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el-Rufai docked for allocating plots to wives

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on May 12, 2010 at 8:04pm

Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir el-Rufai and two former aides of his were yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court, Abuja..

The two others are Altine Jubrin, former Director-General of the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) and Ismailia Iro, former General Manager.

They are facing an eight-count charge of criminal conspiracy and abuse of office preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They are accused of conspiring to use their offices to gratify and/or confer corrupt or unfair advantage upon one another by the irregular revocation and re-allocation of land to themselves.

The commission accused the former minister of corruptly re-allocating parcels of land, which belonged to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc and Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST), to his wives, Hadiza and Asia, as well as associates, such as Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, Saidu Samaila, Philip Daudu, Jamaila Alhassan and Bello Sani.

A company, System Property Development Consortium Limited (SPDC), also benefited from the allocations, it was alleged.

The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 19 and 26(1)c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Act, 2000.

All the accused pleaded not guilty.

Clad in a black kaftan with a red cap to match, the former minister was accompanied by some of his associates and friends, including the former Culture and Tourism Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

Moving an oral bail application, el-Rufai’s counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), urged the court to release him on self-recognition.

Said the lawyer: "He has served the country as a minister. He was not in the country when the charge was filed but when he came back, he voluntarily went to EFCC that he is back in the country and would want to know why they wanted him.

He made a statement as required and was released on bail on self-recognition. Again today he voluntarily came to court to answer the charges. The offences are bailable."

After an interjection by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adelodun, Olujimi applied to withdraw a motion he had earlier filed.

Counsel to Altine, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), adopted Olujimi’s argument. He added that his client had been enjoying bail granted her by the court when she was first arraigned on May 6, last year.

Iro’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Attorney General of the Federation, adopted earlier submissions. He urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognition.

The prosecution counsel did not object to the oral bail application as, according to him, the accused were on administrative bail granted them by the EFCC after they provided sureties.

"The state will, therefore, ask that the accused persons provide reliable sureties as conditions for their bail," Adelodun said.

Mr Justice Adamu Bello said: "I have considered the oral bail application moved on behalf of the accused persons. I also have it in mind that the prosecution did not object to bail. I feel inclined to exercise the discretion of the court in granting bail. There is no doubt that the second and third accused persons have been attending court’s sittings. I hope the first accused will do the same."

He granted the accused N100 m bail and one surety in like sum. The surety, Justice Bello said, must be a resident of the FCT and must show evidence of landed property worth the bail sum.

The judge said the accused should remain in EFCC custody, until their bail conditions have been perfected.

Security agents attached to the anti-graft agency escorted el-Rufai out of the court in a Mercedez Benz ML350 marked Kaduna-BB417 MKA..

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Christ Embassy defrauded: Suspects docked, members scold critics

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on April 20, 2010 at 7:30pm
Christ Embassy fraud: Suspects docked, members scold critics
By Chioma Igbokwe

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Hope of getting reprieve by the suspects who were alleged to have defrauded Christ Embassy Church to the tune of N60m has been dashed as all efforts to convince their General Overseer, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome to forgive them failed. The suspects have been charged to court on a two-count charge at Ikoyi High Court and risk being jailed if found guilty.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail. Those arrested are, Chinelo Ezeagwuna, Essien Mabel Ufonabasi, Keneyinboh Miriam Eneyi, Orie Nwakego Felicia and Bassey Bassey Charles.

Saturday Sun reported last week that the suspects who were active members of the healing school, a department of the church, had begged Oyakhilome to apply the principles of forgiveness by dropping the charges against them..

According to the Commissioner for police, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Moses Sabo, the suspects where arraigned on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. “ No body is above the law that is why upon completion of the investigation they were charged to court. It is left for the judge to decide what becomes of them.”

As reported in the newspaper, in a bid to be among those who testify in church to speedy progress, four members of the church engaged in what the police suspect is fraudulent in the micro finance bank, popularly known as ‘Parralex’, established in the church’s premises in Lagos. These persons allegedly diverted over N60m into two dedicated personal accounts and shared it.

The bubble burst when operatives of the SFU, Lagos swooped on them. The suspects were alleged to have opened several accounts with the bank, using fake names. The fraudulent account was used to divert the money. They were alleged to have debited the bank’s general ledger and transferred same sum of money to the various fraudulent accounts. This act which started in 2008, continued till 2009 when the fraud was detected.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have condemned the act, blaming the church for deceiving these people into stealing in the name of God.

