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Tag: fraud

  • Alleged N70b fraud: EFCC debunks report of declaring Ex-Zamfara gov. Matawalle wanted

    Alleged N70b fraud: EFCC debunks report of declaring Ex-Zamfara gov. Matawalle wanted

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has debunked the purported report of declaring Ex-Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle Wanted.

    EFCC on Sunday, in it verified Facebook account, said the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency,

    The Commission wrote: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report, entitled, Alleged N70b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex-Zamfara Gov, Matawalle Wanted, which appeared in the Sunday Tribune of June 18, 2023 and purports that the Commission had declared a former Zamafara State governor, Bello Matawalle wanted and requested the Department of State Service, DSS, to arrest him, “anywhere he is seen”.

    “Without prejudice to the case involving the former governor, the report is incorrect as the Commission has yet to declare Matawalle wanted or solicit the assistance of any Agency, including the DSS, to effect his arrest.

    “The Commission has standard procedure for declaring persons wanted and communicating same to the public, not through faceless “security sources”.

  • EFCC arrests FMC staff

    EFCC arrests FMC staff

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal office, has arrested a staff of Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta in Ogun, and 47 others for alleged involvement in internet fraud.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren and made available to newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.

    48 suspects were arrested in Ogun and three in Oyo State.

    Uwujaren said that the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at Idi-Aba area of Abeokuta, following intelligence on their alleged fraudulent activities.

    He said that items recovered from the suspects included seven exotic vehicles, several mobile phones, laptops, hi and apple wrist watches among others.

    Uwujaren said that two suspects were arrested same day at Idi-Igba area of Ibadan in Oyo state, and two cars and other valuables recovered from them.

    He said that the Oyo State Command of the Nigerian Police also arrested and handed over a cybercrime suspect to the EFCC.

    Uwujaren said that the suspect was arrested at his house on suspicion of involvement in fraudulent activities.

    He said that an Honda Civic car and mobile phones were recovered from him.

    Uwujaren said that all the suspects would be charged to court after completion of investigation.

  • N7.9bn fraud charge: Again court suspends Stella Oduah’s arraignment over security reasons

    N7.9bn fraud charge: Again court suspends Stella Oduah’s arraignment over security reasons

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, June 15, 2023, again suspended the planned arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and others on alleged N7.9 billion fraud charges, citing security reasons.

    According to the judge, the court will not continue with the trial until it is certain and satisfied that the security and safety of the persons involved in the trial is assured.

    At the last adjourned date, Justice Ekwo had complained about receiving private messages regarding the case from persons whose identities he did not disclose, while warning them to desist from intruding on his privacy.

    At today’s proceeding Justice Ekwo voiced his anger that the prosecution failed to fish out the culprits.

    “I want you to find out who that character is, arrest him and bring him to court on the next date. I am not going to go on with this trial until I am certain and satisfied that the security and safety of all the persons involved in the trial is assured,” he said.

    Justice Ekwo produced a publication wherein his life was severely threatened over his involvement in the trial. He urged the EFCC to fish out the culprits and bring them before the court, even as he ordered the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission to obtain the identities of the promoters of the offending publication.

    Before the case was adjourned, counsel to the seventh defendant, intimated the court of a letter wherein he informed the court that his client, Crystal Television, had entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC and already paid One Hundred Million, (N100, 000, 000.00) as part-payment for compounding the offence contained in the charge.

    Part of the letter reads: “Sequel to our letter dated 22nd May 2023, on the above matter, we hereby forward, under the covering of this letter, a Zenith Bank Manager’s Cheque (Bank draft) Nos. 00009061, 00009063, 00009065, 00009066, 00009068, 00009070, 00009071, 00009072 and 00009073, all dated May 2023, in the sum of N100, 000,000.00(One Hundred Million Naira) only as part payment for compounding of offenses contained in the above charge”.

    The letter further stated that, “Pursuant to all previous payments and the one referred to herein, our client has the sum of N280, 000,000.00 balance payment and the same shall be paid as soon as possible.”

    The judge however adjourned the matter till July 17, 2023 for the CAC to report on the owners of the organization, and the EFCC to fish out the culprits.

