A former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify the guilty plea by four companies linked to Jonathan’s wife, Patience.

The companies on September 15 pleaded guilty to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5billion) when they were arraigned.

They are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).
The companies, along with a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi. Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku, however, pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yesterday, Dudafa and Briggs, through their lawyers, urged the court to set aside the guilty plea entered on the firm’ behalf by their representatives.

They urged the court to replace the guilty plea and with a “not-guilty” plea for the companies. They also contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to accept the companies’ guilty plea. The defendants said those who pleaded guilty for the companies did not exhibit any letter authorising them to do so by the firms’ board.

They argued that the prosecution failed to comply with Section 477(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which specifies that such a representative must have authorisation.

Dudafa’s lawyer, Gbenga Oyewole, said the four representatives had earlier made statements to both the EFCC and the court denying any connection with the companies and alleging that their names and signatures were forged.

Besides, he said Mrs Jonathan had sued EFCC claiming ownership of the funds in the companies’ accounts, adding that neither the Federal Government not any state had stated that the funds were stolen from them.

According to him, the same representatives had earlier denied any link to the companies when they were first charged before Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who sat during the vacation. He said Justice Anka replaced their guilty plea with “not guilty” after their denial.

“The purported representatives did not produce a statement of appointment by the companies,” Oyewole argued.

But, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to refuse the applications.

He said there was evidence at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that Davies, Baro, Fredrick and Ebenezer were the companies’ directors.

Oyedepo said the four also had the mandate to operate the Skye Bank accounts where the $15.5million is.

Besides, he said the companies representatives were of sound mind and made a deliberate decision to plead guilty.

“The prima facie evidence before Your Lordship is that those who appeared before Your Lordship are the directors of the fourth to seventh defendants (the companies). EFCC said the accused persons conspired on November 13, 2013 in Lagos to launder $15,591,700.

It said the defendants “reasonably ought to have known that the funds form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act”.

Seagate Property, Dudafa, Bolodeoku and Sompre Omiebi (said to be at large) were accused of indirectly retaining $1,094,500 through a Skye Bank Plc account (2110002207) between November 14 and 19, 2013. EFCC said the money “forms part of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

They were also accused of indirectly retaining $1,200,000 through the Skye Bank account between January 21 and December 19, 2014; as well as $1,349,700 through the same account between March 31 and May 20, 2015, among others.

Justice Kuewunmi adjourned until October 7 for ruling.

The Nation

Property believed to belong to former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki was at the weekend confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kaduna.

Dasuki, NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is at the centre of a massive investigation into the alleged misapplication of about $2.1 billion meant for the procurement of arms.

A panel, which investigated the way the money was spent, indicted Dasuki and others. The EFCC moved in. Dasuki has been arraigned in court.

It was learnt that the property of others linked with the scandal were also confiscated by the anti-graft agency in Kaduna.

Among them is a former Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafia Dole in Maiduguri, Major General Yishau Mahmood Abubakar.

It was learnt that the property of others linked with the scandal were also confiscated by the anti-graft agency in Kaduna.

Among them is a former Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafia Dole in Maiduguri, Major General Yishau Mahmood Abubakar.

It was learnt that occupants of some of the buildings were expelled by EFCC operatives who took over the property, which they marked with red ink.

Dasuki’s confiscated property are said to be a hotel complex on Rabah Road, Malali GRA in the heart of Kaduna metropolis and a mansion under construction on Sani Sami Road, also in Malali GRA.

Except for some workers moving out their tools, the site was empty yesterday.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar’s residential duplex located at No. 5C, Sultan Close was sealed off Sunday evening.

When our correspondent visited the property yesterday, it was marked in red paint, “Keep off, under EFCC investigation” in red paint.

It was also gathered that when the EFCC operatives arrived at the house, there was a birthday party going on. Everybody was asked to vacate the premises immediately and they obeyed.

A shopping mall allegedly belonging to Gen. Abubakar’s wife was also confiscated by the anti-graft agency. The inscription “Keep off, under EFCC investigation” was put on it.

Sources said the property belongs to the General’s brother and not his wife – as alleged.

Another shopping mall on Sultan Road, which is believed to belong to Gen. Abubakar’s friend who is an Ambassador was also confiscated.

Source: TheNation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is reportedly to start the second round of investigation into the scandalous $2.1 billion arms deal on January 3.

The Nation reports with reference to its sources that the agency will consider money expenditure on security vehicles for the Republic of Niger from October 2013 and April 2014.

