TheNewsGuru

Tag: EFCC

  • Naira abuse: EFCC confirms invitation of Okoya’s sons for questioning

    Naira abuse: EFCC confirms invitation of Okoya’s sons for questioning

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited  two children of billionaire businessman, Chief Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse.

    The EFCC Spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale confirmed this on Saturday in Abuja.

    “Yes, they have been invited; the two children, Wahab and Raheem Okoya are expected to report to the commission’s Lagos office for questioning on Monday.

    ”They are to report to the Head, Special Operations Team, at the 15A Awolowo Road Office of the commission by 10 am on Monday,”  he said

    The two brothers were sighted  in a video flaunting and spraying bundles of N1,000 notes in a promotional clip for Raheem’s new song titled “Credit Alert”.

    In the video, the duo, dressed in white traditional attires, danced while a mobile policeman held stacks of crisp naira notes, which they flung into the air.

    The act, perceived by many as disregard for the law, drew condemnation on social media, with some Nigerians expressing doubts about accountability due to their father’s influential status.

  • EFCC invites billionaire Okoya’s sons over viral video on naira abuse

    EFCC invites billionaire Okoya’s sons over viral video on naira abuse

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has invited Subomi and Wahab, sons of Nigerian billionaire industrialist, Rasaq Okoya over a viral video of them spraying Naira notes.

    TheNewsGuru reported that Subomi, a musician and his brother, Wahab had shared a video of a policeman helping him carry bundles of cash as he promoted his new song, Credit Alert.

    The viral video in question shows the constable standing with the boys as they make a social media video, dancing happily to the song whilst spraying money at each other.

    On Friday, the Police in a statement, said the officer involved has been identified and detained for disciplinary action. The force added that the involvement of the policeman is unethical and contrary to the values of the Police.

    “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action. The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the Police. Thanks,” the statement read.

    The development sparked reactions on X, with some Nigerians arguing that the billionaire’s sons are the “true offenders”. In a post via X, Sirheem begged for forgiveness, adding that he was “naive”.He also claimed that he was unaware of the legal implications of his actions.

    In a new development, the acting director of EFCC, Lagos directorate, Michael Wetkas, in an invite, directed the brothers to report to the Head, of the Special Operations Team, at their 15A Awolowo Road office by 10 a.m. on Monday, January 13.

  • Internet fraud: EFCC nabs 4 Chinese nationals, 101 others

    Internet fraud: EFCC nabs 4 Chinese nationals, 101 others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested 105 suspects, including four Chinese nationals ,in a business apartment in the Gudu axis of Abuja over alleged internet fraud.

    Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja

    He said that they were arrested in a sting operation by the  commission’s operatives

    Oyewale  said the arrest was part of the anti-graft agency’s  ongoing efforts to clean the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.

    He said that the suspects, comprising 38 females and 67 males ,were arrested on Thursday.

    The EFCC spokesman said the suspects were  involved in alleged hotel review job scam, targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world.

    He said that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

  • Emefiele suffers bad day in court

    Emefiele suffers bad day in court

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday dismissed the application filed by the embattled ex-Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear his case.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 26-count charge against Emefiele, for alleged misuse of office, resulting in losses of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

    His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is standing trial on related offences, including unlawful acceptance of gifts.

    Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his ruling on Wednesday, held that the court had jurisdiction to try Emefiele on the charge, citing relevant authorities.

    He, therefore, dismissed Emefiele’s application and held that EFCC had established a territorial jurisdiction on counts eight to 26, with various facts in the proof of evidence attached to the case file.

    The court, however, struck out counts one to four of the charge which bothered on abuse of office.

    He said that allocation of foreign exchange without bid, which was the subject of counts one to four was not punishable under the law.

    Oshodi said: “Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law.

    “The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out. The objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over count eight to 26 fails, and is hereby dismissed. The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case”.

    The judge, thereafter, held that the case should proceed to trial and adjourned until Feb. 24 for continuation of trial.

    Emefiele’s Counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had on Dec. 12 2024,  argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos. Ojo contended that the alleged offences, including abuse of office, fell outside the territorial reach of the court.

    He said the charge violated Section 36(12) of the Constitution, and asserted that the actions Emefiele was accused of, were not legally recognised offences.

    He stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly did not have legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List.

