NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Defence/Security

Yahaya Bello presents self to EFCC, detained

220 total views today

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former governor of Kogi,  Yahaya Bello, after he presented himself before the anti-graft agency.

Bello is being prosecuted by the agency over alleged fraud when he served as governor of the north-central state.

EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Bello was at the EFCC at about 12 54 p.m on Tuesday and was detained in its Abuja office.

He said that the former governor, who was declared wanted by the commission, came with his lawyers.

”He is having a session with investigators of the commission.

”He is being detained in our custody and he is going to be arraigned in court accordingly.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Yakubu Uba

General News

EFCC dismisses 2 staff over alleged corruption

223 total views today

 

By Taiye Agbaje

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, on Monday, said two of the agency’s staff members were dismissed over allegation of corruption.

 

Olukoyede disclosed this during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 5-day event is titled: “Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship.”

 

The EFCC chairman, who said the two officials were dismissed two week ago, said besides dismissal, erring workers would also be prosecuted henceforth.

 

“So many other reforms are going on; the issue of our staff and all of that.

 

“Just two weeks ago, I have cause to dismiss two staff. You can’t be fighting corruption and your hands are dirty.

 

“He who comes to equity, your hands must also be cleaned. .

 

“And I say I will not only be dismissing them, I will also be prosecuting them because that is what we prosecute others for.

 

“So you will see that; we are preparing the case files of some of the people we have dismissed.

 

“If an EFCC staff will not be able to stand publicly with his two hands up and challenge the entire public; whose goat have I collected? Whose bottle of water have I taken illegitimately?

 

“And I have said this to Nigerians; who has ever given me one kobo in the course of my work, come out and say it. I stand to be challenged.

 

“I can’t be easily influenced by things like that. That’s why we must make up our minds to work together to do the right thing.

 

“Any staff that is corrupt, I will show you the way out.

 

“Again, there are some people who may want to be overzealous. Out of 12, you must have Judas. I can’t stand here and say all is perfect. As many as you see, report them to us and we will do justice,” he said.

 

Olukoyede said even he was once subjected to investigation for two years as EFCC secretary.

 

“I am not just sitting there as chairman of EFCC. I have been on the other side.

 

“I have been subjected to investigation myself for two years. So I know what it means to subject people to investigations.

 

“My major objective is to use the instrumentality of this mandate to stimulate the economy and to also follow the rule of law,” he said.

 

He said integrity is needed to survive, even as legal practitioners.

 

“Integrity is not about law, it is not about your advocacy ability to write beautiful briefs. No.

 

“It is about law and morality. Your conscience must tell you to do the right thing. That is what integrity is all about.

 

“Finally, ethics, value and standard of legal practice must also be reviewed.

 

“These are essential to me because the job of EFCC is to ensure that corruption does not find space in our national life,” he said.

 

Olukoyede said he welcomed constructive criticism of the agency.

 

“I have never been averse to that. But let us do it in a responsible way. What do we benefit from running down our institutions?” he asked.

 

According to him, if you notice EFCC is doing anything wrong, come to us.

 

“We will sit down and I will explain some reformed agenda we are carrying out.

 

“Upon my resumption of office, we have put some reformed agenda in place.

 

“We have reviewed our arrest and detention policy. I have had cause to investigate a whole ministry; minister, directors and all of that without detaining anybody over night.

 

“And I got all the information I needed and the matter is going on fine without detaining a single soul.

 

“But that does not preclude that if there is the need to detain, we do not detain.

 

“We have also had cause to equip all our interrogation rooms in compliance with judgment of court.

 

“Also, I need to let you know that the era of a 100-count charge, 150-count charge, 85-count charge is gone forever in EFCC,” he said.

 

Olukoyede said he had given a standing directive that no prosecution should be more than a 15-count charge.

 

“If your case is water tight…, that is why I will never rush to court until I am sure of my proof of evidence.

 

“I vet case files myself, particularly high-profile cases and the lawyer must give me a draft of the charge.

 

“We will look at it together, compared with my proof of evidence, sleep over it before I give my go-ahead.

 

“If we are losing a case, it shouldn’t be on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution.

