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Present state of some high profile EFCC corruption cases

Bankole ABE
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Present state of some high profile EFCC corruption cases

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting high profile cases in various courts across the country. 

The ICIR takes a look at some of these pending cases.

Ahmed Idris, former accountant General of the Federation

One of those currently being prosecuted by the EFCC is Ahmed Idris, the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation.

In May, The ICIR reported that the EFCC arrested Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

Suspended accountant-general of the federation, Ahmed Idris
Suspended accountant-general of the federation, Ahmed Idris

Idris was arrested in Kano after he failed to honour invitations extended to him over the fraud allegations.

Two days after his arrest, Idris was suspended indefinitely “without pay” by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed. 

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Idris was subsequently arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and a firm — Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

According to one of the charges, the EFCC alleged that Idris received gratification from one Olusegun Akindele, worth N15.1 billion, in exchange for “accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the federation”.

Idris was released on administrative bail from the custody of the anti-graft agency in Abuja on June 1, 2022.

He was later arraigned alongside the other accused persons on July 22 before a vacation judge, Justice Adeyemi Ajayi, on 13 counts bordering on the misappropriation of N109.5 billion.

The case was then adjourned to July 27 for continuation of trial.

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting at Maitama on July 28 granted bail to Idris and two others.

Justice Ajayi, in a ruling, adopted all the terms and conditions of the administrative bail the EFCC earlier gave the ex-AGF and his two co-defendants.

In November 2022, an EFCC witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that Idris voluntarily returned about $900,000 in cash.

In December, while appearing at the Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa disclosed that the anti-graft agency recovered over N30 billion out of the N109 billion alleged to have been stolen by Idris.

Bawa spoke on December 15 while responding to a question on the independence of the Commission.

Also, on December 21, 2022, a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered forfeiture of $900,000, and properties that were recovered from Idris by the EFCC.

The forfeited items are a sum of $899,900, N304.5 million and 15 choice properties in Kano and Abuja.

Nine properties linked to the second respondent, Mohammed Kudu Usman, located in Abuja, Niger and Nasarawa States, were also forfeited in the interim. 

Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello’s nephew Ali Bello

The ICIR reported in December 2022 that the EFCC arraigned Ali Bello, identified as a nephew of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State, before a Federal High Court in Abuja in December 2022.

He was arraigned alongside one Dauda Suleiman on a 10-count charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering before James Omotosho, a judge.

Ali Bello, Nephew to Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello,
Ali Bello, Nephew to Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello,

The Commission stated that the pair, along with one Abdulsalami Hudu, a cashier at the Kogi State House of Assembly who is now at large, took N10.2 billion for personal use out of the state’s coffers.

However, the accused entered a “not guilty” plea to the accusations.

In its decision on the bail request, the court mandated that the defendants provide bail in the amount of N1 billion apiece, along with two sureties who must provide N2 billion bonds and landed property worth N500 million each.

The court also ordered that they be remanded in prison pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

The case was then adjourned till February 6, 2023. 

Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly

The ICIR reported that the EFCC arrested the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly Olakunle Oluomo on September 1, 2022, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and took him to its Lagos office, where he was detained until he was released on administrative bail.

Oluomo is accused of conspiring, forging documents, and stealing more than N2.5 billion.

Oluomo EFCC Speaker Ogun
Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo,

The Speaker and two other people were brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor.

When the matter came up in November 2022, the Federal High Court in Abeokuta shifted the hearing to January 23 to enable the judge clear pre-election issues before the court.

On the adjourned date, the court could not hear the fraud case because the judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, was reportedly slightly ill.

Former General Manager NSITF Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe

The EFCC also arraigned a former General Manager (GM) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe.

Aderibigbe was arraigned alongside Ogundele Mura Yisa-Yemi before Justice O. A Musa of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Jabi, Abuja.

former General Manager and Head of Legal Services of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe
former General Manager and Head of Legal Services of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe

They were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining the sum of N60.4 million by false pretence.

