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EFCC Gathers Fresh Evidence Against Patience Jonathan's Cousin

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUofKoPMmmiQkzXsLRcBiAPjtqVzhoioWE82AzbJLBS9021pXHYaA4KLHpE571U8ZQDN8pDvwJpCx06TRZWqnJrPOV9cSaBLpYzk5og_DDwi6fK0a3e5Pptqp_Kacb6zY9n5tZIMjGhyk/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUofKoPMmmiQkzXsLRcBiAPjtqVzhoioWE82AzbJLBS9021pXHYaA4KLHpE571U8ZQDN8pDvwJpCx06TRZWqnJrPOV9cSaBLpYzk5og_DDwi6fK0a3e5Pptqp_Kacb6zY9n5tZIMjGhyk/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered fresh evidence against one Esther Oba, an alleged front and cousin of Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. 
 
Oba recently came under investigation when she was identified as one of the owners of N9bn accounts bearing the signatures of Patience. 
 
Sources told our correspondent that Oba, whom the EFCC has put on its watch list, allegedly possessed two valid Nigerian passports which bear two different signatures. 
 
A source in the EFCC said, “After we froze Patience Jonathan’s accounts a few months ago, we continued to investigate the former First Lady. We then stumbled on some accounts, which did not bear her name but had her signature. 
 
“We realised that one Esther Oba, who we believe is Patience’s cousin, had been operating some accounts for her. The accounts had Oba’s BVN but carried Patience’s signature. So we began investigating Oba. 
 
“We found out that Oba used two different passports in operating some of the accounts. The two passports are valid but carry different signatures. We immediately wrote a letter to the Nigeria Immigration Service to seek clarification. 
 
“Immigration confirmed that the two passports are indeed valid. They bear the same name, picture and details but different signatures. So, they have also launched an investigation into the matter. Obviously this is a case of fraud.” 
 
The source told our correspondent that all attempts to locate Oba had proved abortive. 
 
He added that the EFCC had already hired some forensic experts to study the signatures. 
 
He said, “Oba’s signature and that of Patience look exactly alike. But in order to build a solid case, we are hiring some forensic experts to study the signatures and give us a report which we would be able to present in court.” 
 
He added that due to the existence of Bank Verification Number, it had become difficult for politically-exposed persons to keep huge sums of money in their accounts. 
 
The detective explained that such people opened accounts with other people’s identities but used their own signatures on the accounts so that only “the sponsors” would have access to the accounts. 
 
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola had recently granted an order freezing the bank accounts allegedly belonging to Patience with over N9bn lodged in them. 
 
While one of the former President’s wife’s accounts, domiciled in Skye Bank Plc, has a balance of $5,316.66, five other company accounts and one belonging to Oba were also frozen. 
 
While the companies’ accounts in six commercial banks are said to have a balance amounting to N7.4bn, Oba’s account is said to have $429,381.87 (N135,255,289.05). 
 
The companies are Finchley Top Homes Limited, Aribawa Aruera Reachout Foundation, Magel Resort Limited, AM-PM Global Network Limited, Pansy Oil and Gas Limited. 
 
Apart from the recently frozen accounts, the EFCC had, in July, frozen four company accounts with a balance of $15m. 
 
Patience had informed a Federal High Court in Lagos that the money in the accounts belonged to her even though the accounts did not carry her name or BVN. 
 
Some of the accounts were said to be operated by some domestic servants in the employ of a former Special Adviser to ex-President Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa. 
 
The companies are 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. 
 
The companies had, on September 15, 2016, pleaded guilty to money laundering when they were arraigned before Justice Babs Kewumi of a Federal High Court in Lagos.</div>

EFCC Gathers Fresh Evidence Against Patience Jonathan's Cousin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered fresh evidence against one Esther Oba, an alleged front and cousin of Dame Patien...

Senators back EFCC’s retention of 2% recovered loots

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPsH8-lHwCBQDMF_rDXHEKzsYuOl2bGm2c59NRIgAF_cc7I62xEObAaiuPJAaEuu_NEI7ufFE4rHy6FWbYmOU9bqPPVuliCNMkjs2c9s8pEItIkktVK34ghlY4ndzexUjdqWfzF5i4jzW/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPsH8-lHwCBQDMF_rDXHEKzsYuOl2bGm2c59NRIgAF_cc7I62xEObAaiuPJAaEuu_NEI7ufFE4rHy6FWbYmOU9bqPPVuliCNMkjs2c9s8pEItIkktVK34ghlY4ndzexUjdqWfzF5i4jzW/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>To buoy President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft crusade, the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, has commenced a nationwide visit to agencies handling graft-related cases. 
 
Committee chairman, Chukwuka Utazi, who led other members to Enugu State, yesterday, said the purpose of the unannounced visits to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) across the country, was to identify areas that needed improvement. 
 
The committee also revealed that the Senate, in a proposed amendment bill of the EFCC Act, would empower the anti-graft agency to keep two per cent of whatever it gets from recovered loots. 
“We will pass the bill next week. We have made provisions for the EFCC to auction seized assets… Going forward, EFCC will keep two per cent of whatever it recovers for operational cost.” 
 
Utazi praised Enugu EFCC staff’s diligence, despite poor working conditions. 
“I want to appreciate your fight against corruption. We would have progressed more than this if there was no corruption. We have to supervise you so that you will be efficient. That is the only way you can do your job well…” 
EFCC coordinator in charge of the South East, Mr. Johnson Babalola, commended the lawmakers for backing the commission on retention of a certain percentage of revovered loots.</div>

Senators back EFCC’s retention of 2% recovered loots

To buoy President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft crusade, the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, has commenced a nationwide visit to agenci...

More Trouble For Patience Jonathan As EFCC Discovers 9 Houses, 2 Hotels, One Plaza Linked With Her.

