A member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof Femi Odekunle, died at 77 on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement by the Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof Sadiq Radda.
The statement read in part, “It is with a heavy heart and total submission to the will of God that the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption announces the death of its member, Prof. Femi Odekunle.
“He died yesterday, December 29, 2020 in Abuja.”
Radda described Odekunle, a professor of criminology, as “a man of excellent values and principles” who “will be seriously missed by the Committee”.
The statement added, “He left behind a wife, children and siblings. The details of the burial arrangements will be made public soonest. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
The President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, expressed shock at the news of Odekunle’s death.
Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled “We have lost a valued friend: President Buhari reacts to the death of Professor Odekunle.”
He quoted Buhari as describing the deceased as “a valued friend and a towering intellectual giant with an impeccable knowledge of his chosen academic field, criminology and in such others as governance and administration.”
The President reportedly said, “His death is very saddening.
“His lasting contributions, as well as his charisma, wit and sense of humour, will be sorely missed by all us, his friends and associates. May the Almighty repose his soul.”
Odekunle, born in Ilesa, Osun State, on May 2, 1943, was among those arrested and detained along with then Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant Oladipo Diya, for allegedly plotting a coup against the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
A non governmental organization, the Community Anti-Graft Initiative (C.A-G.I.) however has joined to sympathize with the families of Prof Odekunle. The NGO which was founded to campaign against corruption through engagement with community leaders and traditional rulers said the loss of one anti corruption crusader anytime anywhere is a colossal loss to any nation badly affected by corruption.
As EFCC Arrest 32 suspected Internet fraudsters in Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, have arrested 32 persons for their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.
The suspects are: Anthony Nicholas, Obabire Adebayo, Nwosu Ebuka, Obiora Udenta, Adeoye David, Oni Oluwabunmi Olasunkanmi, Oiseomaye Mike, Ifeanyi Godwin and Obabire Tunde.
They were arrested on Monday, December 21, 2020 during an early morning operation at Plot 12, Road 2, Goodnews Estate, Sangotedo, along Lekki-Ajah Way and Chevyview Estate, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities.
The suspects had allegedly been defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of their hard- earned money before their arrest.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Although, a non governmental organization, the Community AntiGraft Initiative (C.A-G.I) has condemned the high rate of youths in internet fraud. The group lamented that, out of 32 suspected Internet fraudsters, many are youths. They called on parents and schools to join the fight against corruption, by training up the child in a way it should be.
Abubakar Mohammed Sani, a serving Deputy Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, was today arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Hadiza Sabi’u Shagari of the Federal High Court Katsina on a six count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense.
The defendant allegedly used his position as an officer of the Katsina Command of theNigerian Prisons Service (as it then was) and obtained a total sum of N2,850,000 (Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira ) from some persons under the guise of helping them secure employment into the Prison Service.
Upon receipt of the complaints against the Officer, the Commission swung into action by inviting him but the defendant was evasive until August 26 , 2020, when he finally reported. After questioning, he was granted administrative bail on self recognizance which he later abused and absconded. Consequently his arraignment was twice adjourned due to his absence in court.
On Wednesday November 11, 2020, operatives of the Commission tracked and arrested him in Abuja after which he was moved to the Kano Office of the Commission.
The charge against the defendant read that you, “ Abubakar Mohammed Sani while being Deputy Comptroller of the Nigerian Prison Service (now Nigerian Correctional Service) on or about 20 December, 2012 in Katsina within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N305,000 (Three Hundred and Five Thousand Naira Only) which you caused to be deposited into your UBA account number 2030252055 under the pretense of securing a job for Umar Himma, Surajo Ibrahim and Abubakar Gambo in the Nigerian Prison Service now (Nigerian Correctional Service), which pretense you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offense contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006”.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Usman Shehu requested the court for a trial date. But the defense counsel, G.U Jafaru applied to move a motion for bail on behalf of the defendant.The court allowed the motion as the prosecution had already filed a 12-paragraph counter affidavit, opposing the bail application.
However, the court sought to know if the defense counsel had filed a further affidavit in response to the prosecution’s counter affidavit. He said he did but the prosecuting counsel informed the court that he had not been served with the further affidavit.
