EFCC Arraigns 10 Persons For Illegal Oil Bunkering(See Photos)

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned 10 persons and a vessel, MV Peace for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering before Justice Muhammad B. Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products. 

MV Peace and its crew members - James Abatan, Wasiu Abdul Owonikoko, Patrick Ameh, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed and Rasheed Adio were intercepted about five nautical miles off Lagos Fairway Buoy by the Nigerian Navy Ship Ikot-Abasi on the 4th of April 2015 on suspicion of illegal dealing in petroleum products. 

  

Count one and two of the charge reads:

Count 1:

“MV Peace, James Abatan, Wasiu Abdul Owonikoko, Patrick Amen, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed and Rasheed Adio on or about the 4th day of April, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section (1) (17) of the same Act.”

Count 2:

“MV Peace, James Abatan, Wasiu Abdul Owonikoko, Patrick Amen, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed and Rasheed Adio on or about the 4th day of April, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court without appropriate licence dealt with 200 Metric Tons of Petroleum product and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section (1) (17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.” The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to them. In view of the plea of the accused, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the accused in prison custody. However, counsel to all accused persons, Dada Awosika said he had filed an application for bail and prayed the court for a short adjournment for hearing. Justice Idris ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to Monday 27 July, 2015 for hearing on the bail application.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity 23rd July, 2015

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Pictured : Nigerian Man Arrested For Duping A 75-year Old Dutch Woman Of €200k

 Adio Opeyemi Micheal, 31, (pictured above) has been arrested by the EFCC for duping a 75 year old dutch woman of €200,000 in an internet romance scam. Read EFCC press statement below...

"For swindling a 75 year old woman of 200,000 Euros in a romance scam, a 31-year-old confidence trickster, Adio Opeyemi Michael, an indigene of  Owu LGA of Ogun state, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC. The victim, a certain Jeanet De Jonge, is a Dutch national." 

Adio allegedly met the victim on the ‘Net log’ dating site and pretended to be a 41-year-old American citizen, working as a chef in a Nigerian restaurant and needs a wife. The profile attracted Jeanet and, in no time, began sending him money through Western Union and Money Gram.

"She was sending me money monthly, ranging from $800 to $900 from June 2012, through Western Union Money transfer and Money Gram to the extent that Western Union blocked her from sending money to me in Nigeria.  So she requested that I should go to London to enable her send me money there. I contacted a friend of mine in London called Osas Odiah, so that he can receive the money and send to me here in Nigeria. She first sent €2000 to my friend’s account in London, and later to my Keystone bank account, which was actually a Forex Trade account. We started using this account when we discovered that my friend was not remitting all the money sent by Jeanet to me,” the suspect revealed.

Investigations further revealed that the suspect collected the various sums under the pretext that he was going to use the money to perfect his travel plans and obtain the required documents that would enable him travel to Holland to join or visit Jeanet. But his inability or refusal to honour the invitation from Jeanet prompted the petition to EFCC.

The suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.

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Former Bank Manager In EFCC Nest For N81million Fraud

 According to reports, a former branch manager of one of the new generation banks, (Ecobank Plc), Victor Amushie has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for a credit fraud in the sum of N81, 024, 749.28( Eighty One Million, Twenty-Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Nine Naira, Twenty Eight kobo only).

The suspect allegedly packaged loan facilities for himself, using several names and accounts of some customers of his bank, with whom he shared the proceeds. 

The loans went bad and the bank had to hold Amushie, who was on the verge of running out of the country before being apprehended by operatives of the EFCC.

Details of the loan disbursement showed that he granted a total sum of N57, 979, 024. 07( Fifty Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Twenty Four Naira, Seven kobo only) to Onezh Oil and Gas Limited; N11, 317, 562.73( Eleven Million, Three Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Two Naira, Seventy Three kobo) to Esubeb Staff Multipurpose Cooperative and N11, 728, 162. 48 (Eleven Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Two Naira, Forty Eight kobo only) to Ogochukwu Amanda.

Amushie is in the custody of the EFCC and will be charged to court as soon is investigation is concluded.