The judge granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety each in like sum.

The judge adjourned the matter till February 21 and 23 for trial.

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose

Another high profile case being handled by the EFCC is that of the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi presided by Justice Chukujekwu Aneke, on February 1, adjourned the trial to March 20.

The former governor and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, are being tried over an alleged N6.9 billion fraud.

File Photo: Ayodele Fayose, former Ekiti State governor

The EFCC, on July 2, 2019, re-arraigned Fayose and one other person on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and stealing.

The case was adjourned to March 20 and 21 for a continuation of trial.

Ex-NIMASA DG Akpobolokemi

The case of alleged N754.8m fraud against Ex-NIMASA Director General Patrick Akpobolokemi is still pending in court.

Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on January 30 adjourned the matter to March 6 for the adoption of final written addresses in no-case submission filed by Akpobolokemi.

Former DG, NIMASA Patrick Akpobolokemi
Former DG, NIMASA Patrick Akpobolokemi

Akpobolokemi and one Agaba are alleged to have defrauded NIMASA of N754.8m.

Former Accountant General of the Federation, Jonah Oguniyi Otunla

In a judgment, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, on Monday, January 30 held that a former Accountant General of the Federation, Jonah Oguniyi Otunla failed to prove that there was actually a non-prosecution agreement between him and the EFCC.

The court upheld the arguments of EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, and resolved the four issues identified for determination in favour of the Commission.

Otunla reportedly refunded N6.4 billion from the N24 billion he allegedly stole.

He was the Accountant-General of the Federation between June 2011 and June 2015.

Adeleke: INEC appeals tribunal’s judgment on Osun election

Vincent Ufuoma
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Adeleke: INEC appeals tribunal’s judgment on Osun election

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed an appeal against the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal ruling that declared Gboyega Oyetola as the governor of Osun State.

The ICIR had reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke, was sacked in a split judgment delivered by the tribunal in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Friday, January 27.

The tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and issue the same to Oyetola.

The majority judgment read by the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Tertse Kume, said Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 219,666.

But in a notice of appeal filed on Wednesday, February 8, INEC contended that the tribunal failed to consider its preliminary objection before proceeding with the petition.

The Commission also noted that there was no majority judgment as the second judge on the panel did not write her opinion as required by the Constitution.

INEC listed 44 grounds on which the tribunal’s judgment should be set aside.

It also asked the court to dismiss the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction.

The electoral commission is seeking an order to dismiss the petition filed by Oyetola and the APC as lacking in merit with substantial cost.

The Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed support for INEC’s appeal.

The PDP caretaker chairperson, Akindele Adekunle, released a statement commending the Commission for taking action.

Adekunle stated that INEC has taken the right approach by appealing the judgment. He noted that the tribunal’s decision would result in candidates who lost elections manipulating server reports and presenting them to a judge to steal the election from the actual winner.

N805m fraud: Senator arrested, sent to prison after months on the run

Bankole ABE
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N805m fraud: Senator arrested, sent to prison after months on the run

THE Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, has been sent to the Ikoyi Prison months after his conviction for money laundering by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday, January 8, by the spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren.

The EFCC said its operatives arrested Nwaoboshi at a Hospital in Lagos on Monday, February 6. He was finally sent to Ikoyi Custodial Centre to start a seven years prison sentence handed down to him after his conviction.

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The ICIR reported that in July 2022, a Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal sentenced Nwaoboshi, a serving Senator, to seven years in prison for money laundering.

The court also ordered that Nwaoboshi’s two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd, be wound up in line with the provisions of Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021.

According to the EFCC, the lawmaker, who was not present in court at the time of the ruling, went underground and refused to present himself to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Instead, he proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to not only set aside the appellate court’s judgment but also grant him bail, pending the determination of his appeal.

However, on January 27, 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed his application in a unanimous decision.