Consequently, the court ruled that the motion was not ripe for hearing until all correspondence are before the court.
The court remanded the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter till December 1, 2020 for hearing of the bail application.
Instigating the anti graft agencies against your perceived enemy is an abuse. Stop the malicious petition. Stop corruption. Save our community ~ C.A-G.I
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has offered to sponsor a bill in the National Assembly to put an end to malicious petitions sent to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Tambuwal, while speaking at the commissioning of the new Sokoto State office complex of ICPC revealed that the new bill will seek to give petitioners a clear identity which will in turn put an end to false petitions.
He said, “We will push for a bill to the National Assembly that would seek petitioners to submit along with their petitions, affidavit, a petitioner’s photograph and signature to avoid malicious petitions. Aside salvaging the course of law, doing so may save the precious time of investigators, the police and those involved in the fight against corruption.”
The Governor also called for the strengthening of anti-corruption agencies in the country while urging ICPC to as much as possible, avoid frivolities and media trials in the discharge of its function of curbing corruption in the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, stated that the Commission was empowered by law to set up offices in the 36 states of the Federation, adding that the Sokoto state office was the second of its kind to be commissioned after the Oyo state office.
He said the Sokoto office was among the second phase of state offices that were established by ICPC in 2007 with only seven members of staff in a rented apartment but was relocated on account of constant flooding in the area coupled with its small size.
The Chairman informed the gathering that the one-storey edifice being commissioned had a conference room, an investigation room, store, and detention facilities amongst others.
Professor Owasanoye while appreciating former Governor Aliyu Wammako, for approving the plot of land to ICPC, also thanked Governor Tambuwal for providing a peaceful atmosphere that led to the early completion of the project in the state.
He stated that the Commission currently operates in 15 states of the country and hopefully will replicate same structures in all the other states of the Federation where it does not have offices.
“It is our desire that state governments will partner and collaborate with the Commission in the pursuit of its mandate to eradicate all forms of corruption in the country” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Hon. Justice Muhammad Sai’du Sifawa, commended the Commission for its adherence to the rule of law in its operations. Sifawa noted with satisfaction that the Commission having been headed by respected judicial officers from inception to date, had consistently adhered to due process in the discharge of its functions.
He said, “It is therefore not surprising that one can hardly hear or see media trials of suspect brought before the Commission, but yet silently but decisively fighting the scourge.
‘The commissioning of the ICPC Sokoto state office is no doubt another landmark in the giant stride of the current administration’s resolve to fight corruption in its anti-corruption crusade.”
In his good will message, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Hon. Garba N. Shehu commended ICPC for commissioning a state-of-the-art office in Sokoto state. He said that the new office will no doubt provide a conducive environment that will help in the pursuit of the Commission’s mandate.
He commended the Chairman and Board of ICPC for the recent tracking of Constituency and Executive Projects, saying that it brought to the fore the necessity for improved accountability in the country’s procurement process with a view to ensuring that ordinary Nigerians get the benefit of government spending.
He assured that the National Assembly will continue to support the work of the Commission through appropriation and legislative intervention.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary to the Commission, Professor Musa Usman Abubakar, thanked everyone who took out time to be part of the ICPC history.
He stated that with the commissioning of the Sokoto office, ICPC in Sokoto state will be better placed to deliver improved services in its collective effort to rid Nigeria of corruption.
“The activities of the Commission in covering some states in the North-West such as Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto itself will be better executed henceforth….’’
High points of the event was a display of Hausa/Fulani cultural dance, a short drama presentation depicting how citizens can own their constituency projects and a tour of the ICPC Sokoto state office by the Governor.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has sought the assistance of the International Police Organisation (Interpol), on the extradition of Nigerian treasury looters and cybercrime suspects, hibernating abroad as well as the fleeing officials of Process and Industrial Developments Nigeria Limited (P&ID).
The Acting Chairman of the EFCC Mohammad Umar Abba, made the appeal on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 when a delegation of the National Central Bureau of Interpol Nigeria, led by Garba Baba Umar, a commissioner of police, came on a courtesy visit to EFCC headquarters, Abuja.
Abba disclosed that the Commission needed the support of the Interpol in the extradition of some fugitive looters, who are taking refuge in some West Africa countries, particularly Ghana and Senegal, noting that with Interpol’s support, corrupt elements that fled the country could be forced back home to face justice.
