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

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.

EFCC arraigns car importer for alleged N264m fraud in Kaduna

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a car importer, Muhammed Sani Dauda, at the Kaduna State High Court for alleged N264 million fraud.

The commission also arranged Dauda’s company, MS Seven Nigeria Limited, for alleged complicity in the fraud.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the defendants were arraigned on a two-count charge of fraud before Justice Darius Khobo.

The statement read: “The defendant was arrested by the EFCC during a petition which alleged that in August 2021, the complainant (name withheld) falsely claimed that he was into luxury car importation from the United States.

“After convincing the complainant to buy a car from him, he deposited N70 million into the company’s account for the purchase of a Mercedes Benz S-class 2021 model.

He paid another N194,128,500.00 into the defendant’s company’s account domiciled in another bank for the purchase of a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon and a Rolls Royce.

“The complainant, however, lamented that Dauda had remained unreachable since the payments were made.

“He had pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges against him.

Justice Khobo had granted him bail in the sum of N5,000,000 with a surety who must be a resident of Kaduna and owns a landed property that has a Certificate of Occupancy verifiable by Kaduna Geographical Information Service (KADGIS) and EFCC.

“The case has been adjourned till February 8, 2022, for hearing.”

EFCC arrests alleged fraudsters at ‘Yahoo Boys Awards’ in Ogun

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos State Command, have arrested 60 suspected internet fraudsters during an awards ceremony at the Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

The anti-graft agency said the suspects were arrested at an event, tagged: “Peer Youths Awards”, which was allegedly organised to reward high-level internet fraudsters.

Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include: exotic cars, electronic devices, laptop computers and mobile phones.

According to Uwujaren, the suspects will soon be charged to court.

Man reports his friend to EFCC over suspicion of ‘overnight wealth’

A man has reportedly filed a complaint against his close friend with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over suspected illegal activity.

According to a lawyer who shared the story on microblogging site, Twitter, the case is currently at the Federal High court.

The lawyer said that his client was reported to the EFCC by a close friend whom he often helped with money to cater for his family.

The close friend was suspicious of how his client’s came to become wealthy overnight.

A client’s close friend wrote a complaint against him to the EFCC because he felt he became rich over night. The same friend he reported was always giving him money to take care of himself & his family.

The guy was not just contented, we dey Federal High Court now sha,” the tweet reads.

EFCC arraigns varsity bursar for alleged N6m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned the Deputy Bursar at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, IIyasu Abdulrauf Bello, at the Kaduna State High Court for alleged N6 million fraud.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge of fraud by the commission.

The EFCC alleged that IIyasu, who is also the Acting Chairman of the ABU chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), took advantage of his office to steal the money from the association’s account.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, J. Musa, asked the court o fix a date for the commencement of the trial.

The defence counsel, J. H. Dacep, filed an application for his client’s bail.

Justice Darius Khobo granted him granted the defendant bail to the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum.

Fani-Kayode denies being arrested by EFCC for alleged forgery

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has denounced reports that he was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, November 23.

Taking to his Instagram page on Tuesday night, FFK stated that he was only ‘invited’, contrary to reports that he was arrested.

He went on to state that he was granted bail on self-recognition.

He wrote:

”Just arrived at the George Hotel for dinner. I was never arrested by the EFCC. I was invited & I flew down to Lagos to see them. I arrived in their office at 2.00pm & left at 8.30pm. I was granted bail on self recognition. They were very polite & professional. Thanks be to God.”

He however did not say anything about the allegation of forging a medical report for which he was said to have been ‘invited’.

I was unjustly taken by EFCC – Singer, Cheque cries out

Nigerian singer, Cheque has revealed he was taken by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) unjustly and was assaulted for no reason.

He revealed this via his official Twitter account on the 13th of November, 2021.

Cheque didn’t reveal why he was taken or what he is being accused of, but he informed his fans that he was assaulted by them.

The PentHauze records artiste wondered why Nigeria is the way it is where EFCC get to harass and maltreat the youths.

He wrote; “I was unjustly taken and assaulted by the EFCC, what kind of country is this??”