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EFCC Arrests Buhari’s Son For Alleged N20m Scam

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested Mr. Mohammed Buhari, an adopted son of a former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, for an alleged N20m scam.

A source at the EFCC said that the young Buhari obtained the said N20m from one Mrs. Nwokocha Florence to invest in an oil and gas business with a promise to make mouthwatering returns to the lady.

It was gathered that the adopted son of the former Head of State and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change in the 2011 elections also promised to pay the lady 30 per cent annual interest on the N20m.

It was gathered that the relationship between the two turned sour when Buhari reneged on the agreement to pay the 30 per cent annual interest on the N20m to the investor said to have been introduced to him by his accounts officer at ECO Bank.

It was leant that once the money was transferred, Buhari cleaned out the account but never paid any interest to the woman.

The EFCC source said that Buhari claimed that he had some problems which emanated from his lost of the bank’s guarantee which he secured from a new generation bank.

He was said to have explained that the guarantee was cancelled because the bank felt that the branch from which he secured it lacked the competence to give it.

Investigation revealed that Buhari was still being held by the operatives investigating the case at the Lagos office of the EFCC as of the time of filing this report

When our correspondent contacted the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, he confirmed the arrest but would not give any further details.

He said, “It is true but I don’t have the details.”punch

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Leaked letter shows Former EFCC Boss Waziri Seeking The Assistance Of Obasanjo To Help In Her Second Term Bid

NB: The source of the letter and the authenticity has not been proven yet. We will keep you updated

A leaked government letter has cast a spotlight on the tensions between former EFCC boss, Mrs Farida Waziri and former President Olusegun Obasanjo recent face-off. Waziri wrote the letter to Obasanjo while in office as chairman of the EFCC begging him to compel President Goodluck Jonathan to reconfirm her for a second term as chairman of the EFCC. Unfortunately, President Goodluck Jonathan unexpectedly fired the head of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Here is the leaked letter:

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Farida Waziri tells OBJ- I Will Expose Your Secret

Yesterday we reported Former President Olusegun Obasanjo saying the appointment of Mrs Farida Waziri by late President Yar' Adua  as Chairman of EFCC was a big mistake and she was put into office through James Ibori strings. If you missed the news check HERE.

Former Chairman of the EFCC, Farida Waziri on Wednesday described the claim by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that she was recommended for the EFCC job by convicted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori as a "blatant falsehood".

“I will like to warn that those who live in glass houses don’t throw stones and as such Obasanjo should not allow me open up on him. Respectable elder statesmen act and speak with decorum”.

Expressing shock that a man who was twice a Nigerian leader would “descend so low to peddle falsehood,” Waziri warned Obasanjo to respect his age or else she would “open up on him.”

She said, “The truth is that I never met Ibori in my life until after months in office as chairman of the EFCC when I used to see him in the Presidential Villa. It is on record today that I initiated the investigation that drove Ibori into the waiting hands of the Interpol and the Metpolice.

“As such, it is illogical and nonsensical for anyone to continue to insinuate that Ibori had a hand in my appointment. I remember this was one of the lies Obasanjo’s sit-tight pawns cooked to stop my appointment as the EFCC chairman in 2008.”

Obasanjo had in an interview he granted Zero Tolerance, a magazine published by the EFCC, also said that the war against corruption in the country slowed down during Waziri’s tenure because she was not qualified for the job.

Obasanjo had said: “Go and look at her track record. Go and look at the condition or the qualification; go and look at the type of interaction that anybody holding that job will have with a similar organisation elsewhere; did Waziri have that type? What connection did she have with FBI? What relationship did she have with Metropolitan Police in London? It’s not a picnic.”

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Farida Waziri In EFCC Was A Terrible Mistake - Obasanjo

This is what Obansanjo has to say about the era of former boss of EFCC, Madame Farida Waziri.

“I know that the woman they brought in to replace Ribadu (Farida Waziri) was not the right person for that job, because I understood that one of those who head-hunted her was James Ibori. 

