Alleged money laundering: Binance executive docked, remanded in Kuje prison

Binance Company and one of its executives, Tigran Gambaryan, was, on Monday, arraigned on five count charges bordering on Money Laundering by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). On arraignment, Tigran Gambaryan pleaded not guilty of the alleged offences before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Before the arraignment, Justice Emeka Nwite had in a brief ruling dismissed the objection by Gambaryan to taking plea on behalf of Binance on the ground that he was not its representative and had no written authority to do so. The court held that Gambaryan had in an affidavit claimed to be representative of the company and transacted businesses on its behalf in Nigeria. The anti-graft agency through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho said the offences which were committed between January 2023 and December 2023 in Abuja were contrary to and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Count one alleged that the defendants between January 2023 and January 2024 in Abuja carried out specialised business of other financial institutions without valid licences. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and Other Financial, Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under Section 57(5) of the same Act. Although the foreign national pleaded to be remanded at the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, the plea was turned down by Justice Nwite. The judge subsequently ordered that the defendant be taken to Kuje Prison on remand. In the meantime, the matter has been adjourned until April 18 for hearing of the defendant’s application for bail and May 2 for trial of the charges.

Emefiele arrives in Lagos court for arraignment over alleged fraud

The embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has arrived at the Ikeja State High Court in Lagos for his arraignment over alleged abuse of office and allocation of billions of dollars. Emefiele, alongside his co-defendant, one Henry Isioma Omole, will be arraigned on fresh 26 counts before Justice Rahman Oshodi this morning. In the charge marked ID/23787c/2024 and dated April 3, 2024, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele abused his office between 2022 and 2023 in Lagos. The commission alleged that the former CBN governor “directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”

Abuse of Naira: Court convicts Bobrisky, gives judgement April 9

The federal high court sitting in Lagos, Friday convicted controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for abusing the Naira. Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted him after the review of the facts of the case. The judge also ordered that he should be returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody pending the judgment on April 9th, 2024. Bobrisky had, in his defense, told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira. He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers. The court, in its ruling, held that ignorance of the law was not an excuse. He said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money. “I would do a video on my page, and I will educate people about spraying money. “I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.” Earlier, Bobrisky was arraigned on four counts of naira abuse preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The cross-dresser who refers to himself as “Mummy of Lagos” pleaded guilty to the charges.

Fraud, Bribery Allegation: Kano government sues Ganduje, wife, others

The Kano State government has dragged the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, and others to court for allegedly collecting $200,000 from a contractor. The eight-count charges, according to the government, are offences contravening the state Public Complaints and Anti-Commission Commission Law 2008. The state government also accused Ganduje of collecting $210,000 kickback from “people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contract and or projects for the remodelling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent)”. Other defendants in the case are Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lesaga General Enterprises. “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of September 2020 and March 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Businessman, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, wholly owned and maintained by the 3rd Defendant, agreed to do an illegal act to wit: dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy-six million Naira) through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd Defendant being monies earmarked and approved for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment for the health sector, thereby causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State and thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP, 105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991,” part of the charge sheet reads “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, sometime between the period of September 2020 and January 2022 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Businessman, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, while entrusted with the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy-six million Naira) or dominion over the said sum, earmarked for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment dishonestly misappropriated and/or converted the said sum to your own use through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd defendant, thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 312 of The penal code (as amended) CAP, 105, Vol.2. “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of March of 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspired with the 4th defendant (Umar Abdullahi Umar) being your biological son using 6th defendant (Lamash Properties Ltd) a company owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high-density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit of all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPD/256B in the name of the 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsorily acquired by you being the Governor of Kano State from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) where it was sold and the proceed part of which the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. Domicile at Access Bank where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant to the detriment of the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991. “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of March of 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspired with the 4th defendant Umar Abdullahi Umar, being your biological son using 6th defendant Lamash Properties Ltd a company substantially owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high-density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPDA/256B in the name of the 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsory acquired by you as a governor of Kano state from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) which was sold and the proceeds, the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. 7816362026 Domicile at FCMB where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and read together with section 79 and punishable under section 312 of The Penal Code (as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.” The state government said a forensic expert would analyse the video, showing the former governor receiving dollar notes from a contractor. Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as governor of Kano from 2015 to 2023. In 2018, Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, published a video of Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollars from contractors, which he stuffed into his “babanriga”, a traditional outfit The newspaper said the former governor requested $5 million as a bribe from the contractors who recorded the video. In 2023, the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) invited Ganduje for questioning over the incident in the video. The former governor did not honour the invitation and instead instituted

