EFCC Arraigns One for Internet Fraud

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 2, 2015 arraigned Friday Isodje before Justice U.N Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy, Impersonation, Internet fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.

The accused was arrested sometime in 2013 alongside one Eloho Akarah following intelligence report on their lifestyles. The suspect was with a laptop computer containing scam mails.

One of the counts read, “That you Friday Isodje, on or about the 10^th day of July, 2013, at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did conspired with one Eloho Akarah to commit felony to wit: obtaining by false pretence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act”.                                                     
Another count reads, “That you, Friday Isodje, on or about the 10^th day of July, 2013, at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did possess a document containing false representation to wit: a letter of introduction as Alexandra Wallace sent to one Regina Adu, which said representation you made in a bid to obtain by false pretense, and there by committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act”.                                                                                  
When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.   

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Usman Shehu, thus urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Justice Agomoh adjourned the case till June 15, 2015 for trial and ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison custody.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

3^rd June, 2015

 

NDLEA ARRESTS SUSPECT GOING TO PARIS, TWO OTHERS

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a forty-six year old man for inserting 225 grammes of cocaine in his anus. He was to board an Air France flight to Paris at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when he tested positive for narcotics. Two other suspects were also caught with 915 grammes and 1.225kg of cocaine from Brazil on an Emirates flight.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the names of the suspects as Tochukwu Prosper Nzom, Idehen Prince Henry and Ilemena Chinedu Peter. According to Hamza, “Tochukwu Prosper who was going to Paris inserted 225 grammes in his anus. Two other suspects coming from Brazil, Idehen Prince Henry ingested 56 wraps weighing 915 grammes and Ilemena Chinedu Peter concealed 1.225kg of cocaine. The total weight of the drugs seized from the suspects is 2.365kg”.

Tochukwu Prosper Nzom who hails from Anambra State is married with two children. The 46 year-old auto parts dealer said that he would have been paid 1,500 dollars. “I was drinking with friends when I heard them talking about drugs. I actually volunteered to smuggle drugs because of my financial situation. They agreed to pay me 1,500 dollars because it was only three wraps weighing 225 grammes. I am from a poor home” Tochukwu stated.

Ilemena Chinedu Peter also said that he too requested to smuggle drugs because of financial hardship. “I am from Enugu State. I am married to a Brazilian lady and we have a child. I work as a salesboy in a supermarket. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary class 3. I overheard some of my friends discussing about drugs and I indicated interest. That was how it started. The drug was packed in a bag for me and they promised to pay me 2,500 dollars. I am so sad, disappointed and ashamed of myself” Ilemena stated.

The third suspect who has lived in Brazil for about a decade said that he made a costly mistake. In his words, “I did not know what came over me. I have been a hard working person since my childhood. My wife and three children are in Benin while I struggle in Brazil as the bread winner. My son gained admission into the University and he is very brilliant. I needed to pay for his tuition and other expenses. I would have made 12,000 dollars from the drug deal”.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the suspects are morally bankrupt for requesting to be used as drug traffickers. “It is worrisome for the suspects to voluntarily smuggle drugs. This shows that they are morally bankrupt. The Agency will not relent in the fight against drug trafficking” Giade stated.

Ofoyeju Mitchell

Head, Public Affairs

08034088136

Money Laundering: EFCC Docks Man for Failure to Declare $1.9m

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday June 4, 2015 arraigned Ani Paulinus Onyeka before Justice Rita-Ofili Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 2-count charge of Money Laundering.

 Onyeka is alleged to have failed to declare the sum of $1,909,140 (One Million, Nine Hundred and Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Forty US Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service as required by law, upon his arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos  from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

One of the counts reads: “that you Ani Paulinus Onyeka on or about the 10th of February 2014 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while transporting in cash the sum of $1,909,140 (One Million, Nine Hundred and Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Forty US Dollars) from the Republic of Congo to Nigeria, failed to declare the sum of $1,909,140 (One Million, Nine Hundred and Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Forty US Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Provision) Act) 2011 as amended in 2012.”

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

In view of the plea of the accused, the prosecution counsel, G.C Akaogu asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody. In his response, the defence counsel A. A Adetunji informed the court that he had filed an application for bail and prayed the court to be allowed to move the motion for bail.

After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia adjourned the case to 8th of July for ruling on bail and commencement of trial.

