Suspected Fraudster Docked for N9.8m Contract Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 9, 2016 arraigned one Signor Kanu before Justice A. O. Otaluka of the FCT High Court sitting in Lugbe, Abuja on one count charge of fraud.

Kanu was alleged to have defrauded one Stanley Ojigbo to the tune of N9.8million for a non-existent contract. After several months of waiting and the accused could neither deliver on his promise nor refund the money, the complainant decided to petition the EFCC.

The charge reads:

“That you, Signor Kanu on or about the 25^th of March 2011, in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with the intent to defraud through a medium of contract induced by false pretence did obtain the sum of Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only (N9,800,000.00) form one Mr. Stanley Ojigbo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section1 (1),(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section1(3) of the same Act.”

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

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Shata Jamila asked the court for a date to enable her present her witnesses.

But, counsel to the defendant, Udo Udofia through an oral application prayed the court to admit his client to bail.  

The case has been adjourned to Monday, June 13, 2016 for the hearing on the bail application

South African lady caught with cocaine

Emeka Ibemere

A South African lady has been arrested in Lagos while trying to smuggle 1.210kg of white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine to South Africa. Her plot was foiled by anti-narcotics officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The drug Agency said the illicit drug was detected by a female operative of the NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during screening.

The 34 year old woman was an apprentice chef and had two parcels of cocaine carefully concealed inside her brassiere on her way to Johannesburg when she was arrested. NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba gave her name as Lekganyane Lerato.

 "The suspect was intercepted during routine screening of passengers on South African airline. The drug was neatly concealed but certainly not good enough to escape our notice. She is currently under investigation but will be charged to court very soon," the drug czar stated.

According to the suspect, she was lured into drug trafficking by her friends. "I am an apprentice chef in Johannesburg. A friend convinced me into drug trafficking. I never imagined that the drug will be detected because it was carefully concealed inside my brassiere, Lerato lamented.

“A female officer requested to feel my boob that was how the cocaine was detected. My travel expenses were handled by the sponsor who promised to pay me $3,000, when I deliver the drugs in Johannesburg, but all my dreams had been dashed following my arrest."

However, the NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, (retd.) expressed optimism that the chances of being caught with drugs are getting higher in the country.

 "Daily arrests of drug traffickers have validated our superiority. Drug trafficking organizations may try their best but they will end up in prison custody," Abdallah stated. NDLEA boss called on drug cartels to quit the criminal act or be prepared for arrest and prosecution.

Drug baron on the run over house of cannabis in Lagos

Emeka Ibemere

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says the Agency has recorded a major operational success, ever achieved in the history of the agency in Lagos State Command, in an operation that lasted for 12 working hours.

The command acting on intelligence report discovered a cannabis warehouse where 8,597.63kgs of dried weeds of the illegal substance was illegally stored.  “This is the single largest cannabis seizure ever made by the Agency in Lagos. NDLEA has sealed off the six bedroom duplex used in stockpiling cannabis, located at 46, Ateoyo Street, Igbeleri Okoko, Lagos”, Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA spokesperson said.

The operation which lasted over 12 hours was led by the Assistant Commander Operations and Intelligence, Mr. Ojo Ogbechema.  All the rooms in the house were filled with cannabis except a room, a sitting room and a kitchen in the house. Officers spent several hours to evacuate the over 8.5 tons of cannabis from the illicit warehouse at Okoko, Lagos.

Lagos State commander of NDLEA, Aliyu Sule said that the command made the unprecedented seizure in a cannabis house operated by one Cletus Ishie; while acting on a tipoff.

"The suspect, his wife and two children were living with the drugs in their family house converted to a warehouse. We engaged different trucks in conveying the drugs to the office because of the large quantity. This is a serious problem that requires concerted efforts and adequate logistic support. Cletus Ishie was not at home at the time of the raid but the wife witnessed the entire operation,” Aliyu stated.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) promised to arrest the main suspect, identify and shut down more illicit drug warehouses.

 "This discovery is impressive and the Agency's strategic approach in eradicating drugs from the country. I assure Nigerians that the main suspect will be arrested and made to answer his charges,” he assured.

“Any investment in the fight against the scourge of narcotic drugs will continue to generate commensurate value. The assistance by the State government is yielding the right results. The Agency will remain active in undercover operations and detect more clandestine warehouses.”

The NDLEA boss added that the provisions of the law shall be strictly applied in every case. Section 12 of the NDLEA Act states that any person, who being the occupier or is concerned in the management of any premises, unlawfully permits or causes the premises to be used for the purpose of storing, concealing processing or dealing in the drug popularly known  as cocaine.

 LSD, heroine or any other similar drug shall be guilty of an offence under this Act. The Act also provides for the forfeiture of property or instrumentalities used in any manner to commit or to facilitate the commission of an offence specified under the act.

It would be recalled that few weeks ago, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State donated two operational Hilux vehicles and five motorcycles to the command to accelerate their operations.

Lagos scholars hail Abbey Wilson's book This Is LAGOS Our Legacy

Emeka Ibemere

The enlightening book, This Is LAGOS Our Legacy, authored by Princess Architect Abbey Wilson has received accolades from many people.

The book, according to Wilson, was written to equip pupils, students, Lagosians and non Lagosians with vital information about the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State.

This was corroborated by many people who witnessed the public presentation of the book held recently in Lagos. They attested that the 172-page book contains historical information about Lagos.