<div style="text-align: center; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3kyHG9CE7B9N7YN8rkKwYyG4mFOMS6ZxF4lO576HatBXzdwpHkzH2jlJXc-hV7tgfHzoc9JwkfXraV8ZYuKaWnZp-tsoLCQpbCrhzpmwztV7tpQqL2-usdTIhhSD1oNv8JjPo1-lCkfq/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3kyHG9CE7B9N7YN8rkKwYyG4mFOMS6ZxF4lO576HatBXzdwpHkzH2jlJXc-hV7tgfHzoc9JwkfXraV8ZYuKaWnZp-tsoLCQpbCrhzpmwztV7tpQqL2-usdTIhhSD1oNv8JjPo1-lCkfq/ cursor: pointer;" style="border: 1px solid; border-radius: 2px;padding: 5px; max-width: 320px " width="320px" /></a></div><div class="blogaway-section">According to The Nation, 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 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. 
 Those in Yenagoa are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House on Sani Abacha Expressway which serves as the office of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo Road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness, and Spa along Sani Abacha Expressway. . 
 EFCC may invoke Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 on the affected properties after due verification. Already, the EFCC has written to the Head of the Civil Service in Bayelsa State demanding the pay status and allowances of Mrs. Jonathan during her tenure as a Permanent Secretary. 
 It also sought explanation on whether or not she was paid in dollars, besides travelling estacodes, while in office. The investigators are already back in Abuja to continue their assignment.</div>

More Trouble For Patience Jonathan As EFCC Discovers 9 Houses, 2 Hotels, One Plaza Linked With Her.

According to The Nation, EFCC investigators probing ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan’s link with five choice buildings, including a N5billion...

APC, PDP bicker over Fayose’s frozen accounts

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdDgTB_3Km6ktrTNjnfwT2CPVIkHGui2rFUmjncGFo7tViHUH802mwBWEn6rwcj4hKD7zWEE2bfCeOit6owaWlbmU8BxI2H6dxXnm8KMAoSI0XWzibtgQerpNmTIk9Re-SHMgylEnELmV/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdDgTB_3Km6ktrTNjnfwT2CPVIkHGui2rFUmjncGFo7tViHUH802mwBWEn6rwcj4hKD7zWEE2bfCeOit6owaWlbmU8BxI2H6dxXnm8KMAoSI0XWzibtgQerpNmTIk9Re-SHMgylEnELmV/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, bickered over freezing of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s personal accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . 
At the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, Fayose challenged the legality of EFCC freezing his accounts. His lawyer, Mike Ozekhome has already filed a suit on the matter. 
 
On July 4, EFCC filed an affidavit at the court leading to an adjournment of the case as requested by Ozekhome to enable him time to address the allegations. 
While the APC, joined by Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and other anti-Fayose groups trooped to the streets of Ado Ekiti to protest alleged looting of the state’s commonwealth by Governor Fayose, challenging the governor to waive his immunity and submit himself for probe, the governor’s aide, Idowu Adelusi, dismissed their allegations as spurious . 
Adelusi said asking the governor to waive his immunity amounts to “ranting of an ignorant lot.” 
Describing the freezing of Fayose’s accounts by the EFCC for allegedly containing N1.3 billion slush fund from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), to fund the governor’s campaign in 2014, as a right step, the protesters passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and his anti-corruption war. 
They urged the EFCC to dig deep into the finances of the state and prosecute whoever was indicted in the looting of its treasury. 
APC acting Chairman in the state, Mrs. Kemi Olaleye, said: “We are tired of immunity clause. 
“Immunity has become impunity in Ekiti. We condemn Governor Fayose’s corrupt tendencies. Things must change. 
“The EFCC must do its job and ensure that looters of Ekiti are brought to justice.” 
But Adelusi, countered. He said: “The APC protesters asking Fayose to waive his immunity are doing so out of ignorance and desperation to win the state in 2018 knowing that their aim can only be achieved if Fayose is out of the way. 
“But, it is a failed agenda because we are ever ready for them on daily basis like soldiers guarding entrance of military formation. 
 
“They should know that this is 2016 and not 2006. 
“Their agenda is about 2018 and their game plans are what we are now seeing; using the EFCC to concoct lies and using the media to disparage Governor Fayose, but, they cannot go far. 
“For now, the APC should not be too desperate for Fayose to defend himself against the myriads of allegations. 
“Rather, they should wait till 2018 for the governor to submit himself to the EFCC as he did in 2007. 
“Till now, even the EFCC has not accused Fayose of stealing Ekiti money and if it is concocting one, we shall meet in the court at the appropriate time.” 
 
 
Culled from THE SUN</div>

APC, PDP bicker over Fayose’s frozen accounts

Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, bickered over freezing of Gove...

29 properties seized from ex-Air Force chiefs by EFCC

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNvmoAi_VRdv7PKBgMLQmB1MMkys2zZdzGOdLoUYB569Cebg4f-lHqd6b6eeitjT0VC3UW28bfgW4NKhhfFSxslQ62sbXkz1kWbP-2a3qEJZPDVKMM_lhL6xnqduZPs1hViyL0txvJgCM/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNvmoAi_VRdv7PKBgMLQmB1MMkys2zZdzGOdLoUYB569Cebg4f-lHqd6b6eeitjT0VC3UW28bfgW4NKhhfFSxslQ62sbXkz1kWbP-2a3qEJZPDVKMM_lhL6xnqduZPs1hViyL0txvJgCM/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu 
 
 
 
 
Hard fighting anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) says it has seized at least 29 properties from ex-Air Force chiefs in the on-going anti-corruption war. 
 
According to a report by Punch newspaper, among the ex-Air Force chiefs whose properties were seized are the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun (retd.); and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo (retd.). 
 
While 11 properties were seized from Amosu; 12 were seized from Adigun and six from Gbadebo. 
 
 
Some of the properties seized from Amosu included a house on Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, worth N250m; a duplex at House 11, Peace Court Estate, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, worth N110m; a N40m property located at NAF Harmony Estate, Asokoro Base and a five-bedroomed house at Valley NAF Estate, Port Harcourt, worth N33m. 
 
Others include a hospital on Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, known as St. Solomon Hospital with equipment worth $2.15m and a N95m house on Umaru Dikko Street, Jabi, Abuja. 
 
The properties seized from Gbadebo include a fish farm worth N10m; a N20m poultry, located at Musa Close, Oyibo Ayobu, Lagos and a school known as Bloomsville International School, Divine Estate, Isheri-Olofin , off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. 
 