 The accused was ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

4^th June, 2015

Fraudster Jailed 29Years For N18m Fertilizer Scam

EFCC Press Release

 

 Justice Abdullahi  Yusuf of Katsina State High Court, has convicted and sentenced one Nasiru Yahaya Gusau (alias Nasiru Succer) of the Ministry of Finance, Gusau, Zamfara state to 29 years imprisonment on a 9-count charge bordering on forgery and criminal breach of trust preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC

 

Yahaya, a serial fraudster, was alleged to have diverted seven truck-load of fertilizer (4, 200 bags of fertilizer) meant to be delivered at Yola, Adamawa state to own use.

When the charge was read to him, he entered a not-guilty plea.

 

Count one of the charges read, “That you Nasiru Yahaya ‘M’ on or about the 14th day of March, 2011 at Funtua within the Judicial Division of the High court of Justice Katsina state being entrusted with certain property, to wit; 1, 800 bags of fertilizer worth the sum of Nine Million Naira only (N9, 000, 000.00) by Ibrahim Dogo, did commit criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 311 of the Penal Code”.

 

In his Judgment, Justice Yusuf stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the accused person guilty of all the nine count charges, and therefore sentenced him to 4 years each on counts 1 and 2 and a fine of N1m; and 3 years each on counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

 

The convict is also due to be arraigned on another charge bordering on fraud by the EFCC. He was served with the fresh information, moments after he was convicted by Justice Yusuf.

It will be recalled that the EFCC is challenging the acquittal of the convict by Justice Bello Muhammed of Zamfara State High Court in another matter where he was docked for alleged diversion of 36 trucks loaded with fertilizer worth N68,000,000 (sixty eight million naira) for personal use.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

5^th June, 2015

EFCC Arraigns Lawyer For N50m Property Fraud.

        EFCC Press Release
     

A Kano-based legal practitioner, Abdullahi Muhammed Hanga was on Friday, June 5, 2015 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Aisha Mahmud of Kano State High Court for alleged property fraud to the tune of Fifty Million Naira.

The accused was given the property three years ago to sell by one Hadiza. But contrary to the instruction of the property owner to sell the said property to a particular buyer, Abdullahi, using forged documents, sold the property to one of his relations and converted the proceeds to personal use.
When the charge was read to him, Abdullahi entered a not-guilty plea. His counsel, Y.M Nura filed a verbal bail application which was opposed by prosecuting counsel, A.T Habib on the grounds that the accused had jumped administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.
Justice Mahmud however adjourned the matter to June 9, 2015 for hearing on the bail application and remanded the accused in EFCC custody.
                                      Wilson Uwujaren
                                  Head, Media & Publicity
                                        7th June, 2015

LEBANESE HIDES COCAINE IN BOXER SHORTS

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade has commended the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the arrest of a Lebanese at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The intelligence that led to the arrest of the suspect, Yves Awad last weekend was supplied by FAAN to the NDLEA. The arrest occurred during the outward screening of passengers on Middle East Airline flight. 

The NDLEA boss who commended the cordial working relationship between the NDLEA and FAAN called for a deeper synergy among government agencies. In his words, “I must commend the management of FAAN for the role it played in this arrest. This synergy among government agencies should be encouraged in the interest of national peace and development” Giade stated.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar said the case is being investigated. “A 23 year old Lebanese has been apprehended with 260 grammes of cocaine. The drug was hidden inside his boxer shorts. I am happy that FAAN assisted us in making this arrest. When the drug was field tested, it proved positive for cocaine. The suspect holds a dual citizenship of Nigeria and Lebanon. He was found to have traveled to Nigeria from Lebanon six times since January 2015. The case is under investigation” Hamza stated.

The suspect in his statement said that a friend asked him to buy the drug for him. “I was born in Lagos and I attended Lebanese Community School Yaba Lagos. After my secondary education in Nigeria, I got admission to study my A levels at Notre Dame University in Lebanon. My friend in Lebanon gave me money to buy cocaine for him. At the airport, the drug was detected and I was arrested and taken to NDLEA office. The drug was tested and it was found to be cocaine”.

The suspect will soon be charged to court for unlawful possession and exportation of cocaine. If he is found guilty by the court, he could spend the next 15 years in prison custody.

