#BBB NEWS| N4.7b: Obanikoro Returns N134m To EFCC, Says He Will Repay N450m In 2017

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on Monday returned N30m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This brings the total amount of money he has returned to the EFCC to N134m.

A source at the EFCC said, “Obanikoro came on Monday and presented a draft of about N30m. Initially we did not want to collect it because it is small compared to what he is supposed to have given us. However, the legal department advised us to collect it.”

Obanikoro had in October returned N104m to the commission. The ex-minister, who returned to Nigeria last month after spending about 15 months in the United States, was accused of receiving N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Obanikoro had said in his statement of oath at the EFCC that after receiving the money in 2014, he gave N1.219bn to the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, while N1.3bn was given to the PDP candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

#BBB NEWS| $20m Accounts: EFCC To Invite Patience Jonathan

Having frozen her personal account with a balance of $5m as well as four other accounts linked to her with a balance of $15.6m, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to invite Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Impeccable sources at the EFCC told SUNDAY PUNCH that detectives had visited the Skye Bank branch on Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, where the accounts were opened and had obtained the files containing Patience’s information.

The source told our correspondent that the detectives had been able to establish a prima facie case of money laundering and forgery against Patience.

It will be recalled that as part of investigations into a former Special Adviser to the President on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, the EFCC traced four company accounts to him all domiciled at Skye Bank

The bank accounts of the four companies —  Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited; and Globus Integrated Service Limited — were said to have been opened with stolen identities.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Probes Diezani Over N4b Hotel Deal With Ex-MILAD

Detectives have uncovered another multi-billion naira transaction believed to have been carried out by former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing a N4billion hotel deal between Mrs. Alison-Madueke and a former military administrator, whose identity is yet to be released “so as to protect the investigation”.

The hotel may be placed under Interim Forfeiture as soon as the preliminary investigation is concluded, The Nation learnt.

But detectives of the anti-graft agency have secured the relevant papers on the hotel valued at N4billion

Also, it was gathered at the weekend that some business associates of Mrs Alison-Madueke were yet to refund to the EFCC about $1.85billion traced to them.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Links Patience Jonathan With 9 Houses, 2 Hotels, One Plaza

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigators probing ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan’s link with five choice buildings, including a N5billion hotel in Abuja, have unearthed seven additional properties believed to be owned by her.

The detectives were in Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and Yenagoa (Bayelsa State) all week trying to establish whether four properties in the two cities truly belong to Mrs. Jonathan.

The Nation can now confirm that the assignment led the investigators to suspect that seven more properties including the former Customs Service officers mess in Port Harcourt and a plot of land under construction were acquired by her.

Others in the Rivers State capital are: two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; three Luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel on Airport road.

BBB NEWS| Diezani’s N23billion: EFCC Traces N15billion To Ex-ministers, Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has located the whereabouts of  N15billion of the N23.29billion ($115m)  allegedly offered as a bribe by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  in connection with the 2015 elections.

The bribe was for the purpose of compromising the result of the elections which the party’s presidential candidate Dr. Goodluck Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fourteen directors of four oil firms suspected of substantially bankrolling the N23.29b poll bribery scandal have also been identified by the anti-graft agency while some former Ministers arrested in connection with the scandal were battling for bail last night.

They are: former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammad (N 500,000,000) and ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the last dispensation, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali (N 950,000,000).

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Docks American Businessman For $2.3m Scam [PHOTO]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 18, 2016 arraigned one Marco Antonio Ramirez alongside his companies-Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now LLC-before Justice Peter O. Affen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $2.3m.

According to the complainants, Prince Ejikeme Ubanagum Mgbemena and Frank Ifaluyi Egbon, the suspect allegedly assured them that he would invest the money under the Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Based Fifth Preference (EB-5).

The complainants further alleged that the suspect promised to provide American Green Card for members of their families below 18 years.

#BBB NEWS| Group Petitions EFCC On Non-Remittance Of Revenue

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately commence investigation into an alleged non-remittance of generated revenue by about 600 government agencies. (pictured above) EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu Photo Credit: EFCC

In a petition signed by CSNAC chairman Olanrewaju Suraju and forwarded to the acting chairman of the anti-graft commission, Ibrahim Magu, the group said the alleged non-remittance of generated revenue is a great disservice to the nation and an act of economic sabotage.

