How Yahaya Bello paid the tuition fee for his children from the 2025 session through the 2031 session

Ex Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid the tuition fee for his children from the 2025 session through the 2035 session.

Yahaya Bello paid $845,000 for five children to attend the American International School of Abuja. It’s paid in advance until 2035 pic.twitter.com/BfEOP3hTnH

— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) April 26, 2024

Some of the receipts of the $845,000 (Over 1 Billion naira, which he withdrew from Kogi state bank account) school fees paid by Yahaya Bello to American International School of Abuja.

Yahaya Bello signed a contract with the American International School of Abuja to prepay $845,000 in school fees. However, EFCC asked American International School of Abuja to forward the $845,000 school fees paid by Yahaya Bello. They offer to refund £760, 000 of the said amount. 

See the attached documents, all fees settled until the children graduate from the school!

Source: Social media 

Alleged N80.2 Fraud: How EFCC Serves Ex—governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello Through His Counsel

Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello was on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 served his charges through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN) after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja ruled that the defendant should be served through his counsel, especially as he failed to appear before the court, yet again.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting 

Yahaya Bello alongside his Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470,089.88k (Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eighty Kobo).

At Tuesday’s sitting, Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN) prayed the court to quash the arrest warrant granted the Commission against Bello, arguing that Tuesday’s substituted service to the defendant through his counsel Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN) has invalidated the arrest warrant.

"The court is expected to do justice at all times. A warrant of arrest cannot be hanging on Bello's neck when we are in this court. It appears to us that the defendant will not get justice because the court granted a warrant of arrest before service,” he said.

However, prosecution counsel, Kemi Piniero (SAN) in response, urged the court to decline hearing on any motion from Bello's legal team until the defendant is physically present in court for his arraignment.

"The stage we are in now is to determine the whereabouts of the defendant. He cannot be in his house while the trial proceeds without him coming here to take his plea. My Lord, this is a criminal matter not a civil matter, he must come and take his plea. It is a matter of over N80 billion. All these applications by the defendant are to prevent his arraignment and frustrate the commencement of trial," he said. 

After hearing both counsels, Justice Nwite adjourned ruling on the defence’s application, seeking a revocation of the arrest warrant on Bello till May 10, 2024.

 

Source: EFCC

Nigeria's Immigration Service, EFCC Declared Ex—Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Wanted

 Following the EFCC fail attempt to arrest the immediate past governor of Kogi state Yahaya Bello in Abuja and subsequently declared him wanted. Another institution of the state, Nigeria's Immigration Service has also declared him wanted.

See the letter by the immigration service:

EFCC:

OPINION: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐅𝐂𝐂, 𝐁𝐨𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

By Dr. Ugo Egbujo 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  must choose its fights sensibly. An Ijele doesn’t go about dancing at babies’ birthday parties just to be noticed. The EFCC must leave some jobs for local Police DPOs. So, it can focus on serious financial crimes. This gbegboro attitude inhibits specialisation. More importantly, the EFCC must never forget that it wrestles against principalities and powers against whom it needs the confidence of the masses. Seeking to clean cobwebs while elephants freely defecate in the room is self-deceit. 

The EFCC has recently set up a task force to prevent the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira. The focus of this task force has been on preventing celebrities and, perhaps, the public from spraying the naira at social events, as the EFCC sees this as a form of irreparable damage to the currency. Although the law is in place to preserve currency notes and save reprinting costs, the EFCC has taken it to be a serious financial crime. If lawmakers had trained their focus on stopping the display of exhibitionism or money worship in order to prevent the spread of lasciviousness and reset societal values rather than mere naira abuse, the people would have been happy. However, enforcing laws against harmless cultural practices portrays law enforcement as bereft of a critical sense of priorities.