EFCC Launches Investigation into Bobrisky’s Alleged Naira Abuse

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Command, has launched a probe into the actions of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for purportedly spraying Naira notes. The investigation stems from a video circulating online, showing Bobrisky allegedly flaunting bundles of new Naira notes at the premiere of the movie “Ajakaju,” produced by Nollywood actress and producer Eniola Ajao. The event took place at Film One Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos, on March 24, 2024. According to sources, this is not an isolated incident, as Bobrisky is suspected of engaging in similar activities at various event centers and parties on multiple occasions. Responding to the EFCC’s invitation, Bobrisky arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command on Wednesday morning, April 4, 2024, for questioning and provided his statements voluntarily. Upon the conclusion of investigations, Bobrisky is expected to be formally charged in court.

Nnamdi Kanu heads to appeal court over “denial of fair hearing”

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has approached Court of Appeal, Abuja, to seek redress over alleged denial of his right to fair hearing by the Federal High Court Abuja. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, had on March 19, 2024, refused to grant bail to Kanu, who is being prosecuted by the Federal Government over allegation of treasonable felony. The legal team of the IPOB leader, led by Aloy Ejimakor, told the appellate court in a notice of appeal with charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, that the trial judge erred when she denied Kanu’s constitutional rights to fair trial. In the grounds of Appeal, it was stated that, “The learned trial Court erred in law when the Court assumed jurisdiction to proceed with the hearing of the criminal trial against the Appellant when the Appellant is glaringly denied the constitutional right to fair trial with particular reference to denial of adequate facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations against the Appellant and his right to counsel of his own choice, thereby occasioning a grave miscarriage of justice. “Fair hearing/trial bears the constitutional safeguards of ensuring that the Appellant is accorded the adequate facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations levelled against the Appellant. The appellant held that the Department of State Services, also failed to provide adequate “facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations against the Appellant and his right to counsel of his own choice, thereby occasioning a grave miscarriage of justice”.

Non-service of charge stalls Binance, executives arraignment by FIRS, EFCC

The arraignment of Binance Holdings Limited and two of its executives; Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Thursday, stalled over non-service of charge by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). FIRS is prosecuting the defendants on a four-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion. Similarly, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) arraignment of the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on money laundering couldn’t be held because of the non-service of charge on the first defendant. The EFCC, in the charge, dated and filed on March 28, the defendants are being accused of money laundering to the tune of $35,400,000. When the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja, only Gambaryan was represented by a lawyer. The company and Anjarwalla, who recently escaped from lawful custody, were not represented by any lawyer. However, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Chukwuka Ikwuazo, SAN, told the court that his client had not been served with the charge. Hence, his arraignment can not proceed. In his response, counsel to FIRS, Moses Ideho, though acknowledged that the agency had not served Gambaryan’s with the charge, he said all efforts to do so proved abortive because the defendant could not be reached at the EFCC’s detention. Ideho then prayed the court to serve Gambaryan in the open court, and the judge directed that the charge be served on him in the dock. He orally applied for a stand-down of the matter or an adjournment to enable Gambaryan to consult with his lawyer. Ikwuazo did not object to an oral application for adjournment, and the matter was adjourned until April 19 for him to take his plea. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, dated and filed March 22 by the FIRS, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offence on or about Feb. 1. Count one alleged that while involved in carrying and offering services to subscribers on their platform, known as Binance, failed to register with the FIRS, for the purpose of paying all relevant taxes administered by the service. The offences are said to be punishable under Sections 8 and 29 of the VAT Act of 1993 (as Amended), Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act, 2007 (as amended) and under provisions of Section 94 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended) respectively. Meanwhile, the EFCC, in the first count, claimed that the defendants were charged with operating a specialised business of another financial institution in Abuja without a valid license between January 2023 and January 2024. The offence is alleged to violate Sections 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020, and is punishable under Section 57(5) of the same Act.

Suspected membership of ISIS: Court grants DSS order to detain Nigerian, Osase Emmanuel