“We most graciously need your intervention and assistance, so that we can get enough information that could lead to the extradition of some of our suspects,” Abba said
He specifically solicited for Interpol’s intervention in the arrest of fleeing officials of Process and Industrial Developments Nigeria Limited (P&ID).
“There are two suspects being investigated in regards to the P&ID case, they are Italians who are also on the run from the country. The information we have is that they are currently in Italy, we want the assistance of the Interpol in this regard, especially for information that could lead to their extradition,” Abba stated.
The EFCC boss expressed delight over the long-standing robust collaboration between the Commission and Interpol, noting that the EFCC has earned positive outcomes from the collaboration.
In his remarks, the Head of Interpol Nigeria, Garba Umar assured the Commission that the Interpol was on the same page with the EFCC on the P&ID case and would not relent in its efforts to ensure that justice is served on all in the matter.
“You are aware that we are working hand-in-hand with you and we are the catalyst that aided the EFCC in making sure the P&ID case was a success and so, we are looking forward to seeing that this partnership goes a long way.There are a lot of things that we can share and be beneficial to each other, so that is why we are looking forward to having this robust relationship and enhancing policing in Nigeria, Umar said.
The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 received four suspected oil thieves from the Nigeria Navy.
The suspects: Ebenezer Afonka( captain); Bernard Umor (engineer), Kingsley Monday, and Ishmael Willy were handed over to the Commission alongside a vessel: MV Captain Samuel.
Commander S. G Muhammed, who handed over the suspects and the vessel, said they were arrested on October 24, 2020 by Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS Pathfinder), for suspected involvement in illegal oil bunkering. At the time of arrest, the vessel was laden with an unspecified quantity of substance suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO/diesel).
Representative of the Head, Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the EFCC, and Head, Counter Terrorism and General Investigation (CTGI), Tasui Abubakar, who received the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the Commission, assured the Navy that justice will be served on the matter.
Investigation of the suspects has already begun and they will be charged to court upon conclusion.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 jailed four illegal oil dealers.
More an offence to sell petroleum without licence
The quartet, namely: Jabu Kimidengiyefa, Price Ogun, Daniel Aghovwieokpo and Nice Bien were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charge of selling and distributing petroleum products without licence and authorisation.
The charge against Kimidengiyefa read, “That you Jabu Kimidengiyefa (m) on or about the 4th January, 2020 at around Escravos, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did sell or distribute petroleum products in Nigeria without due licence, granted by the minister and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) of the petroleum Act Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria ( Revised Edition),2004 and punishable under 4(6) of the same Act.”
He and all others, pleaded guilty to their charge, upon which prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed asked the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while defence counsel, R.U. Oyiwona pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying the defendants have shown remorse.
Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each and ordered that they undertake in writing to be of good behaviour, henceforth.
“Our relationship with the FRCN will be strengthened. We are planning the enlargement of the pidgin programme,” Chukkol said.
The Head, Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, DCDS Abdulkarim Chukkol, has praised the media for its enlightenment and advocacy roles and for ensuring probity and accountability in governance and the society.
He disclosed this on Thursday, November 19, 2020 while hosting staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, South- South Zone, who paid him a courtesy visit.
“The EFCC believes the media is a tool of enlightenment. It is also a tool of advocacy and probity. Our preventive mandate demands that we enlighten the people adequately about the menace of economic and financial crimes and we do this always through the media,” he said.
He commended the FRCN, South-South Zone, for airing EFCC’s weekly radio pidgin English magazine programme: “Corruption Na Cancer” effectively and promised an enlarged sponsorship of the programme by the Commission.
“Our relationship with the FRCN will be strengthened. We are planning the enlargement of the pidgin programme,” Chukkol said.
In his remarks, leader of the FRCN delegation, Engineer Patrick Udoh commended the EFCC for its “publicity drives, patronage and consistent outreach to the public concerning its activities. We value your relationship with us and we want it to be more strengthened.”
The Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, November 16, 2020, arraigned one Promise Ben Ekpo before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on one-count charge of obstruction of justice.
