Flowerbud News

Tag: EFCC

  • Alleged $1bn investment fraud: EFCC files charge against 2 detained CBEX promoters

    Alleged $1bn investment fraud: EFCC files charge against 2 detained CBEX promoters

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against two of the detained promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) over allegations bordering on investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.

    The two, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/216/2025 and filed by EFCC lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, are Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim listed as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    The commission, in the charge filed June 10 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleged that the two promoters were not duly incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) nor licenced as a fund or portfolio manager by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    In the charge, the anti-graft agency accused the defendants of performing a transaction, between January 2024 and May 2025, for the purpose of administering a scheme with CBEX, an unregistered company.
    It said the offence is contrary to Section 158(1) of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 158 (2) of the same Act.
    Count two alleged that the duo, between January 2024 and May 2025, while not being a bank or person authorised to take deposit, invited the public through advertisement to deposit funds with CBEX contrary to Section 44(1) of the Banks and other Financial Institution Act, 2020 and punishable under Section 44 (2) of the same Act.
    In count three, the EFCC alleged that Otorudo and Ehirim, between the same period, carried on specialised business of other financial institution to wit: investment management scheme on CBEX, without a valid licence.
    The commission said the offence is contrary to Section 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and other Financial institution Act, 2020 and Punishable under Section 57 (5) of the same Act.
    The case is yet to be assigned to a judge.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Emeka Nwite had, on April 24, given the EFCC the go-ahead to arrest and detain six operators of CBEX over their involvement in the alleged fraud
    The judge, who gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Yusuf, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, said the detention would be pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.
    The six suspects include Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.
    In the motion ex-parte dated and filed April 23 by Yusuf, the anti-graft agency gave four grounds for its application.
    She said the EFCC has a statutory duty of prevention and detection of financial crimes through investigation.
    Yusuf said that “the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the suspects for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.”
    NAN reports that Olanipekun, Otorudo and Ehirim were said to have voluntarily surrendered themselves for investigation at the EFCC’s office after the court ruling

  • Former EFCC Boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa unveils explosive book on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy fraud

    Former EFCC Boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa unveils explosive book on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy fraud

     

    By Vic Akinrogunde

    FLOWERBUDNEWS:  Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has released a groundbreaking new book titled ‘The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud’.

    This powerful exposé provides the most authoritative account yet of Nigeria’s multi-trillion-naira fuel subsidy scandal, unraveling the inner workings of one of the country’s most pervasive financial crimes.

    Drawing from his firsthand experience as a key investigator on the EFCC’s special team that probed the 2012 subsidy fraud, Bawa reveals the staggering scale, complexity, and audacity of the schemes used to siphon public funds under the guise of fuel subsidy payments.

    His insider narrative chronicles how billions of naira were recovered and several culprits brought to justice, while also shedding light on how entrenched corruption allowed the fraud to flourish for years.

    In the book, published by CableBooks, an imprint of Cable Media & Publishing Ltd, Bawa details multiple fraudulent strategies including:

    Ghost importing and over-invoicing: Companies submitted claims for fuel that was never imported or inflated shipment volumes to receive excessive subsidy payouts.

    Manipulation of bills of lading: By altering shipping documents, fraudsters exploited international price fluctuations to claim higher subsidies.

    Round-tripping and double claims: Single shipments were often used to obtain multiple subsidy payments.

    Diversion and smuggling: Subsidised fuel was frequently diverted to black markets or smuggled out of Nigeria for profit.

    These practices, Bawa explains, were enabled by forged documents, weak regulatory oversight, and systemic collusion between corrupt government officials and private sector actors.

    “The Shadow of Loot & Losses is not just a chronicle of fraud,” says Bawa. “It is a call to action — a demand for transparency, accountability, and reform in Nigeria’s public finance management, especially in the oil sector.”

    Having served as EFCC chairman from 2021 to 2023, Bawa brings rare credibility and insight into the institutional challenges and political dynamics that have shaped the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria. His book is both a revelation and a reckoning — offering evidence-based analysis and personal reflections on one of the most controversial chapters in Nigeria’s recent history.

    The Shadow of Loot & Losses is essential reading for policymakers, civil society advocates, journalists, and citizens interested in understanding how systemic fraud undermines development and how it can be confronted.

    The book is distributed nationwide by RovingHeights Bookstore.

