EFCC Warns Embassies Against Demanding Dollars For Services
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned embassies not to demand foreign currency for goods and services in the country. The chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, gave the strong warning in a special memo addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the memo dated May 5, 2024, the EFCC chair made it clear that it was illegal for embassies to collect any currency apart from Naira in Nigeria. Part of the memo reads: “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and wish to notify you about the Commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign Missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States Dollar. “This practice is an aberration and unlawful as it conflicts with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria. Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria. “It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’. “This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal. “The refusal by some Missions to accept the naira for consular service in Nigeria and also comply with foreign exchange regulatory regime in fixing the exchange of the cost of their services is not only illegal, but represents an affront on the Country’s sovereignty symbolized by the national currency. “It undermines Nigeria’s monetary policy and aspiration for sustainable economic development. “This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors. “In light of the above, you may wish to convey the Commission’s displeasure to all embassies in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country,” the EFCC boss warned.
Yahaya Bello to be arraigned, June 13
The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Friday finally agreed to submit himself to the Federal High Court Abuja for arraignment on June 13. At the Friday sitting, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected the former governor’s request for suspension of trial. Following the rejection of the application, the lead Counsel to the defendant, Abdulwahab Mohammed, gave the undertaking that his client will appear before the court in the next adjourned date. He stated that Bello was not afraid of arraignment but the safety of his life in the hand of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. According to Mohammed, the life of his client has been under consistent threats in Abuja, hence, his decision to go underground for safety. In his remarks, Justice Nwite reiterated that EFCC as a law-abiding body would not do anything against the provisions of the law. The court added that Bello was not the first former governor to be merely invited by the anti-graft agency and would not be the last. The judge also said that the charges are based on allegations that have not been proved, adding that the law even presumes any accused person innocent until proven otherwise. Consequently, Justice Nwite advised Bello’s lawyer to prevail on his client to respect the law and order of court as a law-abiding citizen. Responding, Mohammed expressed gratitude to the court, adding that with the assurance that EFCC would not do anything untoward, the former governor would be brought to court. “All my client needs is just an assurance for the safety of his life which has been under threat for sometimes in Abuja.” He, therefore, requested for four weeks to bring his client before the court. However, he added that the former governor, now at large, will come to the court instead of the EFCC to take his plea in the charges. In his reaction, counsel to the Anti-graft agency, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, didn’t oppose the application. Justice Nwite fixed June 13 for Bello to appear in court to take his, please.
Contempt: A/Court grants EFCC’s stay of proceedings against Yahaya Bello …fixes May 20 for hearing
The Court of Appeal, Friday, granted an exparte motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) against the contempt proceeding instituted by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede. Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, consequently granted the EFCC’s application to serve the processes in the Appeal by substituted means on the former governor. Consequently, the matter was adjourned for hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024. The EFCC boss who was summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying the Orders of the court, had appealed the Ruling of the trial Court and sought a stay of the proceeding of the Court. The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive Originating Motion. Justice I. A. Jamil, delivering a ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ordered that “the said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the Respondent amounts to Contempt. EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8am on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the Originating Motion. Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, Esq, where he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the Respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.
We didn’t shoot pro-Yahaya Bello protesters in Abuja —EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) refutes claims of firing at supporters of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, during a demonstration at its Abuja headquarters. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, there was no such incident as depicted in a video circulating on social media. He said the operatives only dispersed the protesters who went to the commission’s headquarters to disrupt activities. The EFCC spokesperson added: ”No arrests were made as claimed by the group. “Two groups demonstrated at the commission today. The first group came with a letter of commendation in support of the EFCC anti-corruption fight. ”They presented their letter, which was received by the Director of Public Enlightenment Department, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who promised to deliver their message to the chairman. ”Not quite long, another group came. These people were violent and destructive; the men of the commission had to chase them away. “It is not true, nobody was arrested and there was no shootout.” Bello’s supporters had gone to the EFCC office to protest his alleged political persecution. The pro-Bello protest was staged by the Kogi Youth Coalition. They claimed they were attacked by the EFCC operatives. The group claimed that the first group of protesters were allowed into the commission but the pro-Bello group were denied entry. Videos of the protesters struggling to make their statements while being harassed and scampering for safety flooded social media with a picture of a badly damaged vehicle. The group claimed that about 10 members were arrested while many were injured.
