Femi OluKayode Releases Statement On So-called Investigation by the EFCC

Statement from Femi OluKayode:

"I read with amusement the allegation that was made in saharareporters, the unofficial media wing of the Buhari administration, the SSS and the EFCC,, that I was given 1.7 billion naira cash by President Goodluck Jonathan. This is false. A few hours later they changed their story and said that I received 1.7 billion naira from the office of the former NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. This is also false. I have never received one kobo from President Jonathan himself, Colonel Dasuki or any other member of President Jonathan's government.

EFCC arraigns ex-banker, others for N12million fraud

Press statement from EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 arraigned three former bankers - Rita Emmanuel, Orjiri Martins and Monday Chibueze Ben, before Justice G. C. Aguma of the State High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N12,150,000.

Emmanuel, a customer service manager and teller of a new generation bank, allegedly converted the sum of N6,075,000 belonging to some bank customers to personal use. The fraud was allegedly concealed by Martins and Ben. The trio, who were present in court, are alleged to have deliberately conspired to defraud the bank.

One of the charges read: “That you Rita Emmanuel, Orjiri Martins and Monday Chibueze Ben on or about the 3rd day of October, 2014 at the First City and Monument Bank Limited, Ikwere Road branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law Cap C37 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1990.”

Another charge reads: “That you Rita Emmanuel on or about the 3rd day of October, 2014 at the First City and Monument Bank Limited, Ikwere Road branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being the customer service manager and teller of the Said bank, did steal the sum of N6,075,000 by fraudulently converting the said amount which is cash deposits from various customers of the bank and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 (1) (a) and punishable under section 390 (B) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C37 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1990.”

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, U. R. Ewoh asked the court for a date to commence trial. Counsel for the 1st and 3rd accused persons, V. F. Ajoku, and Smart Ikenga for the 2nd accused person, however, prayed that the court should grant the accused bail.

Justice Aguma granted the accused bail in the sum of N3,000,000 and one surety each. The surety who must be resident in Rivers State must be a civil servant on Grade Level 14 or a Medical Doctor, their office, status, and address must be verified by the court and the passport of the accused persons should be deposited in the court.

The case was adjourned to November 4, 2015.
Media & Publicity 23rd September, 2015

Ex-Bankers Get 91 Years In Prison For N114.6millionFraud (Photos)

Press statement from EFCC below...

Justice Ibrahim Mairiga of the Kebbi State High Court has convicted Suleiman Ibrahim Musa, Bilyaminu Usman and Lawal Suleiman on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, theft and criminal breach of trust brought against them by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and sentenced them to 91 years in prison.



The convicts, who are former members of staff of FinBank Plc (acquired by First City Monument Bank Plc in 2011), Birnin-Kebbi branch in Kebbi State, were first arraigned on July 21, 2010, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Musa, who was then the head of operations, defrauded the bank of N101, 707,000; Usman and Suleiman, both tellers connived to defraud the bank of N6, 627,500 and N6, 267,500 respectively. The crimes were committed between 2008 and 2010.

They had at different times debited the bank’s customers by carrying out unauthorized withdrawals. They were arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by the bank’s management, after several customers lodged complaints alleging fraudulent deductions from their bank accounts.

They had backed up their claims with various documentary evidences - stamped deposits and investment certificates. After five years of trial, Justice Mairiga, having been convinced by the evidence brought before him by the prosecuting counsel, Aisha Habib, found them guilty of the charges. “By considering the amount involved and weight of evidence presented before the court by the prosecution, which was never challenged by the defence, it shows that their wrongful act caused a great injury to the bank,” the judge said. “I therefore, find the accused persons guilty as charged, and so convict and sentence them to 55 years, seven years and 29 years imprisonment respectively without an option of fine, with the jail term to serve concurrently”, the judge ruled.

The judge also ordered the convicts to return the stolen money to the bank.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity 6th August, 2015

EFCC Finally Identifies Owner Of $2.1 Million Seized Cash

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday said it had traced about $2.1million (N413million) seized at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos to a former Executive Secretary of a federal parastatal.

The commission said it might be forced to declare the man wanted if he does not show up for questioning.

The agency said all attempts to locate the man in Lagos and Abuja proved futile.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on July 3 arrested a bureau de change operator, Mr. Ibiteye John Bamidele, at MMA Terminal 2 (MMA2) Lagos with the cash.

The Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said Bamidele was arrested by anti-narcotic officials, who suspected that the cash was to be laundered.