    (Vic Akinrogunde is with
    CableBooks, an imprint of Cable Media & Publishing Ltd.)

  • Court to rule on EFCC’s request to “cross-examine” its witness in Yahaya Bello’s trial

    Court to rule on EFCC’s request to “cross-examine” its witness in Yahaya Bello’s trial

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, fixed June 26 for ruling on an application by the EFCC to “cross examine” its 3rd prosecution witness (PW-3) in the trial of former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

    Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter after listening to the submissions by the EFCC and defence lawyers on the prosecution’s move to cross-examine the witness, a position that was rejected by the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

    The request was made after Daudu, who appeared for the ex-govenor, concluded his cross examination of the PW-3, Mr Nicholas Ojehomon, an Internal Auditor with American International School, Abuja (AISA).

    It would be recalled that during the cross examination by Daudu, the witness was asked specific questions regarding the judgment of the FCT High Court which was admitted in evidence as Exhibit 19.
    Shortly after the cross-examination, Justice Nwite asked the counsel who appeared for the EFCC, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, if he would re-examine the witness.
    Enitan, however, informed the court that he planned to also cross-examine Ojehomon based on the Exhibit 19.
    He told the court that he was not re-examining the PW-3, but cross-examining him on the document admitted in evidence during cross examination by the defence.
    “I am not re-examining him, I am cross-examining him because they brought this document, my lord,” he said.
    Daudu, however, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the prosecution counsel’s position was unknown to law, in line with the Evidence Act.
    The senior lawyer argued that under the law, if a prosecution chose to cross examine its own witness, such witness had to be declared a “hostile witness” first.
    “If you want to cross-examine your own witness, you have to first declare him a hostile witness.
    “You cannot cross examine him based on the document,” he argued.
    Enitan, on his part, submitted that he had the right to draw the attention of the court to some specific paragraphs in the document, which the defence too had done.
    “Do you have any provision of the law to support this counsel?” the judge asked.
    “I will draw your lordship attention to Section 36 of the Constitution.
    “They sought to tender this document, we objected and the court granted their prayer.
    “Fair hearing demands that the complainant too has the right to examine this because Section 36 of the Constitution talks of fair hearing,” Enitan responded.
    Daudu insisted that Enitan, under the Nigerian law, had no right to cross examine Ojehomon.
    He said rather, Section 36 cited by the prosecution allowed him to re-examine the PW-2.
    “We are not saying that they cannot re-examine the witness.
    “That is what Section 36 under the law says about fair hearing. But if it is to cross-examine him, he will have to show us the law that backs that.
    “He cannot come under the guise of fair hearing to want to cross-examine the witness,” Daudu said.
    Justice Nwite then ordered the parties to address the court on the constitutional of their arguments.
    In his address, Daudu maintained that the EFCC’s position was unknown to law.
    “My lord, the procedure being sought by the prosecution by refering the witness to the document tendered in Exhibit 19 and by asking him to read paragraph 1, without drawing his attention to the issue on how the document affected his evidence-in -chief, the question asked in cross-examination, and the ambiguity, which needs clarification, amounts to a strange and unknown procedure not covered by the Evidence Act,” he stated.
    Daudu cited two cases to back his argument, including the case of Amobi Amobi.
    But Enitan disagreed, saying that in the case of Amobi Amobi referred to by the defendant’s counsel, the Supreme Court held that the learned trial judge ought to have allowed a re-examination of “Exhibit E” in the case.
    He argued that the court, having allowed the defence to make use of the document in their cross examination, disallowing the prosecution to also use the document would be against the principle of fair hearing.
    He said when the defence sought to introduce the document, the prosecution team opposed this because the document was not made by the witness and as such, their arguement was that Ojehomon should not be allowed to speak to it under cross examination.
    “Having brought it in now, during the case of the prosecution, particularly during the cross examination of PW-3, your lordship should not allow them to shut us out as that would amount to the court allowing them to blow hot and cold,” Enitan said.
    Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned to matter until June 26 for ruling.
    The court also fixed June 27, July 3 and July 4 for continuation of trial.
    Earlier on Friday, Ojehomon was also cross examine by Daudu.
    When the lawyer asked him whether he had testified in other courts with respect to the issue of school fees paid by the Bello family to AISA, he responded in the affirmative.
    The witness, however, said he could not mention the exact courts.
    He admitted testifying in a similar charge involving Ali Bello but added that he never said anything adversely against former Governor Bello just as he had not said anything negative or adversely against him in the instant charge.
    It would be recalled that the PW-3, on Thursday, said there was no transfer of funds from the Kogi Government or any of the local governments in the state to the account of the American International School, Abuja for the purpose of paying the school fees of the ex-governor’s children.
    He also read out a part of a previous Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment that said there was no court order for AISA to return fees to EFCC or any judgment declaring the money as proceeds of money laundering.