Kogi court summons EFCC chairman over attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello
A Kogi High Court has ordered the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 over alleged contempt of court. According to the court, Olukoyede will need to prove why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying its order over an attempt to arrest the former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello. The presiding judge, Isa Jamil Abdullahi, gave the order on Friday while ruling in the suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and motion No: HCL/190M/2024, brought before him by Bello. Recall that on February 8, Bello instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit, asking the court to declare that “the incessant harassment, threats of arrest and detention, negative press releases, malicious prosecution” of the EFCC — “without any formal invitation — is politically motivated and interference with his right to liberty, freedom of movement, and fair hearing”. The former governor also sought an order “restraining the respondent by themselves, their agents, servants or privies from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain him”. On February 9, the Kogi high court granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest, detain, prosecute Bello, his former appointees, and his staff or family members, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights”. On March 12, the EFCC filed an appeal against the interim injunction because the court could not stop the commission from carrying out its statutory responsibility. The Kogi high court delivered judgment on the substantive motion on notice on April 17 wherein the presiding judge granted an order restraining the EFCC “from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain Bello”. However, the judge directed the commission to file a charge against Bello before an appropriate court if it had reasons to do so. The judgment coincided with the recent “siege” laid on the Abuja residence of Bello by EFCC operatives seeking to arrest him. The commission had also obtained a warrant of arrest against the former governor from the federal high court in Abuja. The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion. At the scheduled arraignment on April 18, Bello was absent. At the court session, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the warrant of arrest in the first instance. He referenced the February 9 interim injunction issued by the Kogi high court, adding that the appeal filed by the EFCC was still pending. However, the EFCC has filed a notice to withdraw the appeal. In the notice filed on April 22, the anti-graft agency said the withdrawal was predicated on the fact that events have overtaken the appeal.
TETFund Denies Allegations of Misconduct Amidst ICPC Claims
In a twist to recent developments, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has refuted assertions made by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding his alleged custody. Contrary to ICPC’s statements, Echono maintained that he remains in his office and was not detained. The ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, previously stated that Echono was in their custody for questioning, indicating an ongoing investigation. However, Echono clarified that while an official from TETFund was indeed invited by the ICPC for document submission, they have since been released. These developments follow earlier reports, revealing TETFund’s awarding of contracts totaling N7.6 billion to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing without the required approval from the federal executive council. The contracts, aimed at enhancing capacity-building courses and learning management systems for 2 million students across higher institutions, raised concerns about due process. In response to the allegations, TETFund issued a rejoinder denying any wrongdoing and emphasizing adherence to due process in its procurement activities.
Alleged N3bn Fraud: How Oyo-Ita, Allies Diverted Public Funds to Private Companies
Prosecution Witness Eight, (PW8), Hamma Adama Bello in the trial of former Head of Service (HoS), Winifred Oyo-Ita on Thursday, April 25, 2024 narrated before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, how the defendant and her subordinates diverted public funds into their private companies. Oyo-Ita, the first defendant is facing criminal prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC alongside her special assistants, Ugbong Okon Effiok (seventh defendant), Garba Umar (fourth defendant) and six companies: Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Asanaya Projects Limited, Slopes International Limited, U and U Global Services Ltd, Prince Mega Logistics Ltd and Good Deal Investments on 18-count charges bordering on misappropriation, official corruption, money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of over N3billion. The witness, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Faruk Abdullahi and H.M. Mohammed told the court that Oyo-Ita used Slopes International Limited and Good Deal Investments Limited-fifth and sixth defendants respectively to fraudulently award government contracts to herself through the fourth defendant, Umar. The first entry transaction of Good Deal Investment Ltd on February 2019 showed that money was paid into its Zenith Bank account to the tune of N42,748, 201.47 ( Forty-two million, Seven Hundred and Forty-eight Thousand, Two Hundred and One Naira, Forty-seven kobo). Umar, the witness said incorporated the company with Oyo-Ita’s full knowledge. “We called for the account statements of these two companies, upon