Ekpo had in December 2018, stood as surety for one Awesome Ememobong, who is facing prosecution by the Uyo Zonal Office of the EFCC for alleged fraud and upon securing her bail, allegedly aided her to be on the run and has not been able to produce her in court, two years on.
The charge read, “That you Promise Ben Ekpo (“M”), between December 2018 and October 2020 in Uyo within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did willfully obstruct authorized officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from arresting and prosecution of one Awesome Ememobong of Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State, whom you took on bail as surety by shielding her from arrest and prosecution in order to aid and facilitate her escape from the authorized officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to provisions of Section 38 (2) (a) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 38 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charge, upon which prosecuting counsel, Nwandu Ukoha, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service facility, Uyo, while defence counsel, Akan Imoh Ukpe made an oral application for his bail, which the court rejected.
The matter was adjourned till November 30, 2020, for hearing of bail application while the defendant was remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Services pending the hearing of his bail application.
The Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, November 16, 2020, arraigned one Promise Ben Ekpo before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on one-count charge of obstruction of justice.
Ekpo had in December 2018, stood as surety for one Awesome Ememobong, who is facing prosecution by the Uyo Zonal Office of the EFCC for alleged fraud and upon securing her bail, allegedly aided her to be on the run and has not been able to produce her in court, two years on.
The charge read, “That you Promise Ben Ekpo (“M”), between December 2018 and October 2020 in Uyo within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did willfully obstruct authorized officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from arresting and prosecution of one Awesome Ememobong of Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State, whom you took on bail as surety by shielding her from arrest and prosecution in order to aid and facilitate her escape from the authorized officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to provisions of Section 38 (2) (a) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 38 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charge, upon which prosecuting counsel, Nwandu Ukoha, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service facility, Uyo, while defence counsel, Akan Imoh Ukpe made an oral application for his bail, which the court rejected.
The matter was adjourned till November 30, 2020, for hearing of bail application while the defendant was remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Services pending the hearing of his bail application.
The Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 arraigned one Abubakar Umar Baba before Justices Darius Khobo and Mohammed Tukur, respectively of the State High Court, Kaduna for double land fraud.
He was arraigned before Justice Khobo on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust, involving N3.3million (Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) land scam, to which he pleaded “not guilty.”
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, P.C. Onyeneho asked the court for a commencement date of trial and for him to be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), while the defence counsel, Abu Usman informed the court of his bail application on behalf of the defendant and urged the court to grant him bail to enable him prepare for his trial.
Justice Khobo granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum, who must be resident within Kaduna metropolis and must be a real estate owner with Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to be verified by the court and the EFCC. He adjourned the matter till February 18, 2021.
Trouble started for the defendant after he sold a land, measuring 524.56cm, situated on Plot No.95 Road ‘P,’ Millennium Housing Layout, Kaduna that did not belong to him at the cost of N3.3million, and resisted all efforts to refund the money to his victim.
In Justice Tukur’s court, he was arraigned on one-count charge of criminal breach of trust, involving N8 million (Eight Million Naira) land fraud, to which he also pleaded “not guilty.”
The complainant in the matter, Maui and Tessy Peterx Ndasule alleged that she bought a piece of land, located on Plot 52/54, Egypt Road, Barnawa Kaduna at the sum of N8million from the defendant, sometime in April 2018, and paid in three installments to his corporate account.
Again, the defendant turned out not to be a genuine custodian of the land, yet resisted all efforts by his victim to make him refund the money paid.
The one count charge read, “That you Abubakar Umar Baba, managing director of Nagan Integrated Services Limited, (a limited liability company) sometime in April, 2018 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N8,000,000.00( Eight Million Naira) from Mr. and Mrs. Maui Peterx Ndasule under the false pretence that you are the custodian of Plot 52/54 Egypt, Road, Barnawa Kaduna State, a claim you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3)of the same Act.”
Justice Tukur admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum, who must have evidence of three years tax payment.
His “not guilty” plea prompted EFCC counsel, P.C Onyeneho to ask the court for a commencement date of trial and for him to be remanded in the custody of NCS, while the defence counsel applied for his bail.
Know that the eagle hovers around…
He adjourned the matter till February 24, 2021, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in NCS’s custody till the perfection of his bail terms.
COMMUNITY ANTIGRAFT News 
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