  • Alleged $1bn fraud: Court gives EFCC go-ahead to arrest, detain 6 CBEX staff

    Alleged $1bn fraud: Court gives EFCC go-ahead to arrest, detain 6 CBEX staff

     

    Flowerbudnews

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the go-ahead to arrest and detain six promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) over alleged investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, said the detention would be pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.

    “I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant (EFCC).

    “I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto along with the written address.

    “I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.

    “Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” the judge said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six suspects include Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.
    Others are Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

    In the motion ex-parte dated and filed April 23 by Yusuf, the anti-graft agency sought two prayers.

    The commission sought an order of the honourable court for the issuance of warrant of arrest of the defendants.

    It also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.”
    Giving four grounds, the lawyer said the EFCC has a statutory duty of prevention and detection of financial crimes through investigation.
    She said there was an intel to the office of the commission’s chairman against the defendant bothering on various criminal offences.
    According to her, the applicant has a constitutional duty to investigate these crimes and enforce law and order.
    Yusuf said that “the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.”
    In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said sometimes in April, 2025, it received an intel bothering on an alleged investment scheme fraud against the defendants.
    It alleged that the defendants and their company, ST Technologies International Limited, using another company, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) perpetrated the alleged fraud and the case was received and assigned to its Cybercrimes Section for investigation.
    The agency said the preliminary investigation into the intel revealed the following:
    “That Messrs.Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko and Seyi Oloyede, using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making advert and lured unsuspecting members of public to invest crypto currencies on CBEX investment platform.”
    The EFCC averred that the defendants promised unrealistic return on investment of up to 100%.
    “That the victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stable coin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects crypto wallet.
    “That the victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.
    “That following deposits valued at over 1 Billion Dollars by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.
    “That the victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.
    “That during the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the security and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
    “That it was also discovered during investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun States.”
    The anti-graft agency said that a warrant of arrest was required to place the defendants on red watch list so that they could be traced and arrested to answer to the case against them.
    According to the commission, investigation into the allegation against the defendants revealed a prima facie case of investment scam.
    It said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the application.

  • Alleged N33.8bn fraud: My only dealings with Mustapha was on Kado property–Ex-minister

    Alleged N33.8bn fraud: My only dealings with Mustapha was on Kado property–Ex-minister

     

    Flowerbudnews

    A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on Thursday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the only transaction he had with Mustapha Bida, the account manager, Mambila Zungeru Project, was on his plan to buy a house at Kado in Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Mamman with 12 counts bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33.8billion Mambilla Power Project.

    Mamman, in a video clip played in the open court during a trial-within-trial before Justice James Omotosho, said though Bida told him that the property’s value was between N35 million and N40 million, he only paid him about N15 million in three installments of N5 million.

    He recalled in the video clip that when he came in as minister, Bida showed him some houses which he said were for sale.

    The ex-minister said Bida, who works in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), told him that the value of some of the property were not more than N40 million.

    He said he told him that he could make the payment of the house in instalment, which he agreed to.

    “That was how I left the office,” he said.
    Justice Omotosho had ordered that the video clip of the interview session conducted by the commission’s officials during their investigation be played in the open court following allegation that the ex-minister did not voluntarily make the statement.

    Mamman’s lawyer, Mr Femi Atteh, SAN, had opposed the application by the anti-graft agency’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to tender the statement in evidence, arguing that his client did not make the statement voluntarily.

    The judge consequently ordered that the video clip be played to ascertain the veracity of the argument.

    It would be recalled that on Monday, the two-hour video clip was played for 30 minutes before the judge adjourned for continuation of trial-within-trial.

    Upon resumed trial on Thursday, Oyedepo informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation hearing.