analyzing them, we realized he (Umar) was paid several sums of money from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing where he is an employee. Upon interviewing the fourth defendant, he admitted that he was also a contractor. He also admitted to having paid the first defendant on several occasions from the proceeds of the transaction,” the witness said. On April 27, 2019, the witness disclosed that a transfer of N20, 2027, 142 (Twenty Million, Two Thousand and Twenty-seven, One Hundred and Forty-two Naira) was made in the name of Ibrahim Madu to the Zenith Bank account of Asanaya Projects Ltd. The mandate card of the account bears the signature and photo of the seventh defendant, Effiok. Investigation, according to the witness, also revealed that the seventh defendant incorporated Asanaya Projects Ltd in his name with the knowledge of the first defendant and that approvals were granted and payments made to the seventh defendant either through his personal account or to the account of the company. According to the witness, “The seventh defendant upon interview confirmed he never travelled for most of the funds he received and that the first defendant was aware and benefitted on several occasions from the funds. The account of U and U Global Services Limited was also opened by the seventh defendant. “In summary, from 2015 to 2018, U and U Global Limited received several payments in the form of Duty Tour Allowances and estacodes. Sometimes, payments from the federal government were made directly to the account. For instance, on March 24, 2016, he received N40, 313, 453. 58 (Forty Million, Three Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Three Naira, Fifty-eight Kobo). This particular payment was from the federal government.” Further in his testimony, the witness stated that “Exhibit O is the Fidelity Bank account of Prince Mega Logistics Ltd. On March 27, 2018 and April 6, 2018, there were four entries, N4, 950, 000 (Four Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira); N3,946,000; (Three Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-six Thousand Naira); N4,676,000 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-six Thousand Naira) and N1,478,000 (One Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-eight Thousand Naira) from Thomson Titus Okure who used to be a colleague of the seventh defendant in the Account Department.
EFCC hands over recovered assets to Enugu governor
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday, handed over 14 recovered assets to Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State. During the handing over ceremony held at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, Olukoyede revealed that the assets recovered by the commission was forfeited to the Federal Government. He added that the EFCC began an investigation into the development since 2007, and had achieved the conviction of persons in relation to the matter. He also noted that the President, Bola Tinubu, ordered the handover of the assets which includes – real estate, radio and television transmission equipment, and medical facility, amongst others, to the Enugu State Government, following a request by the EFCC.
Hadi Sirika: EFCC To Invite Sacked Heads Of FAAN, NAMA, Others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is planning to invite all the sacked Heads of agencies of the Ministry of Aviation over the failed Nigeria Air project. The sacked officials are being invited in connection with an ongoing investigation of a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, relating to money laundering amounting to N8.069 billion. According to Daily Trust, the anti-graft agency is planning to formally invite all the sacked heads of agencies who worked directly under Senator Sirika in the aviation ministry. An EFCC official told the newspaper that letters of invitation to the sacked and suspended officials were already prepared to come over to explain their roles in the alleged different fraudulent activities that took place in the ministry under Sirika. Recall that President Bola Tinubu sacked the heads of Nigeria’s aviation agencies in December 2023, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), and Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT). Those sacked included Kabir Mohammed of FAAN; Tayib Odunowo of NAMA; Akinola Olateru of NSIB; Prof. Mansur Matazu of NiMet; and Alkali Modibbo, the Rector of NCAT while also suspending the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu.
Alleged N84bn Fraud: Why Yahaya Bello refuses to appear in court, Lawyer
A governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has said he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Bello, however, claims he is afraid of getting arrested. Although the former governor was not present for his arraignment on Tuesday, he briefed his team of lawyers who addressed the court. One of the lawyers in his legal team, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that Bello would have made himself available for the proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested. “The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe said. Consequently, he prayed the court to set aside the ex parte order of arrest it earlier issued against Bello. Adedipe noted that it was only at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday that the court okayed substituted service of the charge on the defendant, through his lawyer. “As at the time the warrant was issued, the order for substituted service had not been made. That order was just made this morning. “A warrant of arrest should not be hanging on his neck when we leave this court,” he added.