“If James Ibori, who is now in a U.K. prison for fraud, head-hunt somebody who will fight corruption in Nigeria, then you can understand what happened.”

Obasanjo said this in an exclusive interview he granted Zero Tolerance, a magazine produced by the EFCC.

The former president, whose administration established Nigeria’s two main anti-corruption agencies, EFCC and ICPC, said he is aware that former Delta State Governor and convicted money launderer, James Ibori, played a major role in Mrs. Waziri’s appointment.

That explains why no one could successfully prosecute Ibori in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that even the international community was so suspicious of Farida Waziri that an Amircan Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, threatened to walk out of a meeting with Nigeria’s then Foreign Affairs Minister, Ojo Madueke, if Mrs. Waziri was part of the meeting.

Obasanjo also commended Mr. Ribadu, saying his performance as EFCC boss helped reduce corruption in Nigeria and improve her rating by Transparency International.

“When I was there, the EFCC and ICPC worked tirelessly and we moved this country from the corruption perception index being number 2 from the lowest to being number 45 from the lowest,” he said.

He condemned the manner Mr. Ribadu was removed from office saying he cautioned late President Umaru Yar’Adua against the removal. 

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Man Arrested with 30 ATM cards and 8 signed cheques

     

A press statement released by the EFCC read:

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested one Kingsley Mudi over alleged ATM fraud. He was picked up at about 11 pm on August 2, 2013 at Fidelity Bank ATM on Airport Road, Warri, Delta State following an intelligence report.

    At the point of arrest, 30 ATM cards of different banks with which he allegedly withdrew a total sum of five hundred and fifty thousand naira (N550, 000) were found in his possession.

  Eight signed UBA cheques belonging to sundry persons were also found on him. Kingsley Mudi, who claimed to be a Disc Jockey and an operator of a barbing salon, has volunteered useful information.

    He will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

   

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Governor’s Son In Alleged Money Laundering Mess… Arrested By EFCC

Barely forty hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC said it had intercepted about N15.5 bn from suspects in the last 11 months at the nation’s airports, one of the sons of the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has also been arrested by the anti-graft agency.

He was arrested around 12 midnight at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA as he prepared to board an Egypt Air flight to Cairo.

Aminu Lamido was flagged after he declared $10,000 in his possession to agents of the Nigerian customs at the airport. However further checks by agents of the EFCC at the airport revealed that he was economical with the truth.

meanwhile, the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest, has assured that Mr Aminu will be charged to court for money laundering.

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EFCC Arrests Wale Babalakin For Allegedly Helping James Ibori Launder N2bn

The Chief Executive Officer of Bi-Courtney Ltd, Wale Babalakin, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly facilitating the laundering of about N2 billion belonging to Delta State on behalf of former convicted Governor, James Ibori.

News of Babalakin’s arrest comes few days after a concessionary agreement between Bi- Courtney and the federal government on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway was terminated.

EFCC sources in Abuja confirmed that the charges were filed against Babalakin today at a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

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Fuel Subsidy Scam: EFCC Arraigns Seven More Suspects

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it has concluded arrangements to arraign seven more suspects in the on going trial of individuals and organisations implicated by investigations into the subsidy regime on imported fuel.

In a press statement signed by the commission’s acting head, media and publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren,  five of the suspects implicated in a N5.4billion fuel subsidy scam are to be arraigned today before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on a thirteen count charge bordering on intent to defraud, stealing, forgery and altering.

EFCC said that the suspects which comprise of one company and four individuals are: Nasaman Oil Services Limited, Mamman Nasir Ali, Christian Taylor, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul-Afeez (still at large). 

‘’Specifically, they are alleged to have obtained the sum of N4, 460,130,797from the Federal Government of Nigeria by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accruing to them under the petroleum support fund for the importation of 61,049,937.00 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)’’.

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EFCC Arraigns Briton Over Alleged $227,035 Fraud

 A British citizen named Anthony Boyson, whose alias is Armstrong Christopher, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly defrauding Pilgrims Africa Limited of $227,035.