See his post:

EFCC reportedly grills ex-gov Igbinedion for alleged diversion of N1.6bn

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly grilled a former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, for alleged diversion of N1.6 billion on Thursday.

Sources told journalists the ex-governor arrived at the commission’s office in Jabi, Abuja, at about 2:00 p.m. and was immediately ushered to one of the rooms where he was quizzed for several hours by detectives for alleged diversion of the funds during his tenure as Edo governor from 1999 to 2007.

Igbinedion has been on the EFCC’s watchlist for alleged corruption since he left office 14 years ago.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the development.

He, however, declined further comment on the matter.

Actor Uche Maduagwu wants EFCC to probe clerics with private jets

Nollywood actor Uche Maduagwu has admonished operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commissions (EFCC) to investigate religious clerics and general overseers who own private jets.

The controversial thespian made this known on his Instagram page.

He also added that it was wrong for any General Overseer who has a private jet to criticize President Buhari for “corruption.”

Here is what he published on Instagram:

”How can you feel so comfortable flying a million Dollars private jet all over #naija when 75% of your members live in serious POVERTY?

Is that also holiness? Jesus wept.

“I sincerely know this #TRUTH is bitter like #Buhari hip hop kunu, but is this also #Christianity or spiritual #Yahoo Yahoo? Which job or business empire does your G.O have to buy a private jet? #Jesus kept feeding the multitudes in the bible, why? Why did he not watch dem go hungry like our present day G.O”

Davido hails Obi Cubana amid reports of his arrest over alleged money laundering

Nigerian superstar singer, David Adeleke aka Davido has reacted to reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arrested Billionaire businessman, Obi Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana.

The Anambra-born club owner was reportedly quizzed after he arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC at Jabi, Abuja, at about noon on Monday.

Though allegations against the socialite were sketchy as of press time, a source disclosed that his case bordered on alleged money laundering and tax fraud.

Reacting, Davido took to his Instagram story moments ago to share a photo of the billionaire with a caption in Igbo and a royal crown emoji.

He wrote: “Obi nwere Ego” meaning “Obi has money”

See his post below:

Court convicts 16 internet fraudsters in Enugu

The Federal High Court, Enugu, during the week convicted 16 internet fraudsters in the state.

The Head of Media and Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the affected persons were convicted by Justices F.O. G. Ogunbanjo and I.M. Buba respectively.

According to him, 11 persons were convicted by Justice Buba and five others by Ogunbanjo.

The EFCC spokesman revealed that nine convicts – Franklin Chidera Owo, Chukwudi Nzube, Nwosu Victor Kosisochukwu, Onyebuchi Ebuka. Ozuma Chukwuemeka Henry, Christopher Francis and Eze Godwin Chibundu, Ikwunze Armstrong, and Paschal Benjamin were on Tuesday sentenced to two years imprisonment by Justice Buba.

They were however given an option of N1million fine each.

Two others – Obodoechina Caleb and Prince Chukuebuka Mmirikwe – were sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of N1million fine each.

Chibundu will also forfeit his cars and return $5,000 to his victim, Emily Alvarado.

The remaining five convicts – Lucky Uche Ben-Ihedi, Stanley Ifeanyi Nwankwo, Ebere Malachy, Ben- Ihedi Chiemela Victor, and Chibueze Michael – were sentenced to one-year imprisonment on Wednesday after they pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of impersonation and fraud brought against them by the EFCC.

They were also given an option of N1million fine each by Justice Ogunbanjo.

Ex-Senate President, Anyim detained, released after two days by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released a former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, after he spent two days in the commission’s custody.

Anyim was quizzed by the EFCC operatives on how N708 million released to a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for projects rehabilitation in the ministry in 2014 was traced to the account of a company in which he had an interest.

The ex-Senate President’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, who confirmed the development to journalists on Wednesday, said Anyim was released on Tuesday after he was granted administrative bail by the EFCC.

He noted that his client fulfilled the conditions attached to the administrative bail on Monday but was only allowed to go home the next day.

