Lifestyle

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

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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.

Lifestyle

EFCC re-arraigns woman for N12.7m fraud in Maiduguri

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The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, September 10, 2020 re-arraigned one Dookenger Odey Takon before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a four -count amended charge bordering on cheating, forgery, issuance of dud cheque and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12,759,169.00 million.

Dookenger was re-arraigned alongside her company, X-traordinaire Designs Ltd.

She was first arraigned on 28th October, 2020 on a four-count charge, to which she pleaded ‘not guilty’.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed informed the court of the amended charge and asked that the defendant be invited to take her plea.

Justice Fadawu granted the prayer of the prosecution, and she pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Count one of the amended charge reads: “That you, Dookenger Odey Takon being a Managing Director of X-traordinaire Designs Ltd and Alter ego of X-Traordinaire Designs Ltd and X-traordinaire Ltd, a company registered in Nigeria sometime in September, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N 10, 500, 000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only from one Abatcha Anas under the false pretence that the sum represent payment for the execution of a purported contract of constructing a Mopol container and store awarded to X-traordinaire Designs Ltd by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), International Organization for Migration (I.O.M) which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under 1(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you, Dookenger Odey Takon being a Managing Director and alter ego of X-traordinaire Designs Ltd and X-traordinaire Ltd, a company registered in Nigeria, sometime in September, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Abatcha Anas to deliver to you Home Appliances (Electronics) worth N2,259,169.00 (Two Million Two Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira) only by issuing to him a Zenith Bank Plc cheque of X-traordinaire Designs Ltd dated 25th September, 2018 covering the value for the said electronics, which when presented was not honoured and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(a) and Punishable under 322 of the Pena Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”

Prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, informed the court that the second prosecution witness was in court and ready to continue with the trial. However, defence counsel, I. H Ngada pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable him study the amended

Justice Fadawu adjourned the case till October 6, 2021 for continuation of trial and ordered the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility.

Politics

‘Call EFCC to order,’ Parties tell Buhari

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The Allied Political Parties for Good Governance on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to order.

The National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, made the call at a news conference on the state of the nation in Awka, Anambra State.

The group was reacting to reports on the freezing of the Kogi State account by the EFCC.

The Federal High Court, Lagos, had on August 31 ordered the freezing of the Kogi State government’s account domiciled in a commercial bank over an alleged N20 billion loan.

The court ordered the freezing of the account pending the conclusion of an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the account.

Nwosu charged the commission to be impartial, independent, and apolitical in its fight against corruption.

The ADC chief said: “Last week, the biggest topic in the news was the face-off between the Government of Kogi State and the EFCC.

“With the evidence and piles of documents presented by the Kogi State Government and the bank in this instance, it shows that the EFCC is chasing an agenda.

“Corruption investigation must be ethical.

“I urge the EFCC to focus on its job, stay away from politics and politicians, intensify efforts at ridding the country of corruption and work for the good of everybody.

“The commission should carry out investigations without any prejudice on one side or the other, follow the evidence and take action where it is justified.”

Politics

Kogi govt threatens to sue EFCC

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The Kogi State government has threatened to take legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N20 billion salary bailout funds said to be in fixed deposit at a commercial bank by the state government.

Specifically, the Commissioner of Information and Communication in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, made the threat at a press briefing at the Kogi Liaison Office in Abuja, on Thursday.

The commissioner accused the anti-graft agency of a deliberate attempt to malign the integrity of the state governor, Yahaya Bello, saying the claims that the governor did not disburse the said bailout funds released by the Federal Government in 2019 for payment of salary arrears owed civil servants in the state are false and malicious.

This comes after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the freezing of the Kogi State salary bailout account domiciled in Sterling Bank over a N20 billion loan obtained from the bank.

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

The presiding judge, Tijjani Ringim, who gave the order, said it would subsist pending the conclusion of an investigation or possible prosecution by the EFCC.

In its argument, the anti-graft agency had explained that the loan was meant to augment the payment of salary and running cost of the state, alleging that the state government kept the money in an interest-yielding account with Sterling Bank.

Also, the EFCC claimed that as of April 1, 2021, the balance standing to the credit of the said fixed deposit account was N19,333,333,333.36, adding that it was still in the process of tracing what the sum of N666,666,666.64, a shortfall of the said sum was used for.

However, Fanwo told journalists at the briefing that the state government disbursed the said funds since October 2019.

Entertainment

EFCC breaks into BBNaija star, Dorathy’s house

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Monday morning allegedly broke into the house of Big Brother Naija 2020 star, Dorathy Bachor.