 

“If there are other technical issues, fine. But I will be sure that I have done my job and it’s done in such a way that I can defend long after I leave office,” he said.

 

Mr Joseph Daudu, the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation, said the Criminal Law Review Conference commenced six years ago as one of the flagship events of the foundation.

 

He said it was essentially to provide an annual forum for the review of all developments, particularly novel developments in the field of crime apprehension, crime prosecution, crime adjudication and the important activities of the post adjudicatory processes and institutions of the criminal justice system.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

General News

No mega financial fraud is possible without lawyers’ support– EFCC chair

184 total views today

 

By Taiye Agbaje

The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, says no mega financial fraud, especially illicit financial flows, is possible without lawyers’ support.

 

Olukoyede stated this during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 5-day event is titled: “Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship.”

 

According to the EFCC chairman, the transfer of huge funds into offshore accounts, preferable in tax haven are aided by lawyers.

 

“The most traumatic discovery of the EFCC in recent years was the subjugation of national interest and wellbeing to personal interest by lawyers who aided briefcase foreign investors to fleece the nation in dubious transactions.

 

“The P&ID scam, the Mambilla Power Project and Sunrise issues are cases in point,” he said.

 

He said that while the anti-graft agency has had cause to prosecute judicial officers and senior lawyers and earned conviction, his respect for the bench and senior members of the bar remained undiminished.

 

“However, based on the unique experiences of the EFCC in the prosecution of corruption cases, I am particularly interested in systemic reforms in our justice delivery system that capture.

 

“The process for the discipline and regulation of judicial officers.The regulation and discipline of legal practitioners. Ethics, values and standards of legal practice.

 

“These are essential to me because the job of EFCC is ensuring that the corrupt does not find space in our national life. And when they do, to make them pay for their deeds,” he said.

 

Olukoyede urged the judiciary “to address the issue of obscene legal fees senior lawyers earn from political office holders, particularly the manner in which they collect such fees which clearly conflicts with existing statutes.

 

“If a lawyer would not care about the source from which a sitting governor or any other public servant pays him millions of Naira to defend him in electoral tribunal, the lawyer must necessarily be mindful of the fact that the only proper way to collect such humongous amounts is through the financial system.

 

“Aside from violating money laundering regulations, hauling millions of Naira of professional fees from public office holders in liquid cash as senior lawyers do is only aimed at tax evasion.

 

“It is needless to stress that the best act of mentoring from leaders of the bar to the younger generation of lawyers is by living out the ethical demands of the profession,” he said.

 

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, said the nation stands at a critical juncture where insecurity and economic adversity present profound challenges to the rule of law and the administration of justice.

 

“These challenges demand innovative, practical and collaborative approaches to ensure that our justice system remains robust, fair and effective.

 

“The Federal Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to reforming and strengthening our criminal justice system,” he said.

 

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abubakar Baba-Doko, said the government was taking decisive steps to address the root causes of crime, improve law enforcement capabilities and enhance the efficiency of the courts.

 

He said there was the need to strengthen institutions and legal frameworks; leverage on technology and innovation, and foster collaboration and build public trust.

 

The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice B.B. Kanyip, said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, is unmistakably a significant legislation in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the justice delivery system in Nigeria.

 

Kanyip, who was represented by Justice Olufunke Anuwe, said the ACJA helps in expediting criminal trials, decongestion of the correctional centres and the protection of the rights and interests of marginalised persons.

 

He, however, said that insecurity and economic hardship poses a serious threat to the implementation of the provision of the Act.

 

Mr Joseph Daudu, the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation and organiser of the event, said the Criminal Law Review Conference commenced six years ago as one of the flagship events of the foundation.

 

He said it was essentially to provide an annual forum for the review of all developments, particularly novel developments in the field of crime apprehension, crime prosecution, crime adjudication and the important activities of the post adjudicatory processes and institutions of the criminal justice system.

 

NAN reports that the event, which is being held in Abuja, is also taking place virtually at various locations within Nigeria and abroad simultaneously.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Electricity power station
Defence/Security

EFCC links frequent national grid collapse to corruption

277 total views today

Mr Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  has attributed the frequent collapse of national grid to activities of corrupt contractors.