Charged alongside Boyson was Nwamadi Monica, also with an alias, Anozie C. Happiness, and Marisec Services Limited on a nine-count-charge of fraud, which they pleaded not guilty.

Monica and Boyson were accused of defrauding Pilgrims Africa Limited through Marisec Services Limited by falsely pretending to be the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Jacobus Marthinus Claasens.

The charge, marked No. ID/329C/2011, read in part: “Anthony Boyson, a.k.a. Armstrong Christopher, Nwamadi Monica CHA, a.k.a. Anozie C. Happiness, and Marisec Services Limited on or about February 16, 2011, in Lagos, within Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of USD98,000 from Pilgrims Africa Limited through Marisec Services Limited, Zenith Bank account Number 4071000273 by falsely pretending to be Mr.

 Jacobus Marthinus Claasens of Pilgrims Africa Limited, that the money represented the cost of hiring one vessel, “Lady Mary T” at USD7,000 per day from February 16, 2011 to March 1, 2011 which pretence you knew to be false.”

EFCC lawyer, Mr. ABC Ozioko, told the court he had two witnesses in court for the trial, noting that the initial information in the charge be withdrawn and pave way for the amended information.He argued that it was right for the prosecution to amend information at any time before judgement, and urged the court to give him a week to enable him file a written submission on the motion over the seizure of the defendants’ passport and laptop.

Ozioko pointed out that items collected from the defendants by the commission were received in the course of investigation and had something to do with the amended information.

He then urged the court to take the plea of the defendants since the old information had been withdrawn.

Mr. A. Festus, Counsel to the defendants, in his objection, argued that the new information was served him yesterday morning, stressing that he had not gone through it, neither had the defendants seen it.

Festus argued that in line with the law, materials seized should be attached as exhibit, noting that there was nowhere it was written in the prosecutor’s information that passport was received.He told the court that there was already an application before it, adding that “it will be a travesty of justice if we go into the trial without considering that application.”

After listening to the argument of both counsels, the trial judge, Justice D. O. Oluwayemi, adjourned the matter till Friday, November 2, 2012, for continuation of trial and hearing of motion.

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Nigeria EFCC agents jailed for taking bribes

Two anti-corruption agents in Nigeria have been given five-year prison terms for accepting bribes.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said its officers had been found guilty of asking for about $630 (£390) from a politician to stop a supposed investigation.

He informed the EFCC which organised a sting operation to catch the agents.

The EFCC has faced criticism in its attempts to tackle what some see as entrenched high-level fraud in Nigeria.

Rights groups say the commission, set up in 2002 - three years after military rule, has often been under the influence of politicians.

In a statement, the EFCC said Douglas William and Abba Ishaku were arrested in October 2010 after trying to bribe Kullima Kachalla, the chairman of a local government administration in Borno state.

The agents had told the politician they would destroy documentation to launch an alleged investigation into his mismanagement of public funds.

During the sting operation, the court heard how Mr Kachalla brought the money to the EFCC's office in the capital, Abuja.

"It was in the course of the receipt of the money that the two staff were arrested and subsequently arraigned," the EFCC statement said.

"In his ruling, Justice [Abubakar] Umar said because the convicts have suffered enough humiliation, their sentence should start from the date of their arraignment," the commission said.

BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says that, to many Nigerians this is yet another case to prove that when it comes to corruption, only relatively minor cases are ever dealt with.

After all what is $630 compared to the billions of dollars that are believed to have been stolen in a fuel subsidy scam, he says.

Several fuel traders are due in court in connection with the scam but once again they are small players, our correspondent notes.

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Revealed! Names Of Fuel Subsidy Thieves To Be Prosecuted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is finally ready to prosecute the first batch of 20 suspects implicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The suspects, comprising oil companies and 11 individuals, will be docked in Lagos courts. Below are the names of the companies and individuals.... The companies involved in the scam are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eternal Oil and Gas Plc; Ontario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited; Axenergy Limited; Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited. 

 The 11 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka, Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo. 

 This investigation is massive and extensive; and the EFCC wishes to reassure Nigerians that every effort will be made to bring all those who defrauded the country in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel to book. The 20 suspects are among the over 140 individuals and organisations involved in the on-going investigations into the subsidy payments by the EFCC. More suspects will be arraigned periodically as the investigation progresses. 