    Mamman, who spoke in Hausa Language during interrogation but was interpreted in English Language by an interpreter of the court, said the transaction he did with Bida was by cash payment and not bank transfer.
    He described Bida as “a terrible liar.”
    He said besides this transaction, there was nothing between Bida and him.
    Mamman said after he came back from foreign medical trip where he had surgery, he was confronted with the allegations of money laundering.
    When he was asked if he could write a statement, he said he was indisposed.
    The ex-minister said he could be dictating while his lawyer (pointing to him) would be writing on his behalf.
    “You know I am not strong,” he said.
    In the video, another Investigator came to exchange pleasantries with the ex-minister.
    When the officier asked him how his health was, Mamman said he was getting better.
    He said he had a surgery and that for about a month or two, he had been battling with the illness.
    He said that was why he travelled.
    When the officer asked him where he travelled to, Mamman said “Saudi Arabia.”
    The operative further asked him how he was able to travel when his international passport was with the commission.
    The ex-minister said the passport was expiring and he got another to embark on the trip.
    He said if he had not travelled at the time, he would have died.
    “May God give you good health,” the officer said and the defendant said: “amen.”
    When he asked him if he could write, Mamman said he could not that he was even about taking his medication.
    “My doctor warned me seriously; I am just managing myself, you know things are gradually. I just need to come and explain,” Mamman was interpreted as saying.
    The judge then granted leave to the EFCC’s lawyer to ask the witness, Abubakar Kwaido, who interrogated Mamman in the video clip, some questions.
    Oyedepo asked Kwaido to tell the court the name of the officer who later joined him during the interrogation.
    “He is Shehu Usman Sambo, my superior,” he said.
    He asked him who was Mamman referred to as a terrible liars in the video, he said: “Mustapha Abubakar Bida, the account manager for Mambilla Power Project.”
    Oyedepo asked if the ex-minister was actually coerced to make statement as alleged but the witness said it was untrue.
    “No, I did not coerced the defendant to talk. I was just sitting down while he talks,” he said.
    “At the point when Mr Sambo came, did you threaten him with detention?” the lawyer also asked.
    “No, we did not. Even at the time Mr Sambo came, he was just asking if he can write,” he responded.
    Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until April 14 for continuation of trial.

  • Court hears EFCC ‘s motion for final forfeiture of N228.4m linked to ex-Gov Orji

    Court hears EFCC ‘s motion for final forfeiture of N228.4m linked to ex-Gov Orji

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja will on May 28, hear the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s motion seeking an order for final forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to former Governor of Abia, Theodore Orji.

    Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter to hear the motion after the EFCC’s counsel, Fadila Yusuf, informed the court that the agency had complied with the earlier order of court.

    Upon resumed hearing, Justice Nwite asked Yusuf what was the position of the matter.
    The lawyer said that the matter was slated for report of compliance.

    She said: “I wish to state that we have complied by publishing the report” on the commission’s site and a newspaper as directed.

    Yusuf, therefore, applied for a date to move their motion on notice for final forfeiture and the judge adjourned the matter until May 28 for motion.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on Feb. 13, adjourned proceedings in the forfeiture case until April 7 (today).

    The adjournment followed the inability of the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order of the sum of over N228.4 million in the national dailies as directed.

    The lawyer had hinged the delay on the inability of her office to access the order on time to enable them place the publication on their website and the newspaper.

    Justice Nwite had, on Jan 3, granted an order of temporary freezing of the funds to the Federal Government on allegations of money laundering.

    The judge, in that ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by Yusuf also directed the commission to make publication of the order on its website and Daily Trust Newspaper.

    The judge directed that interested parties should show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    NAN reports that Mr Orji also served as two-term senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District before his retirement from active politics.

    The anti-graft agency had, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, brought the suit pursuant to Section 44(2)b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
    The motion dated Dec. 30, 2024 and filed Jan. 2 by Yusuf, was also brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
    The lawyer sought an order granting an interim freezing and forfeiture of the sum of N228, 497, 773. 12 domiciled with Keystone Bank set out in the schedule attached to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
    The lawyer, in her five-ground argument, said the money described in the schedule was subject matter of investigation by the EFCC and found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd.
    She said it was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
    “Effdee Nigeria Ltd is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud Abia State Government to wit: conspiracy, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering and diversion of public funds.
    “Effdee Nigeria Ltd, in whose possession the monies were found, is reasonably suspected to have conspired with Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the former Governor of Abia State, some officials in the former governor’s administration and his family members,” she said.
    Yusuf said they were being investigated by EFCC for the allegations following intelligence report received by the commission against Orji.
    According to her, there is need to preserve the monies pending investigation and/or prosecution.