 

N8bn Scam: CBN Executives, Others To Remain In Prison Till June 15

EFCC Press Release

Six executives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Patience Okoro Eye;  Afolabi Olufemi Johnson; Ilori Adekunle Sunday;  Kolawole Babalola,  Olaniran Muniru Adeola and Fatai Adedokun Yusuf, and others being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC  over N8billion mutilated currency recycling fraud, are to remain in prison custody until June 15, 2015.

Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court Ibadan, Oyo State today adjourned to Monday June 15 for ruling on the bail application brought by the accused persons.
At today's sitting counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN,  prayed the court not to grant the accused persons bail as they were capable of interfering with the case. He also told the court that some of the accused persons have threatened witnesses in the case who are staff of the apex bank, prompting the bank to transfer such staff.

He said in view of Public interest and the current mood of the nation it was better to remand the accused persons in prison custody and order for accelerated hearing.
However counsel to the first accused, A. Lawal prayed the court to grant bail to his client, assuring that he would be available to face his trial.

 The same argument was canvassed by counsel to other accused persons who prayed the court to grant bail on liberal terms. After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Ayo Emmanuel adjourned to Monday June 15 for ruling,
In a similar development, Jacobs, SAN, also prayed the court to refuse three former staff of CBN and two staff of Sterling bank bail
The accused: Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Philips (all former staff of the CBN) and 
Salami Ibrahim and Oddiah Emmanuel ( both staff of Sterling Bank Plc) were arraigned  on an eleven-count  charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
Specifically, the bankers were alleged to have defrauded their banks various sums of money totaling N1, 141,303,300 using various guises and pretenses.
Counsels to the 1st accused person, Otunba Bolanle and counsel to the 2nd and 3rd accused Olalekan Ojo were vehement in their prayers for bail. Justice Emmanuel adjourned the case to June 15 for ruling on the bail applications.
The same scenario played out in the case involving  Babalola, 
 Adeola  and  Toogun Kayode Philips and Tope Akintade,  staff of Ecobank Plc who were docked on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing to the tune of N910,210,100.00k(  Nine Hundred and Ten Million, Two Hundred and Ten Thousand, One Hundred Naira only),

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

9^th June, 2015

NDLEA ARRESTS TRICYCLE RIDER, 3 OTHERS

A commercial tricycle rider is among four suspected drug traffickers apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The suspects were apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu while attempting to smuggle 8.876kg of various narcotic drugs to India, Turkey, Hong Kong and China. Two of the suspects were found to have concealed illicit drugs in their luggage while the other two ingested the drugs found on them.

NDLEA commander at the Enugu Airport, Nsikak-Abasi Udoh said that all the suspects are being investigated. According to Nsikak “the name of the suspects are Samuel Rapuruchukwu Anele, a tricycle rider caught with 4.892kg of methamphetamine on his way to Bombay, India. Another suspect, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Ifeanyichukwu was caught with 1.293kg of cocaine on his way to Istanbul, Turkey. Ukaeji Eric Tochukwu was found with 1.408kg of cocaine on his way to Hong Kong while Nwoye Ekene Godfrey was caught with 1.283kg of cannabis which he had wanted to smuggle to Guangzhou, China. The suspects are helping our team of investigators”.

Samuel Rapuruchukwu Anele, 45 years old Tricycle Rider from Ichi village, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State hid 4.892kg of methamphetamine. The drug was concealed in false bottom of his luggage. His travel route is Enugu- Addis Ababa- Bombay, India on an Ethiopian Airline flight. The suspect said that he was promised a million naira to set up his own business. “I am a commercial tricycle rider. Life is not fair to me. Every day it is one problem after another and the money I earn is not enough. It was frustration that made me to smuggle drugs. They promised me that the drug has been properly hidden and that when I return they will pay me the sum of one million naira. At the airport, my bag was searched and the drug detected. Now I am now left alone to suffer” he stated.

Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Ifeanyichukwu 31 year old hails from Ezioko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. He ingested 1.293kg of substances that tested positive for cocaine. He was to depart Enugu to Istanbul through Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airline flight. His reason for trafficking in drugs was to raise more money for his business.

Emmanuel, a Secondary School drop-out would have received 3,000 dollars on arrival in Turkey. He is married with a child.