In the United States, celebrities spray money on strippers. So, spraying cash on people isn’t such a universal crime as the EFCC’s preoccupation with it suggests. In Igbo land, if a grandma dances, she has to be sprayed cash. Putting the money in her bag or pocket drains the ritual of the ceremony. If that damages the naira, then the quality of the notes needs improvement to meet significant cultural uses. Money is more than a sterile medium of exchange. We used to have pseudo-plastic notes in the past. But this new meddlesome law also forbids the throwing of coins. So, the primary motivation for the prohibition can’t even be mutilation because it’s so non-discriminating. Now, the EFCC wastes its time and scarce resources pursuing young men and women spraying their hard-earned naira on their friends and relatives while indicted criminal suspects occupy ministerial positions at the nation’s capital

An institution with limited resources ought to define its priorities soberly. While the EFCC was running around Borisky, Yahaya Bello, who likes to call his narcissistic self White Lion, was still at large. If the EFCC was thinking of the Broken Windows Theory, then it should have focused on the obscene display of wealth, not the spraying of naira, which almost all poor and decent people in Nigeria do anyway. Now, Bobrisky is in prison after pleading guilty as a first offender, but Yahaya Bello can’t be arrested.

He wasn’t arrested a couple of days ago because after the EFCC laid a siege on the house where he refuged, the policemen protecting the man at large shut out the EFCC violently. That wasn’t the peak of the absurdity. While the EFCC agents were languishing in helplessness under the angry sun, a governor stormed the cordoned area with thugs and gained easy entrance into the house. The humiliated EFCC men watched like schoolboys. Such life-sucking impotence. All these happened a stone’s throw from the seat of power. The godson shoved the EFCC aside and whisked away his godfather from the trembling hands of the timid law. Sheer movie stuff. Blockbuster gangsterism. 

After the EFCC chickened away in peace, it issued a press release. In that gutless release, it couldn’t dare to be specific let alone name names. In that statement that reeked of abject impotence, it found the verve to warn the public that in future, it would deal decisively with people who employed thugs to disrupt or obstruct its operations. A governor might have immunity, but does his immunity permit him to handcuff EFCC agents or commit criminal offences while law enforcement agents watch?

His immunity doesn’t confer anything on all the aides and security agents who may choose to assist him in committing the crime before newsmen.The next day was court sitting. Yahaya bello was still at large. The EFCC said they could be forced to invite the military to assist them. What more do they want to suffer? However, that statement was a naked indictment of the police and DSS. Granted, both can’t often handle bandits, but should a chicken-hearted white lion hiding in the Government House in Lokoja require military intervention too?

The helpless EFCC has declared the man wanted, begging the public to help track the man. The public is supposed to find the man the EFCC had in its claws and let a baby governor snatch away? The public should find a man being protected by the state. The world is watching. The Attorney General could have struck while it was hot in Abuja. But he dilly-dallied. A firm pronouncement from the Chief Law Officer to the police and DSS would have drained courage from the lawless governor.

When the Attorney General woke up from slumber the next day, he preached that citizens must always submit themselves to law enforcement agents when needed. He called no names. He issued no public orders. Tepidly, he said the world would have no respect for the country if governors started to act like wild animals. Such preposterous lukewarmness. Tomorrow, we will attend an African Union meeting and expect respect. He should remind the president that foreign investors are watching the spectacle of the travesty of the rule of law.

This atrocious precedent took place under the presidency’s nose. Many thought that naked disruption of EFCC operations by other law enforcement agents had ended with Buhari. If it had been some Bobrisky rather than the revered Bobkogi who mobilised thugs to evade that arrest, the security agencies would have remembered they had breached presidential security. Rightly, but belatedly, the policemen attached to Yahaya Bello have been withdrawn, but when will they be prosecuted? After all, we are only a generator republic and not yet a plantain republic. 

The EFCC must choose its fights wisely. Some bemused young people are now planning to switch to spraying dollars at social events. That could mean more naira chasing the dollar. Some laws only exist to be part of the general legal architecture. And there are others, that must attract attention and venom. The EFCC’s greatest existential problem is corrupt politicians.  However, it appears the agency has an exceptionally elastic capacity to absorb humiliation from powerful politicians.

Often, the public looks away with disinterest not just because the EFCC likes to make up by chasing small fries, but after the EFCC went through the roof to arrest Rochas and charge him, the then Federal Attorney General hijacked the case from the EFCC.  That gradual and steady emasculation of the EFCC by big politicians has been quickened by Ododo. He knows he will suffer no consequences. Last year, an ex-governor publicly ridiculed the EFCC chairman who had fingered him for corruption. That ex-governor is now a minister. The EFCC lingers on his filthy files.

