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Author: Isaac Aregbesola

  • EFCC arrests fake state house staff over alleged N22m employment scam

    Arrest

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    Abuja, June 22, 2024 (NAN) Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC)  have arrested a syndicate of fake State House Staff in Abuja for alleged criminal conspiracy, false representation and employment scam.

    Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said operatives of the commission arrested the suspects separately following investigation on  petitions by victims, who were promised jobs in various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

    The suspects, he said, promised the victims jobs as “Director-General” at the Ministry of Communication, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and other ministries.

    The spokesman listed the suspects to include Augustine Umogboi, who claimed to be a former staff of the State House and Eleojo Idakwo, a fake staff of the Ministry of Information in the Registry Unit.

    Others are Kingsley Onuh who also claimed to just conclud his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, one of the companies which the bank account they were using to get money from their victims.

    “Besides, they had different account numbers of different banks through which they were  receiving the money amounting to N22,350,000 from different victims.

    “Umogboi was arrested on June 16, Idakwo was arrested on April 30, 2024, while Onuh was arrested on April 3,” he said.

    He said that the victims narrated their bitter experience in a series of petitions written to the EFCC, adding that, “the suspects have given useful information to the EFCC and will  be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IAA./RSA

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    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • 2 ex-bankers apprehended over N4.2m dead customer’s money

     

    Arrest

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    Abuja, June 22, 2024 (NAN)  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two former staff of Union Bank in   Makurdi over alleged theft of N4,199,500 belonging to a deceased customer of the bank.

    Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to him, the suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, were arrested on Friday in Makurdi, in Benue

    “Their arrest followed a petition against them by the bank on fraudulent debits from the account of Emmanuel Agenna, a deceased customer.

    “Their dealings were uncovered when the family of the deceased approached the bank for the balance on the account of the deceased for probate processing.

    “The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently sent a complaint to the bank regarding unauthorised debits on the account,” he said.

    According to him, based on their complaints, the bank carried out an  internal investigation and its findings revealed that a debit card was procured on the deceased’s customer account on May 10, 2023.

    He said that the debit card was procured by Ifah Ogoh, one of the bank’s Sales and Service Associates, which was authorised by the bank on the same date.

    “Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates, Agbo Okwute, who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased.

    “Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice.

    “The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said. (NAN)

    IAA/MNA

    Edited Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • EFCC, FBI strengthen partnership on fight against crimes

    Collaboration
    By Isaac Aregbesola
    Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have strengthened their partnership towards tackling the old and emerging crimes that are of mutual interests to Nigeria and the United States. .
    FBI’s Director, Christopher Wray, said this on Friday when he led a team of the Bureau’s top officials on a visit to the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede in Abuja.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two agencies have strengthened their partnership on a renewed strategic alliance against crimes.
    Wray, in his remarks, expressed delight at the bond that had existed over the years between the EFCC and FBI and called for upscaling in the face of common crime threats that confront Nigeria and the U.S.
    “Thank you for your hospitality and in particular, for the partnership that exists between the FBI and the EFCC across a wide range of threats that we face together.
    ”We have had a relationship over the years and this is a reflection of how stronger than ever we are looking forward to taking our partnership to higher and higher levels in tackling threats that affect the people of Nigeria and the people of the United States.
    ”We have had close partnerships in shared values and focus and I want to say thank you for the wonderful partnership,” he said.
    Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the FBI  for being the EFCC’s personnel and institutional capacity building benefactor over the years and expressed optimism that the collaboration between the two agencies  would be taken a notch higher.
    “We value the partnership between the EFCC and FBI. Over the years, this partnership has existed and it is for mutual benefits.
    ”We have to acknowledge that we have benefitted from your manpower and capacity development programmes, which have added value to the capacity of our operatives and our Academy.
    ”We also want to thank you for the technical support that you have provided over the years for the EFCC and by extension, Nigeria,” he said.
    Olukoyede requested that the collaboration and strategic partnership between two agencies should be strengthened in mutual interest of Nigeria and the US, especially as criminality has become borderless.
    “Some of the crimes we fight are borderless crimes, so it is extremely important for law enforcement agencies across the world to come together to collaborate.
    ”Law enforcement agencies must collaborate more. Our activities must be borderless so that we will be able to challenge the activities of the bad guys,” he said.
     He assured Wray and his team of the Commission’s commitment to collaboration with the American agency.
    Olukoyede noted that achieving the shift in paradigm in the operations of the commission called for new dynamism and mechanisms in the tools of the anti-corruption fight.
    “The major thrust is to use the instrument of prevention to tackle corruption in the country.
    ”The EFCC has done well over the years in the areas of investigation and prosecution, but upon my assumption of office, I decided to look at the sources and causes of these problems.
     ”We will not just enforce but also look at prevention, since it is also within our mandate. So, we decided to set up a new department, called Fraud Risk Assessment and Control,” he said.
     He expressed optimism that contract and procurement fraud would soon be a thing of the past.
    According to him, the commission is going to ensure e-procurement in the entire nation so that it would be easy to track the execution of projects.
    “That is one of the key innovations we have brought into our activities and we are really going to follow it through.”
    Other officials on the FBI delegation include: Charles Smith Jnr, Sydney Schaur, Joshua James Moldt, William Michael Miller, Vanessa M. Tibbits, William B. Stevens, Leigha Ramson, Sofie Admire Sosenzweig and Dr. Jim Oscar.(NAN) www nannews.ng
    IAA/ADA
    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • EFCC receives 14,000 petitions in one year – Olukoyede