The body is also to question the former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and some military leaders who served under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in connection with the $2.1 billion arms deal.

One of the sources said that the completion of the second phase of the probe might lead to more arrests, as had previously happened with Jonathan’s national security adviser Sambo Dasuki.

“We are beginning the second phase of the ongoing investigation of the $2.1 billion arms deals on Monday. From the preliminary findings, the scandal is mind-boggling.

“We are going to question more high-profile serving and former public officers, including a former minister of finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the release of some funds.

“We want the ex-minister to shed more light on how about $322 million was disbursed to the Office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

“Some serving and former military chiefs will have to respond to issues which we have already isolated for clarification.”

The list of purchased military items has been obtained and companies that supplied them have been contacted, the source said.

Regarding the case against Diezani Alison-Madueke, dating back to October 2 when the former petroleum minister and four others were arrested by the International Corruption Unit (ICU), the probe has been reportedly intensified.

An EFCC source said:

“We have been collaborating with NCA on Diezani’s case which has reached an appreciable level. We have the details of others arrested with Diezani but we will not disclose until the matter gets to a convenient bend.

“So far, we have been comparing notes with NCA on a faster note in terms of tracking a few transactions and documents. There is no hiding place for the ex-minister and her alleged accomplices.

“By the time the trial begins, the NCA and EFCC would have established a solid case against the ex-minister and other suspects.”

At the bail application hearing of embattled Daar Communications Chairman Raymond Dokpesi, at the Federal High Court Abuja yesterday December 10th, counsel to the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs objected to his bail application, stating that EFCC operatives was investigating a fresh case of N8.4 billion fraud Dokpesi illegally collected for the airing the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria in 2012

Jacobs in his submission, said that although Dokpesi claimed that FIFA granted his company the airing rights, the federal government was not a party to the contract.

“Here is a man, who in 2012, collected over N8 billion for the contract for airing of the Under-17 World Cup organised by FIFA. Nigeria was not part of the contract agreement with FIFA, yet, this applicant collected the huge sum from the treasury of this country.

Again, let me say here that Nigeria is bleeding and it is the duty of everybody, including judges in court, to ensure that we fight and put an end to corrupt tendencies in this country.”he said

Dokpesi is facing prosecution by EFCC for allegedly receiving the sum of N2.billion from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for PDP’s presidential media campaign.

                                                          
A former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for more questioning after he was allowed to go home Friday night.

Mr. Akpabio, who is also the incumbent minority leader of the Senate, arrived the EFCC at 11.45 am Saturday, accompanied by his counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Rikey Tarfa and some aides.

As soon as the former governor arrived at the commission, he was moved into the interrogation room, a source who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the issue, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Rickey Tarfa and aides to the former governor watched helplessly as the anti-graft operatives led Mr. Akpabio away.

Our source also hinted that the former governor might spend the day with the commission.

He is still been interrogated by crack detectives of the commission as at the time of filling this report.

Mr. Akpabio was arrested by the anti-graft agency on Friday afternoon and taken in for interrogation.

He was, however, allowed to go home late in the night but asked to report to the commission today (Saturday).

Shortly after he regained his freedom, Mr. Akpabio had given insight into why he was interrogated for several hours by EFCC operatives.

Speaking with a PREMIUM TIMES reporter shortly after he left the EFCC headquarters late on Friday night, Mr. Akpabio admitted that he was summoned by the anti-graft body to respond to several allegations of corruption against him.

He however said he was not arrested, but that he honoured the commission’s invitation voluntarily.

“A young lawyer from my state has been petitioning the EFCC accusing me of corruption,” the former governor said. “So shortly before I got involved in an accident in August, the EFCC summoned me to come and respond to the allegations.

“But following the accident, I wasn’t well enough to honour the EFCC summon. And I let them know.

“So today, since I’m now well, and the Senate did not sit, I decided to honour the EFCC so as to answer questions concerning the allegations against me.

“I wasn’t arrested. I walked in there myself and now I’m back at home. The EFCC operatives were professional. They asked questions, and I answered.”

Mr. Akpabio insisted the allegations against him were false, saying “those making the allegations do not understand how government works”.

The former governor, who is now Senate Minority Leader, said the lawyer who dragged him to the EFCC submitted at least four different petitions, and that it would take a while for him to respond to each of the allegations.

“So I will return to the EFCC again as necessary,” he said.

Mr. Akpabio added, “I am a law-abiding citizen, and whenever I’m summoned to answer questions about how I served my people, I will always respond.