The NDLEA handed over the suspect to the EFCC on July 8, following his confession that he was on money laundering errand for the ex-official.

It was, however, learnt that all attempts by the EFCC to interrogate the suspect had failed.

A top source in the agency said: “The EFCC has finalised a plan to declare the former parastatal’s chief wanted, over a $2.1million money laundering case.

“The anti-graft agency has been on his trail for weeks, since a certain Ibiteye John Bamidele named him as the owner of a $2,198,900 haul, recovered from him by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

“Ibiteye was arrested on July 3, 2015 at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos by the NDLEA and handed over to the EFCC on July 8, for further investigation.

“The suspect, upon interrogation, named as the owner of the money, but all efforts to locate him both in Lagos and his known address in Abuja proved futile.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “We have plans to declare the man wanted. We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Commission or the nearest police station.”

The nation

EFCC Arrests Banker for Stealing N27m from Customer’s Account

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned a banker on a 16-count charge including forgery and thievery after stealing N27 million from a customer’s bank account, according to an EFCC.

Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, heard the case of Sterling Bank PLC, which claimed that its former staffer Bawa Momodu had in December 2012 provided forged documents to transfer the money into the account of an accomplice, Emilia Ugwandu, who is now at large.

Justice Ekwo granted N7 million to Mr. Momodu, who pleaded not guilty.

'I Was Not Arrested By EFCC' - NAFDAC Boss

DG of NAFDAC Paul Orhii says contrary to reports, he was never arrested by EFCC. Above is a statement from the DG's media aide, posted on the agency's Facebook page

NAFDAC DG, Paul Orhi in EFCC’s custody over alleged graft

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration And Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhi, has been summoned by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations bordering on abuse of office.

Dr. Orhi is currently being questioned by a crack team of detectives for allegedly awarding huge contracts to companies in which he has interests.
An EFCC top source confirmed to Vanguard that the DG, who arrived the commission’s headquarters around 10am Monday had been making useful statement to its agencies

The source said: “It is true that the NAFDAC head was summoned by us and he is currently being quizzed in relation to allegations that he has been awarding contracts running into millions of Naira to companies close to him.

Asked if the man would be released today on self recognition, the source said he had no idea but that doing so might depend on whether the operatives were satisfied with his answers to issues raised against him.

Vanguard

EFCC Drags Ibru to Court over N2bn Fraud

Former Chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc, Mr. Goodie Ibru has been dragged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly defrauding the hotel to the tune of N1 billion. EFCC filed 11 counts of fraud against Goodie Ibru who was charged alongside three other corporate organisations, including Associated Ventures International Limited, IHL Services Limited and Clearview Investment Limited. In the said charge with sheet number LD/117C/2015 filed before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court, EFCC alleged that Ibru and the co-suspects allegedly conspired to take the profit due to Ikeja Hotels Plc through Starwood Limited, the managers of Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja. The alleged offence was said to have been committed between January and December 2010.

EFCC arraigns Kano hospital clerks for N3.2m fraud

Find the EFCC press statement below..

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 arraigned one Umar Yusuf and Ibrahim Ahmed Bebeji, both former clerks of National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State before Justice Dije Aboki of the State High Court, Kano on a 3-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and theft. Yusuf and Bebeji, between January and September, 2013 allegedly conspired and fraudulently altered information on official revenue receipts in their custody for services rendered to individuals.An audit report carried out by the Hospital Management revealed that, the sum of N3,331,167 (three million, three hundred and thirty one thousand, one hundred and sixty seven naira) was collected as revenue by the accused. But, the duo declared and paid the sum of N150,314 (one hundred and fifty thousand, three hundred and fourteen naira) to the hospital coffers while pocketing the sum of N3,180,853 (three million, one hundred and eighty thousand, eight hundred and fifty three naira).

One of the charges reads: “That you, Umar Yusuf And Ibrahim Ahmad Bebeji between January to September, 2013 in Kano within the judicial division of the High Court of Justice, Kano State, while being clerks of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, committed theft of the sum of N3,180,853.00 (three million, one hundred and eighty thousand, eight hundred and fifty three naira only) which was received as part of the revenue accruable to the Hospital and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 286 and punishable under Section 289 of Penal Code.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. Counsel to the EFCC, Musa Isa, asked the court for a date for hearing sequel to the plea of the accused persons. However, the defence counsel urged the court to admit the accused persons to bail. Justice Aboki granted the accused bail with two sureties of not below Grade Level 12. The sureties must sign a bond of one million naira each. The accused are to be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions are met. The case has been adjourned to October 8, 2015 for commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren


Head, Media & Publicity 31st July, 2015

EFCC interrogates Enugu PDP Chairman over Divertion Of Funds Meant For Public Housing

The interrogation of former aides and associates of Sullivan Chime, former governor of Enugu State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, continued today with the grilling of Ikeje Asogwa, former managing director, Enugu State Housing Corporation and incumbent chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State.