Dorathy disclosed this on her Instagram story as she decried the sad incident.

The reality TV star, while narrating what ensued, lamented over how unsafe it is to be a Nigerian.

She wrote: “I feel like my head is about to explode.

At 4:35 I heard a loud bang and voices, I rushed out to see five armed EFCC men in my living room and one of them saying ‘Oh na that Big brother girl be this’.

“In my confused state I was trying to understand why they broke down my door. Then one of them said they were looking for someone who ran into the estate and I should lock my door and stay indoors and not say a word.

“I’m shaking at this point and so confused because at what point is this Okay.

“What is the need of being a citizen of this country when I can’t feel safe in my own house.”

Politics

EFCC releases ex-gov of Abia, Theodore Orji

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, whom it arrested on Thursday morning, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

The ex-governor who has been on the EFCC wanted list for alleged misappropriation of public funds and money laundering was reportedly on his way to London when he was picked up by EFCC operatives.

According to the EFCC, Orji was being grilled over corrupt financial dealings while serving as Governor between 2007 and 2015.

The anti-graft agency noted that sometime last year, Senator Orji had approached the agency and requested for the release of his travel documents to enable him go to Dubai for medical treatment, but the serving Senator failed to return the travel document.

Also, the EFCC said it had directed Orji to report at the EFCC headquarters again on Friday (today) for the continuation of his interrogation.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker, currently representing Abia Central Senatorial District at the Senate, has denied being detained.

According to him, the EFCC officials only accosted him as he was on his way to London for a routine medical checkup.

The report of Orji’s arrest was confirmed to journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.

Politics

EFCC seals property said to belong to ex-gov of Kano, Kwankwaso

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano has sealed a property allegedly belonging to the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to reports on Friday, a Barrister, Mustapha Danjuma had alleged in a petition that Kwankwaso received contributions totalling about N3.08 billion.

The petition was said to have revealed that the governor allegedly received the sum of N70 million from each of the 44 local government councils in the state.

Following the petition, the anti-graft agency had commenced an investigation on Kwankwaso.

Meanwhile, the property that was allegedly sealed by the EFCC was not mentioned, while the commission is yet to confirm the development at the time of filing this report.

Kwankwaso had after serving as the governor of the state, also served as the Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, and was alleged to have channelled the monies into his presidential primary in 2015.

Politics

2023: EFCC warns banks on election financing, others

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Thursday, warned financial institutions to avoid fraudulent election financing, foreign exchange malpractice, and money laundering in the country.

Bawa, according to a statement issued by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, gave the warning during an interactive session held in Lagos with the Managing Directors of banks in the country.

He said: “At the EFCC, we want to place more emphasis on prevention. We want to pay less emphasis on enforcement, which is investigation and prosecution, and put our energy more on prevention and asset recovery.

In addition, some of the issues we have identified include foreign exchange malpractices and fraudulent election financing.”

The EFCC Chairman said the commission would put bankers on their toes as the 2023 elections draw closer.

He stressed that banks and other financial institutions have a key role to play in the Commission’s efforts at riding the country of financial crimes.

He urged the bankers to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s guidelines on the issuance of Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA) to their customers.

Entertainment

EFCC arraigns Oyo traditional ruler over alleged fraud

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The Ibadan Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has arrested 82-year-old Chief Olagoke Samson Amoo-Onidundu for alleged land fraud.

The traditional ruler was arraigned before Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court on Tuesday, July 27.

Chief Amoo-Onidundu, who claims to be the Baale of Onidundu area of Akinyele in Oyo state, was charged for allegedly obtaining the sum of two million Naira from Oluwagbemi Ashaolu under false pretense.

A statement by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said that the sum was part payment for four acres of land bought from the defendant.

The statement read; “The Octogenarian was docked on a four count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act,.

“The complainant alleged that he bought four acres of land from the defendant for N4, 400,000 but he was later denied access to the land by some people who claimed to be the actual owners of the land.

One of the counts read, ‘That you, Chief Olagoke Samson Amoo-Onidundu on or about the 19th August, 2020, at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N2million from one Oluwagbemi Ashaolu by falsely telling him that the sum was part payment for the purchase of four acres of land you have secured for him, which you are in a position to deliver to him; which you knew to be false and you 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 view of his plea, Ben Ubi, prosecution counsel, asked for a date for the commencement of trial. He also prayed the court to remand the defendant at the Nigerian Correctional Centre.”