How does the EFCC feel when it goes against relatively innocuous offenders while those who have embezzled the state into penury swagger about in the corridors of power and thump their noses at it? Bobrisky went to prison at the speed of light. Bobkogi is still at large. When he is eventually arraigned, he might appear in a lion-skinned attire. His lawyers will secure his bail despite his having shown that he is a flight risk. Then he will return to Kogi to a hero’s welcome, drums beating, and women dancing under the sun, all arranged by his godson, Ododo. Most of the policemen withdrawn from him will return with him to Kogi for the triumphant homecoming. They might even receive awards from the state. We live right in a circus. Aristotle said, “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice, he is the worst.”

The EFCC must reassess its priorities to prevent politicians from turn the eagle into a chicken, a scaveger for small things.

Why EFCC Declares Yahaya Bello Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, April 18,  2024 declared a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello wanted in connection with an alleged money laundering ..

 

Alleged N80.2billion Money Laundering

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 arraign a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

He was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).

Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. 

Count one of the charges reads: That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

 

Count 17 of the charges read: “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

 

Count 18 of the charges reads: “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

 

The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle. As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

 

Alleged N4.8bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Cletus Ibeto's Case till May 27 — EFCC

Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, April 15, 2024, adjourned the alleged N4.8 billion fraud brought against a businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, till May 27, 2024.

The matter, which was initially before Justice I.O. Ijelu, of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, suffered several adjournments due to the absence of the defendant to take his plea with respect to the 10-count charges raised against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. 

 

He was charged alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd.

 

Ibeto had approached the appellate court , following the bench warrant issued against him by Justice Ijelu pending his arraignment. The defendant, through his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, had also approached the appellate court, challenging the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the matter.

 

At the resumed sitting on Monday, defence counsel, Adebayo Oshodi, prayed the court to withdraw the application for stay of proceedings, pending the determination of the appeal and the one challenging the court’s jurisdiction filed by Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.

 

He also told court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court, and prayed the court to allow him to move the application. 

 

However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob, SAN, opposed the application on the grounds that the defendant had filed an appeal on the same issue before the Lagos Division of Court of Appeal. He also told the court that the appellate court had yet to decide on it.

 

He also informed the court that the defendant, in his bid for out-of-court settlement, had repaid the sum of N2 billion in installments to the Commission.

 

After listening to both parties, Justice Ogala ruled that hearing the defendant's application would amount to nothing because the same issue “is currently pending before the appellate court.”

 

 

The Judge further held “There is nothing to sway me to hear it in a hurry. The defendant is not here. The court of appeal will sit on it. I will not waste time writing a ruling, while the case is still pending at the Appeal Court. If there was nothing in the Court of Appeal, I would have heard the application.”

 

Consequently, Justice Ogala adjourned the matter till May 27, 2024.

 

The Judge further directed the parties to notify the Court on the outcome of appeal, which has been fixed for May 7, 2024, at the appellate court.

Source: EFCC

EFCC on Beta Edu and other Matters For the Purpose of Clarity

1. No officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have been cleared in ongoing investigations into financial misappropriation.

2. The EFCC has recovered N32.7 billion and $445,000 in the ongoing investigation.

3. Investigations have uncovered fraudulent dealings related to Covid-19 funds, World Bank loans, and Abacha loot.

4. ⁠Banks involved in the fraud are being investigated, with Managing Directors providing useful statements.

5. ⁠Public support in reporting Naira abuse and Dollarization of the economy is appreciated, with increased awareness of the issue.

6. ⁠The EFCC is committed to prosecuting those involved in Naira abuse, having in mind that a new task force came into operation since February 7, 2024.

7. ⁠Several celebrities are under investigation for Naira abuse, with some providing statements and more likely to be invited for questioning.

8. ⁠The EFCC maintains its no-sacred-cow approach, warning the public to comply with laws against the crime.

EFCC: Setting the Records Straight on Investigations of Humanitarian Ministry, over #33 Billion recoverd so far

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has noticed the rising tide of commentaries, opinions, assumptions and insinuations concerning its progressive investigations into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far.

Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid -19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate. Investigations have also linked several interdicted and suspended officials of the Ministry to the alleged financial malfeasance. 