The EFCC boss said this while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes during an oversight visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Olukoyede, who expressed concern that financial crimes and corruption undermined the nation’s development, added that dubious practice was a major cause of frequent equipment failures, outages and grid collapses.

According to him, one of the problems of this country in the last 15 years to 20 years is that budget performance is always below 20 per cent.

He said that some of the electricity companies bought substandard goods to run the electricity, and this had been responsible for the frequent collapses of the national grid.

He lamented poor implementation and execution of capital projects in the country, saying that Nigeria can not achieve infrastructural or any form of growth under such conditions.

“Investigations carried out by the EFCC showed that contractors in the power sector, who were awarded projects to supply electrical equipment, often opted for substandard materials.

“As I am talking to you now, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears,” he said.

He also said that the commission discovered that in the last 20 years, capital project implementation and execution in the country were not up to 20 per cent.

“If we do not do that, how do you want to have infrastructural development? How do you want to grow as a nation?

“Our mandate this year is to work with the National Assembly to see if we can meet up to 50 per cent of our execution of our capital project for the year.

“If we do 50 per cent, we will be fine as a nation. Lack of implementation of this capital budget is one of our major problems in Nigeria,” he said.

The EFCC boss called for collective efforts and partnership with all stakeholders to win the battle against corruption in the country.

He emphasised the need for effective collaboration between the lawmakers and the commission in achieving the commission’s mandate of fighting corruption.

According to him, both the committee members and the EFCC are mandated to tackle the menace of financial crimes and corruption, with the goal of advancing the country.

“The mandate before you, which is also before us, if managed effectively and efficiently, will be remembered by Nigerians in the long term.

“This is one of the major challenges undermining our development in Nigeria. Tackling financial crimes and corruption effectively is a responsibility before you as well as the EFCC.

“It is therefore appropriate for us to work together,” Olukoyede said.

Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, lauded the achievement of the agency.

Onwusibe said that the committee was at the commission as part of its oversight functions, aimed at monitoring the performance of ministries, departments, and agencies.

He expressed the committee’s readiness to assist the EFCC through legislation and budget allocations.

He urged the commission to enhance its operational skills, ensure accountability, address challenges, and work closely with other agencies, donors, and development partners.(NAN)

======
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Defence/Security

Anti-graft: Senate pledges to increase EFCC budget allocation

226 total views today

The Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes has expressed determination to increase budgetary allocation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  to effectively carry out its anti-graft obligation.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, said this when he led the committee members on an oversight visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

The committee chairman said in honesty, the EFCC required more funding.

“When the EFCC chairman is telling you that he needs a software that will tackle virtual and fraudulent cryptocurrency trading, valued at about N3.4billion, then, you will understand why they need more funding.

So, they really, really need a lot of money. What you can do is that through budgeting processing, you will be able to also increase their budget,”  Udende said.

He also said that the EFCC deserved a percentage of its recoveries to assist its operations just like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) gets a certain percentage of its seizures too.

“Like customs do, they are entitled to a percentage of whatever they get for the year. And if we do it to EFCC, we will be able to work from the proceeds of crime that they recover,” he said.

He also lauded EFCC and its leadership for their performance in the last one year,  stressing that the Commission  had impressively tackled the menace of economic and financial crimes, with ascertainable proofs.

While giving the Committee’s evaluation of the efforts of the Commission, Udende declared that the Committee was satisfied with the performance of the EFCC  and declared that it has done wonderfully well.

“We have looked at the records, the budget performance, what the EFCC has done in the past one year and we are quite impressed with what they have done,”he said.

Olukoyede had earlier called on the National Assembly to support the agency  by increasing its allocation in the 2025 budget by 300 per cent.

He said that this was to enable it acquire requisite state of the art technology to fight illicit financial flows, economic sabotage.

According to him, one of the agency’s greatest challenges is inadequate funding, the agency will need about 300 per cent increment of its 2024 budget to carry out its duties effectively.

He also sought the cooperation of the lawmakers in terms of changing the negative perception of Nigerians about  the agency.

The chairman also stated that the EFCC is currently investigating the extractive industry and very soon, indicted persons will be charged to court.