YOU CAN READ BRIEF DETAILS OF THEIR OFFENCES BELOW: 

Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm, Akintola Williams Deloitte while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA. Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence. 

The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands. 

 In the same vein, the anti-graft agency will equally prosecute Abdulahi Alao and Axenergy Limited for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2, 640, 141, 707.75 (Two Billion, Six Hundred and Forty Million; One Hundred and Forty One Thousand; Seven Hundred and Seven Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) being payments received from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 33.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit. 

 Others include Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex; Abdulahi Alao and Eternal Oil And Gas Plc who will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 899, 238, 946. 02 (One Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Naira, Two Kobo) from the Petroleum support Fund for a purported importation of 80.3million litres of Premium Motor Spirit. 

 Also, Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit. 

 Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit. 

 Lastly, Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo are to be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit. You might also like:

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SSS Investigating EFCC Chairman Over Massive Corruption

Secret agents in the presidency are presently conducting a clandestine investigation of the Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft police, the EFCC over an allegation that he collected N80 million bribe from multi-billionaire businessman, Wale Babalakin who is being investigated for money laundering by the agency, ireports-ng.com can authoritatively report.

The probe leaked to ireports-ng.com today by a top source in the presidency is coming barely 24 hours after it was revealed in London that three Metropolitan police detectives were arrested in the UK for taking bribes from agents of the jailed former Delta state governor, James Ibori.

 In Nigeria, lawyer turned businessman, Wale Babalakin has been arrested and detained twice by the anti-graft agency for interrogation for allegedly using his company’s bank accounts to launder over N1.6 billion for Ibori. He is the chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, which is into infrastructural development and aviation, among others.

 According to information made available to ireports-ng.com by sources in EFCC about two weeks ago, Mr Lamorde had complained that the National Security Adviser, NSA, Gen.Andrew Owoeye Azazi was meddling in the investigation of the case against Babalakin. As a result, he ordered that the re-arrest of Babalakin on Wednesday May 9 during which his travel documents were seized and his photograph was taken for forensic purposes.

 Based on the information then, ireports-ng.com had reported on May 16 the preparedness of EFCC to charge Babalakin to court for money laundering charges. It was however gathered today that the report had since triggered a chain reaction, with agents loyal to the NSA within EFCC writing a secret report on Lamorde to the NSA over a scheme to extort money from Babalakin. According to a top presidency source today, a secret investigation of the report was launched.

 Findings made available to ireports-ng.com today showed that “one Alhaji Ajiboye who is a very close friend and reliable front for Mr Lamorde had collected N80 million from Mr Babalakin but delivered N60 million to the EFCC chairman.” The secret report further revealed that “Alhaji Ajiboye has been acting in similar capacity for Mr Lamorde in some cases presently being investigated by the EFCC. 

Our findings also disclosed that after Mr Babalakin complained of the treatment meted out to him during his interrogation on May 9, 2012 in the EFCC head office in Abuja, Alhaji Ajiboye promptly set up a secret meeting between Mr Babalakin and Mr Lamorde the following day, May 10,2012 at a secret location agreed to by all parties in the evening of that Thursday May 10, 2012.”

 It went further to report that "at the meeting, Mr Babalakin had complained to Mr Lamorde that he was being maltreated and humiliated by EFCC operatives after he had parted with a whooping N80 million with a promise to give him a clearance letter due to concerns expressed by his foreign business partners while the EFCC chairman also complained that Mr Babalakin was talking to and sending so many people to him on the case. He specifically complained that he was not too comfortable with the involvement of the NSA in the matter. 

At the end of the meeting, a consensus was reached to keep sealed lips on all that has transpired especially the funds passed through Alhaji Ajiboye." The report also stated that "it was after Mr Lamorde was reassured that the NSA and indeed, no other person knows about the issue of money exchanging hands that Mr Lamorde and of course the EFCC developed cold feet on the case." The source however would not disclose what will happen at the end of the investigation of the alleged bribery case against the EFCC boss but assured that “I have instruction to keep you abreast with further developments.