    The anti-graft agency had, on Feb 28, arraigned Orji and his son, Chinedum, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and Dr Philip Nto, a former Commissioner for Finance, and others on alleged N47 billion fraud after NAN report.

    The others are a government contractor, Obioma King, and a former Director of Finance in the state, Romanus Madu.
    The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, are facing a 16-count charge related to the alleged misappropriation of the funds.
    They were, however, admitted to N50 million bail.

  • EFCC Arraigns Ex-Abia Governor, 4 Others Over Alleged N60.85bn  Fraud

    EFCC Arraigns Ex-Abia Governor, 4 Others Over Alleged N60.85bn  Fraud

    By Biola Lawal
    Flowerbudnews:  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Ahamefule Orji,  Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Philip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu over alleged N60.85 billion naira Fraud

    They were arraigned on Friday before  Justice Lilian Abai of the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State on  a sixteen-count  charge bordering on conspiracy, official corruption, stealing and diversion of public funds.

    The offence contravenes  Section 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code, Law of Abia State and punishable under the same Section of the same Act, a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head,  Media and  Publicity of EFCC disclosed

    One of the count charges reads:

    That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, ENGR. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu, sometime between 2011 and 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole and converted a sum of N22,500,000,000.00 (Twenty-Two Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira Only) being the allocation to the Abia State Government as security votes and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    Another count reads

    That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, ENGR. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu, sometime between 2010 and 2011 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court

    Conspired among yourselves to commit unlawful acts to wit, stealing and conversion of the sum of N12,000,000,000.00 (Twelve Billion Naira Only) being the funds due to Abia State from the Paris Club Refund and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    All the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Dr. Pinheiro SAN, prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.

    Counsel to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendant, Bode Olanipekun,  SAN,  Chika Osolu Ojukwu,  SAN,  K.I Odeh,  Oke Amaechi,  SAN and Isaac Anya informed the court of their respective applications for the bail of the defendants.

    Counsel to 1st defendant, Bode Olanipekun  prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable him to stand trial.  All other defence counsels made the same pleas before the court.

    Justice Obai in her ruling, granted the defendants bail in the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) each, one surety in like sum, surety must have a landed property in Umuahia and must show evidence of Certificate of Occupancy

    Additionally,  surety must depose an affidavit of means and deposit two recent passport photographs with the court.

    Defendants must also deposit their international passports with the court registrar.

    The judge  adjourned the matter  to June 18 and 19, 2025 for commencement of trial. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • EFCC operatives attempt to arrest bank staff in court despite court order

    EFCC operatives attempt to arrest bank staff in court despite court order

     

    The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday attempted to arrest Mr Chinenye Duru, a Polaris Bank staff, in a Federal High Court in Abuja, in spite of a court order stopping the arrest.

    The development came shortly after Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned an alleged fraud charge filed by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police against Polaris Bank Plc and Duru until May 14 for adoption.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/603/2023, preferred an 11-count money laundering offences against Polaris Bank Plc and Duru, an account officer to Mr Victor Onukogu, the nominal complainant.

    They were named in the charge as 1st and 2nd defendants.
    NAN reports that Onukogu, also known as “Daddy Hezekiah”, is the spiritual head of Living Christ Mission Church, Onitsha in Anambra.