The traditional ruler pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The case was adjourned to August 9, 2021, while the defendant has been remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abolongo.

Politics

EFCC quizzes ex-Nasarawa governor, Al-Makura, wife over alleged corruption

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday quizzed the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, and his wife, Mairo, over alleged corruption.

A source at the commission confirmed the development to the journalists on Wednesday evening.

He said the couple were questioned by EFCC operatives at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

However, the source did not give details of the allegation against the ex-governor.

Al-Makura was the Governor of Nasarawa State from 2011 to 2019.

He was elected the Senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the Senate in 2019.

Politics

Tinubu is under investigation – EFCC Chairman

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Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, says national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is under investigation.

EFCC boss stated this in an exclusive interview published by Thisday on Sunday, while answering a question on why he is yet to arrest the former Lagos state governor.

Bawa noted that investigation does not end in a day.

He said: “You asked me a question earlier about arresting people before investigation and now you are saying why didn’t we arrest Tinubu? Why didn’t you just say ‘arrest him?’

Investigation is ongoing. When you are investigating matters like this, they don’t end in a day. Thousands of investigations are going on, on a daily basis.

“You understand? You know you are from the media. After you will say we are doing media trial.”

Bawa was said to have requested for Tinubu’s assets declaration form when he was the head of Lagos Zonal Office.

Politics

Nigerians don’t need bank accounts – EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC says it is not compulsory for Nigerians to have bank accounts amid the rising spate of bank frauds and insider crimes in the banking sector.

The EFCC also kicked against the idea of opening bank accounts with only phone numbers, arguing that nearly 40 percent of Americans do not have accounts.

Bawa Usman, zonal head of the EFCC in Sokoto made the statement on Tuesday at a roundtable with compliance officers of commercial banks.

He said; “Nearly 40 per cent of Americans do not have accounts. So, it is not very compulsory for everybody in Nigeria to have a bank accounts

According to Usman, whose zone covers Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, insiders facilitate most financial frauds in the banking industry.

The commission convened the meeting to strengthen the relationship and collaborations between the EFCC and the banks in tackling frauds.

The EFCC boss further said the banks often frustrated the EFCC’s investigations as they delayed replying to its letters.

Such delays jeopardise our investigation. Financial institutions must collaborate with us toward curtailing money laundering, illegal financing, and other illicit flows of money.

The meeting is a response to the directive of the EFCC leadership. It is one of numerous strategies toward fighting all manners of corruption.

“The commission strives to ensure that fraudsters do not get away with proceeds of crimes undetected. To achieve this, we are appealing to all banks to facilitate a better working relationship with the anti-graft agency,” he explained.

He urged bankers to improve ways of tracking illicit finances and transactions, stressing that point of service operators or money agents needed to be well-informed on financial regulations.

Usman told the banks to ensure that eligible customers obtain Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) numbers, stressing the need to review their data registers to ensure compliance.

NAN

Entertainment

EFCC arrests young lady hours after she flaunted her wealth on social media

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Deborah Okiemute, hours after she flaunted her flashy lifestyle on social media.

Deborah, identified as Sassie Dira on Facebook, was arrested with three other suspects in Makurdi, Benue state.

on Saturday, May 1, the young lady had shared photos of herself posing with a flashy car while calling on people with ‘royal blood’ to link up with her.

First day of the month looking absolutely stunning as usual, fake life at its peak but don’t borrow clothing to show off fully focused for the kingdom and the king’s spec only those with Royal blood should DM,’‘ the lady captioned her post.

However, hours after she had made the post, the EFCC arrested her and three others over alleged involvement in internet fraud.

He noted that the four suspects, who are part of a syndicate of internet fraudsters, were picked up based on intelligence report on their “alleged criminal activities” in Makurdi, will soon be charged to court.

The statement read: “The Makurdi Zonal Office of the EFCC on May 1, 2021, arrested four members of a syndicate of internet fraudsters in Makurdi, Benue State.

The suspects, Gideon Damisa, Sunday James, Friday Ebosele and Okiemute Deborah, were rounded up by operatives of the commission following intelligence report on their alleged criminal activities in and around Makurdi metropolis.

“At the point of arrest, the principal suspect, Gideon Damisa, was in possession of a Mercedes Benz GLK 350, one IPhone, two Pro Max, two Infinix phone and ATM cards among others.

“They will soon be charged to court.”

