TheNewsGuru

Tag: ONSA

  • DasukiGate: Okupe received N702m for doing nothing – EFCC witness

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday narrated to Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, allegedly collected the sum of N702m from the Office of the National Security Adviser for doing nothing.

    Okupe was arraigned on a 59-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702m.

    The first prosecution witness, Osas Azonabor, an operative of the commission, while being led in evidence by the EFCC Counsel, Ibrahim Audu, told the court that sometime in 2016, the agency got an intelligence report that some individuals were paid by the ONSA for doing nothing.

    He said when investigations began, it was discovered that the first defendant, Okupe, was one of the beneficiaries.

    Azonabor told the court that the EFCC wrote to the ONSA, demanding the vouchers of the payments made to Okupe.

    According to him, after analysing the payment vouchers, it was realised that the sum of N50m was paid into Okupe’s account, as stated in a voucher dated April 8, 2014.

    He also said another cash payment of N6m was found to have been made to Okupe on April 2, 2014, adding that there were series of payments in multiples of N10m made to the defendant between 2012 and 2014.

    The witness further told the court that EFCC’s investigation found that N50m was paid into the Zenith Bank account of Value Trust Investment Ltd, a company in which Okupe is a director. He added that another N35m was paid into the account of Abraham Telecoms Nig. Ltd. to which Okupe is a signatory.

    Azonabor said, “Okupe said he was paid N10m monthly for 24 months by ONSA and the money was reduced to N5m monthly from January 2015 to May 2015.

    “He said the money was for special services. When asked to explain what he meant by ‘special services’, he said that part of the money was used to sponsor ‘Insight’, a programme aired on NTA.”

    The witness explained that when a letter was written to NTA to confirm the authenticity of the document that emanated from the station, it said the programme was aired free-of-charge.

    The EFCC operative further informed the court that Okupe claimed that part of the money collected from ONSA was used to pay workers. “But when asked to show proof of payment, he simply tendered a list of names on a piece of paper.

    “There was no payment voucher, receipt or pay slip to show evidence of payment and when we asked him to produce the staff he paid to, he couldn’t produce any”, Azonabor said.

    The acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement, said that the Corporate Affairs Commission documents of the Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abraham Telecoms Nig Ltd, and a letter of response from ONSA to the EFCC Acting Chairman and statements of the defendants were all admitted in evidence.

    The Judge adjourned the case to February 28 (today) for cross examination and presentation of other witnesses.

     

  • NCC, ONSA go tough on fake mobile devices

    Worried by the recurrent cycle of fraudsters deploying their trade via fake and substandard mobile devices, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other government agencies, yesterday set up committees to combat the situation.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the two joint committees set up are the Project Steering Committee (PSC), comprising the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Federal Ministry of Communications and the NCC; and the Project Delivery Team (PDT) which draws representation from the Federal Ministry of Communications, the ICRC, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the NCC.

    The committees, with specific terms of references, are to work together to ensure the implementation of Mobile Devices Management Systems (DMS), a Public-Private Partnership project, aimed at combatting the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned mobile communications devices in the telecommunication industry.

    While inaugurating the committees in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said the move was in line with the mandate of the Commission, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, to type-approve all devices used in the telecommunications industry and to ensure that all devices used in the telecommunications industry are in line with agreed standards and specifications.

    According to him, the principal objective of the proposed DMS project is to “establish a secure and comprehensive single-window solution that will enable the Commission to implement a proven solution in the Nigerian environment that is sustainable and demonstrate value for money in addition helping to address the various concerns that have been raised with the NCC from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in our regular interactions on security matters as it concerns the telecommunications industry”.

    He said the increasing cybercrime, evasion of taxes, terrorism and health and safety concerns raised by the use of stolen, counterfeit and substandard devices in Nigeria is a responsibility which the NCC takes seriously.

    “In 2015, the NCC organised a stakeholder forum aimed at developing recommendations that could influence decision and policy directions, leading to solutions to combat the issue of counterfeit and substandard Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices in the country.

    “Based on the importance of the project to the NCC, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the ICRC were engaged for a no-objection to advertise for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process towards the acquisition of an effective DMS solution, and the ICRC subsequently recommended the establishment of the two committees to fast-track the process,” he said.

    Representative of the Minister of Communications, Chief Adebayo Shittu and Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, commended the NCC for the initiative, stressing that she was impressed with the comprehensive and clear terms of reference given to the committees.

    “The ministry has no doubt that thorough implementation of the terms of references as reeled out by Prof. Umar Danbatta in his presentation, will ensure effective delivery of the project aimed at sanitizing the economy of fake devices with their attendant challenges,” she said.

    Also, Director, PPP Resource Department of ICRC, Mr. Michael Ohiani, said as the agency in charge of regulatory oversight over all PPP initiatives of government, “The Commission would support the process to ensure transparency of the process and value for money invested on the project.

    “The constitution of the PSC and PDT are to ensure that projects are delivered in a sustainable manner and in the overall interest of the country and we would work with all stakeholders in this project to ensure effective implementation”.

     

  • Update: Court remands Fayose in prison custody, bars ex-Gov. from traveling

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has said former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Fayose, who was asked to deposit his international passport with the court, was granted bail, in sum of N50 million in bond, after hearing of his bail application at his second appearance before the Lagos Federal High Court.
    He was also asked to provide a surety who must have landed property in Lagos, and who must also have three-year tax clearance in Lagos.
    Fayose, arraigned on Monday, in his first appearance before Justice Olatoregun, prosecution counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, had pleaded the court that Fayose be remanded in prison custody pending a trial date.
    Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Limited, was arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn.
    The former governor is facing trial in connection with N1.299 billion and $5.3 million allegedly allocated to him out of the N4.65 billion slush fund shared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, according to an EFCC statement.
    “Fayose acquired properties in some parts of Lagos and Abuja from the money, which was released for his 2014 governorship campaign,” EFCC alleges.
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Mr. Abiodun Agbele (now facing another charge) on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000, 000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.”
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through the financial institution received cash payment in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million Dollars) from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act,” EFCC counts read against Fayose in court on Monday.
    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. It was in view of his plea the prosecution counsel had asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
    However, counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that he had served a bail application on behalf of this client on the prosecution, and pleaded with the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody.
    Consequently, Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case to October 24, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of the bail application.
    Following Fayose’s bail application hearing, Justice Olatoregun has said he should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition.
     

  • Alleged fraud: Fayose might go to prison on Wednesday

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose might be remanded in prison custody on Wednesday if hearing on his bail application fails to pass through Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the former Governor was on Monday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
    Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Limited, was arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn.
    The former governor is facing trial in connection with N1.299 billion and $5.3 million allegedly allocated to him out of the N4.65 billion slush fund shared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, according to an EFCC statement.
    “Fayose acquired properties in some parts of Lagos and Abuja from the money, which was released for his 2014 governorship campaign,” EFCC alleges.
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Mr. Abiodun Agbele (now facing another charge) on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000, 000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.”
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through the financial institution received cash payment in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million Dollars) from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act,” EFCC counts read against Fayose in court on Monday.
    However, the defendant, Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
    In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
    However, counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that he had served a bail application on behalf of this client on the prosecution, and pleaded with the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody.
    Consequently, Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case to October 24, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of the bail application.
     

  • 2019: Senate finally approves N53bn for ONSA, security agencies

    The Nigerian Senate has approved a total sum of N53 billion ‎for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and security agencies for the supervision of the 2019 general elections.
    Apart from ONSA, the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSDC, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS are expected to benefit from the fund.
    The Senate committee on appropriation recommended the approval after its report on the budget was adopted at plenary on Tuesday.
    Tthe development is coming a week after the lawmakers approved N189bn for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the running of ‎the elections.

  • GEJ’s cousin allegedly misappropriates $40m communication kits money

    Cousin of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) has been alleged to have misappropriated a whooping sum of $40 million meant for communication kits.

    Azibaola Robert and his wife, Stella were accused of diverting the $40m ostensibly meant for the supply of tactical communication kits for Special Forces at a Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Friday in the lingering case.

    Investigation reveals that the money was transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the domiciliary account of their company, One Plus Holdings.

    Tenth prosecution witness, David Nkpe told the court that analysis of documents relating to One Plus Holdings Nigeria Ltd showed that the company actually received the $40m from the account of Office of the National Security Adviser with the CBN.

    According Nkpe, the investigation was extended to the National Security Adviser Office to ascertain the purpose for which the payment was made.

    “EFCC wrote to ONSA to avail them with documents regarding the payment mandate and the reply came”, said Nkpe.

    “We investigated the utilisation of the funds and discovered that the funds were transferred to other companies including Bureau de Change and some of the funds transferred offshore to countries like London and United Arab Emirates,” he further stated.

    When Nkpe was asked if he could recall some of the beneficiaries of the communication kits money, “there were several of them,” he said, adding: “but I remember that $6.6 million was transferred to a company called ‘Karahyna’ between October 2014 and April 2015, which was specifically done in eight tranches”.

    “I also recall that the sum of $1.5 million was transferred to ‘Reya Telecommunication’ which is a company under One Plus Holdings group.

    “Another sum of $1.493million was transferred to ‘Kakatar El Ltd’ which is also a company under One Plus Holdings; a sum of $2 million was transferred to ‘Capitafield Investment Ltd’ and another $330,000 transferred to a company called ‘Teledom’,” Nkpe further witnessed.

    “Most of the companies that received the money did not supply any goods,” he added.

    Nkpe said the analysis carried out on One Plus Holdings account on September 9, 2014 showed that the $40m communication kits money received was the only major inflow into the account, and that from the time of that receipt, all the transactions in the account were outflows, which is the distribution of the said $40m.

    He said the credit balance in the account before the transaction was $17,277.50.

    Thereafter, documents were presented and admitted as exhibits including: petition from the ONSA to EFCC as exhibit ASO 16 (1&2), Search warrant dated March 23, 2016; two power of attorney as exhibit ASO 18a &18b; Deed of Assignment as exhibit ASO 19a, 19b, 19c; transfer mandate from One Plus Holdings to Zenith Bank as ASO 20 (1-39); the two statement of the first defendant dated March 23 & 24, 2016 marked as exhibit ASO 21a & ASO 21b.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court then adjourned the case to July 7, 2017.

     

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