    In count one of the charge, Polaris Bank and Duru were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017, and Aug 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrawn N16billion and N500 million from Onukogu Victor Hezekiah’s account numbers: 1040495455 and 1060104735, domiciled with the bank.
    The offence, the anti graft agency said contravened the provisions of Section 21 (a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.”
    In count four, the defendants were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017 and Aug. 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrawn N75. 534 million from Onukogu’s account number: 4010023601 contrary to Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
    In count six, they were alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn N13.3 million from Hezekiah University’s account number: 40910106770.
    The defendants were also alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn N16.3 million between the same date from Hezekiah University’s account number: 411054152 without any authorisation from the account owner with the intention of converting same to their own personal use contrary to the Money Laundering Act, among other counts.
    Earlier , O S. Kara, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), informed the court that after the office of the AGF took over the case and after reviewing the case, the AGF withdraw the charge.
    Mr Chidi Ezenwafor, who represented Duru, disagreed with Kara’s application to withdraw the charge.
    Ezenwafor told the court that the request to withdraw the charge was an attempt to re-arrest his client.
    He said the charge was filed in 2023, and when Duru was arrested then, he was detained for about two months before he was released after a court order.
    The lawyer, therefore, sought to file an application in response to the AGF’s request.
    Justice Ekwo, who ordered Ezenwafor to file his application and serve the prosecution, directed the AGF lawyer to also respond appropriately.
    The judge then adjourned the matter until May 14 for adoption.
    However, shortly after Duru and his family members came out of the Court 5, where the proceeding was heard, the EFCC operatives, who had laid ambush outside the court wanted to arrest him and he ran back into the courtroom.
    Although Justice Ekwo was already on another matter, there was a confusion in the court as security details attached to the judge blocked the EFCC operatives from arresting Duru inside the courtroom.
    Duru’s lawyer, who was still inside the court, called the attention of the judge to their plights.
    Ezenwafor, while addressing the court, said the event outside the court had just confirmed his earlier submission.
    He said security officers of the anti-graft agency were in and around the court to arrest his client.
    He said the action of the EFCC was in contempt of court and amounted to sacrilege, even when the matter was still pending before the court and the matter had just been adjourned for hearing.
    Justice Ekwo, who directed Duru to sit down in the courtroom, ordered the EFCC operatives not to arrest him in court.
    The judge said if Duru was needed, the commission should formally invite him and if he didn’t come, that would be a different case.
    The judge then told his security details not to allow anyone to arrest the defendant in court.
    After the court sitting and the judge rose, some of the commission’s officers entered the courtroom to engage Duru in conversation but the court security details did not allow them to take him away.
    NAN reports that in spite of the judge’s intervention, operatives of the anti-corruption commission stood their ground as they positioned themselves on the 3rd floor of the high-rise building where Court 5 is located.

  • Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Admits Account of American Int’l School as Exhibit  against Yahaya Bello

    Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Admits Account of American Int’l School as Exhibit  against Yahaya Bello

     

    By Biola Lawal

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has presented its first round of witnesses in the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Also presented in the Court on Monday, was the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, while the statement of account was marked as Exhibits 621-622.

    This was disclosed in a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head of EFCC Media and  Publicity, a copy of which was made available to Flowerbudnews.

    Bello is facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion. The charges are in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

    The EFCC’s first witness, Segun Joseph Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified under examination by the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

    During questioning, Adeleke confirmed that a property located at House 12, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million. He explained that the payment was made via bank transfer and that his company issued relevant documents, including proof of payment and allocation letters.

    Further inquiries revealed that EFAB Properties received N550 million for another transaction. Adeleke stated that the company followed its standard procedure in processing the transaction, including documents signed by its Chairman.

    When asked whether he could identify the origin of the N70 million transfer, Adeleke admitted he did not know its source.

    Under cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, Adeleke confirmed that he acted on instructions from his Chairman and had no personal involvement in initiating the transactions.

    Regarding a separate property in Ikogosi, he clarified that the land had one Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and was partitioned into two sections labeled 1A and 3B. He stated that his company did not use house numbers or street names but rather plot numbers for documentation purposes.

    Adeleke also testified that Shehu Bello purchased one of the properties but could not recall the dollar equivalent of the N550 million transaction. He stated that legal documents were signed by the company’s Chairman and given to  Bello for his signature, but the signed copies were never returned to EFAB Properties.

    When asked whether Bello’s name appeared in any title documents or if he ever saw him during the transactions, Adeleke answered in the negative.

    Following Adeleke’s testimony, the EFCC called its second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), stationed at Area 3, Garki, Abuja.

    Abimbola confirmed receiving a subpoena from the EFCC and presented a copy in court. The document was admitted as Exhibit 1 without objection from the defence.

    The prosecution also tendered the statement of account and account opening package for Kogi State Government House Account No. 1003889575, covering January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. The document was admitted as Exhibits 2P1 to P61.

    Additionally, the EFCC presented the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, while the statement of account was marked as Exhibits 621-622.

    Following the admission of these exhibits, the court adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.