It is instructive to stress that the Commission’s investigations are not about individuals. The EFCC is investigating a system and intricate web of fraudulent practices. Banks involved in the alleged fraud are being investigated. Managing Directors of the indicted banks have made useful statements to investigators digging into the infractions. Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly. Additionally, the EFCC has not cleared anyone allegedly involved in the fraud. Investigations are ongoing and advancing steadily. The public is enjoined to ignore any claim to the contrary.  

 

On the issue of the works of the Commission against Naira abuse, dollarization of the economy and the enforcement of all extant laws relating to them, the EFCC appreciates the avalanche of public awakening, support and involvement demonstrated so far. 

Increasingly, members of the public are drawing the attention of the Commission to video recording of abuse of the Naira by Nigerians from all walks of life. These gestures amply demonstrate rising consciousness of the public to the sanctity of our national currency and the need for collaborative engagement to sustain the tempo.

 

To this end, the Commission will always investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of the Naira. Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the Commission are noted as the Commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024. However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.

At the moment, the Commission is investigating several celebrities involved in Naira abuse. Many of them have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter. The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC’s Position on Malabu Oil Fraud Case and Associated Issues

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced a review of developments around the Malabu OPL 245 fraud case, including the dismissal of the charges against a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja and the conduct of the prosecuting counsel, Offem Uket

 The review will entail exploration of the option of appeal and possible change of counsel in view of the Commission's dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by Uket

Nevertheless, this intention has no nexus whatsoever to the spew of speculations imputing compromise by parties to the charge, currently making the rounds in some sections of the media

 EFCC is not obliged to embrace such narratives as it neither accused any of the parties of any unsavoury conduct nor made any conclusive statements about any investigation on the matter.

 The public is enjoined to ignore effusions of mischief makers on the matter and await the next course of actions

Source: EFCC 

How Man Bags Jail Term for Currency Racketeering in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Fabian John Itafor before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for an offence bordering on currency racketeering. 

He was arraigned on a one- count charge.

The count reads: “That you, Fabian John Itafor on or about the 24th day of February. 2024 at Leisure Event Center, Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, in Lages within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court hawked the sum of N347,000.00 (Three Hundred and Forty-seven Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4)l of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007."

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his guilty plea,   prosecuting counsel, A.S. Wara  called on Jude Owolabi, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.

Owolabi told the court that the defendant was arrested on February 24, 2024 , hawking naira notes at Leisure Event Center, Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 "His arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Commission," he said. According to him, ATM cards, a POS machine, N347,000, $1 and 5 euros were recovered from him at the point of arrest.

“In his statement, he confessed that he was into money racketeering and hawking of Naira notes," he said. Defence counsel, Kolapo Gbadamosi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy by granting him a non-custodial sentence or an option of fine.

Justice Ogundare convicted and sentenced him to three months community service with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only).

The Judge also ordered that the POS machine, N347,000, $1 and 5euro recovered from him at the point of arrest  be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

Itafor bagged his imprisonment by flouting extant laws against Naira mutilation.  

Specifically,  he was arrested for hawking new Naira notes for commercial purposes.  

He was later prosecuted and convicted.

 

Source: EFCC 

Diverted N1.2bn was for Ekiti Security, not Election Funds -Witness

Fayose

Aliyu Muhammed Abdulmukadaddas, 14th prosecution witness, PW14  in the trial of Abiodun Agbele, ex-aide of former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 told Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that the sum of N1,219,000,000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) transferred by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Colonel Sambo Dasuki was to address security matters in Ekiti State and not to finance elections.

Led in his testimony by prosecution counsel Wahab Shittu, SAN, Abdulmukadaddas, a retired staff of the CBN who posted the money disclosed that he was familiar with Sylvan McNamara Nigeria Limited's  Diamond Bank account 0026223114 where the lodgment was made.  

“We have paid N200 million to the company through a Diamond Bank account. We have paid N200billion to the company, N700million, N100billion, N255million to 0026223114 Diamond Bank account among other payments,” he said.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the witness disclosed that the CBN verifies payments before lodgment is made. “All the payment has to be verified, and the verification is on the receiving account, and we must verify if it is okay before posting, and in this case it was okay, that was why we posted.”

Agbele is standing trial on 24 amended charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.219 billion paid into the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd.

Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, had on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, told Justice Dimgba that the Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd Diamond Bank account 0026223114 was created by one Taiwo Kareem for warehousing funds to deal with the issue of Boko Haram in Lagos, however, the lodgments into the account were allegedly spent on electoral matters by Fayose with the aid of Agbele. 