The three suspects will be arraigned by the anti-graft agency this week. 
 
The retired military officers were accused of diverting public funds to the tune of N21,467,674,707.43 in 2014. 
 
EFCC has charged them before a federal High court in Lagos accusing them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos. 
 
 
They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a). 
 
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo Isiokuwa reportedly said 42 witnesses will testify when trial begins. 
 
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will soon sack some of its senior officers over their indictment in the $2.1 billion arms procurement scandal and other corruption related offences that has come to light since the advent of the Muhammadu Buhari administration</div>

29 properties seized from ex-Air Force chiefs by EFCC

Immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Hard fighting anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(...

EFCC probes Ortom over N4.29bn transfer

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiXCG8InahQgTHG8d-PrIVhGNHVP8qq_H50vI3S3-MGrPQoHzWYiiSpwiZG1zsHlo1Y6Bs9c_b3ljw-FmncJJAxnYF9ZNjbTJC9mkS6QlZko8T_6sxYYsCb74vvuuWaDrL_zFBtHFdjOU/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiXCG8InahQgTHG8d-PrIVhGNHVP8qq_H50vI3S3-MGrPQoHzWYiiSpwiZG1zsHlo1Y6Bs9c_b3ljw-FmncJJAxnYF9ZNjbTJC9mkS6QlZko8T_6sxYYsCb74vvuuWaDrL_zFBtHFdjOU/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Barely a year in office, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following allegation he caused the transfer of the state’s cash amounting to N4.29 billion from banks to unknown recipients. 
 
This came as the immediate past Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, was also arrested by the EFCC for questioning over alleged fraud and abuse of office. 
 
On the strength of the three petitions fired by insiders in Benue State government, the EFCC has already swung into action by questioning some persons close to the government in relation to the cash transfers. 
 
 
A top official of the commission confirmed to Vanguard, last night, that the agency received two petitions against the governor and some top officials of the administration and had already commenced investigation into the matter, even though the governor is covered by immunity while in office. 
 
He said: “I can confirm to you that the commission has received petitions against Governor Ortom and other dramatis personae over alleged diversion and other financial infractions. We have also commenced investigation into the veracity of the petitions. And I can also tell you that the commission will soon take necessary action on the matter.” 
 
Some of those named in the petitions as arrowheads of the scam are members of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly. 
 
The official said only those not covered by immunity were being interrogated in connection with the cash movement, adding that the outcome of the commission’s probe would soon be made public. 
 
Governor Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, said the report was not only false but also a demonstration of mischief and ignorance by the authors of the petitions. 
 
Quizzes Inde, ex-Customs CG, over N40bn cash diversion 
 
Inde, who had been on the radar of the anti-graft agency for the past one year, was arrested and taken into the commission’s facility in Abuja for interrogation. 
 
A top official in the commission confirmed to Vanguard that Inde, who arrived the head office of the commission around 10 am, was still being quizzed at press time. 
 
According to competent source in the commission, the interrogators picked up Inde in connection with N40 billion, which he allegedly pocketed while in office. 
 
According to the source, Inde allegedly diverted the huge sum of money from the purse of the NSC. The source added that the amount accrued from the seven per cent cost of collection of Customs revenue and another one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, which generated billions of Naira in revenue, but was largely diverted. 
 
Beyond the N40 billion said to have been diverted by Inde, EFCC is also questioning him on how he came about the over N2 billion, which he used in building what the commission described as a ‘palatial mansion’ located at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja. 
 
The commission believes that Inde lived above his means as a public servant and might have abused his office for personal gains while serving as Customs boss. 
 
For that reason, the commission is likely going to charge Inde to court for criminal conspiracy, theft, abuse of public office and diversion of public funds, among others.</div>

EFCC probes Ortom over N4.29bn transfer

Barely a year in office, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission...

N23bn election bribery scam: EFCC detains former minister, Amb. Bashir Yuguda - photos

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve5B9f483mPaeiFZHCLz0dqmFs-kASjq0HMDLW0lZ2SvwrytVaonFqzwlMTtrWwr0PlFqYg97dZu_bxyvWLRo-jHMtP_WXqLeqmHng9-Wbf4OfUAUQZEFjXKFT5TqewPkxu1NDdDouUy8/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve5B9f483mPaeiFZHCLz0dqmFs-kASjq0HMDLW0lZ2SvwrytVaonFqzwlMTtrWwr0PlFqYg97dZu_bxyvWLRo-jHMtP_WXqLeqmHng9-Wbf4OfUAUQZEFjXKFT5TqewPkxu1NDdDouUy8/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6lhA7psssKLa-NNrSLFrDW_GCWSpGSlw1j-gRYeD2vzAMDlDUG1IwNBneY7WLcD6_dRLKYKnUieTu_rtaIZS5KebU9YEzmsBUmhj3DLevgq3BgyJztWc5OHVMRSfQt-30pcmTOOKDDEc/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6lhA7psssKLa-NNrSLFrDW_GCWSpGSlw1j-gRYeD2vzAMDlDUG1IwNBneY7WLcD6_dRLKYKnUieTu_rtaIZS5KebU9YEzmsBUmhj3DLevgq3BgyJztWc5OHVMRSfQt-30pcmTOOKDDEc/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the former Minister finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda over his alleged involvement in 23billion bribery poll. Ambassador Yuguda in his statement admitted collecting a total of N450 million in his capacity as a senior executive of PDP chieftain in his State.</div>

N23bn election bribery scam: EFCC detains former minister, Amb. Bashir Yuguda - photos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the former Minister finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda over his alleged invo...

Court Orders EFCC To Hold Nnamdi Okonkwo, Fidelity Bank MD

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX6Fx23IgROE6ROmjEgiKZtLQSGIcW4Rd_SnfmFnKljraJHtaiAcURk658HGJO7W3Q5VPF9eoHoLAZ3HZBJEp1SlQFJUmWaOXX3wNA53ZiGo3MzmJ7OWNFuY8tX2NVmL7HdGKtKk-uVrh/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX6Fx23IgROE6ROmjEgiKZtLQSGIcW4Rd_SnfmFnKljraJHtaiAcURk658HGJO7W3Q5VPF9eoHoLAZ3HZBJEp1SlQFJUmWaOXX3wNA53ZiGo3MzmJ7OWNFuY8tX2NVmL7HdGKtKk-uVrh/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has obtained a remand order to keep the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, and the bank’s Head of Operations, Mr. Martins Izuogbe, pending the outcome of investigations. 
 
A reliable source at the EFCC told our correspondent on Friday that the EFCC had been given permission to detain the suspects for 30 days. 
 
The source said, “On Thursday, we approached a court in Lagos, where we applied for a remand order. The court granted our prayer and gave us permission to hold them for 30 days pending the conclusion of investigations.” 
 
 
This implies that the two top bankers would spend the Workers’ Day holiday in detention. 
 
The anti-graft agency had arrested Okonkwo and Izuogbe earlier in the week for their alleged role in the distribution of $115m (N23bn) to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and election monitors about two days before the 2015 presidential election. 
 
The bank officials were said to have handled the funds for a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Diezani was said to have met with Okonkwo before the elections and handed him $26m in cash to help her keep even though she had no account with Fidelity Bank. 
 
She was also alleged to have informed the bank MD that four other companies would deposit $89m and he should help her to convert the monies to naira. 
 
Diezani’s son, Ugonna Madueke, who the EFCC is now looking for, allegedly gave Okonkwo a list containing the names of people who would receive the funds. 
 
Fidelity Bank has, however, denied any wrongdoing, adding that it reported its financial dealings to the appropriate authorities.</div>

Court Orders EFCC To Hold Nnamdi Okonkwo, Fidelity Bank MD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has obtained a remand order to keep the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okon...

N47.6bn fraud: Tompolo, others arraigned in absentia

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKuKpJbLDXyuhStc32ggm06g1KmSsWYYwFMZIaZDw-AoMVR3ErHXzTkDDv7JKnqtTkJOGDRpWNXqms7E4YsU7LH6YBjEgZ08SWXF699IzbSrKqWWnT4F0JroBsHwAT7MbtaUqrH-ZDIg2/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKuKpJbLDXyuhStc32ggm06g1KmSsWYYwFMZIaZDw-AoMVR3ErHXzTkDDv7JKnqtTkJOGDRpWNXqms7E4YsU7LH6YBjEgZ08SWXF699IzbSrKqWWnT4F0JroBsHwAT7MbtaUqrH-ZDIg2/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Former NigerDelta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo and seven brothers of former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi were, yesterday, arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, in absentia, on a 22- count of N47.6 billion fraud. 
 
The Akpobolokemis,’ who were arraigned in absentia with Tompolo were Igo, Julius, Stephen, Victor, Norbert, Emmanuel and Clement, and one Pondi Ebimorbowei Kestin. 
 
They all were declared as being “now at large” when the charge was read before Justice Ibrahim Buba. 
 
However, Akpobolokemi, two women – Josephine Otuaga and Rita Uruakpa and one Kime Engozu, who were also listed as defendants in the charge, pleaded not guilty. 
 
Also listed as defendants in the charge charge were six companies namely Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE; Oyeinteke Global Network Limited; Wabod Global Resources Ltd.; Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd.; Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd.; Muhaabix Global Services Ltd and Watershed Associated Resources. 
 
The 22-charge borders on conspiracy, advanced fee fraud and money laundering. 
 
The offence according to EFCC prosecutors, Festus Keyamo are contrary to sections 8, 1(b) of Advance Fee Fraud, 18 (a), 15 (1) of Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 1 (3), 15(3) of the same Act, and 1(2)(c) Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation 2004, besides, the offence of the accused can also be punished under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004. 
 
The matter has been adjourned till May 30 and 31 for trial. 
 
Meanwhile, Orji Chukuma Aosihiuwu who is an operative of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), yesterday, gave graphic account of how the N1, 000, 258, 666. 60 allegedly looted from the agency were shared. 
 
Aosihiuwu, who is in the Special Taskforce Unit (STU) of the agency, identified all the defendants and gave account of the role played by each of them in the N1. 6 billion scam. 
 
He gave account of how the funds were shared among six companies Seabulk Offshore Operator Ltd- N437,726,666; Ace Prothesis Ltd- N66,800,000; Extreme Vertex Nig Ltd- N21, 802, 000.00; O2 Services Plus Ltd- N14, 200, 000. 00; Southern Offshore Ltd- N402,480,000; Caniz Limited- N12,250,000.</div>

N47.6bn fraud: Tompolo, others arraigned in absentia

Former NigerDelta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo and seven brothers of former Director-General of the Nigeria...

Court Frees Ex-minister Abba Moro From Kuje Prison

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4k18W6gDav7hp2Z-30UwCop6G4we4wMSezCinO4_PQsV_J1ekshP2EpcWYEmChZ08U_7T8X03TKpcyeoWx5zEmnpzOwdGqVKT6yJXI49XZ5fGuJ6b51qOXa_wdGDOm9u_g9Brs6KNGzM/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4k18W6gDav7hp2Z-30UwCop6G4we4wMSezCinO4_PQsV_J1ekshP2EpcWYEmChZ08U_7T8X03TKpcyeoWx5zEmnpzOwdGqVKT6yJXI49XZ5fGuJ6b51qOXa_wdGDOm9u_g9Brs6KNGzM/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>This afternoon, Justice A I Chikere of the federal high court, Abuja, granted Abba Moro, former minister of interior, bail on self-recognition. Moro had spent three days at Kuje prison, Abuja, before the order for his release by the court. While delivering her ruling, Justice Chikere held that Moro had no criminal record and was a public officer, hence she believed that he would not jump bail. 
 
After her ruling, she fixed April 27 for commencement of trial. On Wednesday, She fixed Thursday for ruling on the bail application of Moro after listening to the arguments of the prosecuting and the defence counsel. On Monday, Justice Chikere had remanded Moro in prison custody pending the determination of his application for bail. 
 
However, Anastasia Nwobia, a co-accused, was granted bail following her release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . Uche Chris (SAN), counsel to Nwobia, had asked the court to grant his client bail, arguing that she was a nursing mother and a victim of circumstance in the case. The court had granted his request, but remanded Moro, the first defendant, in the case in prison. 
 
‪According to the EFCC, “Moro, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia, F O Alayebami, Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd allegedly defrauded a total of 675, 675,000 Nigerian applicants to the tune of N675,675,000, representing N1000 per applicant through e-payment for an online recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service on March 17, 2013.” 
 
‬However, the third and the fourth accused persons, Nwobia and F O Alayebami, were granted bail in the sum N100m and one surety each in like sum. According to the court, the sureties must be directors in the federal civil service. The two accused persons must also submit two recent passport-sized photographs.</div>

Court Frees Ex-minister Abba Moro From Kuje Prison

This afternoon, Justice A I Chikere of the federal high court, Abuja, granted Abba Moro, former minister of interior, bail on self-recogniti...

Court slams EFCC, orders immediate release of Jonathan’s former ADC

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqkujuRdA5Lxg377VIiKglFRz4ulrORYiTUuwaQL0VnH2tK50ZYIqa0f2v21BEdk3kmep1pmXgF595kSzZbBr-FMOjGM2-w79gzZ7f1cIRo7h46NmgkKXzZt4x8yGu-M0kfPsIVVxlGdK/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqkujuRdA5Lxg377VIiKglFRz4ulrORYiTUuwaQL0VnH2tK50ZYIqa0f2v21BEdk3kmep1pmXgF595kSzZbBr-FMOjGM2-w79gzZ7f1cIRo7h46NmgkKXzZt4x8yGu-M0kfPsIVVxlGdK/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the immediate release of the Aide de Camp to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ojogbane Adegbe, on liberal terms. 
 
The judge, Yusuf Halilu, said the Economic and Financial Commission Crimes Commission (EFCC) had no right to detain Mr. Adegbe for more than 48 hours, without charging him to court. 
 
Mr. Halilu stated that the commission had a legal obligation to treat government and the populace in like manner, and frowned at what he described as the conversion of the EFCC into a “police station” by its officials. 
The counsel to Mr. Adegbe, Ogwu Onoja, told the court earlier that the EFCC had transferred his client to a military facility after granting him bail on stringent conditions. 
That submission was not argued by the counsel to the EFCC, Musa Denga. 
Mr. Halilu added that his judgement was binding not only on the EFCC, but also on any agency keeping him in detention. 
Mr. Adegbe had taken the EFCC to court on February 11. 
 
‪His counsel, Mr. Onoja, had stated in the application brought by his client that the arrest and detention of Mr. Adegbe by the EFCC violated his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as stipulated in sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 constitution. 
‬ 
‪Mr. Onoja urged the court to declare his client’s arrest and continued detention by EFCC “unconstitutional”, and a violation of his right to personal liberty guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. 
‬ 
‪He prayed the court to make an order directing the EFCC to immediately release the applicant from unlawful detention. 
 
 
Culled from PREMIUM TIMES</div>

Court slams EFCC, orders immediate release of Jonathan’s former ADC

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the immediate release of the Aide de Camp to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ojogb...

Jonathan's ADC reveals who collected N10 billion for PDP chiefs

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lzJdHSLO4_YW9rTF34F_oTfKIV1-Lat8xIv31eboLRSPW_E3XZADx5g_Xr0AGG0Ptgr097Rlc2gPEC0Hq8gRBSrg69ycpi5UCwgleE5495xJw8qzWt76AFoUKWWbjJcM23t_7w_rlSMw/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lzJdHSLO4_YW9rTF34F_oTfKIV1-Lat8xIv31eboLRSPW_E3XZADx5g_Xr0AGG0Ptgr097Rlc2gPEC0Hq8gRBSrg69ycpi5UCwgleE5495xJw8qzWt76AFoUKWWbjJcM23t_7w_rlSMw/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe has made startling revelations about the N10 billion reportedly sent to him by Dasuki. 
 
 
 
Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe, the aide-de-camp to the former president Goodluck Jonathan has opened up on his role on the N10 billion gift for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 
 
The ex-aide to Jonathan, who is presently helping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with an investigation over some fraudulent dealings in the previous administration, said that the former special assistant (SA) on domestic affairs to the former president, Waripamowei Dudafa, should be called to account for the cash. 
 
 
 
According to The Nation, an EFCC source quoted the ADC to have said that when the suitcases containing the cash were brought as messages for the president, he merely handed them over to Dudafa, adding that military law forbids him from opening any message meant for the president, unless it was clearly stated. 
 
“The ADC has spoken with investigators. He said when the suit cases containing the N10billion were brought as messages for the ex-President, he did not open them but he handed over the items to SA Domestic Affairs. 
 
“He said as ADC, the military law forbids him from opening any message meant for the President, unless directed by the C-I-C. 
 
“So, it is only the SA Domestic Affairs, who has sneaked out of the country, who will need to provide the list of beneficiaries. This is the status of the case. 
 
“If Dudafa does not show up, we may declare him wanted in connection with the N10billion cash or seek the court’s permission to attach his property. 
 
 
 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB9Y0PqJPX3iSzM9yOnsRp0C6esh1m40XZLIR2KRWZXo1GIZC7ZXAqebHg5GhE31nEgeYyklWchRTl9BJLiHbnIYltyItU1_qCiYCANZcLGI27HMLjVUAigroK_zGY7nIydgsjW7asqEz/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB9Y0PqJPX3iSzM9yOnsRp0C6esh1m40XZLIR2KRWZXo1GIZC7ZXAqebHg5GhE31nEgeYyklWchRTl9BJLiHbnIYltyItU1_qCiYCANZcLGI27HMLjVUAigroK_zGY7nIydgsjW7asqEz/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>There seems to be no end to the allegations against the ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. 
 
 
“We are exploring mutual legal assistance with some countries to fish out Dudafa wherever he is hiding abroad,” the EFCC source informed. 
 
Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who is still in detention over the $2.1 billion arms procurement deal had in his statement of witness/accused person which has been filed in the high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revealed how there was a transaction between his office and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 
 
“That I am aware in November, I cannot remember the exact date. My office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. 
 
“The money was for delegates that attended the nomination convention for the PDP presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-I-C) for distribution on the instruction of the President,” the statement read. 
 
The N10 billion withdrawn from the oil block account at the CBN for PDP delegates to its nomination convention has already generated a lot of uproar, especially because it was released on the approval of the former president. 
 
The news of Adegbe’s revelations is coming after a denial written by the military personnel’s legal adviser, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), in which he expressed shock and disbelief over the report of his arrest. 
 
Adegbe had been quoted to have said that Nigeria will boil if he reveals what transpired under the last administration. 
 
But the lawyer of Jonathan’s former aide denied that his client had ever made such controversial statement against the former president during his interrogation at the EFCC office. 
 
Naija.com</div>

Jonathan's ADC reveals who collected N10 billion for PDP chiefs

Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe has made startling revelations about the N10 billion reportedly sent to him by Dasuki. Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe, ...

EFCC recovers $117,000 from Amosu's house in Lagos

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3M9GPXaFPkCvyhnoRnepJIgwg-KsKPx31wNQJS_re_EbsH17uhojN4Lftw_cVq-rtzGbJmVGFfgpknL-l3Rfho_Y6YtHRPRnZ1vPUagQGqC7Tlyvlrg-fOH3AIzPoQHgwnhBnaGsMqWv/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3M9GPXaFPkCvyhnoRnepJIgwg-KsKPx31wNQJS_re_EbsH17uhojN4Lftw_cVq-rtzGbJmVGFfgpknL-l3Rfho_Y6YtHRPRnZ1vPUagQGqC7Tlyvlrg-fOH3AIzPoQHgwnhBnaGsMqWv/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that $117,000 cash was seized from the home of a former chief of air staff, Adesola Amosu. 
 
Amosu and other senior officers are being probed by the anti-graft agency as part of investigations into the $2.1bn arms scam. 
 
Earlier this month, EFCC officials seized houses and other properties worth N5bn belonging to the former chief of air staff and other senior military officers. 
 
The Nation reports that Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesman, confirmed that the said sum of money was seized from Amosu’s house. He stated this speaking on the sideline of the meeting held on Wednesday, February 17, between the anti-graft agency and a coalition of civil society groups in Lagos. 
 
Meanwhile, Iliyasu Kwarbai, the deputy director of operations of the EFCC Lagos office, revealed that the anti-graft agency might have recovered around $5 million from “looters” but refused to give the details. 
 
The meeting was a follow up to Tuesday’s peaceful rally in Abuja, where civil society organisations expressed support for the anti-corruption crusade. 
 
 
Speaking with civil rights groups, Ibrahim Magu, the EFCC boss, accused some senior lawyers of blocking the government’s anti-corruption drive. 
 
“While many lawyers have assisted the cause of the EFCC, there are a number of others that are working against efforts to tackle the Nigerian corruption problem. 
 
“Many, including very senior lawyers, have continued to lend their skills and expertise to crooks to steal our money and, thereafter, help them to launder same. It’s time for us to say enough is enough. 
 
“Since I assumed office three months ago, I have used every opportunity available to send the message that this fight is not for the EFCC alone,” he said. 
 
Magu further stressed that other stakeholders must also play crucial roles because the forces they are trying to defeat are formidable. 
 
According to him, the civil society organisations are important stakeholders in this crusade because they are the conscience of the people. 
 
 
“We must be bothered that our nation has been raped by politicians, who treat the treasury as their personal accounts. 
 
“A nation where monies meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency are shared by top military officers and their civilian accomplices. 
 
“A country where roads, hospitals and other infrastructure are in appalling state of decay because the money that should have been used to improve them have been diverted into private pockets, is not the nation of our dreams. 
 
“We have reached a state where we have to ask the crucial question, can we continue like this? No. Thankfully, we have elected a government that is sold on the fight against corruption. 
 
“By the same token, these times call for vigilance by all in following cases of corruption under prosecution to ensure that we put everyone on their toes. 
 
“This would ensure not only the speedy determination of such matters, but that there is fairness and equity in the process and outcomes,” he said. 
 
Earlier this month, the EFCC boss also took a swipe at members of the inner bar, when the national executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja. 
 
According to Magu, some prominent lawyers within the fold of the NBA help those who commit crimes by furnishing them with technical knowledge of how to escape the long arms of the law and how to hide the loot. 
 
 
 
 
 
Naij.com*</div>

EFCC recovers $117,000 from Amosu's house in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that $117,000 cash was seized from the home of a former chief of air staff,...

EFCC interrogates Diezani’s husband, Admiral Madueke

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb7dwjd_PCxuMJ8QlVEIwIsCgqU6tsH1RJ7R4OnfD3xIa2kbbgCGqIf9wNk-5bvDUhbzoKRUmEchkz6-IXOk2cH2blMSTgS2t9xktMmSZfq45ZP4HDt7Lw1-5xcTC8rvcnIsnL9UhJrfS/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb7dwjd_PCxuMJ8QlVEIwIsCgqU6tsH1RJ7R4OnfD3xIa2kbbgCGqIf9wNk-5bvDUhbzoKRUmEchkz6-IXOk2cH2blMSTgS2t9xktMmSZfq45ZP4HDt7Lw1-5xcTC8rvcnIsnL9UhJrfS/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>FORMER Chief of Naval Staff and husband of embattled former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (retd), was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday in Abuja. 
The former navy chief was picked up from his Abuja residence for questioning and was interrogated for several hours. 
 
It was also gathered that his arrest was in connection with the ongoing probe of his wife’s financial transactions while she served as oil minister in former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. 
A source told Daily Sun that it had to do with an alleged money laundering case but did not give details of the amount involved. 
EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, was said to be away on official duty in Lagos when Daily Sun called at his office for confirmation of Madueke’s arrest. Also, his phone was switched off. 
However, it was gathered that the former minister’s husband was still being quizzed as at past 7:00pm on Wednesday and would likely be detained. 
 
