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Tag: fraud

  • Alleged N4.2bn fraud: Mark back in EFCC net for interrogations

    Former Senate President, David Mark on Thursday returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to continue interrogations about his connection with alleged N5.4billion slush funds after being granted permission to attend to his health about two weeks ago.

    Mark reported to the EFCC at about 2pm.

    He had earlier presented a medical certificate to the anti-graft agency that he was not fit enough to “be able to write a statement”.

    The EFCC allowed him enough grace to attend to his health.

    Mark was at the EFCC office with one of his sons.

    The allegations against him include alleged N200m -N550m arms procurement cash from ONSA; N2.9billion curious payment into the National Assembly’s account and shared to senators during Mark’s tenure; his role in about N2billion campaign funds meant for Benue State; and illegal purchase of a N748million official residence of the Senate President.

    A former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Mr. Sam Ode, is also being probed for N2billion campaign funds meant for Benue State.

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We have resumed full probe of Mark, who came to respond to issues raised for him by a panel of detectives.

    “He was in company of his son. He was calm during interrogation, which involved the presentation of some of our findings to him.

    “Altogether, he has more than three cases before the EFCC but we are gradually isolating every issue in which he was implicated.

    “By the time we release the facts to the public, Nigerians will realise that the ongoing probe of the former Senate President has nothing to do with politics. We have been on some aspects of the investigation since 2015.

    “In one of the findings, about N200million was collected in cash for Mark from ONSA through a proxy.”

    Former Minister of State Ode is implicated in the disbursement of N2billion campaign funds meant for Benue State.

    The cash was suspected to be part of the ONSA fund meant for arms procurement.

    Another source spoke of how Ode gave “useful information on who got what among PDP chieftains in Benue State.

    “Our detectives have identified those who signed for the N2billion. In fact, some stalwarts diverted the cash for personal use.”

    But Mark denied allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office and mismanagement of funds.

    In a statement through his media aide, Paul Mumeh, he said: “To set the record straight, Sen. Mark was invited by the EFCC via a letter addressed to the National Assembly to answer questions on the 2015 presidential election campaign funds as it concerned Benue state.

    “As a law abiding citizen, Sen. Mark honoured the invitation.

    “Curiously, they also alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid over N2bilion into the National Assembly’s account which he, as the then President of the Senate, allegedly shared among the 109 senators (including PDP, ACN, and ANPP) in 2010. Again, to the best of his knowledge, Sen. Mark is not aware of such transaction.

    “ This simply did not make sense to any right thinking member of the society. Sen. Mark wondered why anybody would think that PDP will pay money into National Assembly account. He however clarified all the issues raised before returning home.

    “Sen. Mark believes in due process and rule of law. He has maintained a clean record of public service over the years and will continue to uphold the highest standard of conduct expected of public servants.

    “Sen. Mark’s house has since become a pilgrimage of sort to Politicians across party lines, friends and well-wishers identifying with him at this moment.

    “He however appealed to his supporters, friends and associates to remain calm and see his current travails as a price he has to pay for leadership.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this is the first and only official statement from the office of Sen. Mark on this issue.”

  • EFCC arrests former UBEC boss, Dikko over alleged involvement in N20bn fraud

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arrested a former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mallam Suleiman Dikko, for alleged N20billion fraud.

    The anti-graft agency also arrested contractors and top directors of UBEC, including those in charge of Finance and Procurement.

    Dikko’s and some contractors’ passports have been impounded “to ensure unhindered investigation”.

    According to an anonymous source, the arrest and subsequent probe of the officials is to unravel how funds meant for primary education and Unity Schools were either diverted or converted to private use.

    “The fraud involves over N20 billion, allegedly siphoned through the purchase of science and technical equipment and MDGs’ books for some 104 Unity Schools between September 2012 and 2014.”

    The Principals of the “beneficiary schools” denied receiving the books and equipment listed against their schools, it was learnt.

    “They claimed that they only received between 20 to 30 per cent of the equipment and books purportedly delivered to their schools, whereas the contractors were paid in full,” the source said.

    Some former executive secretaries and directors of the commission have been quizzed.

    There are indications that the N20billion contract scam is part of the cases for which the anti-graft commission is investigating Dikko.