    Petition

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the commission has received 14,000 petitions from the public in the last one year.

    EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Oyewale quoted the EFCC boss as saying this during a meeting with a special envoy for West Africa, Charles Omini in Abuja.

    Olukoyede expressed the commission’s commitment to tackling economic and financial crimes, while regretting the poverty experienced by many Nigerians in spite of the country’s wealth.

    He said that the commission’s relentless efforts in ridding the country of all forms of economic and financial crimes were geared towards ensuring that Nigerians have a taste of good governance.

    “What we are doing is about this country; there is nothing personal in it and we are passionate about giving Nigerians a taste of good governance for once in their lifetime.

    “In the last one year, we have received over fourteen thousand petitions, credible petitions; fourteen thousand, within the space of twelve months,” he said.

    According to him, Nigerians have no business being poor if the resources are well managed and leaders being accountable. 

    “If we do the right things, by now we should be at par with America.

    “There is nowhere in Nigeria that you dig and you won’t see natural resources or mineral resources. The forest alone can make us in the class of advanced countries.

    “There is no region in Nigeria that does not have tourist attractions.”

    Olukoyede reiterated that fighting corruption was winnable if all Nigerians come together and join hands with the EFCC to ensure good governance.

    “The war is winnable; there are some countries where their own cases were even worse than our own.

    “Our associates in Singapore, Hongkong told us they used to be worse than Nigeria, but we have gotten to that point where everyone will say let us come back to the discussion table and do the right thing.

    “Everybody is now realising that we have done ourselves so much evil. If all of us can come together, we will overwhelm them,” he said.

    He charged the Envoy to strengthen the anti-corruption fight more by making Nigerians realise that corruption would rob them of their rights to good life and good governance.

    “Let people know that their rights have been violated; it is not about EFCC, it is about every one of us, so let us collaborate more.”

    On his part, Dr Charles Omini stated that his team was at the EFCC to appreciate the efforts of the Commission in its efforts towards ridding Nigeria of corruption, economic and financial crimes.

    “We have seen the level of impact. You stood very well to make sure corruption in Nigeria is reduced at all levels.

    “Part of our collaboration that brought us here today is to make sure we stand with you at all levels to ensure the rights and the rights of your officers and men are defended at all,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IAA/EMAF
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    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • EFCC arrests 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Akure

    EFCC arrests 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Akure

    Arrest

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    Abuja June 9, 2024 (NAN) Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Akure, Ondo State.

    The Spokesman for EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja

    According to him, the alleged internet fraudsters were arrested in an early morning sting operation  at a “ Yahoo Party” held simultaneously at Signature  and Abah Clubs  on  Saturday, in Akure, Ondo State.