     

  • Arrest of twin brothers, 82 internet fraudsters by EFCC sparks call for arrest of ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika

    Arrest of twin brothers, 82 internet fraudsters by EFCC sparks call for arrest of ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika

    The arrest of twin brothers and 82 internet fraudsters by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked call for the anti graft agency to arrest former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.

    Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested 56 suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    Similarly, Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command arrested two identical twins: Takwan Potential and Takwan Peter and 26 others for alleged internet fraud in Calabar, Cross River State.

    However, the development has sparked calls for the EFCC to swoop in on Sirika to arrest him over what many have described as the Nigeria Air scam.

    TNG recalls the Federal Government had in July 2018 unveiled the much-awaited new national carrier during the Farnborough Air Show in London.

    In eight years, the Muhammadu Buhari administration, a day to the inauguration of the President Bola Tinubu administration, Sirika supposedly launch the Nigeria Air airline.

    However at an investigative hearing of Senate Committee on Aviation over the state of Nigeria Air project, the Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Capt. Dapo Olumide, told legislators that the aircraft paraded as Nigeria Air plane belonged to Ethiopian Airlines and not Nigeria whereas Sirika paraded the aircraft as being owned by Nigeria.

    Olumide had disclosed at the investigative hearing that the supposed Nigeria Air aircraft that flew in with logo of the airline was chartered from Ethiopian Airline for the purpose of unveiling the logo.

    He also disclosed that the airline was yet to secure an operating licence for full flight operations, contrary to submission of the past minister of aviation on the Air Nigeria.

    Olumide had told the Senate committee that the aircraft was used pending the completion of the processes required for the operation of the airline.

    With Sirika as the arrowhead, the Aviation Ministry spent over N85 billion on Nigeria Air, as shown in data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Compilation of Budgetary Allocations between 2016 and 2023.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Aviation Committee, Sen. Biodun Olujimi and the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, both agreed that the launch of Nigeria Air was a fraud.

    Olumide admitted that the Boeing 737-800 aircraft used to unveil the country’s national career was a legitimate chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines.

    He said the aircraft returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling.

    Angered by the development, and with the EFCC going after internet fraudsters, Nigerians have asked the commission to go after Sirika and other politicians perceived to have embezzled government funds instead.

    “Unless you arrest Hadi Sirika  @hadisirika no one will believe EFCC anymore,” a Twitter user, who goes by the handle, @CrownprinceCom2 tweeted.

    Another Twitter user with the handle, @PIDOMNIGERIA tweeted: “If it is china, Hadi sirika @hadisirika will be sentence to death, & be killed next week latest.

    “If it is Japan, he will hurriedly commit suicide tonight, to avoid the shame & embarrassment. If it is the US, they will arrest him today & charge him to court. In Nigeria, guess”.

  • 19 internet fraudsters sentenced to prison in Benin

    19 internet fraudsters sentenced to prison in Benin

    Edo High Court on Tuesday sentenced 19 persons to prison for engaging in internet fraud popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo”.

    The convicts in separate judgements by Justices Efe Ikponmwonba and Mary Itsueli in Benin, were found guilty of the charges levelled against them.

    A statement by Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) identified the convicts as Fidelis Esajini, Nicholas Azeke, Marvelous Alakpa, Adelike Destiny and Osamwingie Osarenwinda.

    According to him, others are Mathias Friday Gbenga; Collins Etiosa Iyekeoretin, Anyanwu Miracle, Justice Aifo, Emmanuel Efetobor.

    “Also sentenced to prison are Osahenie Uwoghiren, Emmanuel Osifo, Timothy Nowamagbe,  Desmond Taiwo, Atunu Ewomaoghene, Elvis Onojebe, Promise Uduaghan, Francis Okoliko and Omokaro Omonefe.”

    The convicts were arraigned separately by the Benin Zonal office of the commission on count charges bordering on retention of proceeds of crime, fraudulent representation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents.

    “The charge against Collins Etiosa Iyekeoretin reads: “that you, Collins Etiosa Iyekeoretin sometime between January 23, 2018 and May 26, 2023 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the control of the aggregate sum of N303,304,519:69 in your UBA bank account number: 1021606211 on behalf of Osawonyi Ella.

    “Knowing that same represent the proceeds of criminal conduct of the said Osawonyi Ella and others and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 17(b) of the same Act.”

    The charge against Fidelis Esajini reads. “That you, Fidelis Esajini sometime in May, 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be one Lisa, a citizen of the United States of America and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976”.

    The EFCC spokesman said upon arraignment, they all pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel,  F.A. Jirbo, I.M Elodi, Saliu Ahmed, A.A.Ibrahim and A.S Balariba to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

    “Counsel to the defendants, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who had turned a new leaf.

    “Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Esajini, Destiny, Osarenwinda, Gbenga, Iyekeoretin, Nowamagbe, Ewomaoghene and Okoliko to three years imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.

    “Azeke, Miracle, Aifo, Efetobor, Uwoghiren, Osifo on the other hand bagged three year imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.

    Alakpa was committed to three year imprisonment or a fine of N300,000 while Taiwo bagged two year imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.”

    According to him, Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced the trio of Promise Uduaghan, Elvis Onojebe and Omokaro Omonefe to three year imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.

    “The court also ordered the forfeiture of six vehicles –  Lexus ES350, Black Mercedes ML350, Mercedes Benz C-30 model, Mercedes Benz ML 350,  Lexus NX,  Toyota Corolla- iPad, laptops, phones and the balance in the defendants’ bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC,” he said.

  • Court reserves ruling in ex-Gov Lamido’s N1.35bn fraud case

    Court reserves ruling in ex-Gov Lamido’s N1.35bn fraud case

    Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved ruling in the appeal by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, challenging the decision of the Federal High Court dismissing his no case submission.

    The former governor, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, Aminu Wada Abubakar, and their companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd are standing trial before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 37-count amended charge of money laundering to the tune of N1.35 billion fraud.

    Lamido allegedly abused his position as governor between 2007 and 2015 and laundered several sums of money which he received as kickbacks from companies that were awarded contracts by Jigawa State Government under his leadership.

    The trial which commenced in 2015 has seen the Commission calling over 16 witnesses before closing its case. Rather than open their defence, the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant their defence.

    But Justice Ojukwu, threw out the no-case submission, and upheld the submissions of EFCC’s counsel, Chile Okoroma, that Lamido and the other defendants had a case to answer and ordered them to open their defence at the next adjourned date of the matter, which was November 8 to 11, 2022.

    Dissatisfied, Lamido proceeded to the Appellate Court on appeal. The appeals were considered today, June 6, 2023, after which the Court of Appeal adjourned for judgement on a date to be communicated to the parties.

    Meanwhile, hearing in the substantive case before Justice Ojukwu is scheduled to continue on June 19, 21 and 22, 2023.

    Count thirteen of the charge reads: “That you, Alhaji Sule Lamido (while being the Governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria), on or about March 2nd, 2012, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court in your account in the name Bamaina Holdings (also referred to as Bamaina Holding Limited) domiciled at Unity Bank Plc. Kano, converted the aggregate sum of N61,919,000.00 being the value of four Sterling Bank Plc Cheques nos. 04981304, 04981305, 04981307, 04981308, three Diamond Bank Plc Cheque nos. 32909551,32909548, 32909550 and four Bank PHB Plc Cheques nos. 24444376, 24444374, 24444375 and 24444372 paid by Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited which represented the proceeds of bribery and corruption to wit: using your position as a public officer for gratification by purportedly obtaining contracts for companies in which you have interest from Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited which was awarded contracts by Jigawa State Government with the aim of concealing their illicit origin and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under section 15(1) of the same Act”

    Count Thirty-two reads: “That you, Alhaji Sule Lamido (while being the Governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria), Aminu Sule Lamido, Mustapha Sule Lamido, and Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited on or about 3rd of April 2012 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court retained in the account of Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited domiciled with Skye Bank Plc Kano the sum of N57,000,000.00 transferred from the account of Bamaina Holdings (also known and referred to as Bamaina Holdings Limited) at Unity Bank Plc Kano which fund you knew represented the proceeds of illegal act of Alhaji Sule Lamido who used his position as a public officer for gratification by obtaining purported contracts for Speeds International Limited, Gada Construction Company, and Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited from Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited, a company which was awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 17 of the same Act”.

  • Ex-minister, Tallen denies involvement in N2bn fraud

    Ex-minister, Tallen denies involvement in N2bn fraud

    Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, has denied involvement in the alleged N2billion fraud in her ministry.

    Tallen said this when she spoke with NAN in Abuja on Tuesday, saying that the investigation by the Economic and Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC) was triggered by a false alarm.

    “There was no money missing anywhere in the Ministry that I superintended for four years, be it the alleged N500 million or N2billion being reported in some section of the media.

    “The allegation and investigations were prompted by a false allegation by the individual that said that I collected N500m meant for the African First Ladies’ Mission Complex (AFLM) headquarters in Abuja, but failed to disburse it,” she said.

    Confirming that N500 million was actually released to the ministry by the Ministry of Finance, Tallen said the money was disbursed as received, with documentary evidence.

    “It’s a price that one must pay for holding a leadership position. Last month, someone accused me of collecting N500 million meant for AFLM but that I failed to disburse it.

    “It sounded strange to me because government funds are never transferred to personal bank accounts of serving ministers. The minister is not the accounting officer of the ministry. It is the Permanent Secretary.

    “I have all the documentary evidences here with me, I’ll show you if you don’t mind. The documents clearly state how the money was received and disbursed,” she said.

    The former minister added that the money was a support from the Ministry of Finance for the AFLPM, which was released through the Ministry of Women Affairs since AFLPM was not an agency.

    “I was never involved in the process of the disbursement of money. The two presidential aides and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary were the ones involved and due process was followed in the disbursement. The documentary proof is there.

    “This similar false claim on the same issue had earlier been made against an official in the presidency. It was an embarrassing, messy and scandalous allegation, which involved calling the EFCC into the matter, so I’m also another victim of such wild and frivolous allegation,” Tallen said.

    She said that she later discovered based on investigation that she was targeted for smear campaign because of her support for the Adamawa Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Aisha Binani, during the 2023 primaries.

    The support, according to the former minister, did not go down well with some vested interests in the election.

    She said that it was not long after the election that the EFCC inviting her office staff as well as her daughter to its office for questioning.

    “As a matter of fact that was what prompted me to go to the EFCC office to find out what was amiss.

    “They never invited me nor arrested me as was widely speculated in a section of the media. I went there on my own accord to confront the issue and resolve it once and for all,” she added.

    Tallen said that her support for Binani was purely official in line with the mandate of her office as the minister of women affairs, which entailed encouraging, empowering supporting and protecting the interests of women to enable them rise to certain levels or positions.

    “I thought everyone, especially women, would champion the campaign of Binani’s ambition to be Adamawa and Nigeria’s first female governor so that we would make history.

    “I wanted our administration to break the jinx of a woman not being able to become a governor so that President Muhammadu Buhari will go down in history as achieving that feat,” she said.

  • EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Fayemi over alleged N4bn fraud

    EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Fayemi over alleged N4bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed former Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over alleged money laundering and misappropriation of N4 billion.

    A source close to the anti-graft agency said that  Fayemi arrived at the EFCC facility at about 10.am on Thursday and was drilled by the its operatives.

    The source said that the ex-governor was at the zonal command of the anti-graft agency located on Oko Close, Off Station Road, Ilorin in Kwara for interrogation over an alleged fraud.

    According to the source, EFCC is interrogating the former governor over allegations of misappropriation of N4 billion and money laundering.

    The probe is said to be connected to the handling of funds during his tenure as governor of Ekiti.

    Fayemi was governor of the state from 2018 to 2022 and handed over to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji in June 2022.

    The Anti-graft agency had in a letter dated May 12 invited the former governor to appear in its Kwara office on May 18 over allegations bothering on money laundering and misappropriation of public fund.

    The commission in a letter by ACE 1 Michael Nzekwe stated “the commission is investigating a case of money laundering in which there is need to seek certain clarification from you has become imperative.