An earlier witness and former CEO of Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo informed the court while being cross- examined by Ojo that the airlifting of the N1.219 billion cash from Lagos Airport to Akure Airport and to Zenith Bank Akure was based on the instructions of the management of the bank.

Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter till May 2 and 3, 2024 for continuation of trial. 

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arraigns Three former Bankers, One Other for N15.9m Fraud in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 arraigned three former bankers, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwem, Nwagbara Chidimma and Uwaezuoke Raymond and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu State.

They were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N15, 944, 100. 00 (Fifteen Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-four Thousand, One Hundred Naira).

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwe and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke sometimes in January 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; retaining the sum of N7, 996, 800. 00 ( Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira) meant for evacuation to the Central Bank of Nigeria and property of Access Bank Plc Nottidge Branch, Onitsha which you knew or ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 20 (b)”.

They pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them. In view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC , Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.  Defence counsel, O. O. Orji, however,  informed the court of a bail application already placed before it. 

Justice Umar thereafter adjourned the matter to May 22, 2024 for trial. The defendants were remanded at the EFCC custody pending the hearing of bail application.

Ibekwem, Chidimma and Raymond  were handed over to the EFCC on February 22, 2023  by Access Bank plc for pilfering N15, 944, 100. 00   before it was evacuated to the bullion unit of the bank for subsequent movement to the Central Bank of Nigeria. They were former staff of the Nottidge branch of the bank in  Onitsha, Anambra State.

Source: EFCC 

How Emefiele Allegedly Awarded Multi-Billion Naira Contracts to Family & Associates - EFCC Witness

A Seventh Prosecution Witness, PW7, in the trial of a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele on Monday, March 11, 2024 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, how Emefiele allegedly signed and approved award and payments of contracts to April 1616 Investment Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited, companies that allegedly belong to Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, his wife, Margaret Emefiele and his in-law respectively.

The witness,  Agboro Michael, an investigator with the ICPC,  led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo,SAN, was part of the investigation team that comprised the EFCC, ICPC, CCB, DSS and the Nigerian Police. He testified on the count-charge of abuse of office and conferring  an unfair advantage to a public officer and relatives, preferred against Emefiel

“My Lord,  these companies were awarded about 45 contracts to supply Toyota Vehicles. We were worried as investigators as to how a particular company would get bids concurrently to supply vehicles. We did our investigation, and discovered that the company was not even accredited by Toyot

“In the companies my Lord, one has Sa’adatu’s husband and siblings as directors, and the other one has Sa’adatu as the director of the company while she is still a civil servant.

“Document ‘F1’ shows the signature and approval of the defendant to pay the sum of N854, 700,000 (Eight Hundred Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira)  His signature was number three on the document",  he said.  Testifying further, Michael said in ‘F3’, the defendant approved 1, 85,700,000 (One Billion, Eighty-five million, Seven Hundred thousand) for the supply of 47 units of Toyota Hilu

While ‘F4’ was the defendants approval to purchase for the bank an armoured Toyota Avalon car at the cost of N99,900,000 (Ninety-Nine Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira), and ‘F5’ was the approval to procure two units of Toyota Hilux for the bank, and all were bought from April 1616 Investment limite

Speaking on the findings of the investigative team on exhibit P26, page 86 of 107 on November 6, 2021. Michael said; “It is a credit into the account from the CBN to the tune of N41, 943, 400, 34 (Forty-one Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-three Thousand, Four hundred and Thirty four kobo

“Page 87 was also a credit in April 2016 from the CBN, N304, 853, 50 (Three Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand naira, Fifty kobo

“26 January, 2021, April 1616 Investment Nigeria limited also received N304, 853, 720, 55 (Three Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira Fifty-Five kobo) from the CB

“On the 10th of February, 2021, the CBN paid N201, 23, 323, 31 (Two Hundred and One Million, Twenty-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Thirty-One kobo

The approval of payment of March 24, 2021 was  N304,843,720,85, April 27, 2021 was 60,976,744,17 (Sixty Million, Nine hundred and Seventy Six thousand, Seven hundred and forty-four naira, Seventeen kobo) May 31, 2021 was a payment of 60,976,744,17 (Sixty Million, Nine hundred and Seventy Six thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty-four Naira, Seventeen kobo), and February 21, 2021 was a payment of N50,547,508,30 (Fifty Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Eight Naira Thirty kobo) were equally approved by the defendan