    Another source said: “The ongoing probe of UBEC has many dimensions. We have also discovered many contracts duly paid for but abandoned between 2012 and 2014. Some fake contracts were awarded in order to acquire slush funds for purposes known only to the former UBEC Secretary and the accomplice directors.

    “There were also reckless awards of contracts under the guise of constituency projects between 2012 and 2014.

    “For instance, many unexecuted constituency projects were awarded by UBEC to some companies owned by some members of the National Assembly.

    “Some of these projects have been traced to a principal officer of the House of Representatives.”

    The projects in UBEC are: One block of three classrooms at Eru Primary School, Igbide (N9,180,835.45); one block of three classrooms at Ivori Primary School, Isoko (N9,887,778); construction of three classrooms at Egburie Primary School, Ozoro; and construction of six classrooms on January 21, 2016 at Olordo Primary School, Ozoro (N9, 300,000).

    The others are: supply of customised library equipment to selected schools in Isoko North Local Government Area at N16,050,000; Supply of instructional materials in Isoko North /South Federal Constituency(N14, 650,000); supply of customised equipment to selected schools in Isoko Federal Constituency(N15, 950,000); rehabilitation of six classrooms at Egware Primary School, Ozoro (N9,200,928,90); and construction of six classrooms and toilets as well as supply of furniture at Itebighe Primary School (N12, 988.099.23).

     

  • Pastor arraigned for allegedly duping worshipper of N1.1m

    A 40-year-old man, Femi Adewale, who claimed to be a pastor was on Thursday arraigned before Chief Magistrate B. B. Adebowale of an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly collecting N1.1 million under false pretences from a worshipper.

    Adewale collected N1.1 million from one Ibukun Aderonmu, with a promise to assist her to solve her spiritual problems.

    The accused of No. 22, Farinde St., Ijako, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

    The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha told the court that the defendant and others, still at large, committed the offences on Sept. 14 at Ijako area of Ota.

    Mustapha said that the defendant and his accomplices collected the money with a promise to help Aderonmu to solve her spiritual problems, an agreement he did not fulfill.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. B. Adebowale, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Adebowale also ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court.

    The case was adjourned until Jan. 22, 2018 for hearing.

  • I am not a fraudster- Mike Ezuronye declares

    Handsome Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Mike Ezuronye has denied claims being made by a certain lady on social media, stating that he is a fraudster.

     

    The Brother Jekwu actor noted in his post on Instagram that a lot of people impersonate him on social media, which lead to them defrauding unsuspecting fans.

     

    The lady wrote: “This man is not who he claims to be . Be careful of this man called Mike. Its okay, I am sure you will get away with this”.

     

    Debunking the claim, Ezuronye wrote: “My dear, Please I am sure a fraudster must have used fake videos to deceive you cos I guess this is why you are here trying to spoil my name. Go down my page and see warnings , pictures and video examples . I have privately caught caught some boys but cos of strategics they haven’t been exposed yet as due process is needed ..But trust me 3 men are already in Jail and one awaiting trial for this fraud…The Inspector General of Police office ,Nigeria and other Police authorities internationally are aware.

     

    This isn’t the first time claims of fraud will be trailing the talented the Nollywood actor.

     

     

  • Court orders arrest of former Enugu gov, Nnamani, aide over alleged N5.3bn fraud

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday issued a bench warrant against a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, and his ex-aide, Sunday Anyaogu over an alleged fraud of N5.3bn.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor issued bench warrant against the ex-governor and Anyaogu for failing to appear in court on Monday for their scheduled re-arraignment.

    The judge rejected the explanation by Nnamani’s lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Shamsudeen, from the chambers of Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), that his client was at the moment bedridden in a hospital in the United States, where he was recuperating after a heart surgery.

    He declined the lawyer’s request for an adjournment till January next year, expressing displeasure that the case had lasted for 10 years and the judiciary has always been blamed for the delay in such cases.

    Justice Obiozor held, “This matter was slated for re-arraignment today, and I have not found any justification for the absence of the accused before this court to take their pleas.

    “There must be an end to litigation; the charge before me was filled in 2007 and it is now 10 years.

    “In the peculiar circumstances of this case, and particularly in the absence of any convincing explanation on the absence of the defendants before this court today, it is hereby ordered that a bench warrant be issued against the first and second defendants as well as a summons for the sureties to show cause

    “Consequently, this case is adjourned until December 14 for further proceedings.”