In the lead judgment written by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court questioned why Nwaoboshi, who refused to submit to the law, would also ask for the law’s tolerance.

On his part, Justice Tijani Abubakar, another member of the Supreme Court panel, criticised the Senator for filing the bail application while on the run.

Nwaoboshi was found guilty by the Court of Appeal after the EFCC appealed a ruling by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which released and exonerated the Delta lawmaker and his businesses on June 18, 2021.

According to the EFCC, Nwaoboshi and his companies illegally acquired Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million. 

The money was considered to be the proceeds of illegal activities.

Buhari sacks NSITF boss, Akabogu over NYSC certificate scandal

Beloved JOHN
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Buhari sacks NSITF boss, Akabogu over NYSC certificate scandal

PRESIDENT Mohammed Buhari has fired Michael Akabogu, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). 

Akabogu was dismissed on February 3, according to an internal memo signed by the Executive Director of Operations of the NSITF, Gabriel Iwelunmor. 

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“I am directed to inform you that Mr President Muhammadu Buhari, in the exercise of his powers under Section 8 of the NSITF Act, has required the removal from office of Dr Michael Akabogu as the Managing Director/CE of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) with effect from Friday, February 3 2023.

“Subsequently, the Executive Director Administration of the Fund – Barr. (Mrs.) Maureen Allagoa has been directed to take charge of the affairs of the Fund.

“Furthermore, this information should be communicated to the staff of your various Departments/Units, Regions and Branches,” the memo read.

The ICIR has learnt that Akabogu’s dismissal is connected to the alleged forgery of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate. 

A whistleblower had, in 2022, petitioned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), accusing the NSTIF boss of forging the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which is attached to his Curriculum Vitae.

Following the petition, the Police summoned Akabogu for questioning, but the then NSITF boss said he was mobilised for the compulsory one-year youth service. 

He claimed he was deployed with the first batch, his service year spanning between October 4 1991, to October 3 1992. He gave his mobilisation number as OG/ FUTO/ 91/23402. 

The NSTIF has a long history of financial mismanagement and corruption scandals.

It would be recalled that the NSITF was accused of illegal tax deductions from workers’ salaries in 2022.

An investigation by The ICIR revealed that taxes running into billions were deducted from the salaries of over 5,000 workers. 

The agency made headlines in August 2022 after claiming termites had eaten up documents containing expenditures of its 2013 spending worth N17.1 billion, following a probe launched by the Senate.

In 2021, the NSTIF management was enmeshed in an N62 billion fraud scandal.

Similarly, in July 2020, top officials of the NSITF, including the managing director, Bayo Somefun, were suspended over allegations of corruption, including the squandering of N3.4 billion on non-existent staff training.

The NSITF was also probed for an alleged N2.3 billion fraud in 2019.

In 2018, the Federal Government said it uncovered N62.555 billion unaccounted funds in the NSITF.

In November 2017, EFCC arraigned an ex-NSITF boss, Umar Muni and four other officials for over an N18 billion fraud.

Also, in 2016, the management of the agency was accused of favouritism in promotions by a section of workers which reportedly generated enmity between the old and new staff.

Nigeria Labour Congress elects new President

Vincent Ufuoma
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Nigeria Labour Congress elects new President

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has elected Joe Ajaero as its new National President.

Ajaero, who was previously the Deputy National President and General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), was elected unopposed at the 13th National Delegates’ Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, February 8.

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He takes over from Ayuba Wabba, whose tenure as NLC President ended on Wednesday.

The conference, which began on Tuesday, February 7, is to produce new national officers who would lead the union in the next four years.

Born on December 17, 1964, in Emekuku Owerri-North, Imo State, Ajaero has a rich background in the media and has been a prominent figure in the NLC since 2011.

Ajaero marks a new chapter for the NLC and the country’s labour movement. The NLC will be looking to Ajaero to provide the leadership and guidance needed to tackle the challenges facing workers in Nigeria.