Olukoyede, who lamented the effects of corruption on the general activities in Nigeria, said EFCC would investigate government agencies, who corruptly divert budgetary allocations to other things or outrightly embezzle the funds.

He announced that the commission had been granted access to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to monitor and track all disbursements and ensure proper utilisation.

While seeking the cooperation of the senators in carrying out the agency’s duty, Olukoyede said the EFCC would also be monitoring their constituency projects.

“We now have a relationship with the Accountant General’s Office. We have been given access to the IPPIS. We want to monitor the releases and track where the money goes.

“So, I am pleased to inform you, distinguished members of the Senate, that we will be monitoring your constituency projects. I hope you will cooperate with us.

“There will be no problem. We will monitor the allocation, and I believe you will also help us champion this cause,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

Defence/Security

Curbing corruption requires capacity, collaboration of all – EFCC Chairman

260 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekum Olukayode, has underscored the need for collaboration and capacity building of security agencies to tackle corruption.

Olukayode said this during the graduation of the Executive Leadership and Strategic Management Course, Batch 5/2024, of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), on Friday in Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Mohammad Hamman-Joda, the EFCC boss emphasised the importance of training senior managers in security agencies as key to curbing corruption in the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission to continue to train to be ahead of the criminals, who are always trying to advance.
According to him, there are a lot of innovations in terms of crime, particularly crypto-currency.

“So, we have to up our game to catch them, if not, we will be left behind.
“We have trained a total of 100 participants from the EFCC, along with other participants from sister security agencies, Department of State Security, DSS, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA and Nigerian Army amongst others,” he said.

Olukayode said that the training was conducted in five batches, with participants drawn from senior and middle cadres of the commission.

He expressed the hope that the knowledge gained would impact positively on operations of the EFCC while appreciating NARC for the wealth of experience they shared.

“We look forward to more collaboration in the future,” he said.

The EFCC boss expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army and Nigerians on the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was designed to bring participants from the security architecture together to understand themselves and the challenges ahead.

Wahab said the training would also enhance the level of collaboration and cooperation between the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption for better performance.

According to him, the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies with them, and the solutions must come from them.

“Joint training is the way forward, so that everybody will know their strengths and weaknesses and understand each other.

“Somewhere along the line, it is not possible for one agency to solve the security situation they are facing, not only in Nigeria, anywhere in the world.

“Above all, reach across boundaries and borders to make friends, socialise, network and that is one of the challenges it brings to the participants,” Wahab said. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Yakubu Uba

Defence/Security

EFCC recovers N248bn, $105m, secures 3455 convictions in 1 year

380 total views today

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N248 billion, 105 million dollars and secured 3455 convictions in its fight against corruption in the last one year.

The Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, announced this on Thursday in Abuja, at a news briefing to mark his one year in office.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission had also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

He noted that the remarkable achievement was recorded from Oct. 18, 2023 to Oct. 18, 2024, when he came on board as the chairman.

According to him, the commission within the year, recovered N248, 750,049,365.52; $105,423,190.39; £53,133.64; €172,547.10; T1,300.00 Indian Rupees and CAD $3,400.00 Canadian Dollars.

”It also recovered ¥74,859:00 Chinese Yuan; AUS $ 740:00 Australian Dollars; 170:00 UAE Dirham; 73,000:00 Korean Won; CFA 7,821,375:00 and R 50:00 South Africa Rands.

”On asset recovery and return, the EFCC on Sept. 6, handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) the sum of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters,” he said.

Olukoyede said 164,000 dollars of the recovered cash assets was for a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas, while 16,300 dollars belonged to a victim, known as Sandra Butler.

“The recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements,” he said.

The EFCC chairman revealed that within the year, the commission also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

According to him, the former governors are; Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

”Yahaya Bello is charged in two different courts; one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246,470, 088.88.

”The former Kogi governor alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu is also answering to 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

”Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge bordering on alleged N27 billion fraud,” he disclosed.

Olukoyede also said ex-Kwara governor, Ahmed, alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner for Finance, are facing prosecution on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.

On his part, former governor Obiano, was on Jan. 24, arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, where he was arraigned on nine counts bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4 billion.