Some Nigerians who felt scandalized about this sordid development in the house of God reacted accordingly

Sekuru Gora said he is yet to understand how these churches manage to brainwash people to lose their minds. “They prey on peoples greed. The suspects were aware that what they were doing was wrong. They were encouraged by the pastor to get rich quickly by latching at existing opportunities. Prosperity gospel is nothing other than legalized thievery. Religion has been abused especially by these Pentecostal churches. I for one will never be fooled by some greedy men of God to enrich them at any cost. I don’t need to go to church to do well and live a good life. I work hard and help a lot of people, something that most of these churches don’t do.”

On his own part, Kunle, lashed out at the suspects for asking pastor Chris to forgive them instead of blaming them for their act. “Are they not aware that it is the twisted get rich quick gospel that their pastor has been preaching to them that pushes most of his church members to engage in illicit and criminal activities? I am even made to understand that most of the prostitutes in Ikeja attend CEC. What is the church’s business in setting up a micro finance bank in the first instance? Personally I think Pastor Chris should be held accountable for this fraud as he is in the business of breeding criminals.”

While some are blaming the act on Pastor Chris others are of the view that everyman is accountable for his own sin, as Pastor Chris never encouraged them to steal.

Steven asked the suspects to admit that it was their greed not Pastor Chris’s message that led them to steal. “Some people in a congregation steal and blame it on the message they heard. Did the message say go and steal? Their greed for quick wealth led them to do what they did and does not in any way invalidate the message and the existence of members that are obedient to the dictates of the word of God in the same congregation.”

Adebayo Ogunsaya called on the critics of Pastor Chris to listen to his messages and pinpoint where he encourages anyone to steal. “One of the things he emphasized early this year is that the year will not favour a man with criminal tendencies. He said doors of prosperity would be shut against people with such character. He said some people didn’t know that some doors have been shut against them already by criminality. He even went as far as saying that if any one has supplies to do in a contract, minimize the gain, such one should not inflate the amount beyond proportion. You should get to hear his teachings yourself than all these hearsays of yours. Pastor Christ is a balanced teacher and can never condone criminality. If he teaches on prosperity, its only because its scriptural. Paul and Jesus taught on prosperity too. So will you blame Jesus for the criminality of Judas?”

Chioma Onwubiko threw a poser to Christians who are busy condemning Christ Embassy. She asked: “Now for you Christians that worship in the “Perfect Church”, I have this question for you: “Can you beyond reasonable doubt proclaim that the church where you worship is 100% free of those that steal, those that fornicate, those that lie, those that commit murder, those that covet, those that harbour hatred against others, those that commit adultery, love-peddlers, etc”?

“Can you vouch for every member of that your “Perfect Church”, that every single one of them is obedient to every single dictates of the word of God? Can you?”

Very Good Question indeed !
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EFCC Farida Waziri Treading where Angels Fear 49 9gerians in N143bn fraud ,Bola Tinubu,Peter Odili

