Lifestyle

Alleged money laundering: Ex-Lagos Attorney General, Supo Shasore, arraigned in court, granted N50m bail

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Olasupo Shasore, over money laundering allegations, totaling more than 200,000 dollars.

When the charges were read to him, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria pleaded not guilty to the four count-charge at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The EFCC legal team is led by Bala Sanga, a senior advocate of Nigeria, while four Senior Advocates of Nigeria are appearing for Mr. Shasore.

They are Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), Segun Ajibola (SAN) and Chijioke Okoli (SAN).

After the arraignment, the defendant through his counsel then applied for bail on liberal terms or on self-recognizance, arguing that Mr. Shasore (SAN) isn’t a flight risk who will be present for his trial at all times and that the alleged offences are bailable.

The EFCC, on its part, didn’t object to the bail application. The court granted him bail in the sum of N50 million and is to provide a surety in like sum.

Lifestyle

Fake EFCC operative arrested for allegedly defrauding Belgian woman of €45,000

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 29-year old man, Ume Ifechukwu Clinton for impersonation, computer related fraud, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering.

Clinton was arrested on October 18, 2022 at No 46 Atoke Gbadebo Street, Isheri, Lagos, by operatives of the EFCC, following a story published by an online portal: foundation for investigative journalism narrating how Clinton defrauded Axelle Mahieu, an educator working as a caregiver in Brussels, Belgium.

The victim was surfing through her Facebook page in November 2021, when she saw that someone had sent her a message.

The message was from Ume Ifechukwu Clinton, who introduced himself as “a friend of a friend”.

As they continued chatting in the following days, Clinton told Mahieu that he was an official of the EFCC, with a fake Identity Card and Nigerian Passport as proofs.

After several months of video calls and gaining Mathieu’s trust, Clinton allegedly proposed a cryptocurrency business to her, assuring her of huge profit and secured capital.

After convincing the Belgian, Clinton ended up defrauding her of €45,000.

Lifestyle

Corps member and four others jailed for cybercrime in Ilorin

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A 28-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, serving in Igara Local Government Area of Edo State, Adamu Shaibu, has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment over offences bordering cybercrime and possession of fraudulent funds.

Shaibu, an indigene of Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State was convicted alongside four others: Olasupo Abdullateef Olawale, from Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, Aguh Henry Chicherem from Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, one Ridwan Abiodun Abdulganiyu and Qozeem Shuaib from Ilorin West local Government Area of Kwara State, before Justice Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, October 17, 2022 arraigned the defendants on separate charge, to which they all pleaded guilty. Count one of the charge against Adamu reads:

“That you, Adamu Shaibu, between April and August, 2021 in Lokoja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did retain the control of the sum of $164 USD through a cashapp you fraudulently obtained from one Baraman, which you knew to be proceed of criminal conduct and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 (a) & (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment) Act, 2004.”

Rasheedat Alao and Aliyu Adebayo who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission tendered the statements and items recovered from the defendants in evidence and urged the courts to convict them as charged.

The convict, according to the judge shall forfeit his two phones and one MacBook, which he used to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government.

Justice Sani sentenced Adamu to three years imprisonment on each of the three counts brought against him with option of 100 percent of what he benefited.

The judge ordered that the convict’s two mobile phones and a draft brought by him as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge also sentenced Olasupo to three years imprisonment on each of the two counts preferred against him with option of fine of N1,043,171 on Count One and N10,840,574.86 on Count Two.

Aguh on the other hand, bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only).

He is also to forfeit his 2014 Toyota Camry Car, Mac iPad pro, Samsung S9 and iPhone 6S. Equally, Justice Sani sentenced Ridwan to a prison term of two years with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine and ordered the forfeiture of one infinix phone, which he used as instrumentality of the crime.

For Qozeem, Justice Yusuf sentenced him to six months imprisonment with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine.