Ozekhome, however, claimed Anyim was never invited by the commission but turned himself in voluntarily.

He said: “I remain Anyim Pius Anyim’s lawyer. My chambers have been on the matter since Monday when we applied for his administrative bail before the EFCC. And yesterday (Tuesday), the administrative bail, which was earlier granted on Monday, was perfected.

“Anyim was released to go home on Tuesday and he has since gone to his house. It must be stated clearly that Senator Anyim was never invited by the EFCC. He had gone there voluntarily to meet with an officer on Sunday at about 3:00 p.m., to clear his name when he heard his name had been mentioned by a person under EFCC investigation. But surprisingly, he was not allowed to go home.”

Several credit card numbers extracted from Naira Marley’s phone – EFCC tells court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, presented fresh testimony in court in the case of Nigerian singer, Afeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley.

Augustine Anosike, a forensic expert with the EFCC, and its second prosecution witness (PW2) appeared before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Anosike narrated how some credit card numbers were extracted while analyzing the contents of a total of 2,410 messages found in the defendant’s phone.

Naira Marley was arraigned by the EFCC on May 20, 2019, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards and fraud.

He pleaded not guilty.

The forensic expert told the court that Exhibit F was a conclusion of his analysis of the defendant’s iPhone X version 10.6, model A 1901, with number 07427343432 and an email, naimarley@icloud.com.

The detective gave the IMEI number of the iPhone as: 35304509527532 as well as the SIM ICCID number as 8923420035948359826.

He told prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, that the Apple iPhone is a sophisticated device capable of storing a large volume of information.

It is the SIM card that basically identifies users of applications like WhatsApp. It means as long as a number has already been registered with a particular WhatsApp account, it matters less if such a user leaves the country.”

Anosike explained there are cases where a WhatsApp application can still be used even though the registered SIM card is not inserted in the phone.

“The chatting app used in the analysed device was WhatsApp. A total of 977 Short Message Service (SMS) and 1433 chat messages were discovered.

“We also discovered seven pending status update messages. On November 26, 2018, there was an outgoing message registered about 3.32 p.m., with a credit card number 5264711020433662.

This message was sent to one Yadd. On December 11, 2018, there was an incoming message to the defendant’s device which read: “Your One Time Passcode (OTP) to verify your mobile number is 248716; wasn’t you, please call us on 63450808500.”

Anosike disclosed that another message was sent at 5.06pm by one Hiya Bayi to a recipient with the name Raze on the same say.

“The content was another credit card number 42658840359132. The number of the sender is +447426343432, while that of the receiver is +447365280441.

“The incoming message reflected at 6.18p.m. showed “Not recognized”. Other messages received on the same date include:” due to try in 20 minutes,” he added.

The EFCC witness informed the court that another incoming message on December 12, 2018 at 10.16pm read: “Tried and it was unsuccessful; sure you are not rinsing it out then giving it to me to try.”

Anosike confirmed that all analysed texts were contained in a Compact Disc (CD); that the prosecution only printed out those portions it considered material to its case.

The expert asked the court and the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) if the prosecution could bring a projector to play the CD in the open court.

Justice Oweibo granted his prayer; Ojo did not raise an objection to the request.

The matter was adjourned to October 27, 2021, for the prosecution to play the CD on a projector.

‘Make your findings on N20bn bailout public,’ Kogi dares EFCC

The Kogi State government on Sunday dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public, the report of its investigations on the purported misappropriation of the N20 billion bailout secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The commission in August alleged that the loan which was domiciled in Sterling Bank had been partly misappropriated.

The loan was meant to augment the payment of workers’ salaries and the running costs of the government.

The Federal High Court, Lagos, on August 31 blocked the Kogi State government’s account in the bank.

Justice Tijjani Ringim granted the order following an ex parte application brought by EFCC pending the conclusion of the investigation or possible prosecution of the state government on the matter.

However, the commission withdrew the suit, seeking the forfeiture of the N20 billion bailout fund on Friday.

But in a statement in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the government charged the EFCC to make its findings on the fund public.

He said despite the withdrawal, the commission should be able to provide facts of its investigations.