In the same vein, he said two former Ministers of Power, Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye have been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission.

”Mamman is being prosecuted before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.

”Agunloye, the Minister of Power in the President Olusegun Obasanjo government is being prosecuted on seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of six billion dollars.

”Also, a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika is currently standing trial before two different courts – Justice S.B. Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, and Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, Maitama,” he said.

He said Sirika was being prosecuted alongside his brother, Ahmad Sirika and two companies, Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited on 10 counts bordering on alleged N5.8 billion fraud.

Olukoyede said Sirika was also standing trial before Justice Oriji for six counts alongside Fatima Sirika, Jalal Hamma and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over alleged N2.8 billion fraud.

Defence/Security

EFCC recovers N248bn, secures 3455 convictions in 1 year

454 total views today

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it has recovered over N248 billion, 105 million dollars and secured 3455 convictions in its fight against corruption in the last one year.

Its Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, announced this on Thursday in Abuja, at a news conference to mark his one year in office.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission had also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

He said the feat was achieved from Oct. 18, 2023 to Oct. 18, 2024, when he came on board as the chairman.

“The commission within the year, recovered N248,750,049,365.52; $105,423,190.39; £53,133.64; €172,547.10; T1,300.00 Indian Rupees and CAD $3,400.00 Canadian Dollars.

”It also recovered ¥74,859:00 Chinese Yuan; AUS $740:00 Australian Dollars; 170:00 UAE Dirham; 73,000:00 Korean Won; CFA 7,821,375:00 and R 50:00 South Africa Rands.

”On asset recovery and return, the EFCC on Sept. 6, handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) the sum of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters,” he said.

Olukoyede said 164,000 dollars of the recovered cash assets was for a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas, while 16,300 dollars belonged to a victim, known as Sandra Butler.

“The recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements,” he said.

The EFCC chairman revealed that within the year, the commission also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

According to him, the former governors are: Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

”Yahaya Bello is charged in two different courts; one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470, 088.88.

”The former Kogi governor alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu is also answering to 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

”Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge bordering on alleged N27 billion fraud,” he said.

Olukoyede also said ex-Kwara governor, Ahmed, alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner for Finance, were facing prosecution on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.

While former governor Obiano, was on Jan. 24, arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, arraigned on nine counts bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4 billion.

In the same vein, two former Ministers of Power, Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye had been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission.

”Mamman is being prosecuted before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.

”Agunloye, the Minister of Power in the President Olusegun Obasanjo government is being prosecuted on seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of six billion dollars.

”Also, a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika is currently standing trial before two different courts – Justice S.B. Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, and Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, Maitama,” he said.

He said Sirika was being prosecuted alongside his brother, Ahmad Sirika and two companies, Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited on 10 counts bordering on alleged N5.8 billion fraud.

According to Olukoyede, Sirika is also standing trial before Justice Oriji for six counts alongside Fatima Sirika, Jalal Hamma and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over alleged N2.8 billion fraud. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Defence/Security

Governors’ forum backs EFCC, urges synergy on cyber-security

436 total views today

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has expressed the forum’s support to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This is coming as the Supreme Court reserved ruling on the suit against the EFCC by 19 other governors over the constitutionality of its establishment.

The NGF chairman expressed this commitment at the 2024 National Cybercrime Summit held in Abuja.

The summit was organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), and the European Union

It focused on enhancing digital skills as a strategy to combat cybercrime.

The summit is with the theme: “Alternative to Cybercrime: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development”.

The NGF chairman called for synergy on cyber-security in the country to enhance national development.

“I am impressed with what the EFCC, NDLEA, and NOA are doing in the new media and our basic schools to dissuade young people from engaging in crimes, drug abuse, and to promote patriotism.

”This effort should be elevated so that we can achieve a national consensus on the behaviors that form the foundation of our cultural legacy as Nigerians.

“We also commend the EFCC for organising this summit. I am confident that, after this gathering, we will be better informed and more motivated to improve the public’s perception of cybercrime,” he said.

 In the same vein, Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, in a chat with newsmen, expressed readiness to support the commission in its anti-corruption crusade in Zamfara and the country as a whole.