Business, Lifestyle

EFCC re-arraigns father and son for alleged N5.6bn fraud in Lagos

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The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned one Emmanuel Adewunmi Jayeoba alongside his son, Adewale Daniel Jayeoba, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, whp disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, October 12, said the defendants were re-arraigned on a 14-count amended information bordering on money laundering to the tune of N5, 697, 029, 685 ( Five Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety –seven Million, Twenty-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty- Five Naira) One of the counts reads:

“ That you, Adewale Daniel Jayeoba and Emmanuel Adewunmi Jayeoba, between 2019 and 2020, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to use the aggregate sum of N5.697,029,685 (Five Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety seven Million, Twenty nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty five Naira), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of your unlawful activity to wit: carrying on banking business without valid license and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

They pleaded “not guilty “to the offence. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Chinenye Okezie, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

In response, counsel to the defendants, I.A. Raji, informed the court that the defendants had previously been granted bail by Justice Nicholas Oweibo. He, however, told the court that the defendants had not been able to perfect the bail conditions.

The defence counsel, therefore, prayed the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail variation.

Justice Aneke adjourned the matter to October 17, 2022 and December 6, 2022 for hearing of the bail application and trial respectively.

The Judge also ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison custody.

Lifestyle, Politics

EFCC files money laundering charges against ex-Lagos Attorney General Olasupo Shasore

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed a four-count money laundering charge against a former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, accusing him of inducing one Olufolakemi Adetore to accept cash payment without going through a financial institution.

Shasore was the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during Mr Babatunde Fashola-led government.

Vanguard reports that according to the charge sheet filed by the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 12, 2022, the former attorney-general was alleged to have made a cash payment of $100,000 to Olufolakemi Adelore through Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.

He was alleged to have committed the offences on or about November 18, 2014.

The charge also added that the former Lagos State’s Attorney-General made a cash payment of $100,000 to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.

The offences contravened sections 78(c); 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and were punishable under section 16(6) and 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

The arraignment of Shasore has been fixed for October 20.

Lifestyle, Politics

Court clears ex-EFCC boss Ibrahim Magu and Prophet Omale of money laundering charges

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Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has exonerated the former acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and Prophet Emmanuel Omale of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry of N573million Money laundering claims.

Recall that the Justice Isa Salami-led presidential investigation panel that investigated Magu after he was asked to step aside, claimed in its report that an investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, revealed that the ex-EFCC boss paid N573million into Omale’s church’s account and the said money was used to purchase a property in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

Omale had approached the court to challenge the claim. In the ruling delivered today October 5, Justice Halilu noted that the evidence before the court showed that Omale’s bank admitted error in its report to the NFIU, of entries in the Divine hand of God Prophetic ministries account.

The judge further held that the bank claimed that the purported N573 million was wrongly reflected as a credit entry in Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry’s account by its reporting system, which it recently upgraded.

Justice Halilu noted that the bank admitted the error, which occasioned incalculable damage to the reputation of Pastor Omale, his wife and their church both within and outside the country.

The judge further awarded the sum of N540 million Naira as damages in favour of the church.

Lifestyle, Politics

Three EFCC lawyers, 59 others make SAN list

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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has announced the elevation of 62 lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Among them are three lawyers engaged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, although two of them – Sylvanus Tahir and Rotimi Oyedepo – are employees of the EFCC.

But the other lawyer, Wahab Shittu, is engaged by the EFCC for specific cases.The LPPC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, released the list of the new SANs in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Hajo Bello.

Among the successful candidates, 53 of them belong to the advocacy category while the other nine are of the academic category.

The statement said all the 62 lawyers would be inaugurated on November 21

The inauguration of new SANs usually takes place at the Supreme Court during the ceremony marking the commencement of the court’s new legal year.

The SAN rank is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.

Those to be sworn in as SANs from the advocacy category are Mohammed Abubakar, Johnson Omophe, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, Christopher Oshomegie, Sanusi Sai’d, Wahab Shittu, Emmanuel Idemudia, Diri Mohammed, Oladipo Tolani, Ayodeji Omotoso, Chijioke Erondu, Ajoku Obinna, Yakubu Maikasuwa and Henry Omu among others.

The academics are Prof. Kathleen Okafor, Prof. Muhammed Abdulrazaq, Prof. Amokaye Gabriel, Prof. Ismail Olatunbosun, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, former Dean, Faculty of Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Ass/Prof. Theodore Maiyaki, Prof. Olaide Gbadamosi and Ass/Prof. Chimezie Okorie.

“The meeting further approved new guidelines for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters about the rank to guide future exercises”, the statement added.