Madueke’s wife, Diezani, who is a cancer patient in London, has been under intense probe by the present administration over alleged high-scale illegal financial transactions and money transfers in office. She is also facing court trial in the United Kingdom for a similar offence. 
Meanwhile, hearing continued yesterday at the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee investigating the N24 billion oil swap deal with a revelation that Alison-Madueke, allegedly imposed illegal companies on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). 
 
The House disclosed that it has received the list of illegal companies registered by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) which operated the deal without being registered with the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) as required by law. 
 
Government-owned entities such Duke Global Energy Investment Limited, a subsidiary of NNPC, is one of the companies alleged to be conducting business with its parent company illegally as it did not have a representative of MOFI on its board, as required by law. 
 
Duke Global Energy Investment Limited was listed in the documents obtained from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for the ongoing investigative public hearing on the $24 billion crude oil swap scandal, according to Hamman Pategi (APC-Kwara), a member of the committee. 
Duke Energy Investment Limited was registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2012 by NNPC, as an arm of Duke Oil Incorporated registered in Panama in 1989, to deal in crude oil on behalf of NNPC at the international market. 
 
Pategi, who said MOFI did not have a representative on the Board of Duke Energy Investment Limited, as obtainable with other companies established by MDAs and privatised companies, however, did not mention the other companies who operated the deal illegally. 
Also, former NNPC group managing director, Joseph Dawha, also said yesterday that he inherited the controversial crude oil for products exchange deal. 
 
Dawah said NNPC entered into the arrangement and the Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) contracts with the trading companies in 2010 to terminate between 2013 and 2014. He said further that Alison-Madueke, only approved the renewal of the contracts in August 2014, months after it had expired. 
 
 
He insisted that, “as of August 2014 when I assumed office, the contracts were still being run long after they had all expired. Based on legal and compelling need to reconcile the contracts to ensure actual delivery and receipt of the agreed volume of products against the crude lifted, it became imperative that the arrangement under which the parties had been operating for several months prior to my assumption of office without formal contracts be formalised to provide legal basis to the parties’ rights and obligations. Subsequently, we requested approval from the then minister of Petroleum Resources for renewal of the contracts. Upon receipt of the then minister’s approval granted on August 29, 2014, the contracts were formally extended to cover the periods from their respective dates of expiry until the end of December 2014. If I had not got the approval, I may have been the GMD with the shortest tenure because there is no way I would have allowed it to continue,” he added. 
He told the committee that the oil swap arrangement was eventually dropped for OPA based on value, while adding that the same trading firms involved with the oil swap arrangement were contracted to continue with the OPA. 
 
When asked why he continued with the companies despite the obvious flaws in NNPC’s contracts with them, the former GMD said he decided to continue with the said companies because they were on the existing platform for supply, adding that the situation of fuel supply at the time left NNPC with no time to engage new companies. 
The Zakari Mohammed-led committee equally expressed concerns over 15-staff Duke Oil Incorporated that was registered in Panama, with an office in the United Kingdom (UK) and only an affiliate in Nigeria, DUGIL. 
 
The committee also asked why a Nigerian company registered offshore pays tax to its host country, while a non-resident company Trafigura, based in the Netherland lifts Nigerian oil but refused to pay tax to the Nigerian government. 
 
 
SUN</div>

EFCC interrogates Diezani’s husband, Admiral Madueke

FORMER Chief of Naval Staff and husband of embattled former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (retd), ...

Sambo's aide reveals how Metuh paid him N25m

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENcSx7XKybfhthXbLM4EFpUQKIZGIZiKflkHts4PraNmfsi-HiYOXfKuf34vFKlrZNFfSDuqsuI2HxVVCazkj9rNEP_m5dUTbyc48MNp3wO_pcGD-r6N0-1ZGUZBAyoKxjOY1_uztCCtV/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENcSx7XKybfhthXbLM4EFpUQKIZGIZiKflkHts4PraNmfsi-HiYOXfKuf34vFKlrZNFfSDuqsuI2HxVVCazkj9rNEP_m5dUTbyc48MNp3wO_pcGD-r6N0-1ZGUZBAyoKxjOY1_uztCCtV/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Abba Dabo, former special adviser on political matters to Namadi Sambo, the former vice president, has disclosed how Olisa Metuh paid him 25million for the purpose of publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The Cable reports. 
 
Dabo, who is the seventh witness to testify against Metuh, the spokesman of the PDP, said the money was given to him five days after the presidential nomination convention to fight criticisms against former president, Goodluck Jonathan in the traditional and social media. 
 
 
 
He said: “On December 16, 2014, Metuh paid N25m through Destra Investment Limited account into my personal account for purposes of publicity for the PDP. 
 
“When it became obvious that former president Goodluck Jonathan will run for office, government officials and party leaders started to meet to review the achievements of the government and prepare for the elections.” 
 
According to him, it was found out during the course of the meeting that the PDP was getting negative publicity. 
 
 
“On my part, we set up a media support group and registered it as ‘Media Support System’ to do media work for the party. We commissioned writers to write and be paid to promote the government. 
 
“We called it rapid response team, which was successful. It was its success that led to more meetings with Metuh. Social media was becoming more stringent in the criticism of the PDP,” the witness said. 
 
Dabo explained that they set up a team of facilitators and young IT enthusiasts to run a website called, ‘What’s up Naija’ which they could not register because the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) wanted it to be ‘What’s up Nigeria.’ 
 
He stated that the money was returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he realised it was part of the $2.1billion funds meant for arms purchase but was allegedly diverted for other purposes by Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA). 
 
“Because the money was linked to the controversial arms deal, I decided to return it. On my own accord, I decided the best way out of this rigmarole was to pay back the money. I paid it back to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” Dabo said. 
 
 
Metuh is facing a seven-count charge of money laundering. The anti-graft agency is accusing Metuh of collecting the sum of N400m from the former national security adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, who is at the centre of the arms deal scam. 
 
Since the commencement of his trials, the prosecution led by Sylvanus Tahir has produced six witnesses who have all testified about the roles they played in the alleged transfer of funds from the former NSA to Destra Investiments Limited, a company owned by the embattled PDP spokesman. 
 