Intn’l Center for Journalists  seeks monitoring and evaluation specialist

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Intn’l Center for Journalists  seeks monitoring and evaluation specialist

THE International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is hiring a monitoring and evaluation specialist to gather and consolidate the impact of investigative projects and fellowships, as well as exchange fellowships.

The monitoring and evaluation specialist will also design evaluation tools like pre-and post-surveys to gather information on knowledge gained from trainings and workshops.

Other responsibilities include measuring the use and proliferation of ICFJ’s secure online platform and dashboards, providing basic metrics on project data, and preparing high-quality quarterly reports highlighting compiled data.

Experienced journalists can apply for this contract position.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interested applicants can apply here.

Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University offers energy journalism fellowship

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University offers energy journalism fellowship

THE Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University is calling for applications for the 2023 Energy Journalism Fellows program.

The program aims at offering journalists the opportunity to learn about the intersecting disciplines shaping the global energy sector, including finance and markets, climate change, science and technology, policy, and geopolitics.

The fellowship is open to journalists covering energy, climate and the environment, with preference given to journalists with five or fewer years of experience. The program is free for journalists, including transportation and lodging.

The 2023 seminar will be hosted in person in New York City from June 20, 2023, to June 23, 2023, with presentations and opportunities for small group discussions and networking. To promote an educational experience, Chatham House Rules will apply.

The organiser says, “Since its inception in 2017, EJF has enrolled 120 journalists from the US and around the world.

“EJF participants will gain a greater understanding of these topics, meet and learn from some of the world’s leading experts on these issues, and enhance their networks and reporting.”

The deadline for submission of applications is March 1, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Supreme Court stops February 10 deadline for use of old notes

Bankole ABE
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Supreme Court stops February 10 deadline for use of old notes

THE attempt by the Federal government to ban the use of the old naira notes from February 10 has been temporarily halted by the Supreme Court.

A seven-member panel of Justices of the apex court led by Justice John Okoro ordered the suspension of the plan while ruling on an exparte motion filed by the Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara State governments.

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The ICIR reported that three All Progressives Congress (APC) governors dragged the Federal Government before the Supreme Court in a bid to halt the full implementation of the naira redesign policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The governors of Kaduna, Nasir El Rufai; Kogi, Yahaya Bello; and Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, who filed the suit, expressed concern about the impact of the CBN policy on citizens of their states.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is the only defendant in the lawsuit.

Presenting the motion on Wednesday, the applicants’ counsel, A. I. Mustapha, pleaded with the Supreme Court to approve the request in the name of justice and the welfare of Nigeria.

He stated that the government’s policy is causing pain to citizens.

Mustapha cited Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistics which put the number of people who don’t have bank accounts at over 60 per cent.

He also lamented that the few Nigerians with bank accounts couldn’t even access their monies from the bank as a result of the policy.

In his ruling on the motion, Justice Okoro held that after careful consideration of the motion exparte, the application is granted as prayed.

He therefore granted an order of Interim Injunction restraining the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on February 10, 2023, the time frame with which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denomination of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.”

The CBN had fixed February 10 for the expiration of the older version of the N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes.

There will be no clear winner in February 25 presidential election – NEXTIER Poll

Harrison EDEH
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There will be no clear winner in February 25 presidential election – NEXTIER Poll

A clear winner is unlikely to emerge in the Nigerian presidential election of February 25, according to Nextier Poll, an Africa-focused consulting firm.

A statement by the firm said its prediction was based on the results of the opinion poll it conducted on January 27.

From the results, Nextier stated, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is likely to emerge with the highest number of votes. The votes would, however, not be enough for him to emerge victorious in the first ballot and would have to face either the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, or that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in a run-off.

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The firm stated that from the results of its survey polled on a sample size of 3,000 voters, Obi polled 37 per cent of the respondents, followed by Abubakar with 27 per cent, while Tinubu got 24 per cent.

The poll acknowledged that although Obi had the highest poll, it is unlikely to give him outright victory in the first ballot.