    Ojo, therefore, said Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, under which counts one to four were filed, could not apply extra-territorially to any alleged abuse of office by Emefiele.

    The learned silk argued that a court’s territorial jurisdiction referred to the geographical area within which its authority could be exercised.

    According to him, outside of that territorial jurisdiction, the court can not act.

    He urged the court to strike out counts one to four of the 18 amended information filed on April 4, 2024, on the grounds that the offences occurred outside the court’s jurisdiction.

    The EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), in his counter affidavits, had argued  that the court had the authority to hear the case.

    Oyedepo argued that the alleged offences were economic and financial in nature, therefore, within the jurisdiction of EFCC.

    He also added that the evidence in support of the facts, proved Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.

    Oyedepo further submitted that the subject matter of the charge fell squarely within the court’s jurisdiction, as the offences were committed within the court’s territorial reach.

    He argued that the evidence and witness testimonies pointed to Lagos as the proper location for the trial.

    He added that the objections raised by Emefiele’s legal team were not substantiated by facts or evidence.

  • Massive retrenchment hits EFCC, many officers sacked over fraud

    Massive retrenchment hits EFCC, many officers sacked over fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday announced the dismissal of 27 officers from its workforce for various offenses bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct.

    EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale in a statement disclosed that the dismissal followed the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, and the ratification by the Chairman of the agency, Ola Olukoyede.

    The commission, however, did not disclose the identity of the fired officers.

    The statement partly reads: “Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.

    “The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.

    The Commission also alerted the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects.

    “Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka and demanding $1million from him for “Olukoyede to give him soft landing” on a non-existing investigation. Such characters are still on the loose seeking victims.

    “Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.”

  • VIDEO: Jubilation as ex-Gov Bello returns home from prison

    VIDEO: Jubilation as ex-Gov Bello returns home from prison

    Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has returned home after fulfilling his bail conditions and being released from the Kuje Minimum Custodial Centre in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ex-Governor Bello was received and welcomed by the incumbent Governor of Kogi State Ahmed Usman Ododo and his jubilant supporters.

    Recall that a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, had admitted Bello to bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.

    Justice Maryann Anenih had, on Dec. 10, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.

    Delivering the initial ruling, she said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the application was incompetent.

    There was, however room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date.

    The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110bn, along with two others.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    At the resumed hearing on Thursday , Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsel had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsel.

    He applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”

    There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.

    Daudu, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.

    In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.

    He further requested that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.

    He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.

    The prosecution counsel, Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.

    In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.

    He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.

    “It is legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice.

    ”We have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.

    “We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”

    Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence Bello was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.

    Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.

    He is to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.

    Daudu also prayed for the variation of the 2nd defendant ‘ bail condition.

    Z.E Abbas, counsel for the third defendant filed a motion on Dec. 17 for variation of bail conditions and urged the court to grant the application.

    This variation is based on landed property which earlier restricted them to only Maitama.

    The prosecution did not object.

    The judge granted their prayers and granted the property location as Yahaya Bello ‘s.

    The second and the third defendants were earlier admitted to bail in the sum of N300m each with two surgeries in.like sum with property at Maitama.

    The case was adjourned until Jan. 29.

  • EFCC invites suspended Edo LG chairmen

    EFCC invites suspended Edo LG chairmen

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may have invited the suspended chairmen of the 18 local governments in Edo to its office for interrogation.

    The invitation was contained in a letter by EFFC Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government.

    Chukkol, in the letter dated Dec. 17, directed the chairmen of Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, and Esan West, to report at its office on Thursday, Dec. 19.

    Others also expected at the commission on Thursday are the chairmen of Etsako Central, Etsako East, and Etsako West local governments.

    The remaining chairmen from Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West, and Uhunmwode local governments are scheduled to report on Friday, Dec. 20.

    The commission’s director of investigation requested that the chairmen come with certified true copies of comprehensive documentation relating to staff strength and payroll.

    Other documents requested included details of accounts where funds are received for payment of staff salaries, details of accounts where funds are reserved for staff salaries exigencies, the statement of account of the said accounts from Jan. 1 to Date.

    He said the request was made pursuant to Section 38(1);(2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

    Recall that the state House of Assembly had on Dec. 17 suspended the chairmen and the vice chairmen for alleged insubordination and misconduct.