Business, Lifestyle

Lexus SUV, Toyota Camry recovered as EFCC arrests 41 suspected fraudsters in Awka

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Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC have arrested forty-one (41) suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State.

They were arrested on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber crimes and other related activities.

A statement released by the commission says sixteen(16) of the suspects were arrested at Umuodu Tansi Road, Awka, Anambra State while the remaining 25 were arrested at Umudu Okpuno Village, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The commission gave the names of the suspects as Eze Stanley Chineze, Emmanuel Chijioke Ejikeme, Chinonso Edwin Abonyi, Emmanuel Akoi Chibuike, Henry Umenyi Chukwualuka, Ayo Iteze Chidiebere, Emeka Justice, Emmanuel Ayakem, Ememuo Innocent Ifeanyi and Odinaka Udeh.

Others are: Okonkwo Stanley Chukwuma, Ezeakolam Godswill Chihurumnanya, Emmanuel Mgbakor kenechukwu, Benneth Odinaka, Ndefor Chukwudi, Ngadi Chima, Akalam Lucky Ibuchi, Akalam Michael, Justus Akalam Chunazom, Akalam Kenneth , David Monday Ebuka, Uchechukwu Kingsley Ebuka, Henry Echezona, Onyedika Chukwu, Abuchi Awa, Henry Adumaka, Chidera Chika, Malachi Asonbe, Cosmos Obidimma, Akuma Wisdom, Agwu Victor, Godwin Okoro, Obumneke Nwankwo, Igboanugo Charles, Ibeh Chisom, Agbafuna Ifeanyi, Chukwu Joseph, Chukwu Benard, Anson Ugochukwu, Mathew Chukwuemeka and Temple Emmanuel.

The commission added that items recovered from them are several mobiles phones, laptops, one Lexus RX350 Sports Utility Vehicle, one Lexus ES350 car, another unregistered Lexus ES350 car and one Toyota Camry car.

Business, Lifestyle

EFCC kicks against creation of Electoral Offences Commission

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed the creation of a National Electoral Offences Commission.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of EFCC, who was represented by Deborah Ademu-Eteh, an EFCC Assistant Commander, at a public hearing organised by the house of representatives committee on electoral matters for a bill to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission on Tuesday August 23, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the police, EFCC and other law enforcement agencies are already empowered by extant laws to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.

Bawa said;

“There is no need to create an agency solely for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting electoral offences most especially when our electoral process is seasonal in nature and elections are held once in four years in the country.

“Furthermore, it is our suggestion that the existing law enforcement agencies should be strengthened to achieve maximum output instead of creating a new agency for investigation and prosecution of electoral offences in the light of the ongoing plan to implement the Oronsanye Committee’s proposal by the Federal Government Of Nigeria.”

Lifestyle, Videos

Victims Of Collapsed Forex Scheme Demand EFCC Intervention

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The victims of the collapsed MBA Forex scheme, on Sunday, held a protest in Port Harcourt, demanding the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in recovery of their money and prosecution of the indicted persons.

Lifestyle

EFCC arraigns ex-Deputy Comptroller of Correctional Service for N8.7m land scam

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The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Tuesday, arraigned one Kayode Odeyemi, a 62-year-old retired former Deputy Comptroller of Correctional Service, before a High Court in Bwari, Abuja, for land fraud.

In a statement by the anti-graft agency’s Director of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC said Odeyemi was arraigned for offences bordering on land fraud.

The statement read, “Kayode Odeyemi, a 62-year-old retired former Deputy Comptroller of Corrections, was arraigned before Justice M.A. Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari, Abuja, on a two-count of offences bordering on land fraud.

“Count one reads, ‘That you, Kayode Odeyemi, sometime in December 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by pretence and with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N6,500,000 from Joseph N. Emelieze, paid into your First Bank account number 2015894843, under the pretence that the said payment was meant for the purchase of a plot of land situated at Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, a fact which you 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 Section 1 (3) of the same Act.’

“In count two, Odeyemi is accused of defrauding Joemelyz Global of the sum of N2,200,000 which was paid into his Wema Bank account number 0121093181 for the purchase of a plot of land at Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.

“However, Odeyemi pleaded not guilty to both counts.