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EFCC urged to investigate Jonathan bribe allegation

The Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP) on  Monday urged  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) to investigate allegations that President Goodluck  Jonathan was bribed by a construction company.

In a press statement by SERAP, the Executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said it “ We have petitioned Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urging him to urgently begin a thorough, transparent and effective investigation into allegations that the Abuja-based Italian construction company, Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited (GCG) gave to President Goodluck Jonathan as ‘gift’ a 2,500-seat church building in Otuoke, his village in Bayelsa State.”

The petition sent to the  EFCC read in part: “We are seriously concerned that given the huge sum of money involved and the timing of the church building ‘gift’, the acts may amount to a bribe to the government by a construction company that has sought and obtained huge contracts from the federal government.”

SERAP say that the 'gift' violates Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for Public officers embodied in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act which states that  “A public officer shall not ask for or accept any property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties. The allegations also constitute a breach of national anti-corruption legislation and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a party.”

Jonathan had in March dedicated the 2,500-seat church building in his home town, Otuoke in Bayelsa, were he confirmed that it was donated by Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited (GCG).

Members of the National Assembly have called on Mr Jonathan to review the N 58.6 billion contract awarded Gitto for the Second Niger bridge.

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N44m bribe: EFCC summons Hembe, others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Rep Herman Hembe who resigned as chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Capital Market after Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms Arunma Oteh accused him of corruption.

Also to appear at the EFCC office is the committee clerk whom Oteh alleged stood as proxy in demanding for bribes from her, according to the invitation letter seen by Daily Trust.

In the letter, which was delivered to the committee yesterday, the anti-graft agency demanded that Hembe appear in person at the commission’s headquarters over the allegations of corruption leveled against him by Oteh.

Daily Trust could however not establish whether the EFCC had also invited Oteh. SEC officials said they were not aware of any invitaion by EFCC over the bribery allegation and counter allegation between Oteh and Hembe.

When contact, the Communication Adviser to the DG, Obi Adindu, said he has no information on the issue.

“I asked someone who is in the position to know within the Commission and he said he is not aware of it,” Adindu said.

Hembe, who stepped down as chairman of the committee investigating the capital market on Tuesday, said it was Oteh who tried to entice him with N30 million in the run up to the investigations of the “near-collapse” of the capital market by his committee.

Hembe and Oteh are entangled in corruption accusations, starting last Wednesday when the committee chairman accused her of spending N850,000 on food on a day alone and of incurring N30 million hotel bills.

Oteh hit back the following day, saying the committee chairman demanded bribes of N44 million and that he also collected foreign trip estacode from SEC for a journey he didn’t make.

Also on Tuesday, the House of Representatives constituted an ad hoc committee to take over the probe, confirming a Daily Trust exclusive story published on Tuesday.

“I made no attempt to collect any bribe, rather I worked hard to avoid the offer of such by the SEC DG,” Hembe told his colleagues, lifting documents which were later revealed to be copies of SEC internal memos supposedly backing his claims.

The memos, copies of which were made available to journalists, appeared to show that SEC management initiated the process of giving the House capital market committee N30 million to help facilitate the public hearings.

The House had already mandated its committee on Ethics and Privilege to investigate the allegations.

Meanwhile, a member of the Committee told Daily Trust that “As soon as the chairman (Hembe) appeared before the Ethics and Privilege Committee of the House next week Thursday, all the papers will be filed in court and served on the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

The lawmaker said Hembe had contacted a Senior Advocate of Nigeria yesterday over the matter.

Calls and text messages to Herman Hembe for confirmation were not answered and his aide claimed ignorance of the matter.

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James Ibori ‘ll still be tried in Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said yesterday that the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori who pleaded guilty to a 10-count charge of money laundering at a London Court will still stand trial whenever he returns to the country.

Ibori had pleaded guilty to fraud, stealing and money laundering charges before a Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday.