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted order for the detention of a Nigerian, Emmanuel Osase accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria for 60 days. Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Wednesday while ruling in a motion ex-parte filed by the State Security Service (SSS) marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024. The matter was brought before the court pursuant to section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. In his prayers, counsel to the SSS, Mr A. A Ugee asked the court for an order enabling the agency to detain Osase for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation. Granting the order, the court held, “Upon studying the averments in the affidavit, I hereby grant the relief as prayed.” The judge subsequently adjourned the matter June 3, 2024. Osase who was arrested on March 11, was accused of propagating the messages of the terrorist group, opposing the Democratic system of government in Nigeria, and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty. In an affidavit dated March 27, 2024, and deposed to by the personnel of the State Security Service attached to the Legal Service Department, National Headquarters, Abuja, Ahmad Abubakar, the service sought an order to detain the suspect for 60 days, adding that the release of the suspect could jeopardize its investigation. He said, “That it is necessary for the Applicant in the case to apply to this Honourable Court for an Order to detain the Applicant for a period of sixty (60) days, pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation in a case of terrorism; ” That the Respondent was arrested by a team of personnel from the applicant’s office for alleged membership and propagation of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist messages, including opposition to the Democratic System of Government and the call for staging terrorist attacks against Nigeria State and its symbols of sovereignty;” Abubakar stated that Osase was jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence. He noted that from the service’s preliminary investigation, Osase was still involved in terrorist activities. Abubakar said the respondent still engaged with a proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation.” “That Preliminary investigation revealed that the Respondent, who is an ex-convict, still engages in terrorist activities which previously led to his conviction in France; ” That the Respondent appeared not to have renounced his terrorist ideologies, as he continues to engage with the proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation” whose main objectives is the creation and dissemination of terrorist content and the promotion of terrorist attacks against Democratic Systems of Government such as Nigeria and the Western Governments including their interests across the globe; “That the Respondent who was born in the Federal Capital Territory left Nigeria for France and never returned to Nigeria until his deportation after completion of a five-year jail term in France for acts of terrorism and attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) linked terrorist group, Friqat Al-Ghuraba (Group of Foreigners) in Syria.” Abubakar stated that the respondent, upon sighting operatives of the service, formatted his phone. He said, ” That the Respondent at the point of arrest, formatted his mobile device to factory settings upon sighting security agents ostensibly to wipe out any suspicious contents on the device and cover up his nefarious activities; “That the activities of the Respondent constitute a potent threat to National Security and corporate existence of Nigeria;” He, however, urged the court to grant the request of the service, adding there was a need to painstakingly probe the respondent to ensure he does not constitute a security treat to the country and world at large. ” That the release of the Respondent at this time would jeopardize the investigation, as investigation has assumed a wider dimension; “That there is a need for a thorough investigation of the suspect to ensure that he does not pose any security threat to Nigeria or the world at large. “That the Respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large,” Abubakar stated.

Malabu OPL: EFCC Dismisses Prosecutor Amid Bribery Allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken decisive action against one of its prominent prosecutors, Offem Uket, in response to allegations of bribery and misconduct linked to the Malabu OPL 245 oil block scam case. Following the dismissal of the case by Justice Abubakar Kutigi due to insufficient evidence, the EFCC opted to terminate Uket’s appointment. It’s alleged that Uket yielded to pressure from former Attorney General Bello Adoke and defense attorney Wole Olanipekun to undermine the trial. Despite the setback in court, the EFCC remains committed to challenging the ruling, citing substantial evidence against the accused parties. Expressing dismay over Uket’s purported actions, EFCC Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to pursuing justice in the Malabu case. Uket, who has previously handled high-profile cases involving notable figures such as Stella Oduah and Sambo Dasuki, vehemently denies the bribery allegations. Nonetheless, his contract was not renewed amidst the controversy surrounding the Malabu proceedings. An internal investigation reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting Uket’s misconduct, prompting the decision to terminate his appointment. In response to the developments, Wole Olanipekun vehemently denied offering any bribes to Uket, dismissing the allegations as unfounded and irresponsible. He emphasized that investigations conducted by international authorities found no wrongdoing in connection to the Malabu transaction.

OPL 245 Saga: Mohammed Adoke discharged, acquitted

Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, has dismissed and acquitted the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Bello Adoke, of the charges of fraud, bribery and conspiracy brought against him by the federal government. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Adoke on alleged N300 million bribe said to have been given to Adoke. This is expected to finally bring litigation over the OPL 245 saga to an end. The court ruled that the EFCC did not provide any evidence to prove its case. Ruling on the “no case” submission made by Adoke, Kutigi said the EFCC failed to prove its charges of fraud, bribery and money laundering and ruled that the defendant has no case to answer. Consequently, he discharged and acquitted the former minister on all counts. The judge said the allegation of illegal tax waivers granted to Shell and Eni was not collaborated by the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) or any authority in government. Nigeria has now lost virtually all the cases it filed or joined in Italy, the UK and Nigeria. The EFCC had earlier conceded that it did not have sufficient evidence to oppose the applications by Adoke. Meanwhile, the court insisted that Rasky Gbinigie had a case to answer over the alleged forgery of company documents to remove the name of Mohammed Abacha as a director.