“Justice Madugu adjourned the matter till September 19, 2022, for commencement of trial and granted the defendant bail of one million naira with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a civil servant residing within the jurisdiction of the court.”

Politics

How the EFCC wrongly accused Mohammed Audu of fraud and then failed to apologize

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On February 20, 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission published a press release announcing the arrest and expected prosecution of Mohammed Audu for allegedly siphoning off “several million US dollars and billions of naira” donated to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

The EFCC further alleged that Mr. Audu diverted the funds for his personal use through his companies, Mediterranean Hotels Limited and Mediterranean Sports.

However, new findings from PREMIUM TIMES showed that the anti-corruption agency misled the public on the matter, as the agency currently has no case against Mr. Audu.

This newspaper found that after the statement was issued, the EFCC questioned Mr. Audu but did not establish any wrongdoing against him and his businesses. The anti-corruption agency did not issue an indictment or charge him.

Sources inside the agency said that after the officers questioned him and cleared him as having no case to answer, Mr. Audu asked the EFCC to issue a public statement indicating that the published accusations against him were not true. The businessman had argued that the initial statement about his arrest was damaging his reputation and his business.

However, the anti-corruption agency has not yet issued such a statement.

Seizing the opportunity of the NFF probe

At the time Mr Audu was smeared, the EFCC was investigating Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials for allegations of embezzlement of sponsorship funds. The investigation was triggered by a request that agents later determined was without merit.

One of the sponsors, Aiteo, had retained Mr. Audu’s company, Mediterranean Sports, as the agent through which the sponsorship funds were routed through Bismark Rewane’s Financial Derivatives to the NFF.

It was based on his involvement in the sports agency company that he was invited by the EFCC and publicly shamed for alleged fraud. But neither he nor the company were ever prosecuted or charged.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that Mr. Audu’s repeated pleas to the EFCC to issue another statement to clear his name have yet to be considered.

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren did not return repeated calls or respond to a text message requesting comment for this report.

This outlet also wrote to the agency seeking an update on Mr. Audu’s case. There was no response after our letter despite repeated reminders.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has since 2019 acquitted all NFF officials indicted by the Federal Ministry of Justice on the sponsorship deals allegations.

The court based its verdict on the prosecution’s withdrawal of the charges after the April 2019 Presidential Special Investigation Panel report that cleared officials of the NFF and its partners, including Audu’s Mediterranean Sports.

The EFCC’s investigation of the NFF was based on the same issues of alleged misappropriation of sponsorship funds that the court judged. Following the court ruling, the EFCC closed its investigation.

However, Mr. Audu’s request that the anti-corruption agency issue a public statement exempting him and his companies from any wrongdoing has not been met, authorities said.

Lifestyle

EFCC arrests 36 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 36 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu State.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the suspects were arrested at Imo following credible intelligence linking them to cyber fraud, targeting mostly foreign nationals.

Uwujaren said: “Items recovered from the suspects are phones, laptops, international passports and one Lexus ES350 with NYCN registration number IMO 44.

Other items recovered are: one Mercedes Benz GLK with Lagos registration number KTU 729 HD and One Toyota Camry with Lagos registration number KTU 720 HL.”

“The suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigations.”

Lifestyle

EFCC quizzes suspected oil thief in Akwa Ibom

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun the investigation of a suspected illegal petroleum products dealer in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the suspect was arrested by troops of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, on February 27 on Itu-Calabar Road in Uyo and handed over to the EFCC on Tuesday.

Uwujaren said the suspect was arrested in a truck with Registration Number DRK 700 XA, loaded with about 5,000 litres of illegally refined diesel and kerosene.

The EFCC spokesman said the products were concealed in reinforced plastic bags.

He added that the suspect would be arraigned in court at the end of the investigation.

Politics

EFCC releases ex-gov, Obiano, holds on to his passport

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Willie Obiano, the former Governor of Anambra State was on Wednesday night released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after spending six days in their custody.

The former governor had been picked up by the commission at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to the United States.

This was shortly after the expiration of his tenure last week Thursday, in an apparent ploy to escape inquisition into his administration.

A source close to the matter stated that the EFCC however confiscated his international passport and other travel documents pending the completion of investigations as part of his bail conditions.

