sitting adjourned till March 1, 2016 to ensure that the defendants were served with the amended charges for the case to proceed.

At the resumed sitting today, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that the co-defendants had been served with the summons.

“We have served the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants with the summons, but they still have not appeared, and no legal representative,” he said. Citing Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Jacobs urged the court to “enter a plea of not guilty for them since they are corporations”.

Kanu Agabi, SAN, counsel to Oronsaye, did not raise any objections, neither did Oluwole Aladedoye, counsel to Afe and Frederick Hamilton Global Services.

But in a twist, Justice Tsoho, told the court that the case file came to him by error, and “the instruction is that the file be returned to the judge who started the matter and so will simply record it and return it”.

Jacobs argued that “we never asked for the case to be moved to another judge, moreover, the case has not commenced before the other judge.”

Justice Tsoho, however, ruled that: “It has been realized that the case came to me in error, and I’ve been instructed that it should be returned to Justice Kolawole who started it; he should continue where he stopped. I wish you the best of luck.”