Asogwa arrived the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja about 10.30am on July 31. He was still being interrogated at the headquarters of the EFCC.

Sources at the anti-graft agency disclosed that Asogwa's invitation followed the discovery that he diverted Enugu state funds meant for public housing in the state.

His interrogation comes a day after Ifeoma Nwobodo, Chime's ex- Chief of Staff, was grilled for alleged money laundering and misappropriation of funds. She is still in the custody of the agency.

Toyin Saraki Arrives At EFCC Unprepared, Leaves Shocked At How Much They Know

It was learnt from sources within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that Toyin Saraki, the wife to Senate President Bukola Saraki, arrived at the EFCC “totally unprepared” for the questions interrogators were asking.

Senator Saraki and his wife have been the subject of intense pressure over documents which reveal they have been stealing and laundering money from Kwara State and various financial institutions for decades. These documents also reveal that Mrs. Saraki has played a significant role in assisting to launder these funds.

Mrs. Saraki was accompanied by an entourage of politicians and supporters as she arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. Included in her entourage was founder of the Anti-Corruption Network, now Senator, Dino Melaye who has been criticized in recent weeks for flaunting his wealth on social media.

SaharaReporters reported earlier today that Mrs. Saraki arrived two hours late for her appointment. According to a senior agent at the EFCC Mrs. Saraki tried to intimidate the EFCC officials with melodrama and members of her entourage.

The EFCC successfully separated Mrs. Saraki from members of her entourage in order to effectively interrogate her in private, according to an investigator. This same EFCC investigator said that separating her was important because she was no longer able to distract officials.

He also told SaharaReporters that Mrs. Saraki was “thoroughly overwhelmed” by the knowledge of the investigators’ of her criminal acts linked to the laundering of stolen Kwara State funds and misappropriation of bank loans.

The EFCC investigator added that Mrs. Saraki “left shocked after seven hours of interrogation.”

She is due to return to the EFCC for further questioning on today at 10am.

Saharareports

PDP Asks Kwara Chapter to Disclaim Statement on Saraki’s Wife

Following the statement by the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that its petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led to the invitation of wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, the national headquarters has directed the state chapter to disclaim the statement.

A highly ranked member of the party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the national headquarters the party called immediately the story was published by major newspapers on their websites.


In a statement early today, the party’s state publicity secretary, Rex Olawoye, was quoted as revealing how the petition the party submitted in early this year to the EFCC detailing how certain individuals in higher places during the tenure of Saraki as Kwara State governor milked the state dry was instrumental to the invitation of the former first lady of the state.


According to the petition, Mrs Saraki was fingered alongside one Mr. Ope Saraki, former special adviser to former governor Bukola Saraki on MDGs, Saraki’s personal assistant, one Mr. Abdul Adama from Kogi State and a former commissioner for information, Mr. Tunji Morounfoye, in an alleged cesspool of corruption which he described as unprecedented in the history of Kwara state or any other state.


The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been enmeshed in supremacy battle following the refusal of some of his federal lawmakers to abide by party’s directives in choosing leaders of the national assembly.


The PDP sees the crisis as a way of making an in-road in national limelight following his ouster from the federal government in the March 2015 presidential election.


Following the election of Senator Bukola Saraki, a former governor under the party, as president of the Senate through the support of the PDP senators, the party has not hidden its joy, as members of the party see that as a payback for what members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN (now APC) did during the election of the House of Representatives election that produced Hon. Aminu Tambuwal as speaker.


The source said: “The party wants the crisis in the party to continue so that it can reclaim some of its members back into its fold. They are leaving no stone unturned in this bid and that was why the party ordered its federal lawmakers to team up with Sen Saraki and House speaker, Yakubu Dogara during the leadership election.


“Their projection is that sooner or later, Saraki and others would be forced to dump the APC or divide it and so that will give them the opportunity to redeem its structure. The party is not satisfied with the ongoing invitations of those that worked with its government. And they were shocked to see the statement by the PDP. To cut the story short, the Kwara PDP is not satisfied with the state of the nation.