Ukaeji Eric Tochukwu, 43 year old from Ajali in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State ingested cocaine weighing 1.408 kilograms. His route is Enugu - Addis Ababa - Hong Kong on an Ethiopian Airline. Ukaeji said that he wanted to raise money for his business and the treatment of his sick daughter. “I used to buy clothes from Hong Kong. I am married with three children. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary class 3. They promised to pay me 5,000 dollars on delivery in Hong Kong which I would have used to buy goods” he stated.

Nwoye Ekene Godfrey, a 38-year-old from Ukpommili Village in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State was caught with 1.283kg of cannabis sativa hidden inside garri on his way to Guangzhou, China. The suspect said that he too wanted to sell the cannabis in China and use the proceeds to buy goods. He is single.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the Agency shall continue to step up security checks at the nation’s entry and exit points.   

 

EFCC Did Not Torture Suleiman Yerima And Uwen Antia

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to a public letter to  President Muhammadu Buhari, by the law firm of Salawu, Akingbolu & Co, captioned, Torture and Abuse of Office, By Director of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos, AIG Zone 2 Lagos, which appeared in the Vanguard Newspaper of Wednesday June 10, 2015, and which contained allegations of torture and mistreatment of two suspects, Alhaji Suleiman Yerima and Mr. Uwen Antia, in a case of fraud and obtaining under false pretence being investigated by the Commission.

Facts of the Case
Alhaji Suleiman Yerima and Mr. Uwen Antia were on March 6th, 2015 arrested by operatives of the EFCC for allegedly stealing the sum of $2,250,000 (Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from two bankers. Their arrest followed a petition  by Aginwa Gladys and Ale Dennis on February 17th, 2015
The suspects allegedly approached the bankers: Gladys Aginwa and Ale Dennis in February, 2015, offering to sell foreign exchange to the tune of $10,000,000 USD to them.
After agreeing on the exchange rate, a sum of N672, 750, 000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) was transferred from BlueBeam Capital Investment Limited and Capital Field Investment and Trust Limited into the account of one of the bankers: Smiles and Light Limited. It was from the banker's account that the entire sum was moved into Antia’s account: Kafisto Oil and Gas Limited.
Findings showed that the entire sum of N672, 750,000 actually hit Antia's account. A Bureau de Change operator who changed the money into its dollar equivalent, told EFCC's investigators that he went with Antia to his bank along Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the transaction was confirmed. The Bureau de Change operator further said that, Antia subsequently transferred the sum of N666, 250,000(Six Hundred and Sixty- Six Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) into his own account. He said he worked out the dollar equivalent of the money, which was $3,127,000 (Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty- Seven Thousand United States Dollar). He said he could only give $3,124,000(Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand Dollar) to Antia, leaving a balance of $3,000(Three Thousand Dollar), which he promised to give him the next day.

Immediately Antia collected the foreign exchange, he reportedly headed for No. 17A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the two bankers and his accomplice, Suleiman were waiting for him. However, rather than handing over the entire foreign exchange to the bankers, he only gave them $1,000,000(One Million Dollars), claiming that he could not source the entire amount.
He allegedly promised to give them a balance of $2,250,000 (Two Million, Two Hundred and Twenty- Five Thousand Dollar) the next day. This balance would be the dollar equivalent of the entire sum of the transaction (N672, 750,000).  The bankers said that, since the day Antia and Suleiman gave them the initial $1,000,000, all efforts to reach them had proved abortive. "Their cell phones were turned off", they said. However, they lodged a complaint with the EFCC and operatives of the Commission eventually arrested the two fraudsters.
The fraudsters, upon their arrest, claimed that they had given one of the bankers, Dennis the balance of the money at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, but investigations by the Commission, showed that no such transaction took place between them.
Unlawful Detention

Claims by the suspects that they were unlawfully detained by the EFCC are false, and intended to mislead the President and the general public. The EFCC is a civil agency which is mindful of the rights of citizens and could not have consciously violated the rights of any suspects.

Upon the arrest of the suspects, they were offered administrative bail same day. However, when they could not meet the bail conditions, the EFCC sought and obtained a Remand Warrant from the Igbosere Magistrate Court of Lagos State, in order to be able to legally detain the suspects.
However, the suspects, claiming a breach of their fundamental rights approached a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for an injunction to compel the EFCC to release them, even when they had not fulfilled their administrative bail conditions. They sued the Commission in suit No FHC/ L/ CS/ 274/15 & FHC/ L/ CS/ 268/15 before Justice Okon Abang. As part of his reliefs in the suit, Uwen alleged that he was tortured, beaten and shot in the leg; allegations which were found to be completely false by the court and the court consequently threw out the application of Suleiman Yerima on April 14th, 2015 and also declined the application of  Antia on May 8th, 2015.