“I urge everyone who has served in public office not to be afraid to explain what they did and how they served.”

                                                      
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has commenced interrogations of former Governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam over alleged massive corruption in the state during his tenure as Governor. Suswan was arrested Monday and is being questioned by EFCC.              ex-Gov Suswan

Suswam, who left office on May 29, this year, is alleged to have made away with state funds running into billions of Naira and is to defend himself against the charges.

Speaking with newsmen a short while ago, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwajuren confirmed that Suswan was arrested Today, Monday and is being quizzed by the anti-graft agency.

“He was invited by the EFCC in connection with ongoing corruption investigation in Benue state,” he said.

Recall that the commission on Friday grilled his former finance commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia for hours in Abuja with a view to eliciting vital information that may help them in confronting Suswam.

Oklobia, who is also said to be involved in the Suswam alleged corruption case, reported to the Wuse 2 head office of the EFCC around 10 am and was questioned under what a source in the agency called ‘under caution’ because of his ‘complicity in the case.

A top source confirmed to Vanguard that Mr. Oklobia, who served as finance commissioner under Suswam was invited by the commission to defend allegations of diversion of public funds, abuse of office, embezzlement and fraud committed by them while in office.
The source said: “Oklobia arrived the EFCC office in Abuja at about 10 am where his statement was obtained under caution based on his complicity in the allegations of diversion of Benue State funds while they were in office.”

Recall also that the incumbent Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has already raised a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to probe ex-governor Suswam for alleged looting of funds running into hundreds of millions of money.    By Anthony Ogbonna

There were indications, yesterday, that a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, arrested and released in the United Kingdom, on Friday, on money laundering allegations, may be charged to court, this week.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that besides the four other persons arrested with the former minister, more suspects may also be arraigned.

Meanwhile, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives, who raided the Abuja home of Allison-Madueke, just at about the time of her arrest in the UK, on Friday, reportedly recovered cash running into millions of Naira.

The trial is expected to be conducted in London and is likely to draw thousands of Nigerians resident in the United Kingdom (UK) but no date was specified, last night, when Sunday Vanguard made contacts with the National Crime Agency (NCA), which arrested and released Diezani and the four others on Friday.

An official of the NCA gave indication of the trial in a telephone chat but pointed out that the identities of all the suspects would only be unveiled at the point of charging them to court.
The official explained that the law establishing the NCA does not allow it to name those being investigated before charging them to court.

The official said: “Indeed we cannot name the five persons who were arrested and granted police conditional bail until we are ready to charge them to court.

“The law does not permit us to do so and we will release appropriate information to the media as the case progresses”.

But it was learnt from sources close to the British government that the NCA might have concluded arrangements to arraign Diezani and other suspects believed to be mostly Nigerian oil business men, suspected to have aided and abetted money laundering while the former minister was in office.

One of the sources said the British Government started investigating Diezani as early as 2013 following sustained allegations of financial wrongdoings at home and abroad, leveled against her and some officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

In the meantime, a team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives, which raided the Abuja home of the former minister in Asokoro, Abuja, was said to have recovered cash running into millions of Naira from the place.

But a source close to the operation said only N1.2 million was recovered.

The security agents, who stormed the home, on Frederick Chiluba Street, Asokoro, in six vehicles, reportedly gained access to the expansive mansion with the aid of some former security aides of the embattled former minister.

The team allegedly gained access to the well fortified house using one of the windows.
Reports said Diezani had not been sighted near the palatial home since leaving office in May but had been staying in the United Kingdom, where she reportedly sought medical attention over an undisclosed ailment.

In updated information on its website, yesterday, the NCA disclosed that investigation of the suspects was initiated in 2013 by the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, which transferred the matter to it early this year.

The agency said that the suspects were merely granted what it called “conditional police bail” pending further investigation to be conducted in the UK and overseas.

It was learnt that the EFCC, which has a working pact with UK anti-corruption agencies, swopped on Diezani’s home and recovered vital documents, which it hopes to use to prosecute her when the trial begins in London.

According to the NCA’s website, the International Corruption Unit (ICU) investigates bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK and money laundering by suspected corrupt foreign officials and their associates.

The ICU also traces and recovers the proceeds of international corruption, support foreign law enforcement agencies with international anti-corruption investigations; engages with government and business to reduce the UK’s exposure to the proceeds of corruption.

It works to support increased compliance with the Bribery Act 2010 and draws on the specialist support available to it within the NCA, while also working closely with other UK law enforcement agencies and overseas partners.

Source: Vanguard