In her speech, Former First Lady of Lagos State, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of the book, Dame Abimbola Fashola, eulogised Princess Wilson for writing the book.

According to the reviewer of 'This Is LAGOS Our Legacy, Mr. Lanre Oyeleye, a research consultant, the book which has great historical values traces the origin of Lagos from positive progenitor, Ogunfunmire, Olofin and Idejos periods, the British influence, the slave trade era with the Saros and Amaros settling in Lagos, to the Colonial era and finally, the present period.

"The book not only gives detailed information about the evolution of the new settlement, but also discusses the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos today. It looks at the political and socio-economic setups of the State and the achievement of the immediate past Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). The book also talks about the Lagos of the future, with a particular reference to Eko Atlantic City. It lists some of the historical places in the State that would provide amazing insight into the historical and cultural evolution of native Lagosians," he explained.

In a nutshell, Oyeleye described the book as 'truly contemporary work of art'.

In the same vein, a retired Director, Lagos State, Mrs. C. I. Shogbamu, while praising the book said Wilson has eyes for details. "She will make sure whatever she is doing is properly done."

Shogbamu advised guests to emulate Wilson and go into fields that are different from what they studied in schools.

A renowned sculptor, Mr. Idowu Sonaya, said he was glad to have participated in the printing of the book.

A member of a charity organisation, Legacy, described the book as a  treasure and legacy too.

"The title of the book is sentimental to the group."

The author in her remarks revealed why she wrote the book by saying: "I have a sense of history and I noticed that not much is being done to take care of our historical aspect. Moreover, I wanted to know my root because my ancestors were sold out in slavery to Brazil and other parts of the world. Some came on the back of missionaries, some came back to Lagos and settled down.

"I wanted to find out what makes Lagos thick and the people that make up Lagos."

Wilson holds Master's of Art in Architecture and Planning. She is a practising architecture who has flair for creative writing. The talented writer has authored many books including: Pride of Africa - A Collection of Poems and African Proverbs; Beauty More Than Skin Deep; Nuggets of Wisdom for Success; Amazing Household Cleaning Techniques at Your Fingertips; Irresistible Quotes on Women, Love and Life; and Mind Your Manners!

Her hobbies are art promotion, photography, dressmaking and decorative pottery. She is also a social commentator.

“Stop Using My Name to Extort People”- Magu Warns

It has come to the knowledge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that some persons have been dropping the name of its Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and claiming that they have his permission to ask for payments to secure the release of suspects under investigation by the Commission. Some unsuspecting members of the public have fallen victim of this scam and made huge payments to this syndicate.

The Commission warns the public to be wary of the activities of these fraudulent individuals who have no relationship whatsoever with Mr. Magu and the EFCC. “I have not mandated anybody to collect money on my behalf from any person or organisation. It is not in my character to do so otherwise I will not be in this office. I am contented with what I am paid at the end of the month”, Magu said.

He called on members of the public, especially relatives and friends of persons under investigation by the Commission to quickly report any person who approaches them with a proposal to collect bribe on his behalf for the release of their loved ones, to the Commission. “Anyone caught trying to tarnish my hard earned reputation and integrity must be prepared to face the music. I have accounts in three banks and, on no account should anybody make lodgement into any of my accounts without my knowledge”, the EFCC boss warned.

In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in the activities of scammers who parade themselves as having links with leadership of the Commission and the capability to release suspects. Some of the scam calls sent to members of the public across the country, conveyed the Commission’s purported readiness to “play ball, release suspects as long as reasonable settlement is arranged”.

Mr. Magu has promised that the Commission will discharge its duties, “guided solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law and not any pecuniary motive”.

The public are advised to report calls from suspected scammers and forward the callers’ numbers to the EFCC via the following: info@efccnigeria.org, theeagle@efccnigeria.org. The Commission could also be reached on the folowing hotlines: 09-9044571, 09-9044572, 09-9044573.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

19^th May, 2016

EFCC Arraigns Man for Currency Counterfeiting

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, May 19, 2016, arraigned one Vatsama Danladi before Justice M. M. Kolo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on a 4-count charge bordering on theft, illegal possession and use of specimen naira currency notes.

Danladi, a security guard with Kings Guard Security attached to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, ran into legal trouble when one of the new generation banks found 299 pieces of N1000 notes marked “specimen” amounting to N299, 000.00 during a process of cash count sometime in January this year.

 

On investigation, the bank discovered that, Danladi deposited the specimen currency notes into his account through ATM deposit machines at Karu and Mararaba branches.

 

Further investigations revealed that, the accused also deposited a yet to be ascertained trenches of the specimen notes into his account in another new generation bank via the bank’s ATM deposit machine at Mararaba branch of the bank.

One of the charges reads:

That you, Vatsama Danladi ‘M’ on or about January 2016 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable court committed theft of property to wit: Specimen N1, 000.00 (One Thousand Naira) notes totaling 488 (four hundred and eighty eight) by taking it out of the possession of the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 286 of the Penal Code”.

When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against him.

 

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Andrew Akoja urged the court to remand the accused and fix a date for trial.

However, the defence counsel, U. Erhinure, through an oral application prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail adding that, the accused had been on administrative bail and had always make himself available whenever he was called upon by the EFCC.

Justice Kolo granted the accused bail in the sum of N2million (two million naira) with one surety in like sum. The surety must have landed property within the FCT.

 

The case has been adjourned to June 20, 2016 for hearing.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

19^th May, 2016