    ”Credible intelligence showed that the alleged party was initially scheduled for Wednesday,  June 5,  2024 but was later moved to Saturday to beat security and intelligence networks of the EFCC.

    ”The suspects have given useful information to investigators of the Directorate.

    ”Items recovered from them include ten exotic cars, phones, laptops, motor-cycle, wristwatches and many incriminating documents,” EFCC spokesman said.

    According to him, they will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. (NAN)

    IAA/ADA
    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  •  ICPC urges synergy to instill discipline, moral values in schools

     

    Discipline

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says there is need to instill discipline and moral values in schools to tackle the menace of corruption in the society.

    Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman, ICPC, made the call on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation session with schools’ anti-corruption clubs stakeholders within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Aliyu was represented by Mr Clifford Oparaodu, Secretary, ICPC.

    The theme of the event is “Enhancing Stakeholders’ Engagement in School Anti-corruption Initiatives.”

    Aliyu expressed concern that the rate at which corruption had crept into the fabric of the nation was alarming and must not be left unchecked.

    “There is no doubt that the cankerworm of corruption has crept into every nook and cranny of our daily lives including our basic educational institutions where the foundation for becoming a loyal citizen is being laid.

    “From the physical to the social infrastructure we’ve witnessed evidences of corrupt practices within our classrooms and the overall educational system.

    “From parents to teachers to students and other stakeholders this menace has gradually crept in to this very crucial segment that if left unchecked the future certainly becomes bleak.’’

    He explained that the commission had introduced Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs Initiative in its bid to help instill discipline, integrity and sound moral values at the basic and post basic educational institutions.

    “As critical stakeholders and custodians of this very noble initiative the Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs, it becomes imperative to scrutinise our strategies and appraise our performance in a bid to raise the bar and tackle this menace to a standstill.”

    While commending the efforts of all stakeholders in driving the noble initiative to the fore, he said that there was still room for improvement.

    He urged them to dedicate more time for Anti-Corruption Clubs in their schools wherein Club Advisers and ICPC officers would properly educate students on the ills of corruption and how to tame it in their school environment and beyond.

    According to him, it is pertinent for principals, supervisors, and directors of relevant ministries/boards or regulatory bodies to work together and not dissipate energies too wide.

    He urged the stakeholders to synergise in sustaining  behavioural change drive among the young ones.

    “All anti-corruption and integrity issues in our domain should be handled under the umbrella of a single Schools Anti-Corruption Club to avoid duplication and/or multiplicity of function,” he said.

    The Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, stressed the importance of all stakeholders to dedicate more time to educate the students on the ills of corruption and how to tame it in school’s environment and beyond.

    “There is need to rejuvenate the teaching the moral value in the society; when we are all growing up, we were part of the community, and community was responsible for ensuring that community members behave responsibly,” he said.

    Secretary Secondary Education Board FCT, Mohammed Ladan, also noted that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation; hence a major obstacle to growth and development as a country.

    According to him, corruption has penetrated into the Socio – economic and political system in such areas as cheating, embezzlement, Favoritism, bribery, sexual exploitation and nepotism etc.

    “It is worthy of note that corruption impedes the role of the education sector in supporting personal development; therefore, as it is said in our local parlance–let us kill corruption or corruption will kill us.

    “The time has come for all of us especially the heads of schools and the club patrons and patronesses to join hands together to stop it.

    “We must employ all necessary machinery and eschew all forms of corrupt tendencies as we take responsibility and strive to serve as role models of anti – corruption and integrity in all facets of our lives as we live above board,” he said.

    Other stakeholders, who spoke at the event, included representatives of Step up Nigeria Oluwaferanmi Iyanda, who urged the parents to join forces with teachers in instilling discipline in students.

    Iyanda said that collective effort was required to build future leaders and restore the eroded value system in the society.

    Also, Peace Ozegbe from Connected Development (CODE), urged more sensitisation programmes on fighting against corruption in the grassroots.(NAN)

     

    IAA/ CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo