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Tag: Investigation

  • Osinbajo: AIB commences investigation, deploys team to crash scene

    Accident investigators have been deployed to the scene of the weekend helicopter crash involving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Kogi State.

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is investigating why and how Agusto Westland AW139 helicopter crash-landed in Kabba.

    AIB spokesman Tunji Oketumbi who confirmed the development said that that besides the assessment of the crash scene, the AIB team will ascertain the cause(s) of the accident.

    The team will also interview the crew – pilots and engineers and other professionals from Caverton Helicopters – that operated the ill-fated chopper.

    The investigators will examine the chopper’s wreckage and other relevant materials connected to its operations.

    Oketumbi said a preliminary report on the accident will be released “in a matter of days”, adding that relevant aeronautical agencies have swung into action to unravel the cause of the crash.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reported the crash to the AIB.

    Its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said: “The NCAA has been notified about the incident and we have notified the AIB to begin investigations in line with its mandate.”

    Caverton Helicopters, in a statement by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

    Choms said: “An Augsto AW139 Helicopter under management by Caverton Helicopters was involved in a mishap on landing in Kabba, Kogi State on February 2, 2019 as a result of unusual weather conditions.

    “There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on board and they were all quickly and safely evacuated. The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.

    “We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations.”

  • Alleged corruption: EFCC sets up special team to investigate Fayose as tenure expires on Monday

    Alleged corruption: EFCC sets up special team to investigate Fayose as tenure expires on Monday

    Indications emerged on Tuesday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set up a special team to interrogate Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State next week.

    Recall that Fayose, who has been governor since October 16, 2014, will lose his immunity at exactly 11.59pm on October 15, 2018, thereby giving the EFCC the constitutional right to arrest, detain and prosecute him.

    The governor is expected to report at the EFCC head office in Abuja to meet with the commission’s Director of Operations, Umar Mohammed, after which he will be grilled by a team of operatives.

    Fayose is under investigation for allegedly receiving over N1.2bn from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

    The money was allegedly handed over to Fayose during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele, and others had been arraigned by the EFCC but Fayose was excluded because of his immunity.

    A source within the EFCC said, “We are expecting Fayose to show up at our office next week. He has nowhere to run to since he is under security watch and cannot leave the country through any land border, seaport or airport.

    “We have also set up a special team of investigators that will interrogate him immediately after the expiration of his tenure.”

    The governor is expected to be arraigned after investigations.

    Apart from the alleged N1.2bn fraud, Fayose is also under probe for alleged contract fraud.

    Speaking with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, a spokesman for Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said his principal was ready for the EFCC.

    Adelusi noted that the governor had written a letter to the EFCC indicating his readiness to appear before the commission next week.

    He said, “Governor Fayose is an honourable man. He will not run away. He has already stated that he will make himself available next Monday once his tenure expires. He made this clear in a letter recently. Even when he was not under immunity, the governor honoured the EFCC invitations.

    “The EFCC is not a court of law and cannot declare a person guilty. The governor will be available next week, no doubt.”

    Meanwhile, Fayose has filed a N20bn suit against the EFCC for placing him on watch list and directing security agencies to arrest him, if he attempts to travel out of the country.

    He said the directive against him despite being a sitting governor breached his constitutional immunity and exposed him to public opium and ridicule.

    Fayose had in a September 3, 2018 letter by his counsel, Obafemi Adewale, given the EFCC 72 hours to withdraw the request/directive to security agencies and publish a written apology in three national newspapers and the social media.

    A statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the suit was consequent upon the EFCC’s failure to accede to his demands as contained in the letter.

    Recall that EFCC had tweeted on July 16, 2018 through its official twitter handle @officialEFCC concerning Governor Fayose that, “The parri (party) is over, the cloak of immunity is torn apart and the staff broken, Ekiti Integrated Poultry/Biological Concepts Limited N1.3bn fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”

    In the suit, Fayose demanded among other things; an order of the court mandating the EFCC to pay the sum of N20bn as general damages to what he called “flagrant, deliberate, pre-meditated and reckless libel and unprovoked attack on his character and reputation and the breach of his constitutional right/immunity as an incumbent governor.”

    He asked the EFCC to tender a written apology, which should be circulated to all security agencies in Nigeria and that same should be published in at least three widely read national newspapers and the social media.

    The governor also sought a declaration that the statements contained in the EFCC’s letter of September 12, 2018, and addressed to all security agencies n Nigeria portrayed him as a criminal, a fugitive and a run-away from the law, and that the statements were not true, were malicious, and not fair.

    He asked the court to further declare “that the EFCC’s letter placing him on watch list and directing his arrest on sight even while a sitting governor is unconstitutional as same offends the clear provision of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which clothes him with immunity against arrest and prosecution as an incumbent governor.”

    “That the tweet by the defendant (the EFCC) through its official twitter handle, which was widely circulated through social media and published in Punch Newspaper (online) of 16th July, 2018, with the particular wordings pleaded in the statement of claim filed along with this Writ is not true, is malicious, is not a fair statement and presents the plaintiff as a fraudster thereby ridiculing him and reducing him in the eyes of reasonable and right-thinking members of the society.”

     

  • Salisu Yusuf: NFF commences preliminary investigations into alleged bribery case

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday in Abuja said it has noted some media reports arising from a BBC documentary on one of its national team coaches.

    The documentary was on the Chief Coach of the senior men’s national team, Salisu Yusuf.

    “For now, the NFF has commenced preliminary investigation into the matter to assist the Committee on Ethics and Fairplay,” NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said in a statement.

    The documentary has Yusuf receiving some cash from some undercover player agents in relation to ensuring some players were picked to play for the Super Eagles.

    This had happened ahead of the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) which was held in Morocco, and where the Eagles finished as runners-up.

  • IG sets up crack team to investigate killing of seven policemen in Abuja

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has set up a seven-man team of crack detectives, Scene of Crime Experts and Technical Intelligence Unit of the Force to investigate the killing of seven policemen while on duty in Abuja on Monday by suspected criminals.

    The force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that the team which was inaugurated on Tuesday is headed by a seasoned investigator, Bala Ciroma, a Commissioner of Police.

    He would be assisted by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Special Tactical Squad, DCP, Department of Operations, FCT Police Command and DCP, Police Forensic Department.

    Other team members include DCP, Police Central Criminal Registry, Assistant Commissioner of Police, IGP Intelligence Response Team, ACP, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and Chief Superintendent of Police, IGP Secretariat.

    The statement explained that the team had already commenced an investigation which is expected to be concluded in 21 days.

    It said, “The mandate of the specialised team includes a thorough and discreet investigation of the ambush attack and killing of seven policemen while on duty on July 2, 2018, by armed robbers/bandits at Galadimawa roundabout, Federal Capital Territory.

    “The team is to unravel, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings and to detect the motives behind the ambush and killing.”

    Moshood stated that the team would work with the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory in the investigation of the incident, adding that it would take over a further probe into the crime from the FCT Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

    He noted that the investigation team would take any other instruction from the IG in ensuring the prompt resolution of the crime to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “The team will obtain evidence, receive complaints and information from public-spirited individuals or any other member of the public with useful information that can assist them in their investigation.

    “The team is expected to proffer strategies and recommendations to forestall similar attacks in the future,” the statement added.

  • NJC recommends sack of judge, investigates seven others

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the sack of one judge and commenced an investigation of seven others.

    The council, the highest decision making in the judiciary, made the decision at its meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Abuja, according to a statement by its spokesperson, Soyinka Oye.

    Justice Michael Goji of the High Court of Adamawa State was recommended for compulsory retirement “for refusing to proceed on transfer to the Mubi Judicial Division of the State High Court since July, 2017,” Mr Oye said.

    The council also recommended the appointment of 22 judges for various offices.

    Read Mr Oye’s full statement below.

    The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 86th Meeting which was held on the 8th and 9th May, 2018, recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Mr. Justice Michael Goji of the High Court of Adamawa State for refusing to proceed on transfer to the Mubi Judicial Division of the State High Court since July, 2017.

    Hon. Mr. Justice Michael Goji was recommended for compulsory retirement to Governor Bindo Umaru Jibrilla of Adamawa State sequel to the advice of the State Judicial Service Commission to Council after its Findings on the allegations of misconduct levelled against him.

    The Adamawa State Judicial State Commission had conducted an investigation on the conduct of Hon. Mr. Justice Goji, following the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after receiving the complaint of his misconduct from the Adamawa State Chief Judge.

    Aside from the recommendation for compulsory retirement, Council also directed that he should refund all salaries received by him from July, 2017 till date, failing which the Adamawa State Government is to deduct the amount from any entitlement due to him and remit same to the National Judicial Council which pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.

    In the interim, the Council in exercise of its disciplinary powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, has suspended Hon. Mr. Justice Goji from office pending his removal from office.

    Council considered the reports of various Investigation Committees and dismissed petitions written against Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Adamu Galinje of the Supreme Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim, Chief Judge, Jigawa State, and Hon. Mr. Justice Peter Umeadi, Chief Judge, Enugu State.

    The petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Adamu Galinje of the Supreme Court was dismissed sequel to its withdrawal by Hon. Yaro Abarshi and Hon. John Yobi Yarafa and others, who alleged that he interfered in a Chieftaincy matter in Taraba State.

    The petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim was also dismissed because the Petitioner, Dr Jamil Gwamna who wrote to Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Minister of Power and Works who in turn forwarded same to the National Judicial Council, withdrew the petition. The allegation was that the Hon. Judge ordered the arrest, assault, and detention of staff of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) when they disconnected the electricity at the State High Court and the Judge’s house for non-payment of bills. The Committee that investigated the matter found that the Petitioner could not show or prove that Hon. Mr. Justice Ringim instructed or directed the arrest of KEDCO’s staff.

    Council did not find any reason to further investigate Hon. Mr. Justices Paul Galinje and Aminu Ringim after the withdrawals.

    Petitions written against twenty-five (25) Judicial Officers and others by EFCC were also considered by Council after which it resolved to empanel seven (7) Committees to look into the allegations.

    Petitions against various Judges were dismissed for, lack of establishment of misconduct, being subjudice or that such petitions were matters for appeal. The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Mr. Justices A. I. Chikere and J. T Tsoho, Emeka Nwite and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Adetokunbo Banjoko of FCT High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Taminu Zailani, Chief Judge, Kaduna, Hon. Mr. Justice M. A. Adeigbe, High Court, Osun State (who had already retired from the Bench), and Hon. Mr. Justice E. N. Ogbuiji, High Court, Rivers State.

    Council at the Meeting also recommended twenty-one (21) Judges for appointment as Chief Judges, Grand Kadi, High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis, President, Customary Court of Appeal, and one (1) Member, Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    Council also received the Report of the Performance Evaluation Committee of Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Record in the Federation on sixteen (16) Judges invited by the Committee to explain their low performance in the last two (2) to four (4) quarters in the year 2017.

     

    Soji Oye, Esq.

    Director, Information

  • Why House is probing Special Presidential Investigation Panel – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has explained why the House is investigating the Special Presidential Investigation Panel to ascertain where it got the powers to investigate public officers as it is not listed among the agencies listed to discharge that function in the constitution.

    Dogara said while speaking at a public hearing on the Legality and Modus Operandi of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel in the National Assembly on Thursday, that the probe became imperative because of the confusion of roles which has been identified by the Executive branch itself.

    He noted that the Constitution which is the supreme law governing affairs in Nigeria has vested the respective powers of investigation and eventual trial of public officers who are in breach of the Code of Conduct on the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, in addition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) which were established by two extant laws and copiously vested with powers and jurisdiction to investigate allegations of crime and to charge possible offenders to the Federal High Court.

    Speaker Dogara added that while it is undeniably the responsibility of the Judiciary to give final interpretation on the legality or otherwise of any question of law, it is also the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to make laws, or to plug defects in any existing law, or to amend any laws as it deems fit, especially to protect Nigerian citizens from the possibility of double jeopardy of facing different laws and different judicial and executive agencies on the same subject matter.

    He stated, “This investigation is further strengthened by the confusion of roles which has been identified by the Executive branch itself. It is public knowledge that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had waded into these matters in a letter titled, ‘Re: Directive in Respect of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the recovery of public property’, which has not been denied. According to Malami’s letter to Obono-Obla: “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated 20th October, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the Office of the Vice President. In the said letter, the Vice President expressed his concerns on the activities of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it. He also noted that the activities of the Panel run foul or contrary to established administrative procedures and protocols in the Federal Civil Service Structure”.

    Hon Dogara continued, “The spirit, if not the letter, of Section 36(9) of the Constitution guaranteeing a right to fair hearing and outlawing double trial by Courts or Tribunal set up by law, should guide our attitude on this matter, especially now that the Supreme Court has decided that the Code of Conduct Tribunal has a quasi criminal jurisdiction.

    “While we recognise the need to tackle the problem of corruption with renewed vigour in our society, as we fully subscribe to the dictates of the Constitution which enjoins the State to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’ Section 15(5), we must, however, be conscious of doing things and implementing our laws in such ways and manner that will portray us as a democratic society conscious of the Rule of Law and Fundamental human rights.”

     

  • Court orders investigation into demolition of Patience Jonathan’s property

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed an inquiry into the alleged demolition of a property in Abuja linked to the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

    The Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration reportedly demolished the property last week Tuesday.

    But the property is said to be a subject of forfeiture proceedings initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on Monday adjourned the proceedings to enable parties to the suit to report back to the court on the alleged demolition.

    The judge requested a report on the issue following the complaint by Patience’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who said a property owned by a non-governmental organisation, A. Aruera Reachout Foundation/Women For Change and Development Initiative, the ex-First Lady’s pet project, had been demolished by an agency of the government.

    But Justice Dimgba said the court could not act without first ascertaining whether or not the property in question had been destroyed.

    “I will adjourn for the claim that the property has been demolished to be ascertained to enable the court to know what proper steps should be taken,” Justice Dimgba said.

    He adjourned till February 26 for the report of the probe and possible hearing of the applications filed by parties.

    The EFCC had filed an ex-parte application before the court for temporary forfeiture of the same property.

    Ozekhome, acting for the Registered Trustees of Aruera Foundation, had filed an objection to the motion.

    Earlier, during the Monday’s proceedings, Ozekhome told the court that the property which EFCC was seeking its forfeiture to the government had been demolished by an agency of the government.

    He did not mention which particular government agency was responsible but expressed concern that the government had resorted to self-help instead of allowing the court to resolve issues before the court.

    He flaunted some envelopes, which he said contained video recordings and pictures of the demolition.

    He also produced some newspapers, which he said contained reports of the demolition.

    When asked by the judge, EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Benjamin Manji, denied knowledge of the demolition.

    Manji said EFCC was not aware of the development.

    He added, “Our mandate is clear, it does not include demolition. We need to confirm if the property is still in existence before we can proceed with our application for temporary forfeiture.”

    Ozekhome agreed that the state of the property be ascertained first before further steps could be taken on the case.

    He said he would file an affidavit for the formal presentation of the video recording, pictures and newspaper publications of the demolition before the court.

    The judge adjourned until February 26.

  • JUST IN: Appeal Court bans EFCC from investigating serving judges

    The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not have powers to investigate or prosecute serving judicial officers except where such officers have been dismissed by the National Judicial Council.

    The judgment was delivered in a suit between the EFCC and a judge of the Federal High Court, Hydiazira Nganjiwa.

    The appellate court’s decision overturned the earlier decision of a high court in Lagos.

    Many serving judges including from the Supreme Court are currently being prosecuted for corruption by the EFCC.

    Details later…

  • Stop DSS from investigating corruption, financial crimes, Falana tells FG

    Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has advised the Federal Government to restrain the Directorate of State Service (SSS) from investigating corruption cases in the country.

    Falana gave the advice on Tuesday in his review of the reorganisation of the anti-graft agencies by the government.

    He advised that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC ) should take over all cases of official corruption while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should limit its activities to money laundering, cyber crimes, advanced fee fraud and other economic and financial crimes.

    “With the new development, the Presidency should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that each of the anti graft agencies is made to henceforth operate within its statutory core mandate.

    “If the federal government is prepared to reclaim the initiative it must insist on regular inter agency collaboration on the part of the anti graft agencies”, he counselled.

    Falana commended the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanye as Chaormn of of the ICPC and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla to handle recovery of public property.

    “By appointing Professor Bolaji Owasanye, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption, as the chairman of the ICPC and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, the Presidential Adviser on Prosecution as the Chairman of the Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property who are both men of proven integrity, the federal government has demonstrated its determination to refocus, restrategise and rejig the anti corruption programme which has almost been hijacked by the forces of corruption and impunity in the country”, he noted.

    While commending the National Assembly for passing the Whistle Blowers Bill, he advised the legislature to pass the remaining anti corruption bills including the bill for the establishment of an anti corruption court.

    He recalled suggesting the reorganisation of the other anti graft agencies following the change in the leadership of the EFCC in November 2016.

     

  • Bailout Fund: Senate to investigate Osun, other states

    Bailout Fund: Senate to investigate Osun, other states

    The Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration said it would extend its Bailout Funds probe to states that accessed the funds from the Federal Government in 2015.

    The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that the investigation was prompted by allegations that some states that accessed the funds diverted them to other use, leaving a backlog of salary arrears yet unpaid.

    On whether the National Assembly has oversight powers over states, the lawmaker said that the committee was specifically investigating the disbursement of the bailout funds, which it had powers over.

    He said that though state assemblies had oversight powers over the States, the assignment of the committee was based on funds given to States by the Federal Government.

    According to him, the senate has the powers to investigate the bailout because the money belongs to the Federal Government.

    “We will visit Osun and the other states if allowed access.

    “There were lots of misunderstanding as to whether or not the senate has powers to oversight states over the bailout. The senate does have the powers.

    “We are not investigating states; we are carrying out a specific assignment.

    “Those states that accessed the bailout from the Federal Government to pay salaries are the states we are over-sighting.

    “For other monies, it is the responsibility of state assemblies to oversight those ones. This bailout is the Federal Government’s money.

    “ In fact, it is money got from the bank, with the Federal Government’s guarantee and in the case of default from any of the states, the government has to pay from the Consolidated Revenue Account.

    “So, the national assembly has the responsibility to oversight how it is spent,’’ he said.

    On states that denied access to the committee, Gumel said a comprehensive report would be submitted and names of states involved would be included for further action by the senate.

    However, he said that some of the states that hitherto rejected the committee’s letter of notice had invited it to proceed with its investigation.

    The lawmaker added that states that rejected the committee’s notice of visit misunderstood its assignment, pointing out that its investigation was limited to the bailout funds.

    “This committee did not take up this task on its own. We consulted the leadership of the senate and we were told to go ahead.

    “The executive is even aware that we are embarking on this assignment,’’ he said.

    Gumel denied insinuations that the probe was called off after the committee visited a few states, adding that it would visit all states concerned as mandated by the senate.

    According to him, the committee commenced probe into the matter some months ago, but put it on hold to enable committee members concentrate on consideration and passage of the 2017 Budget.

    “ We had to call it off temporarily due to the budget, because most of the committee members are members of the Appropriation Committee, including the Chairman of Appropriation Committee.

    “So, we decided to put it on hold to finish with the Appropriation Bill and once it is passed, we will resume our oversight.

    “After our Easter break, we will pass the budget. So, possibly second week in May we should have resumed our oversight.’’

    On concerns that the committee was not carrying out thorough investigation into the matter, Gumel said the committee was detailed on the assignment.

    He said “the bailout is specific on salaries and pension and in most of the states visited we noticed some defaults and that will come in our report.

    “In the states we visited we met with stakeholders like the Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government, Accountant-General, Commissioner for Finance and Commissioner for Local Government.

    “We also met with banks where the funds were domiciled and disbursed from and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chapter in the states; so, it was thorough.

    Gumel, also a member of Senate’s Appropriation Committee, said that the committee had concluded work on 2017 Budget and would present the report on resumption from the Easter break.