Posted by 9jabook.com on June 9, 2009 at 8:28pm
Put one in the middle equals 4-1-9 ! 49 Nigerians stole N143.6bn public funds - EFCC that is roughly 20million USD each ABUJA — FORTY-NINE Nigerians looted the nation’s treasury to the tune of N143.6 billion (One hundred and forty-three billion, six hundred million naira), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed yesterday. Also, Chairman of the Commission, Mrs Farida Waziri, at an interactive session with journalists, in Abuja, to mark her first year in office yesterday said the court cases of some former governors were ongoing and that there was no letting up on efforts to prosecute former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili and Senator Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State. It has also come to light that 49 Nigerians are presently being prosecuted by the EFCC for fraud, totaling N143.6 billion. This was contained in a list of “On-going High Profile Cases” made available by the anti-graft body yesterday. The high profile cases include that of some ex-governors. 11 of the fraud cases were commenced by former chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, while the incumbent boss of the EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri has filed 20 fraud-related charges against suspects. Most of the suspects have been granted bail by the court. The suspects in the UBEC case where high profile public servants connived with an American, Alexander Cozman, to defraud the government are however still in the custody of the EFCC. Some of the cases listed include the case against former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State at the Federal High Court, Lagos over N1.2 billion. Another case is against former Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State at the Federal High Court, Gudu. Also listed is the case of former Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State at the Federal High Court, Maitama, over N36 billion. Also ongoing is the trial of former Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba state over N180 million; the case against former Governor Michael Botmang of Plateau State over N1.5 billion. The ongoing trial of Mr Roland Iyayi, former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over N5.6 billion is also listed. The trial of Mr Eider George, an Ustalian Business man at the FCT High Court, Maitama over N5.6 billion and that of Mr Patrick Fernandez, an Indian Businessman whose trial is ongoing at the Federal High Court, Lagos over N32 billion fraud is also listed. The trial of four Senior Managers of a bank over N3.6 billion at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt is also one the cases listed by the EFCC. Also, the Rural Electrification Agency fraud case to the tune of N6.2 billion involving a serving Senator, three serving members of the House of Representatives, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power and other top public officers was listed. The suspects in the case include Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, Mr Mohammed Jibo, Mr Paulinus Igwe, Mr Samuel Ibi, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, Mr Simon Nanle, Mr Lawrence Orekoya, Mr Kayode Oyedeji and Mr Garba Jahun. According to the EFCC, charges have been filed against the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, but he is yet to put in an appearance. No letting up on ex-govs Peter Odili, Bola Tinubu On former Governors Odili and Tinubu, Mrs Waziri said: “I inherited most of these case files and no file was at any time involving the governors was declared missing as reported by the press. Instead, we have been investigating and building on the files.” Answering specific questions on Dr Peter Odili and Senator Bola Tinubu both former governors of Rivers and Lagos states respectively, the EFCC boss said the Commission was working hard to drag them before the law court. According to her, “there was no time the case against Odili was dropped. There was this obnoxious court order of perpetual injunction restraining us from prosecuting him but we have appealed against it. We have been contesting the obnoxious court order restraining us from prosecuting him. We have assigned the case to a SAN to try to vacate it.” On Tinubu, she said that the Commission was working on gathering evidence with which to establish a case against the former governor but admitted that certain words of her predecessor did not make that effort easy. Mrs. Waziri said she has been very sincere in handling her responsibilities in the last one year, adding, “I don’t have any basis to lie as posterity will judge me because in the last one year, what I have done is to build case files, analysing them and working day and night to ensure that suspects are arrested once a prima facie case is established.” Cases of ex-govs stalled in courts She, however, expressed frustrations at the delays corruption cases were suffering at the courts. Her words: “The cases of past governors are ongoing. They are in court. I have been crying hoarse that cases are stalled. This is the area that I expect you, the media, to assist me; to cry out with me. Cases that were filed by my predecessor are still there in the courts. They are stalled, one way or the other. “I have told you many times why I feel the cases are stalled. If you have a bad case and you engage a lawyer whom you pay everything that you can pay and even from the charges drafted, he knows that if this case gets to its logical conclusion, he will end up in jail, they will do everything they can to forestall the trial and this is what is happening. The cases are not moving. “I told you that what some of these lawyers do is to first of all challenge the jurisdiction of the court. Even when it is clear that the high court has jurisdiction, then they go to the court of appeal to ask for a stay of execution, so the case is not moving at all. And the delay of trial has its own repercussions: witness fatigue, witnesses may die or move. “My job is to compile the case file, charge them to court and the next thing is to monitor the trials, to see whether on grounds of technicality, the investigation was thorough or something was missing; secondly to ensure that witnesses attend court and to ensure that exhibits are tendered. And that is where my job stops. I don’t go to the bench; I can’t do anything else. “This is what is frustrating us and I leave that to you. You are Nigerians. If one arm of government is trying to solve this problem, you should highlight it; you should ask questions.” The EFCC boss stressed the need for all Nigerians to buy into the anti-corruption crusade, insisting, “all Nigerians are stakeholders in this crusade.” Reacting to the claims of civil right groups that the Commission had performed below expectations under her watch, Mrs. Waziri said: “I hate armchair critics who sit on the fence and criticise everybody’s efforts. This country belongs to us all, if they are given opportunity, they will steal this country silly because they suffer from the Pull Him Down Syndrome (PHD).” On the role of the banks, Waziri said “some of the banks report (suspected transactions) while others don’t, that is why we re-organised the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to make it more proactive and responsive to strategic intelligence.” Estates built with stolen money to be confiscated On the allegation that politicians were building estates and the Commission is not beaming its searchlight on the property industry with a view to confiscating those built with looted public funds, she said that once the Non-Conviction Based Assets Forfeiture Bill was passed, she would move against ill-gotten estates. Her words, “A lot of estates are springing up in Abuja. We are waiting for our Non-conviction Asset Forfeiture Bill to be passed then we will really go into that. Find out the owner of this estate, find out how he got the money to develop the estate. If you can’t, we investigate you, we take the property to court. It has nothing to do with the person. And we will take the property which will be forfeited to the government if you are unable to satisfactorily tell us how you came by that money. “If you say you got a loan from the bank, we will investigate that claim. If you say you inherited anything, we will investigate. We are waiting for this law. It is going to make a great difference because the incentive to steal will be lost. The incentive to acquire properties in the country or outside the country and acquire luxury cars will be lost. “Even the fact that some are developing the estates through proxies, companies or those that are developing properties using prominent individuals as partners notwithstanding, we are taking note of all of them.” The Chairman said the Commission secured 65 convictions and has recovered over N50 billion looted money. It has also developed the EagleClaw, a software designed to combat cybercrime and advance fee fraud (419) scam.
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