The founding partner of Nextier, Partner O. Okigbo, noted in the report that the presidential election was shaping to be one of the most keenly contested races in recent decades.

The current poll is the second Nextier had conducted on the 2023 presidential election.

The first poll released on November 20, 2022 conducted in rural communities in 12 states across Nigeria gave Obi 40.37 per cent of survey respondents.

Abubakar got 26.7 per cent, while Bola Tinubu got 20.47 per cent, with about 7.16 per cent of the respondents undecided, according to the first poll.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, however, questioned the methodology of the Nextier polls.

According to the official statement from Onanuga, the distribution of the sample neither reflected voter demographics nor variations in voter turn-out across states.

He pointed out that the sample of 3,000 used in the methodology was too insignificant in an election with over 93 million registered voters, and which admitted greater margins of error in the poll.

He also accused the consulting firm of being partisan, alleging that it was an active campaigner for the Labour Party presidential candidate.

“This is apart from the fact that the sample size of the so-called poll and methodology employed cannot stand any integrity test,” Onanuga stated.

 

Naira crisis: ICPC discovers N258m new banknotes hidden in vault of Abuja bank

Bankole ABE
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0
Naira crisis: ICPC discovers N258m new banknotes hidden in vault of Abuja bank

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has discovered the sum of N258 million stashed in the vault at the head office of Sterling Bank in Abuja.

The Commission said it made the discovery in the course of its ongoing efforts at ensuring that commercial banks comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive on the distribution of the redesigned naira notes.

The ICPC, in a statement on Tuesday, February 7, signed by its spokesperson Azuka Ogugua, said the discovery was made last Friday.

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“This discovery followed one of the Commission’s operations at ensuring that commercial banks and other interest groups do not flout the apex bank’s directive.

“When the ICPC monitoring team visited the bank and discovered the stashed new Naira notes in the bank’s vault, it was informed that the cash was the remnant of what the CBN had given the bank for onward distribution to its branches.

“The team, however, found out that only the sum of Five Million Naira (N5m) each was distributed to their various branches.”

The Commission said the regional and service managers of the bank were arrested and later granted administrative bail while investigations continue into the matter.

In a similar vein, the Commission said it had effected the arrest of the Head of Operations, Keystone Bank, Mararaba in Nasarawa State, for frustrating customers efforts at getting the new naira notes.

According to the Commission, a team of operatives, while on a routine operation, found out that the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at the branch were not dispensing to customers, while other bank customers were accessing only N1000.

“It was only after the arrest was made and clarification received from CBN that the position of the officers of the Bank was not correct that the ATMs started dispensing Five Thousand Naira to non-customers and Ten Thousand Naira to its customers.

“The team also arrested one Abdulkareem Shaibu, a Security Guard with Zenith Bank, 3rd Avenue Gwarimpa, as well as Ali Adam and Shafiu Umar,” the statement said.

The ICPC said one Shaibu, a security guard, was arrested for having five ATM cards which he was using to collect money for different unknown persons who were not within the bank premises at that time, while Adam and Umar were arrested in front of Zenith Bank, 1st Avenue Gwarimpa, for selling the new naira notes.

In another development, ICPC said two officials of FCMB Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, had been taken into custody for assaulting officers of the ICPC and CBN Cash Swap Monitoring Team.

The Commission last week arrested officials of some commercial banks within Abuja for alleged sabotage.

Since last week, the ICPC and other security organisations, including the EFCC, have been visiting banks to arrest hoarders of the new naira notes and end the current shortage.

The ICPC is a Nigerian Agency established on September 29, 2000, by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Commission focuses on public sector corruption, particularly bribery, reward, graft, and abuse or misuse of office.

Its duty also includes investigation, prosecution, and prevention of corruption by assessing the operating procedures of Ministries, Agencies, and Parastatals.

Public awareness campaigns against corruption are also part of its responsibilities.

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