Lifestyle

EFCC Arrests Lagos Banker For Alleged ₦34m Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a Lagos banker, Elizabeth Modupe Osunjuyigbe for an alleged fraudulent diversion of funds to the tune of over ₦34m

In a statement issued on Friday by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the Lagos zonal office of the anti-graft agency quizzed the suspect said to be an employee of Access Bank Plc.

“The suspect, who was arrested on Friday April 29, 2021, allegedly sent a fraudulent request sometime in January to the Branch Service Manager of Access Bank, Adeola Odeku, Lagos State, to issue a draft of the sum of ₦31,330,165 in favour of one Best Timland Nigeria Limited,” the statement read.

“Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly forged a solicitor’s letter dated January 19, 2021 directing the bank to issue the draft in favour of Best Timland, claiming that request was for the payment of rent to the landlord of one of the bank’s branches in Akwa-Ibom State.”

The EFCC spokesman said the suspect will soon be charged to court for trial and prosecution.

Lifestyle

EFCC arrests 34 suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo

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34 suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Owo, Ondo State.

They were arrested through intelligence gathering operation code-named ‘Erinle.

The commission identified the suspects as Adesuyan Ayoola, Oyesanmi Shola, Adegbole Victor, Osagie Ekiende, Akinayomide James, Okunade Jamilu, Omotoso Oluwaseyi, David Oluwatobi, Ahmed Rilwan, Saheed Odunayo, Olorunfemi Emmanuel, Obakpolor Tommy, Emmanuel Ibe, Temiloluwa Joshua, Victor Benjamin, Akinwale Oluwaseun and Ogunboye Dotun.

Others were Adeniyi Femi, Obademi Samson, Oladunjoye Teniola, Eze Raphael, Samson Fadugbagbe, Oguntimehin Bamidele, Moshood Kazeem, Oniye Damilare, Balogun Mayowa, Obadapo Wale, Ese Stephen, Atakili Pelumi, Adesumo Fatai Olalekan, Demi Temidayo, Oshorun Joseph and Oluwafemi Damilola Michael.

The EFCC said it recovered nine exotic cars, laptops computers, mobile phones, documents and identity cards from the suspects include

It added that they have made useful statement and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are completed.

Politics

EFCC arrests ex-Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has arrested Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State.

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed to The Punch on Tuesday that Okorocha was arrested in Abuja.

Uwujaren, however, declined to comment on the reason for the arrest of the lawmaker representing Imo West in the senate.

When asked, the EFCC official said; “It is true, he (Okorocha) was arrested today in Abuja but we are not giving details.”

Okorocha, who governed Imo from 2011 to 2019, had been accused by the state government of various corrupt practices including diversion of public funds, although he has denied any wrongdoing.

Entertainment

EFCC arrests son, mother for alleged N50m internet fraud

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Office, have arrested Ibeh Theophilus Uche, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, 10 Kobo Wine Place, Ikotun, Lagos alongside his mother for their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud to the tune of about N50 million in Lagos.

A statement by Wilson Uwujaren, head, media and publicity of the commisssion made available to Ripples Nigeria, said the 28-year-old suspect was arrested recently in his room in Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence reports about his alleged criminal activities.

During interrogation, Uche, who presents himself variously as Rachael Armstrong, Keanu Reeves, Rebekah Schwarzenberger, Keanu Private, Elizabeth Hortman and Stefan Paulson, reportedly confessed to being into Bitcoin investment scam, romance scam and identity theft.

The suspect was said to have also confessed to have defrauded his victims to the tune of about N50m, since he started the criminal activities in 2020.

Uwujaren in the statement, explained that investigations revealed the suspect had been using a First Bank account belonging to his mother, who is one of his accomplices, to launder the proceeds of his alleged criminal activities.

Items recovered from the suspect are one iPhone 11 Pro Max; one iPhone 12 pro max; two MacBook Pro laptops; a PlayStation 5; an iPad and a small Nokia touch phone.

Others are a Mercedes Benz S550 2015 Sedan car and a Lexus RX 350 SUV 2016, among other items.

He said the suspect will soon be charged to court.

Politics

EFCC arraigns three fake customs officers for alleged fraud

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The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday March 24, 2021 arraigned the trio of Afekhai Aliu, Felix Victor and James Blessing Anne before Justice Efe Ikponwonba on a six count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

They are alleged to have defrauded one Ikhaigbode Jimoh Oya by claiming to be Custom Officers in charge of auctioning confiscated vehicle at Idiroko, Ogun State.