So, there is no truth that they were detained illegally, beaten or tortured.
Torture of Antia
The EFCC does not torture suspects. The Commission adheres to best international practices in the treatment of suspects.  In deed suspects taken to court by the Commission are known to prefer being remanded in the Commission’s custody rather go to prison. Were the Commission’s cell a dungeon, no suspect would prefer it to prison custody.

Suspect’s Sojourn in Police Custody

Following the arrest of the suspects, the Commission received a request from the Zone 2 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Onikan, Lagos seeking their release to answer cases of conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence. They were handed over to the Police to assist them in their investigations and were later returned to the EFCC.

 The Commission is not liable to account for the treatment of the suspects while in the custody of a sister agency.
Demand for bribe?
Nothing of such transpired between the suspects and the named officials. If the suspects have any proof or evidence of this, they can come forward with them.
Dame Patience Jonathan Connection
The investigation carried out by the EFCC had no bearing to the person of the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. Rather, the transaction in which the suspects fraudulently obtained $2,250,000(equivalent to N467,750,000) at the material time of the transaction, involved  Aginwa Gladyls and Dennis Ales.
Arraignment 
Arrangements have been made at a  High Court in Lagos for the arraignment of the suspects.
Serial Fraudsters
The suspects are high- profile serial fraudsters. Two sections in EFCC, Lagos are investigating Yerima for fraudulent dealings with some members of the public. Besides, he is standing trial at a Federal High Court sitting in Jos on another case of fraud.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

EFCC

June 10, 2015

EFCC Arraigns One For Job Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday May 20, 2015 arraigned Chidi Alozie before Justice U.N Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
The accused was alleged to have collected the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Naira (N132, 000.00) from one Joseph Nicodemus Etete sometime in 2014 to facilitate his employment into an oil company.   He pleaded not guilty to all the count charge.                                                        

One of the counts read,  “That you Chidi Alozie and another (now at large) between January 2014 and February 2014 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did conspire among yourself to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence by disguising as a staff of Agip Oil Company and 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 1 (3) of the same Act”.                                                        

Another count reads, “That you Chidi Alozie between January 2014 and February 2014 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain a total sum of One Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Naira (N132,000.00 ) from one Joseph Nicodemus Etete by false pretence by disguising as a staff of Agip Oil Company which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 ( 3 ) of the same Act”.                                                                                             

Justice U.N Agomoh, granted the accused bail to the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) and two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned to June 29, 2015 for trail.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

21^st May, 2015

EFCC Set To Arraign Two OAGF Staff Over N1 Billion World Bank GIFMIS Scam

Two staff of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Yahaya Yusuf Ayodeji and Mohammed Dogon Yaro Audu, implicated in a N1billion World Bank Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS, fraud are to be arraigned before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

According to facts emanating from the anti-graft agency, the EFCC, the duo allegedly took advantage of their offices by using the payment platform to award contracts to their companies and those of their cronies

 

The World Bank GIFMIS Project is warehoused in the OAGF.  The companies that were discovered to belong to them and their friends include N&U Resourceful Worldwide Limited, Q-Bridgers Worldwide Synergy Limited, A&Y Quest Company Limited and Kolapo and Sons Company Limited.

Ayodeji is Head of the World Bank’s GIFMIS Project, while Dogon Yaro Audu is Project Procurement Officer.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

25^th May, 2015

 

Money Laundering: Court Adjourns Prison Accountant, Esu-Nte’s trial

EFCC Press Release

The trial of Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte, an accountant with the Nigeria Prisons Service, who is being prosecuted alongside two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery, abuse of office and money laundering, before Justice E. S Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja has been adjourned till June 10.

At the resumed hearing of the case on May 25, 2015, Esu-Nte’s counsel, Titus Ashaolu, SAN, brought an application, seeking to quash the charges prferred against the accused. Ashaolu argued that, “the charges and proof of evidence does not disclose a prima facie case against the accused.”