Lawal said he was not afraid of the EFCC’s investigation, and would give the commission the required assistance.

According to him, people elected to positions of leadership should be accountable and transparent.

”My coming here is also to give my support to the commission, especially at a time like this when Nigeria is facing many negative challenges related to cybercrime.

“So, this is a very good opportunity, and I believe this is the way forward so that we can redeem the image of Nigeria in the commity of Nations,” he said.

The governor said that he was not aware of the suit brought by some of his colleagues against the EFCC.

“I am hearing this for the first time about the suit, and that is the truth. So, I do not know what it contains. I cannot comment on that,” he said.

Also Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe emphasised the importance of collaboration in combating the growing threat of cybercrime.

Yahaya commended the EFCC for organising the national cybercrime summit.

He said that the event was a timely initiative towards addressing the growing challenge of cybercrime.

He emphasised the importance of multi-level cooperation, including leveraging technology and youth involvement, to promote positive alternatives to cyber activities.

“We appreciate the EFCC for bringing this important issue to the forefront.

“My government is ready to partner in this endeavour, because we recognise that combating cybercrime requires partnership,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Defence/Security

EFCC urges youth to leverage cyber skills for national development

442 total views today

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Nigerian youth to channel their cyber skills towards national development, rather than engaging in cybercrime.

The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, who made this call at the National Summit on Cybercrime held in Abuja, emphasised the need for collective action against internet fraud.

The conference with the theme “Alternatives to Cybercrimes:  Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development” is to raise awareness on the dangers of cybercrime and promote alternative uses of cyber skills.

It was organised by EFCC with the support of the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II), Programme of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

Olukoyede raised concerns about the growing menace of cybercrime in the country, warning that “it poses a significant threat to the nation’s reputation, economic well-being, and the future of its youths.

“Cybercrime is corrupting our family values and promoting a get-rich-quick mentality among our youths. We must rescue our young generation from the stranglehold of cybercrime.”

According to him, projections by multiple sources show that the global loss to cybercrimes may reach a staggering 10.5 trillion dollars by 2025, with approximately 2,328 cases occurring daily.

“The implication of all these is that, if left unchecked, cybercrimes portend grave dangers to the entire world.

“These are the realities stoking the commission’s fight against these crimes. Cybercrime accounts for a significant percentage of the 3,455 convictions recorded by the EFCC in my one year as Executive Chairman.

“A significant portfolio of choice assets have also been recovered and returned to both local and foreign victims of cybercrimes by the commission.

“ We are not oblivious of insinuations and misconceptions in some quarters that the commission is concentrating its operational works on the fight against internet crimes.”

He said that while this narrative was not really true, the fact remains that cybercrime threatened the nation’s most significant asset, its reputation, and economic wellbeing.

“The losses by the financial services sector to cybercrime in the last three years is staggering.

“We cannot continue to sit idly and watch the integrity of our institutions compromised and our youths degenerate into uselessness.

“The future of our nation cannot and would not be allowed to hang in the balance. We must take collective actions against cybercrimes”.

According to him, talking about alternatives to cybercrimes, there are ample skills that can be optimised for national development.

He noted with concern that it was the lack of serious thought on the alternatives that had not made the youth shift their focus from criminal tendencies.

“First, there is the alternative of creative and innovative development of socially-beneficial applications that can deliver better prospects than internet fraud.

“Today’s event is tailored towards exposing young Nigerian with strong tech skills to the opportunities that abound in various industries, and sectors for legitimate wealth creation and honest livelihood.

“These opportunities can be found in the creative industry, tech ecosystem, financial services sector, medical services and even law enforcement,” he said.

The Head of Programme, International IDEA, Mr Danladi Plang, said that  Nigeria has a very youthful population that is versatile in the use of technology.

He noted with concern that the skill had, however, been used negatively in various forms including in digital financial crime.

“This has not only given the country a bad name internationally, but also a significant threat to the country’s financial system; and increased crimes against the person including child pornography.

“While we acknowledge the effort made by the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies in fighting cybercrime, perhaps we need to rethink our traditional approach of arrest, trial, conviction and imprisonment in fighting crime.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

You cannot copy content of this page

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email