Kwara State is no longer viable and they are doing everything possible to make sure that the man who underdeveloped the state is brought to book.


“Our national publicity secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh just called, expressing his displeasure over the statement. Why should he be controlling us. He ordered us to disregard the statement but we are not ready but we know they may go behind to react on our behalf and put our names to make it look like we backtracked,” the source said.

Thisday

Why EFCC invited Saraki's wife for questioning

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited Toyin Saraki, the wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for questioning over alleged shady contracts during her husband’s tenure as the governor of Kwara State.

Also, the daughter of the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua, who is also the wife of an ex-Governor of Kebbi State, Mrs. Zaina Dakingari, was said to have been invited by the anti-graft agency.
Saraki’s wife is billed to appear before EFCC interrogators on July 28, a day after Yar’Adua’s daughter would have been questioned.

Mrs Dakingari, The PUNCH learnt on Wednesday, would answer questions on the alleged misappropriation of N2bn state funds.Toyin Saraki was said to be under probe in relation to several contracts executed by companies said to be linked to her while her husband held sway as the Kwara governor.A source at the EFCC, who confided in our correspondent in Abuja, said,
“The commission has invited the wives of two former state governors, Mrs. Toyin Saraki and Mrs. Zaiba Dakingari.“Mrs. Dakingari was supposed to have appeared before the commission on Wednesday (yesterday) but she sent a message that she was outside the country and would honour the invitation on July 27, 2015.
“She is to provide an explanation in relation to N2bn state funds.
“The commission is expecting Saraki on July 28, 2015. The exact amount of money involved in her matter is not stated for now but she is to be quizzed in relation to various contracts executed in Kwara State when her husband was governor of the state.”
The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed to our correspondent that the commission had sent out invitations to some wives of former governors though he said he did not know their identities.
Meanwhile, the EFCC operators on Wednesday grilled ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s Senior Special Assistant on Schools and Agricultural Programmes, Baraka Sani.
Sani was reportedly interrogated by operatives of the commission at its headquarters for eight hours before she was allowed to go.
The former President’s aide, The PUNCH learnt, was said to have been directed to report again at the commission in the early hours of Thursday (today) to answer further questions from her interrogators.
The PUNCH had reported exclusively on Tuesday that the EFCC had concluded plans to embark on a probe of officials of the Jonathan administration.
The former public officers said to be the target of the EFCC are former ministers, special advisers, senior special assistants, heads of parastatals and agencies in the previous administration.
Sani was the first aide of the former President to be quizzed by the EFCC.

PUNCH

EFCC Investigating Saraki's Wife And Yar'adua's Daughter Over Allerged Fraud

Report has it that the daughter of former President Umaru Yar’ Adua and wife of former Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari, Zainab Dakingari, have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud to the tune of N2 billion perpetrated during her husband’s tenure as governor of the Northwest State. Also invited for questioning for alleged money laundering is Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President and former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki. Mrs Saraki, a source at the anti-graft agency disclosed, is wanted in relation to questionable inflow of funds into companies where she has interest. She is expected to report at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on July 28, 2015 where a crack team of investigators have already been assembled to grill her. Mrs. Dakingari on the other hand was initially expected to report for questioning at the EFCC headquarters today. However, reporters have gathered that the former Kebbi first lady sent words that she was away to Saudi for Umrah, and pleaded to be allowed to report on ‎ July 27, 2015. Dankingari is expected to explain to operatives of the anti-graft agency the source of the steady stream of huge cash into her companies, while she was the "first lady" of Kebbi State. When contacted for comments, EFCC spokesp‎erson, Wilson Uwujaren, said,

 “I’m aware that a new set of suspects w‎ere recently invited,” Mr. Uwujaren said. “It’s not impossible the two women are among them.”

EFCC Set To Probe GEJ, Oduah, Iweala And Diezani

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to commence the probe of the former President Goodluck Jonathan with investigations into the financial transactions of his ministers and aides.

The prime targets includes, Senator Stella Oduah, Diezani Allison Madueke, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala etc

Punch reports that the Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, had already directed that all petitions against former public officers at the federal level should be forwarded to him to be acted upon.

Report has it that former ministers, special advisers, heads of parastatals and those of other Federal Government agencies would be invited for interrogation by the EFCC in few weeks from now.

The anti-graft agency would focus on those whose establishments attracted huge allocations from the Federal Government when Jonathan was in power.

Those ministries and agencies included defence, petroleum resources and power.