    When the case was called for hearing on Monday, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie, had noted that the matter was scheduled for the re-arraignment of Nnamani and Anyaogu but they were absent.

    He then applied that the judge should issue a bench warrant against them.

    “I humbly apply that bench warrant be issued against the first and second defendants and their sureties,” Uzozie said.

    But Shamsudeen urged the judge to decline the application for bench warrant, saying his office had been unable to reach Nnamani in the US or his family since last Thursday that the matter came up afresh in court.

    “I was reliably informed that the defendant had a heart surgery last month and we wanted to get a medical report but unfortunately we could not,” Shamsudeen added.

    He said the defendants’ absence in court was not deliberate, saying they had regularly attended their trial before Justice Mohammed Yunusa, who was handling the case earlier.

  • Police arrest 23year-old undergraduate for impersonation, bank fraud

    The Enugu State Police Command said it arrested a suspect involved in impersonation of bank customers and beneficiaries of transfers from abroad.

    The Police Command’s Spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Sunday, that the 23 year-old suspect was an undergraduate from Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo.

    According to him, the suspect went to a new generation bank located at Okpara Avenue in Enugu metropolis to cash the sum of 800 U.S. dollars purported to have been sent to him from someone abroad.

    “When he was asked by the bank staff to provide proof of identification, he presented an identity card bearing the name of One Eleng Okpara Peter likely to be the authorised beneficiary.

    “He smartly superimposed his passport photograph on that of the likely beneficiary and presented himself to be Eleng Okpara Peter.

    “When he could no longer establish his innocence, it was obvious that he was trying to withdraw money sent to another person by impersonating the beneficiary,’’ he said.

    According to him, the suspect earlier claimed that the money was sent to him as a gift by a female Facebook friend.

    Investigation further showed that the account number he presented as his belonged to someone else.

    The command advised members of the public to be security conscious and not disclose their bank details and vital personal information to the public.

     

    NAN

     

  • Alleged N11bn fraud: Shema’s trial to begin Feb.13

    A Katsina State High Court has fixed Feb 13, 2018, for mention of the case filed by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against ex-governor Ibrahim Shema, alleged to have misappropriated N11 billion state funds.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Shema had challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the case but lost at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna.

    The ex-governor is now at the Supreme Court, which has fixed Nov. 8, to hear his appeal on the verdict by the appellate court.

    During the proceedings at the state High Court on Tuesday in Katsina, the defence counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), prayed the court to adjourn the case, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on jurisdiction.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Mr Earnest Obunadike objected to the request by the defence, urging the court to proceed with the trial.

    The judge, Justice Ibrahim Maikaita-Bako, who adjourned the case to Feb. 13, 2018, for mention, however, said the court might fix an earlier date, if the Supreme Court delivers its verdict before the adjourned date.

    NAN reports that the Katsina State Government had petitioned the EFCC accusing Shema of misappropriating about N11 billion during his tenure.

     

    NAN

  • N8.5bln fraud: Maj. Gen. Atewe to know fate Oct 20

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday adjourned until Oct. 20, trial of a former military Commander, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, and three others charged with N8.5 billion fraud.

    Atewe, a former Commander of the Niger-Delta Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, is charged alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    Also charged are two staff members of NIMASA – Kime Engonzu and Josephine Otuaga.

    The accused are standing trial on an amended 22-count charge.

    The trial was adjourned following absence of the judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji, who was on an official assignment.

    The accused were re-arraigned before Faji on Feb. 3, following transfer of Justice Saliu Saidu, who was handling the case.

    Saidu was transferred from Lagos to Port Harcourt.

    The accused pleaded not guilty before Faji, who allowed them to continue on the bail terms granted by Saidu.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the accused.

    The commission accused them of conspiring to defraud NIMASA of N8.5 billion using seven companies.

    The companies are: Jagan Ltd., Jagan Trading Company Ltd., Jagan Global Services Ltd., Al-Nald Ltd., Paper Warehouse Ltd., Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd., and De-Newlink Integrated Services Ltd.

    The EFCC claimed that the accused committed the fraud from Sept. 5, 2014 to May 20, 2015, in contravention of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2012, and Section 390 of the Criminal Code, 2004.