Metuh who met his bail condition was released in the evening of Thursday, January 28 after weeks of detention.</div>

Sambo's aide reveals how Metuh paid him N25m

Abba Dabo, former special adviser on political matters to Namadi Sambo, the former vice president, has disclosed how Olisa Metuh paid him 25...

EFCC Seals Off Estate Belonging to the Former Chief of Arny Staff, Ihejirika

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, 27th January sealed off an estate which is said to be owned by the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Azubuike Ihejirika amid his strong security. 
 
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-12bkK-A5zA4/Vqsw2KNPqmI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/AmdYdXLvY7o/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-12bkK-A5zA4/Vqsw2KNPqmI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/AmdYdXLvY7o/s350/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a> 
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ktLlG_a2Fi8/Vqsw3_QFoPI/AAAAAAAAG4g/qvXJlMUHqyo/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ktLlG_a2Fi8/Vqsw3_QFoPI/AAAAAAAAG4g/qvXJlMUHqyo/s350/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a></div>

EFCC Seals Off Estate Belonging to the Former Chief of Arny Staff, Ihejirika

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, 27th January sealed off an estate which is said to be owned by the former...

I Will Appear before the Court at the Appropriate Time - Tompolo

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Former Niger Delta militant leader, Tompolo, says he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to answer to charges of corruption leveled against him by EFCC. He however said he will only appear before the court at the "appropriate time". 
 
Speaking through his Media Adviser, Paul Bebenimibo, today January 28th, Tompolo denied reports that he wanted to commence war against the Federal Government. 
 
He said that having accepted amnesty in 2009, he is not interested in getting into any kind of violent act. He also refuted claims that he was behind the recent three-day bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in Delta state. 
 
“Tompolo has no reason to bomb pipelines because of EFCC case, he knows he is innocent. As he has stated in several occasions, he will appear in court at the appropriate time as his lawyers are working towards that,” he said 
 
On claims that he owns warships, Tompolo said 
 
“it is the biggest lie of the year, as the military is also aware of the boats and pick-up vans he purchased in 2011 for the surveillance of oil facilities as he was working hand in hand with the military then. Tompolo is a man of peace and he is poised for the development of the coastal Niger Delta region. He prays that this matter be amicably resolved so that everyone will know that he always put his people above his person gains. And true to his fears, these set of APC chieftains that joined the party immediately after the presidential election of 2015, were the first people to accuse him of bombing the pipelines to divert public attention".</div>

I Will Appear before the Court at the Appropriate Time - Tompolo

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Tompolo, says he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to answer to charges...

Photo: EFCC Arraigns Ex-NBA Chairman & Court Registrar Over N600m Fraud

<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd26XLR-wsQ/VqcxWMX-03I/AAAAAAAAGyc/76tgkHJjpNk/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd26XLR-wsQ/VqcxWMX-03I/AAAAAAAAGyc/76tgkHJjpNk/s350/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"></a> 
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the duo of Shehu Mustapha, Registrar Litigation, Adamawa State High Court and Barrister Binanu R. Esthon, former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Yola Chapter before Justice B.B Aliyu of the Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State on a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N60million 
 
In a statement signed by EFCC, Mustapha and Esthon were docked following a complaint alleging criminal conspiracy between the accused persons. 
A group of staff numbering five hundred and one were disengaged from Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited, but had their entitlements withheld by the Company. 
 
 The disengaged staff, through the former NBA boss, Esthon, instituted a lawsuit against their employer (Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited) at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, and had the judgment entered in their favour. According to them, Esthon, in connivance with Mustapha, the registrar of the court, diverted part of the funds meant for the settlement of their entitlements to personal use. 
 
Count one of the charge reads: 
 
“That you, Shehu Mustapha sometime between 2007-2009 at Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with intent to defraud, did obtained money, the sum of N59, 995,000.00 from Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar being the proceeds recovered from the auction executed against the properties of Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited as judgment debtor delivered by Adamawa State High Court in suit No.ADSY/60M/2007 under the false pretence that the said sum was to be utilized in settling the judgment creditors which you never did instead diverted the said sum to your personal use, thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Section 2 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act LFN 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.” 
 
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, A. Y. Muntaqa asked the court for a date to commence trial. 
 
However, L. D Nzadon, counsel to the accused persons, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail adding that, the accused persons would not do anything to frustrate their trial. Justice Aliyu admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N5million and a surety each in like sum. 
 
The case has been adjourned to March 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2016 for hearing. 
 
 **Source:** LIB</div>

Photo: EFCC Arraigns Ex-NBA Chairman & Court Registrar Over N600m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the duo of Shehu Mustapha, Registrar Litigation, Adamawa State High Court...

Federal High Court Grants Olisa Metuh N300 million Bail for Tearing Statement he made to the EFCC

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kleh1kQkVjk/VqJcD6BeDXI/AAAAAAAAGfw/X1YxC3-vVzU/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kleh1kQkVjk/VqJcD6BeDXI/AAAAAAAAGfw/X1YxC3-vVzU/s350/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a> 
A Federal High Court in Abuja today, Friday 22 January granted a N300 million bail to the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh over allegations of destroying EFCC's evidence. 
 
Metuh was arraigned in court by the EFCC yesterday January 21st on a two-count charge of destroying evidence to be used against him in a separate trial he is facing relating to the N2.1 billion arms deal fraud. 
 
One of the counts read.... 
 
“Olisa Metuh on the 5th day of January 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory destroyed a document, to wit: a statement made under caution to investigators/operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the 5th of January 2016, with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence in a court of law.” 
 
Metuh pleaded not guilty to the accusation. The presiding judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, then granted him bail in the sum of N300m and two sureties in like sum. Justice Bello refused Metuh's counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu's application to grant him bail on self recognition.</div>

Federal High Court Grants Olisa Metuh N300 million Bail for Tearing Statement he made to the EFCC

A Federal High Court in Abuja today, Friday 22 January granted a N300 million bail to the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Met...

Sambo Dasuki's Son's House Seized by the EFCC

Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has seized the mansion of the Son to the Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki over...

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