One of the counts reads. “James Blessings Anne, Felix Victor and Afekhai Aliu Obaadugbo on or about the 10th of December, 2018 at Benin with the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N216,000 (Two Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Naira) as part payment for two vehicles from Ikhaigbode Jimoh Oya who you represented yourselves to as Custom Officers in charge of the auction of confiscated vehicles at Idiroko capable of selling a Lexus 350 and Mercedes ML 350 SUV to him, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence”.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Moses Arumemi prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendants in custody. However, the defence counsel, S. O. Osazuwa prayed the court to grant his clients bail as the alleged offence was bailabĺe.

Justice Ikponwonba granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N500,000 each and a surety in like sum. The surety should be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned till May 20, 2021 for hearing.

Entertainment

EFCC arrests man for alleged N17.4m, $6,300 fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Monday arraigned one Nanpan Salihu Yaniyang at the State High Court, Ikeja, for alleged fraud.

The commission, according to a statement on its Twitter handle, arraigned Yaniyang on a four-count charge of stealing and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N17,449,000 and $6,300.

One of the charges read: “Nanpan Salihu Yaniyang, sometime in 2020 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N17,449,000 (Seventeen Million Four Hundred and Forty-nine Thousand Naira)from Valerie Okoli and her co-investors under the pretence that you would help them incorporate a company, and use the said fund to invest in Forex, which pretext you knew or ought to know is false.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read out to him.

The EFCC counsel, Ayanfe Ogunsina, asked the court to pick a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

But the defence counsel, Cyril Ebeh, informed the court that he had filed an application for his client’s bail

Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe adjourned the case till March 29.

Entertainment

EFCC explains why it wants finance director in ONSA to forfeit properties

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed the rationale behind its decision to get an interim forfeiture order, to seize eight landed properties allegedly belonging to the Director, Finance and Accounts in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), General Jafaru Mohammed.

The Commission said its resolution was triggered by a tipoff that a serving top military officer had acquired high-profile properties, and floated companies that owned similar assets.

Explaining in a document, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, the EFCC said upon preliminary findings by a special task force constituted in its Kano office to investigate the information, the team discovered that Gen. Mohammed, who joined the Nigerian Army in October 1993, could not have legitimately earned enough to acquire the properties allegedly linked to him.

On March 9, 2021, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted an ex-parte application brought by the EFCC for an interim order of forfeiture over the identified property.

In her ruling, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, said: “an order of interim forfeiture is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria all the assets and properties listed in the schedule to this motion.”

The judge also ordered the EFCC to publicise the order of interim forfeiture to invite “any person(s) or body(ies) who may have interest in the assets and properties listed in the schedule to show cause within 14 days of such publication why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria should not be made.”

The affected properties include a house on plot no 7, Gods own Estate, Road, 1, Wamba District, Abuja; a fenced plot at No 1, Jubril Aminu Crescent, Katampe Extension Abuja, and a plot of land along Kubwa Express Road, directly opposite Abuja Model City Gate, Abuja.

Others are a house (Block SD 22 House 2, Road 5, Kabusa Garden Estate, Abuja; House No 15, 21 Crescent, 2% Avenue Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja; House No 3, Liverpool Close, Sun City Estate, Abuja; House No 532, Mainstreet, Sun City Estate Abuja, and House No 25, Osaka Street, Sun City Estate Abuja.

Meanwhile, in the document submitted to the court, the EFCC stated that. Gen Mohammed has earned not more than N73,402,644.29 since he was enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 1993, and could not have been able to legitimately acquire the properties.

The document read: “Upon receipt of the intelligence, investigation commenced in earnest whereby letters of investigation activities were written to Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Jaiz Bank Plc, GT Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Pic, Keystone Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc, amongst others requesting for account opening packages and statement of accounts as well as the registration status of the companies listed.

“A team of operatives visited the properties to verify the existence as well as the location of the properties. The team interviewed General Jafaru Mohammed and recorded his statement regarding his source of wealth.

General Jafaru Mohammed is serving military personnel and currently the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Office of the National Security Adviser. Before his current posting, he served in the Finance and Accounts Departments of the Nigerian Defence Academy and National Defence College.

“The said Jafaru Mohammed admitted having and running many filing stations while being a public servant. Clearly, in view of the properties so far discovered, there is no way the legitimate earnings of Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed could have funded the purchase of these properties.

“Brigadier General Jafaru owns two bureaus de change (BDC) companies, namely Ummatuhabibullah BDC Ltd and Tahir BB BDC with his wives and children as shareholders and signatories to the accounts of the companies.”
EFCC

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