     

     

    NAN

  • N2.6bn NIMASA fraud: “You have case to answer” court tells ex-DG, Akpobolokemi, others

    A Federal High Court Lagos, on Monday, overruled a no case submission by former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, charged with N2.6 billion fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Dec. 4, 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi alongside five others, for allegedly diverting N2.6 billion from the coffers of NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.

    EFCC claimed the funds were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the implementation of a security project.

    Also charged along with Akpobolokemi are: Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Ltd and Al-Kenzo Logistic Ltd.

    The accused had pleaded not guilty to the 22 charges pressed against them.

    The prosecution had then opened its case and during trial, called a total of 12 witnesses and tendered 77 exhibits in a bid to establish its case.

    After the prosecution closed its case, the accused, through their lawyers, filed no-case submissions, contending that the prosecution failed to established a prima facie case against them to warrant their entering any defence.

    They had urged the court to uphold the no case submission and discharge the accused.

    Delivering his ruling on Monday, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba noted that a plethora of cases had been cited by learned counsel in arguing their application for a no case submission.

    Buba, however, pointed out that in delivering ruling on such no case submission the court is enjoined to keep its ruling as short as possible.

    He said:“There are a plethora of cases listed by counsel, but the court is enjoined not to write its ruling as if it is writing its final judgment, but must keep its ruling as short as possible”.

    Buba held that the charge was before the court and its ingredients are clear.

    “The court, therefore, cannot see the fuse in the argument that the prosecution has not made out a prima facie case against the defendants.

    “When a judge is faced with a ruling on a no case submission, it is permissible for the ruling to be brief and simply read: “you have a case to answer.

    “Consequently, the no case submission fails and is hereby overruled”.

    The court, therefore, adjourned the case to Oct. 30, Nov. 7 and Nov. 9 for the defence to open its case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in arguing Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission, his lawyer, Mr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), had contended that the EFCC failed to link his client with the alleged diversion of funds from NIMASA.

    He added that his signature to such effect was never shown to the court, as such the first accused could not be held liable because he did not approve the security project and money disbursed.

    Nwobike had also described the evidence given against the accused by prosecution witness, as mere hearsay with no legal weight.

    He, had therefore, urged the court to come to the conclusion, that the first accused cannot be called upon to enter any defence, because no prima facie case had been established against him.

    Other defence counsels had also made their arguments on their no case submission.

    In response, the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that the testimonies of the 12 witnesses and 77 exhibits tendered had successfully linked Akpobolokemi to the alleged fraud.

    He had argued that being the head and chief accounting officer of NIMASA at the time of the alleged fraud, Akpobolokemi could not by any stretch of imagination, claim to be innocent.

    The prosecutor had further argued that even if it was the former president that approved the security project, Akpobolokemi was the head of NIMASA at the time, and constituted a committee to handle the project and also approved its funds.

    He further submitted that the prosecution had established that, rather than its intended purpose, the funds were illegally converted to the personal use of the accused.

    In the 22 count charges, the EFCC alleged that the accused induced the Federal Government to approve and deliver to NIMASA the sum of N795 million under false pretence and that the sum represented the cost for the implementation of the Security Code in Nigeria.

    The alleged offence contravened the provisions of Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

     

     

    NAN

  • N22.8bn fraud: Court fixes Nov 7 for trial of Amosu, others

    The trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu and 10 others charged with N22.8 billion fraud, was on Thursday in Lagos adjourned until Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

    A Federal High Court gave the ruling following the absence of the counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

    He was, however, represented by Mr A. Emeka.

    Amosu was on June 29, 2016, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC ) alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga and eight companies.

    The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BIC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon HealthCare.

    The case which was earlier adjourned for continuation of trial on Thursday was shifted to Nov. 7.

    When the case came up for hearing, a counsel, Mr A. Emeka, announced appearance as standing in for the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who, he said, was at the Court of Appeal for another case.

    He informed the court that he was not fully abreast of the case but that he sought to handle the case until Oyedepo was available to continue with the trial.

    He, however, agreed to an adjournment.

    The prosecution’s witness (name withheld) and the defence counsel were in court.

    The accused are standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering before Justice Mohammed Idris.

    They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The accused were alleged to have indirectly converted N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force.

    The EFCC also alleged that Amosu and the others stole over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015.

    The commission said the money was utilised for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River St., Wuse II, Abuja.

    The offences, according to the EFCC, contravene Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

     

    NAN