The commissioner also urged Nigerians to ask the EFCC in whose custody it found a part of the bailout fund said to have been dissipated.

Fanwo insisted that the alleged sum of N19.3 billion which Sterling Bank had undertaken with the EFCC to transfer to the CBN, does not belong to the Kogi government.

According to him, the state did not enter into any agreement either with Sterling Bank or the EFCC, to return any bailout fund to the CBN as claimed by the commission.

Fanwo said: “It is our belief that the withdrawal of the suit by the EFCC without informing the court of the facts, is a deliberate and face-saving effort by the commission, all in a bid to ‘nail’ at all cost, the Kogi government and tarnish its image.

“Nigerians should further ask the EFCC whether a commercial bank can simply undertake to transfer a customer’s money from the customers’ account without the order of any court mandating such transfer or a forfeiture?

Nigerians also deserve to know what becomes of the criminal allegation that the EFCC made when it informed the Federal High Court that the sum of N666,666,666.64 out of the N20 billion bailout loan had been dissipated and that same was being traced.

“Nigerians will want to know if the EFCC has found the money, if so, in whose custody was it found? Have charges been preferred against the custodian of the said funds. Or has the EFCC also abandoned that chase? Nigerians deserve to know the truth.

“We have as of October 2019, fully disbursed our bailout funds and are already religiously repaying the loan to Sterling Bank Plc.”

Court orders interim forfeiture of Mompha’s luxury watches, others

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted an order of interim forfeiture of 11 high-end designer items confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from Internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha.

The presiding judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa granted the order of interim forfeiture on Friday after hearing an ex-parte application argued by the EFCC counsel, Chinenye Ugwoke.

He ruled that the order subsists pending the EFCC’s investigation of Mompha and his company Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, both listed as respondents in the suit.

The items to be forfeited are five luxury sunglasses, five luxury wristwatches, and an iPhone 8, which were seized from Mompha when he was arrested by the EFCC on October 19, 2019, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The glasses are Dsquared, Tomford – TF586, Cartier – B17C76B, Montblanc – MB0045S, and Louis Vuitton- Z1186E, while the watches are Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Audemars Piguet, Audemars Piguet – J46220; XY Hublot – 1321920; and an XY Hublot- 924206.

Since November 2019, Mompha and Ismalob Global Investment have been facing 14 charges bordering on allegations of laundering N32.9 billion.

The EFCC supported its application with an affidavit by an investigating officer with the anti-graft agency’s Advance Fee Fraud Section (AFF) section, Mr Bot Dachung.

“The purpose of this application is to prevent the respondents from tampering and/or dissipating the properties listed in the schedule to this application which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” Dachung stated.

“If the properties listed in the schedule to this application are not temporarily and timeously forfeited, efforts of the ongoing investigation relating to internet/cyber-related crimes and possible prosecution would be brought to a nought.”

According to the EFCC, a preliminary investigation revealed various intelligence reports linking Mompha with chains of internet/cybercrime activities.

It further alleged that there “have been concerted ongoing investigation activities against the respondents concerning the first respondent’s (alleged) involvement in cybercrime activities.”

EFCC withdraws case against Kogi govt seeking forfeiture of N20bn bailout fund

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn its suit seeking the forfeiture of N20 billion bailout funds granted to the Kogi State Government by a new generation bank.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that the money, meant for the payment of Kogi workers, was kept in an interest-yielding account with the bank by officials of the state government.

Ripples Nigeria reported that the EFCC had made an ex-parte application before the court, which according to the agency, was in line with section 44(2) of the Constitution and section 34(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act and under the court’s jurisdiction.

Following the ex-parte application, the state government threatened to take legal action against the EFCC, accusing the anti-graft agency of a deliberate attempt to malign the integrity of the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

In the latest development, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the order of withdrawal on Friday sequel to a motion filed and argued by the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

Pinheiro listed six grounds upon which the judge granted the prayer, adding that “the EFCC is a responsible body”.