Other conditions for his bail, was that Obiano must produce sureties, who must be directors on grade level 17 in the Federal Civil service.

Another condition was for him to produce two senior citizens, who must be landlords in Maitama, Asokoro or Wuse district of Abuja.

Obiano was arrested for the alleged misappropriation of N42 billion belonging to Anambra State.

This was confirmed by Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity who said “Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.”

Also, Prof Charles Soludo, the recently-sworn-in Governor of Anambra State, in an interview, said Obiano left about N300 million in cash, and a debt profile in hundreds of billions of naira as of December 2021.

“In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about 300 million Naira. In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny,” Soludo said.

Politics, Videos

Video of former gov, Obiano in EFCC custody leaked

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A video said to be that of former Governor Willie Obiano on Anambra State in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has leaked out and circulating on some social media handles.

In the 13-second video, a man who looks very much like Obiano is seen in boxer shorts and a t-shirt drinking water from a container while consulting with another man.

The video has however not been verified, and the anti-graft agency has not reacted to it.

Obiano was arrested at the Mirtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, on his way to the U.S, soon after he handed over power to his successor, Chukwuma Soludo, in Awka, the state capital.

He is said to be under investigation for alleged misappropriation of state funds.

Lifestyle

EFCC confirms release of VON chief, Okechukwu

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday confirmed the release of the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, who was detained by the commission over alleged fraud.

The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told journalists in Abuja that Okechukwu was released on January 31.

The commission detained the VON chief on January 29 over alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds.

Okechukwu was detained by the EFCC after he honoured the commission’s invitation.

He was questioned by the anti-graft agency and later released on bail.

Lifestyle

EFCC arrests ‘yahoo boy’ with charms in Lagos

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A Lagos-based Disc Jockey (DJ), Michael Jackson has been arrested by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency disclosed this on Wednesday, in a statement made available to press.

According to the statement, Michael is suspected to be an internet fraudster, and was arrested after “credible intelligence” was received by the Commission.

The EFCC noted that Michael Jackson was arrested on Tuesday over his alleged involvement in Internet fraud, adding that fetish items were found in his possession.

The statement reads: “Jackson, who poses as Ella, a transgender woman, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims of millions of Naira.

“The suspect, who also claimed to be a Disc Jockey, DJ, had in his possession fetish items, which he claimed was ‘for grace and success’.”

Lifestyle

EFCC reportedly grills AMCON MD, Ahmed Kuru, for alleged diversion of assets

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly grilled the Managing Director of Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, over alleged diversion of seized assets on Wednesday.

A source told journalists that the AMCON chief was invited by the commission on Wednesday for allegedly diverting and selling assets recovered from bank debtors to cronies below the properties’ value.

Kuru, according to the source, was invited after the EFCC confirmed that he sold assets worth several billions of Naira belonging to Atlantic.

He said: “Kuru will certainly spend the night with the commission as he is still undergoing interrogation.”

Politics

Ogun Assembly sues EFCC, ex- deputy speaker for alleged defamation

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The Ogun State House of Assembly has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the impeached Deputy Speaker of the House, Oludare Kadiri, for alleged defamation

In the suit N0.FHC/AB/CS/7/2022 dated January 14, 2022, the Assembly alleged that the former deputy speaker was using an EFCC official to get the information given to the agency under confidentiality and leaked such with the purpose of smearing the image of the House in the media.

The parliament confirmed the development in a statement sent to Ripples Nigeria on Friday.

It read: “This is as a result of the confirmed evidence that Hon. Kadri, who has unfettered access to EFCC, is using an official of the Agency to implicate the House at all cost by arranging clandestine meetings between the said official and the invited officials of the House with the aim of giving out the questions to be asked in advance and supposed response for purpose of implicating the House.”

The Assembly said its request to the EFCC for the provision of a copy of the petition against the House in line with section 36 (6) of the 1999 Constitution was rebuffed by the anti-graft agency.

The Assembly urged the court to grant an order of interlocutory injunction directing the EFCC to stay action on criminal investigation pending the hearing and determination of a substantive suit filed last year.

“Without prejudice to formal service of the relevant processes by the court bailiffs, this letter serves as clear and unequivocal notice to the EFCC that a motion for interlocutory injunction is currently pending before the court,” it stated.

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