    “In view of this, you are kindly requested to come for an interview with the undersigned through the head, Economic Governance Section. Thursday, May 18, 2023. No. 10 Oko close, off Station Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara. Time: 10: 00 hours.”

    The former governor had, however, written the commission seeking to delay his invitation over the allegation.

    Responding through his lawyer, Adeola Omotunde, in a letter dated May 15, Fayemi said he was one of the organisers and a reviewer of one of the books published in President Buhari’s honour.

    “Our client is in receipt of your letter of invitation dated 12th May 2023 for an appointment on Thursday, 18th of May, 2023.

    “Our client is one of the organisers of the programme and will review one of the books,” the letter read in part.

    It is believed that the anti-graft agency gave heed to the request of the former governor but immediately went into action after the presidential swearing-in.

  • Senate uncovers massive fund diversion in MDAs

    Senate uncovers massive fund diversion in MDAs

    The Senate has uncovered extensive diversion of funds from the Service Wide Vote (SWV) account by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Matthew Urhoghide, revealed that hundreds of billions of naira were disbursed to certain agencies for salary shortfalls, despite already having budget allocations for such expenses.

    The Service Wide Vote is intended for MDAs to address urgent needs or emergencies not adequately covered in the annual budget.

    However, according to Urhoghide, many MDAs received disbursements without following the necessary procedure of making formal requests approved by the President.

    Between 2017 and 2021, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation disbursed substantial amounts to these agencies without proper authorization.

    Although specific agencies involved and the exact amount diverted were not mentioned in the report, it was noted that some MDAs received funds for projects already allocated in the budget.

    The former Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, was identified as the source of some of the approvals for these illegal transactions.

    Additionally, many MDAs failed to disclose transaction details related to the Service Wide Vote, which is in violation of the law governing the vote.

    During the course of investigation, 207 federal government agencies were invited for questioning, but only 119 appeared before the committee.

    Notable agencies that declined the committee’s invitations included the State House, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Defence Academy, Federal Ministry of Health, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, National Examination Council (NECO), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    In light of these findings, the committee proposed several recommendations to combat corruption in the public service.

    One such recommendation is that capital supplementation from the Service Wide Vote should only be authorized by the President.

    “Where the capital supplementation must be made from Service Wide Vote, only personal authorisation of the president as the approving authority shall suffice; MDAs must strictly ensure that funds received from Service Wide Vote are applied to the specific purpose of request and release and,” the report said.

    It was also emphasized that MDAs must ensure funds received from the Service Wide Vote are utilized solely for the specified purposes as requested and released.

    “Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Cash Management Department, Federal Ministry of Finance should rejig its record-keeping procedures to enhance efficient operations of the Federal Treasury House,” it added.

  • EFCC arrests ‘Elon Musk’ crooner, ShalliPopi

    EFCC arrests ‘Elon Musk’ crooner, ShalliPopi

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Nigerian music star, Crown Uzama (known as ShalliPopi) and his manager, Ajayi Hafeez (known as 21 Badda) for alleged internet-related fraud.

    Its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, they were arrested alongside 29 other suspects, including four females: Glory Kelvin-Ogunwa l, Tina Ochonogor, Favour Dawa and Joseph Iya.

    “Others are Adewale Adedokun, Yakubu Ojochememi, AbdulAzeez Suleiman, Umoru AbdulAzeez, Emmanuel Iwebo, Shuaibu Smart, Joel Kator, Gowon Titus, Emmanuel Daniel, Enough Ekpo, Atano Eben, Ijuo Ochi, Paul Kaye, Uyit Victor and David Yachai.

    “Also arrested are Leche Sokomba, Onoja Uroko, Cornelius Agbodesi, Edigim Success, Azubuike Oniya, Usman Shereef, Victory Chiemela, Lambert Chikwado, Asoore Oloruntoba and Malik Jibril.

    “They were arrested following actionable intelligence about a proposed show by suspected Internet fraudsters at Barnawa, Kaduna,” he said.

    He said that the  suspects were arrested in sting operations at Disney Park Lounge, Epitome and Tomoso Hotels, all in the Barnawa axis of Kaduna.

    “Items recovered include mobile phones, laptop computers and two vehicles.

    “The suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.