The witness further told the court that the team recorded the defendant’s statement under caution and video recorded in a conducive environmen

Testifying further, the witness said; “In 2019, again,  we discovered the defendant also used his office and position to confer a corrupt advantage to one of the staff of CBN, Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero to supply  one unit of Toyota Land Cruiser V8 at the cost of N73, 800,000 (Seventy-Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand to her company April 1616 Investment Nigeria limited where she is a director, and equally a director in the CB

“Again my Lord, the defendant also approved the payment of renovation of the CBN Governors’ residence at No 2. Global road, Ikoyi Lagos to a company named; Architekon Nigeria Limited where his wife and brother-in-law are both director

“Sometime in 2020, the defendant used his position as CBN Governor to confer on his wife and brother in-law corrupt advantage by awarding their company landscaping of the CBN governor’s residence in the sum of N39,46,000 (Thirty-Nine Million, Forty Six Thousand Naira”,he said

Continuing, Michael said a contract to procure furniture items was also awarded to his brother in-law in the sum of 97,000,000 (  Ninety Seven Million Naira), and again,  a contract to procure a power line at the same CBN Governor’s residence in the sum of N68,568,740 (Sixty-Eight Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty naira

While cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant,  Matthew Burkaa SAN queried the witness  that though there are many signatories in the memo only his client was on trial. In response, the witness told him that the defendant was on trial because he was the approving authority, while others only minuted on the documents to justify the process, and didn’t  have the power to make such payments and approval

Burkaa also wanted to tender the defendant’s  statement at the Nigerian Police force before the court,  but Oyedepo objected, stating it was a public document and needed to be certified before it can be tendered as an exhibit.  Burkaa then withdrew the document and promised to provide the true certified copy at the next adjourned dat

Justice Muazu thereafter adjourned the matter till 25 and 26 April, 2024 for continuation of trial.

Source: EFCC

EFCC Arrests Four Suspected Fraudsters in Maiduguri

Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, March 8, 2024 arrested four suspects for sending fake transaction credit alerts to their victims.

They were arrested within Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, following intelligence on their fraudulent acts.

Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects were operating using a Business App of a bank to purchase food and non- food items as well as collecting money from Point of Sale agents POS cashiers and sending fake transaction credits to them.

They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. 

Source: EFCC 

$9.6bn P&ID Fraud: EFCC Tenders Additional Evidence Against MICAD, Nolan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, March 11, 2024, tendered more evidence against MICAD Project City Services Limited and James Nolan before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuj

Micad Project City Services Limited and James Nolan are standing trial on a 20-count charge of obtaining by false pretense, non-compliance with the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended) and criminal conversion of proceeds of crime to the tune N151,394,328.00 (One Hundred and Fifty-one Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-four Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-eight Naira

At Monday’s court session,  Prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga informed the court that the EFCC has filed additional evidence before the court  on February 20, 2024  and defense counsel, Micheal Ajara confirmed  that they have been served the evidenc

To this end, Sanga presented the third prosecution witness, PW3, Nnedimma Irene Eyisi, a lawyer.  She told the court how James Nolan informed her that he needed to renew himself as the Director of MICA

“Sometimes in 2016, my principal informed me that a client will give me a form to file a CAC document. Later that day,  I received a call from a client who introduced himself as James Nolan, he informed me he needed to renew himself as the Director of the company. I asked him to give me details about the directors of the company and he did.  I informed him I will prepare a CAC Form 7, so that the required directors will sign”, she sai

Narrating further,  she said, “a couple of weeks later, our Secretary informed me that I have some documents which contained CAC form 7 appointing James Nolan as the director, a consent letter accepting to be a director by James Nolan. On receiving these documents, I proceeded to CAC and  after a couple of days,  I checked back and the application was approved. I made the necessary payment and submitted. I came back days later to collect the CTC of these documents. I packaged it and gave it out for dispatch, I called the client and informed him that the documents are ready”, she sai

The witness further informed the court that she could recognize the document on sight, adding that it bears the name of James Nolan