    The suspension reportedly followed their failure to submit their financial statements as directed by Gov. Monday Okpebholo.

  • Lagos businesswoman sentenced to 17 years imprisonment

    Lagos businesswoman sentenced to 17 years imprisonment

    Justice I. O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a businesswoman, Oluremi Phillips to 17 years imprisonment for N57,690,000 (Fifty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety Naira) fraud.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos businesswoman was convicted and sentenced to 17 years imprisonment on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

    Philips was previously standing trial before Justice S. O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, following her arraignment on January 27, 2022.

    However, the trial could not be concluded before the retirement of Justice Solebo in November 2022, a development that resulted in the re-assigning of the case file to Justice Ijelu.

    She was on May 22, 2023 re-arraigned before Justice Ijelu alongside her company, Omritas Energy Limited, on a five-count charge bordering on stealing and issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N57,690,000.

    Count one reads: “Oluremi Ebun Philips and Omritas Energy Limited, sometime in 2016, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted and stole the sum of N57, 690,000.00, property of AYM Shafa Limited meant for the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) which you failed to supply.”

    Count two reads: “Oluremi Ebun Philips and Omritas Energy Limited, on or about the 10th of April 2017 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly issued a Diamond Bank cheque of Nigeria Plc for the sum of N14,298,075

    payable to AYM Shafa Limited, which when presented for payment was dishonoured on the grounds that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account.”

    The defendant, again, pleaded “not guilty” to all the counts preferred against her.

    In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo called three witnesses through whom several documentary evidence were presented in court to prove the case against them.

    The defence also presented three witnesses during the trial.

    Delivering judgment , Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution proved the case against the defendants beyond every reasonable doubt and convicted them on counts one to five.

    The Judge, thereafter, sentenced the first defendant to nine years imprisonment on count one, with an option of fine of N2million to be paid within 90 days, and two years each on counts two to five.

    The sentences are  to run concurrently.

    The second defendant was fined N250,000 on count one, and N100,000 each on counts two to five.

    The court further ordered the restitution of N57,690,000 to be paid to the victim within 90 days.

    The company was also ordered to be wound up within 90 days, if it fails to fulfil the restitution.

    The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they fraudulently converted and stole the sum of N57, 690,000.00, property of AYM Shafa Limited meant for the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).  They neither supplied the products nor returned the money to the victim.

  • EFCC nabs 792 ‘Crypto fraudsters’ in biggest single-day arrests

    EFCC nabs 792 ‘Crypto fraudsters’ in biggest single-day arrests

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced it recently carried out its largest single-day arrest involving 792 alleged internet fraudsters in Lagos State.

    Uwujaren Wilson, the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, disclosed that the arrests occurred on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, inside a seven-story building in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    According to Wilson, while speaking at a news conference on Monday, 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kharzartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian were among the suspects.

    According to him, the foreigners were “training Nigerians on how to initiate romance and investment scams” at the building by creating fictitious profiles for their Nigerian partners to use in romance and bitcoin frauds.

    Uwujaren added that the seven-story facility had “high-end” desktop computers on every floor and more than 500 Nigerian telecom carriers’ SIM cards were found there.

    The EFCC official said, “their Nigerian accomplices were recruited by the foreign kingpins to prospect for victims online through phishing, targeting mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and several others from European countries.

    “They usually arm them with desktop computers and mobile devices and create fake profiles for them.

    “The Nigerian accomplices are equally provided with logs that allow them access to foreign communication lines and victims, which they chat with on WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram.

    “They are also assigned WhatsApp accounts linked to foreign telephone numbers, especially from Germany and Italy.

    “Their jobs are to engage victims in romantic conversations and phantom business and investment discussions to trick them to shop on the purported online investment shopping platform called www.yooto.com. For those who show interest, activation fees for an account on the platform starts from $35.”

  • U.S. returnee arrested at Lagos airport for duping 139 Australians

    U.S. returnee arrested at Lagos airport for duping 139 Australians

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected online fraudster known as Osang Otukpa for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of eight million Australian dollars.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Otukpa was arrested by EFCC operatives in a stakeout at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, after arriving from the United States of America on December 6.

    “Otukpa goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson.

    “He scammed his victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group (LAG).

    “The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform,” a statement by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale on Friday in Abuja reads.

    Oyewale said that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.