According to him, one of the grounds was that questions resulting in the commencement of the suit had been clarified, and an intention had been shown to return the sum of N19,333,333,333.36 to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Delivering his judgement, Justice Aneke held: “I have listened to the submission of the learned Silk for the application, Mr Kemi Pinheiro SAN vis-a-vis perused the motion to withdraw. My humble opinion is that application is meritorious and ought to be granted. Accordingly, the application is granted as prayed.”

We are determined to rid Nigerian banks of fraud – EFCC

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa, on Monday, decried the rising cases of fraud in banks and other financial institutions in the country.

The EFCC chief, who addressed participants at a capacity building workshop for law enforcement agencies organised by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said the commission would continue to check the dealings of bank executives in the country.

Represented by Ahmed Mohammed Ghali, the EFCC Zonal Commandant in Lagos, Bawa said the commission would not relent in its efforts at sanitizing the country’s financial institutions.

He said: “We are aware of the different shades of fraudulent activities going on in our financial institutions, particularly in the banking industry sector.

In carrying out our mandate of ridding Nigeria of corruption, as mandated by the EFCC Establishment Act, we have realized that there is a slew of corrupt practices going on in the banking sector.

“I recall that upon assumption of office, one of the major pronouncements I made was giving a directive to bankers to declare their assets before June 1, 2021.

“I had given the directive genuinely out of the sincerity of purpose, knowing the rots that permeate the nation’s banking sector.

“In other words, the directive was born out of efforts to sanitize the banking sector. But it was received with mixed feelings.

“It is obvious that those who kicked or are still kicking against the directive are ignorant of the unmistakable details of the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act.”

EFCC reportedly arrests Gov Ganduje’s wife

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly arrested Hafsat Ganduje, wife of the the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

She was said to have been arrested on the strength of a petition against her by her son, Abdualzeez Ganduje.

Reports say Mrs Ganduje had failed to honour the anti-graft commission’s invitation to appear at its Abuja headquarters on September 13, prompting investigators to move in on her, to effect her arrest on Monday.

It was gathered that she is being accused of using her position to perpetuate graft, and land fraud.

Efforts to reach the head of media and publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren to throw light on the matter proved abortive.

A message sent to his line to either confirm or deny the allegation was still.unanswered as of the time of this report.

APC accuses Anambra govt of corruption, charges EFCC to probe state’s finances

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the Anambra State finances in a bid to uncover monumental corruption in the state.

The APC Chairman in the state, Chief Basil Ejidike, made the call in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Chief Dan Okeke, in Awka.

The party accused the Anambra government of fraudulent use of its monthly security vote totaling several billions of Naira.

The statement read: “Anambra as a state has not recorded significant growth and development since the inception of Governor Willy Obiano’s leadership. To maintain existing developmental structures in the state remains unattainable.”

The party challenged the government to give account of all funds meant for development of the state in its control.

APC challenged the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to face the business of governance and stop name-calling

The statement added: “Development has neither been visible nor felt by the people of Anambra.

“We urge APGA to focus on its campaign and leave APC alone.

“Harassing the State House of Assembly members who left APGA for APC is a distraction for the party; proferring solutions to APGA’s internal problems should be paramount to its leadership.”

‘I’m in good condition,’ says EFCC chairman, Bawa

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, said Thursday evening he is well and in good condition following a minor incident at a forum in Abuja.

Bawa, who addressed participants at the National Identity Day Celebration organized by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, earlier on Thursday, felt unwell and asked to be excused.

He was helped to his seat and taken to State House hospital for treatment.

The EFCC chairman later featured as a guest on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, from his home in Abuja.

Bawa said: “I am ok, you can see that I am very much ok. Being the 16th of September, today is the National Identity Day and I was invited for a programme by NIMC, or specifically by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and while giving my goodwill message during the programme, there was a bit of dizziness on me, and I had to excuse myself from the stage.

“Of course, I went straight to the hospital where the doctors confirmed that everything about me is okay except for the fact that I am a bit dehydrated and I need to take a lot of water.”

The anti-graft czar said he went straightaway from the hospital to his office to tidy up things and went home a few minutes later.

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