Eyisi also said that she was invited by the EFCC in respect of the CAC form 7 and wrote a statement on August 31, 2021 which reflected her name. Sanga then applied to the court for the document to be admitted in evidence. The defense counsel did not object to the application

Justice Egwuatu admitted the document in evidence and marked it as Exhibit 

 In the course of cross-examination, Eyisi confirmed that she dispatched the form for the company and the relevant directors  to sign, adding that “CAC form 7 must return all signed and I submitted them all. All I know is that the documents were returned, signed by all directors and the new director.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to March 12, 2024 for continuation of hearin

 At the last session on January 18, 2024,  second prosecution counsel, PW2, Hussain Babangida informed the court how directors of Micad City Services Ltd absconded with about N39,450,224.23(Thirty Nine million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Four Naira, Twenty Three kobo) owed as taxes to the Federal government using fake signature

Source: EFCC 

How EFCC Grills 10 Suspected Oil Thieves in Uyo

The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has commenced investigation of ten suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products, who were arrested onboard a ship loaded with 100 metric tonnes of petroleum product without an appropriate licence

The ten suspects were arrested on board MT Queen Hansal Ship and handed over to the Command by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, along with 100 metric tons of petroleum product

While handing over the arrested suspects and exhibits to the EFCC, the Naval handing over Captain Uche Aneke said the Navy will continue to perform its duty and ensure that the Akwa Ibom State and its environment remained unfavourable for oil thieves

'The vessel MT Queen Hansal was involved in suspicious activities along Exxol Mobil oil field at position Lat 04'12' 956 N, Long 007'40' 186 'E' by switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) such  that the Nigerian Navy in its task arrested the ship, so the vessel and the 10 crew members were arrested by NNS OJI on December 28, 2023 during inspection and brought to base on December 30, 2023", he sai

Receiving the suspects and the products from on behalf of the EFCC, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE Ayuba Zira thanked the Navy and assured  that a thorough investigation would  be conducted and culpable suspects prosecuted accordingly. 'We want to assure the public that the EFCC is going to investigate this conclusively and everyone found culpable will face justice. The Command will continue to work with the Navy to sanitize our oil industry and waterways", he sai

Source: EFCC 

Court Convicted Man, Two Companies in Kaduna

Justices Darius Khobo, R. M Aikawa and Hawa Buhari of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna have  convicted and sentenced one Onoja Benjamin Ufedo to two years imprisonment for cheating and  Karamchi Motors Limited and Dawaki Motors Limited for failure to comply with the requirements of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.

Ufedo was jailed on Monday,  March 4, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to  a lone count charge bordering on cheating upon arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 The lone count charge reads: “that you, Onoja Benjamin Ufedo "M" sometimes in December 2023, in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did dishonestly induce one Sani Abubakar Abbas to pay you the sum of N100,000.00(One Hundred Thousand Naira), which you paid one Mohammed Nasir Sadeeq the sum of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), to procure two false certificates of Occupancy of Chikun Local Government with numbers: CH/B/000524 and CH/B/ 000520, and you thereby committed cheating, an offence contrary to Section 306(b) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 307 of the same Law.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the lone -count charge when it was read to him.

Prosecution counsel, M. O Arumemi, relying on the guilty plea by the defendant, asked the court to convict him accordingly.

Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced Ufedo to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand naira).

In the same vein, Justices Aikawa and Buhari convicted and sentenced Karamchi Motors Ltd and Dawaki Motors Ltd to a fine of N250, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) for failing to comply with the reporting requirements of SCUML.

The lone- count charge against Dawaki Motors Ltd reads: “that you, Dawaki Motors Ltd operating the business of motor vehicle dealership, sometime in July, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did in contravention of the law, failed to submit a declaration of your activities to wit: requirements of customer’s identification and submission of returns on transactions to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 11(1) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 11(3) of the same Act.”

While the one- count charge against Karamchi Motors Ltd reads: “that you, Karamchi Motors Ltd, operating the business of general contractors and other businesses, sometime in July, 2019, at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did an act to wit, failed to report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in writing within 7 days, your three (3) lodgments of N10,000,000.00(Ten Million Naira) which is in excess of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 10(3) of the same Act.”

Ufedo bagged his imprisonment for procuring a fake certificate of occupancy for a petitioner while Dawaki and Karamchi motors limited were convicted for running afoul of SCUML’s reporting guidelines regarding thresholds in transactions.