He told the court that, the accused person was also standing trial on a similar charge before another court adding that, the charge brought against the accused person before Justice Chukwu amounted to an abuse of court process.

However, counsel to EFCC, L. P Aso, countered, saying, “the charge before the court is regular and proper as it was in compliance with the laws and the rules of the court”.

He stressed that the court remained a court of summary trial, arguing that there was proof of evidence before the court, to make the case go on. 

“The trial has started and any objection should have come before the trial began and not when the hearing has gone midway,” Aso further argued.

The prosecuting counsel told the court that, the charges in both courts are different, saying that, the case before Justice Chukwu was on money laundering, which only the Federal High Court can attend to.

Counsel to the third accused person, Oladele Bello, in his application, asked the court to strike out the name of his client (Transferase Ventures) from charge 1, 6 and 7 as it was not a corporate personality, but a business name.

“It is not a limited liability company and so it cannot be charged,” Bello said.

The counts were thereafter struck out by the judge as there was no objection by the prosecution.

Justice Chukwu has adjourned the case to June 10, 2015 for further hearing.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

26^th May, 2015

 

N1 Billion World Bank GIFMIS Scam: Accused Persons Arraigned by EFCC

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  today May 26, 2015, arraigned Mohammed Dogonyaro Audu (aka Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed) and Yahaya Ayodeji,both staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory  Jabi, Abuja, on a ten count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and complicity in award of contact.

 

The duo allegedly abused their offices by floating companies through which they cornered contracts emanating from the Economic Reform and Governance Project, ERGP, domiciled in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

 

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

 

Count three of the charge reads;

 

That you Mohammed Dogonyaro Audu(aka Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed) and Yahaya Ayodeji while employed in the public service on the 5th of August 2011 at Abuja in the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly acquired a private interest through your company AY-Quest Worldwide Limited in a contract awarded for the procurement of GIFMIS training materials emanating from the Economic Reform and Governance Project (ERGP), office of the Accountant General of the Federation wherein you are both employed and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 12 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000”.

 

 

In view of their plea, prosecution counsel Cosmas Ugwu asked the court for a date to commence trial. However, counsel to the accused persons, Abubakar Sadiq Oderiku made an oral application for bail citing the "chaotic epileptic power supply" and short notice from his clients as the reason for the application.

 

Justice Halilu ruled that the defence files a formal application for bail as the matter is before a court of record. He remanded the accused persons in Kuje prison and adjourned the matter to June 9, 2015.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

26^th May, 2015

 

NDLEA surrenders to court order

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that it will obey the decision of the court of competent jurisdiction on the ongoing case involving senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu. As a government agency and a law enforcement institution that has respect for the rule of law, the NDLEA will abide by the decisions of a competent court.

 

This is a legal issue and the Agency has windows of opportunities to explore legally in advancing its course. NDLEA will not violate court orders or take law into its hands in enforcing its statutory responsibilities.

The media shall be duly informed of further developments.

 

 

EFCC arraigns businessman over stolen crude oil

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 27, 2015, arraigned one Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in stolen crude oil.

 

The suspect was arraigned sequel to a petition by the Economic and Organized Crime Office, EOCO, Ghana alleging that the accused person is into piracy, stealing and money laundering alongside a Ghanaian marketer, Auxesia Energy Limited.  During investigations it was discovered that some Nigeria companies, Earth Petroleum Development Limited, Spiral Oil and Gas Limited, hijacked a Vessel MT Sollueshing in March, 2013 and used it to convey 167,000 metric Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) stolen from Nigerian creeks and transported to Ghana.

 

One of the counts reads: ‘that you Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor  “M”  being a director of Earth Petroleum Development Limited, Earth Petroleum Development Limited and David A. O. Akhigbe “M” (now at large) sometimes between March, 2013 to August, 2013 between Nigeria and Ghana within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of the revenue accruing there from and without the permission of the appropriate authority, exported 167,000 Metric tons of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) out of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8) (a) and (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004”.

 

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him. 

Justice Buba granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira Only) and two sureties in like sum. 

 

The prosecution counsel, Haruna Abdulkadir asked the court to remand the accused person in prison custody pending the perfection of the bail terms, a prayer which was granted by Justice Buba.

 

The case is adjourned to 18^th June 2015 for the commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

27^th May, 2015