The EFCC, according to a statement signed by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said it “received with happiness, the news yesterday, February 27, 2012 to the effect that the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori had pleaded guilty to fraud, stealing and money laundering charges before a Southwark Crown Court in London. This, indeed, is a welcome development which vindicates the Commission’s position ab initio that Ibori had a case to answer.”

He noted that the interesting aspect of the development in London is the fact that Ibori chickened out of a full blown fraud and money laundering trial by changing his plea.

According to the statement: “This was purely a gambit to run away with a lighter sentence, rather than the product of a plea bargain as erroneously reported earlier in sections of the media. For the avoidance of doubt, plea bargain is not recognized in UK criminal justice system.

“Sadly, it has taken five years of legal rigmarole and high drama for the former governor to own up to having committed some of the crimes for which Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba, sensationally acquitted him in December, 2009. The Commission challenged the ruling. That appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal, Benin City, Edo State.

“While the EFCC looks forward to the sentencing of Ibori on April 16, it is however, a matter of concern that it took the intervention of the UK criminal justice system for justice to be served in the Ibori case. While all who worry over the effect of corruption on our nation may celebrate the Ibori guilt plea, we must all spare a thought for our judiciary, which needs urgent reform to ensure that those who loot our treasury do not get away with their loot.”

According to the statement, “in deed, Nigerians must rally in support of the dogged efforts of the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher to reform the judiciary for greater efficiency.

“Now that Ibori has owned up to his crime, the Commission is mindful of the concern in some quarters as to what becomes of his case with the EFCC. Will he be arrested and tried again on the completion of his jail term in London? Or, will the EFCC close the Ibori case?”

It added that: “For the benefit of stakeholders and lovers of justice, it is interesting to note that the offences for which Ibori faces imminent jail term in London is only a minute aspect of the bouquet of offences committed by the former governor during his eight year rule of Delta State.

“The bulk of the criminal charges against the former governor are still before courts in Nigeria and there are no plans to vacate those charges. Moreover, the former governor didn’t steal alone. There were accomplices and as recent as two weeks ago, some persons who allegedly assisted him to launder stolen funds were questioned by the Commission. EFCC is determined to bring all Ibori accomplices to book, no matter how long it takes.

“For now, the Commission awaits the sentencing of Ibori and, more importantly, the repatriation of the funds stolen from the treasury of Delta State government. That will be some just reward to Nigerians for the efforts and resources that have been committed to the corruption and money laundering investigation and trial of Chief James Ibori.”

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N894m contract scam:Dimeji Bankole gave contracts to ghost firms

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, accused the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, of using fake companies to defraud the Federal Government of N894 million while in office.

EFCC told a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, efforts to trace most of the companies awarded contracts by the erstwhile Speaker proved abortive as the benefiting companies were non-existent.

Testifying at the resumed trial yesterday, a prosecution witness, PW-1, A.S.P, Ibrahim Ahmed, told the court that the former Speaker awarded contracts to companies not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.

Ibrahim was part of the team that investigated allegation that Bankole inflated costs of items bought for members of the 6th session of the House.

The witness said efforts by the commission to trace the locations of the companies were futile as the addresses found on the contract award documents purported to belong to the companies were non-existent.

He said the investigation was prompted by a petition that was lodged before the agency by Bankole’s colleagues in the House of Representatives.

He said: “My Lord, after our thorough investigations with CAC, and close perusal of the documents used by the then leadership of the House of Representatives under the accused person in the award of the said contracts, we found out that the contract details of the beneficiary companies were non-existent.

“Letters sent to the purported addresses on the contract papers were returned two weeks later fbecause the addresses were non-existent.”

Meanwhile, trial Justice Donatus Okorowo, yesterday, adjourned further hearing on the matter till April 3.

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EFCC re-arraigns Femi Fani-Kayode

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on a 47-count charge of money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos today Thursday Feb 16th.

The former Minister, who was first arraigned in December 2008, pleaded not guilty to all the counts and was granted bail.

The former minister is accused of laundering various sums of money totaling N230 million through some of his aides, his wife, Regina Fani-Kayode and daughter, Remilekun between August 2006 and March 2007.

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