Source: EFCC

Alleged $6.2m Fraud: Forensic Expert Confirms forgery of Buhari, Mustapha's Signatures

Bamaiyi Haruna Mairiga, Sixth Prosecution Witness, PW6, in the trial of a former governor of  Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,  Godwin Emefiele on Thursday, March 7, 2024 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court,  Abuja, that forensic examination showed that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,  Boss Mustapha were allegedly  forged for the payment of $6.2million to foreign election observers in the 2023 General Election.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Mairiga, a forensic expert informed the court that forensic evaluation of the “Presidential Directive on Foreign Observers Election A” and “Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election A2,” which were the documents upon which the payment was made by the CBN under Emefiele, showed manifest evidence of forgery of the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha under forensic scrutiny, and a clear evidence that the seal of execution was equally fake.

“My Lord, the conclusion of the examination showed that the questioned signature marked “X-X1” had suspicious evidence of forgery or copying act, as line quality, the form, skill of execution and pen movement were found to be different from the specimen signatures marked A-A2 and B-81", he said.

Continuing, he stressed that, "specifically, the form and formation of the disputed signature marked X and specimen signatures marked 1 were different with respect to pen movement impulses, initial and terminal strokes, loops, tremors, and individual characteristics.

“This confirms that the author of specimen signatures marked B-81 did not write the signature of Muhammadu Buhari on the disputed document marked X. Also, the form and formation of the disputed signature marked X1 and specimen signatures marked A-A2 were also different with respect to pen movement impulses, initial and terminal strokes, loops, tremors, and individual characteristics. This confirms that the author of specimen signatures marked A-A2 did not write the signature of Boss Mustapha on the disputed document marked X1 and the same was produced into a report and returned to the requesting unit"

The “Presidential Directive on Foreign Observers Election A” and “Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election A2” were tendered in evidence and admitted by the court.

Under cross-examination by counsel to Emefiele,   Matthew Burkaa ,SAN, Mairiga revealed that he was seconded to the EFCC in 2018 from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and that NIS remained the agency of his primary employment.

After listening to the cross examinations,  Justice Muazu  discharged Mairiga from the dock, and adjourned the matter till March 11, 2024.

Earlier on Monday, February 12, 2024, Ogau Onyeka Michael, a prosecution witness, had disclosed before Justice Muazu that Emefiele approved the payment of $6,230,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars) in cash for international election observers in the 2023 General Election.

Michael, a former Abuja Branch Controller of CBN, led in evidence by Oyedepo revealed that on January 8, 2023, a request for payment in the sum of $6,230,000  came to his office and that the documents for the disbursement of the money were approved by the then CBN governor in cash for international election observers.

Similarly, another prosecution witness, Boss Gida Mustapha, former SGF on Tuesday February 13, 2024 told Justice Muazu that neither the former President Buhari nor himself raised a memo directing the apex bank to pay the said sum to international election observers in the last general election. Mustapha told the court he never came across the transaction while he served as the SGF.

“My Lord, all through my years in service at my capacity, I never came across such a document. Having served for five years, seven months", he said. 

Source; EFCC 

WANTED BY THE EFCC – Leno Laitan Adesanya

 WANTED BY THE EFCC

Leno Laitan Adesanya is WANTED by the EFCC for offences bothering on economic and financial crimes. Any info on his whereabout? Please contact the EFCC offices or the nearest Police Station. 

#EFCCNigeria

Food Insecurity: EFCC Arrests 21 Food-loaded Trucks into Neighbouring Countries

Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, arrested 21 trucks loaded with food and non-food items heading towards N’djamena, Chad Republic, Central African Republic and Cameroon.

The trucks were intercepted in a sting operation at major exit routes along Kalabiri/Gamboru Ngala and Bama roads, Borno State.

Investigation showed food items cleverly concealed in the trucks that would have gone undetected, but for the eagle-eyed vigilance of operatives of the Commission.

Further checks showed that the Waybills covering the goods carried by the trucks indicated their destinations as N'djamena, Chad Republic, Central Africa Republic and Cameroon respectively.

The arrest of the trucks is expected to stem the tide of food insecurity occasioned by unscrupulous antics of smugglers across the country.

 Suspects arrested with the trucks are being profiled and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.