The coalition said it took its cue from the February 26, 2016, report by The Cable, where it was reported that about 600 government agencies under-remitted generated revenues to the Federal Government.

According to the report, these agencies include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and others.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Docks Mohammed Gobir For $300m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 17, 2016 arraigned one Mohammed Gobir before Justice R. I. B. Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court on a 17-count charge of stealing, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

Gobir, 55, was arrested by the operatives of EFCC at his Ikoyi residence on the September 12, 2015 following a petition from an Outdoor Advertising Company, Afromedia.

The petitioner alleged that, Gobir was introduced to the Company by their Private Placements Consultants, Synergy Capital Advisory Limited sometime in 2008.

Upon his (Gobir) introduction, he offered to invest N1billion into Afromedia, a pretext that earned him a position as a Chairman, Business Development Committee on the board of directors.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC To Arraign FIRS Director Abumere Joseph Osagie March 10

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will tomorrow March 10, 2016 arraign Abumere Joseph Osagie, a Deputy Director, Regional Tax Office of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and his accomplice, Jamila Ojora on a two count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and receipt of gratification.

One of the counts read, “Abumere Joseph Osagie and Jamila Ojora on or about January 27, 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, corruptly accepted the sum of N5,000,000.00 ( five million naira) from one Senator Ahmed Datti as a gift for having done a tax assessment for Baze University”.

Osagie and  Ojora had on January 27, 2016 allegedly approached Senator Datti, the Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja and gave him a tax assessment of N20,029, 496.00 through a letter of intent, which he paid.

“However, when he requested for the assessment certificate, they refused to oblige him. Instead they allegedly demanded for N5 million gratification. All pleas by him fell on deaf ears.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Declares Tompolo Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday declared a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, wanted.

The anti-graft agency in an advertorial signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said it declared Tompolo wanted following two bench warrants issued against him by a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he has been charged with N45.9bn fraud.

In the said advertorial which carried a photograph of Tompolo, the EFCC described him as a 47-year-old, dark-complexioned man from Okerenkoko, Gbaramotu Kingdom in the Warri South-WestLocal Government Area of Delta State.

The wanted Tompolo, whose address was given as No. 1, Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State, is said to speak both Izon and English languages.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC ‘Investigating’ Okonjo-Iweala, Diezani, Aluko

The former Minister of Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with corruption cases perpetrated during the last administration, the chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu, said on Monday.

Magu, who spoke during the budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, added that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, is also under the EFCC radar.

Kola Aluko, a close associate of the former Petroleum minister, alleged to have helped in taking a large chunk of the nation’s funds out of the country, is also being investigated by the commission.

Magu, who responded to questions by a member of the committee, Hon. Razak Atunwa , on whether the two  ex-ministers and Aluko were included in the EFCC investigative list, said “very soon, we will go into the petroleum industry.”

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Arraigns Two Oil Dealers for Petroleum Equalisation Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, January 28, 2016 arraigned the duo of Aku Ben Aku and Philips James Aliku alongside their company, Al-Aminu Oil and Gas Limited, before Justice Sulaiman Aliyu Tukur  of the High Court of Kaduna State, Kaduna on a five -count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N14, 602, 600.00 (Fourteen Million, Six Hundred and Two Thousand, Six Hundred Naira).

The offence is contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable Under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

The first accused person, Aku, while being in the employ of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund Board, allegedly registered a private company, Al-Aminu Oil and Gas, where he is a director.

Aku, allegedly conspired with the second accused person, Aliku, who is also a director of the company, and obtained the sum of N14, 602, 600.00 (Fourteen Million, Six Hundred and Two Thousand, Six Hundred Naira) from the Federal Government on the pretence that the money was for the loading and selling of petroleum products by the filling station purportedly located on Madikiya Road, Kafancha, Kaduna State.

#BBB NEWS| How Dariye Diverted N204 Million To Own Company - Witness

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on January 26, 2016 presented more evidence against a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, who is being prosecuted on a 23-count charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of funds, before Justice Adebukola Banjoko, of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Gudu, Abuja.

Dariye, in addition to being accused of siphoning about N1.2 billionEcological Fund meant for the state, is also alleged to have diverted about N204 million meant for the state treasury, to Ebenezer Ratnen Ventures, ERV – a company owned by him.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the EFCC witness, Musa Sunday, a detective with the EFCC, gave details of how money meant for the Plateau State Government account, was diverted to ERV.

Sunday told the court that in the course of investigations into several cheque slips recovered from the then Lion Bank (now Diamond Bank), it was discovered that there were several questionable inflows into the account of ERV.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Arraigns Two For Visa Scam [PHOTO]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, January 18, 2016 arraigned the duo of Valentino Chibueze Enudi and Monday Adewale Lawal before Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja on a 15-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

The offence is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code and Section 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Enudi and Lawal were apprehended by EFCC operatives following a petition alleging that the duo specialize in using forged bank statements and other documents to fraudulently obtain money from people under the guise of processing United Kingdom visa for them.

#BBB NEWS| Navy Hands Over Vessel With N11 Million Stolen Fuel To EFCC

The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder said on Sunday that it had handed over a vessel and wooden boat loaded with about 10,000 litres of diesel worth N11m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The petroleum product was suspected to have been stolen as the vessel was said to be transporting the fuel without required documents.

A statement signed by the Base Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Lt.-Cdr. Hamman Ahmed, indicated that two crew members of the vessel were also handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

The statement quoted the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, as saying that the vessel; MT Purity, and the wooden boat were impounded following a routine patrol of the waterways and creeks by navy troops on December 2, 2015.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC: Dasuki Used Arms Cash To Buy Assets In London, Dubai

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday accused the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), of compromising the security of the nation and committing economic sabotage through his alleged diversion of over N32bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight terrorists in the North -East.

The commission, which also gave more details about the alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms by the office of the NSA during Dasuki’s tenure, said there were documents showing that the ex-NSA gave the approval for the release of the funds to the accounts of private companies and individuals for the procurement of arms.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said this before Justice Yusuf Baba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, while opposing the bail applications filed by Dasuki and his co-accused persons, who are being prosecuted on 19 counts of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of the money.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC Chairman: More Influential People To Be Arrested Soon

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, announced that fresh arrests of influential persons will be forthcoming.

“[There are] more influential Nigerians on the radar of the EFCC and in the coming weeks they will have their day in court and Nigerians will be be kept fully abreast of the results of the commission’s investigations,” Mr. Magu stated during a meeting with online and broadcast media practitioners and managers.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday in Abuja, was intended to elicit support from the media for the fight against corruption, fraud, and economic crimes.  Mr. Magu requested that those assembled provide the EFCC with suggestions and advice to aid the commission in its war on graft.

“The EFCC needs you [the media], Nigeria needs your critical support if we are to make any headway in this important campaign against corruption. My pleas for your support is underscored by my understanding that the forces with which we are battling are powerful and some of them may want to use all platforms of media to distract and derail us,” the EFCC chief implored.

#BBB NEWS| Anenih To EFCC: How I Shared The N260m Dasuki Gave Me -Tanko Yakassai Got N63 Million

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman, Tony Anenih has explained how he disbursed the N260 million paid into his bank account from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes the cash came from the allegedly misappropriated $2.1 billion arms funds.

It would be recalled that one of the charges against former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and a former Director of Finance and Administration this office, Shaibu Salisu, was the transfer of N260million to Anenih.

The charge read: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on or about 28th November 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N260million being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA with Skye Bank Plc committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the bank account of Tony Anenih with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”

#BBB NEWS| $2.1 Billion Arms Scandal: EFCC Files Charges Against Former PDP Chairman, Haliru Mohammed And Son

All is now set for the prosecution of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, and ex-minister of defense Haliru Bello Mohammed and his son, Abbah Mohammed for their role in the diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms in the office of the National Security Adviser.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has already filed charges against the duo at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Though the matter is yet to be assigned to a specific judge, the former minister and his son are most likely to be docked on a 4-count money laundering charge on Tuesday, December 29 or Wednesday, December 30.

#BBB NEWS| EFCC To Establish Procurement Fraud Unit – Magu

Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 indicated his resolve to create a new Unit, to be known as Procurement Fraud Unit, PFU, with a view to strengthen the Commission’s efforts in fighting corruption.

“I am so concerned about procurement fraud. I am thinking of establishing a Unit, purely on procurement fraud. When put in place, it will go a long way in checking corruption”, Magu said.

The EFCC boss made this disclosure while playing host to a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, who paid him a courtesy call in his office.

The anti graft czar who vowed to tackle all shades of corruption headlong solicited support and collaboration of all stakeholders.