Tag: EFCC

Olukoyede Applauds Nigerian Armed Forces for Courage and Patriotism

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has commended members of the Nigerian armed forces for their gallantry and sacrifices in the face of security challenges across the country.

He gave the commendation in Abuja on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 while receiving students of the Departments of Intelligence, Security Science and Cyber Security of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna, who came on a study tour of the EFCC.

According to him, officers and men of the armed forces have demonstrated huge courage and made sacrifices to ensure peace and security of the nation.

“While our peace and security as a community face severe tests at every turn across the country, I wish to utilize this opportunity to praise our troops for standing up to the challenge at the risk of their lives.

The undeterred spirit of officers and men of Nigerian Arm Forces have sustained us thus far as a nation in the face of the mounting activities of those who want disintegration, trauma and turmoil for our country”, he said.

He charged the visiting cadets to imbibe “the courage and patriotism of the serving officers of the Nigerian military and justify the national investment in you by putting the country before self when you step out of the Academy as officers.”

The EFCC’s boss, who spoke through the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda, charged the NDA to continue to invest in training and retraining of its officers in intelligence gathering to be able to meet the challenges posed by cyber insecurity and associated crimes. He assured the cadets that their study tour of the EFCC would avail them an opportunity of understudying the EFCC’s tools of intelligence gathering and intelligence operation procedures.

“In EFCC, intelligence gathering and processing drive our fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and are very central to the successes we record. I can therefore say with every sense of modesty that you have come to the right place”, he said.

He noted that the EFCC had an impressive history of collaboration and support from the Nigerian Armed Forces. “In the area of training, the NDA was our choice destination for the training of our officers and we are happy and proud of the professionals they turned out to be with your tutelage”, he said. He assured the cadets of the EFCC’s readiness to offer them adequate familiarization with its systems and procedures of intelligence gathering, processing and management
Earlier in his remark, the Dean, Faculty of Military Science and Interdisciplinary Studies, Navy Captain I R, Saidu, who represented the Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy, Major General J.O Ochai, said the NDA was in the Commission to acquaint the cadets with the necessary tools, equipment and processes needed in intelligence operations, “to expose the cadets to practical experiences of intelligence operations in the field, align them with the training relevant to global best practices, and meet up with the NUC requirements and compliment cadets’ lectures in areas of intelligence analysis, tradecraft, terrorism and counter-terrorism”.
EFCC’s Director of Information Communication Technology, ICT, Isha J. Abdullahi, urged the NDA to invest more in ICT and brace up with new technology, emphasizing the need for social media, digital currency and equipping themselves with the knowledge of self- protection in a digital world. “Be careful of what you save on your phones and acquaint yourselves with knowledge on cyber security as students. ICT is the future of the world”, he said.

The Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE11Aisha Muhammed tasked the cadets to be part of the anti-corruption fight. She stressed that the fight against corruption and cybercrimes are for every Nigerian and not the duty of the EFCC alone.

She described the cadets as ambassadors of the EFCC, charging them to help to make Nigeria better. She assured the cadets that the Commission would inaugurate the EFCC Zero Tolerance Club in the NDA.

The cadets were given lectures on Positive Use of Social Media by Head, Public Interface Unit, ACE 1 Tony Orilade; Intelligence by the Head, Strategic Intelligence Analysis, ACE 11 Bello Umar Jalingo; Cyber Security by Deputy Director, Cyber Security, ACE 1, Okwor Robert and Cybercrime by Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC I, Olalekan Ogunjobi

They also used the opportunity of the tour to visit the EFCC Radio, 97.3fm Station.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

EFCC Arraigns Two for N20.5m Fraud in Kano

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC on Monday, March 25, 2024 arraigned Sufiyanu Yahaya and Mudassir Rabiu Idris before Justice ibrahim Musa Karaye of the Kano State High Court on one- count separate charges bordering on misappropriation of funds to the tune of N20,500,000( Twenty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only.

While Yahaya allegedly misappropriated a sum of N11,500,000 (Eleven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) belonging to a petitioner meant for the supply of rice, Idris allegedly misappropriated the sum of N9,000,000( Nine Million Naira only) belonging to a petitioner meant for the purchase of 360 pieces of solar panels.

The charge against Yahaya reads: ‘’That you Safiyanu Yahaya sometime in September 2022 in Kano State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court misappropriated the sum of N11,500,000.00 for the supply of Rice sent to your corporate account no. 0503548882 with account name: SYU Rahama General Enterprises domiciled with Sterling Bank by Imran Ismail to which you are the sole signatory of the account and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law”.

The charge against Idris reads: ‘’That You, MUDASSIR RABIU IDRIS ‘m’ sometime in 2022 at Kano, Kano State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated to your own use, to wit: the sum of N9,000,000 (Nine million naira) only belonging to Auwalu Abubakar which was meant for the purchase of 360 pieces of solar panels and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code Act and punishable under Section 309 of the same Act.’’
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when their charges were read to them.

In view of their pleas, counsel to the prosecution, A.H El-Badawi and Sadiq Kurawa prayed the court for a trial date.
Counsel to Yahaya, Y.A Dauda filed an affidavit for bail on behalf of the defendant praying the court to admit his client to bail.
Justice Karaye granted bail to Yahaya in the sum of N12,000,000 (Twelve Million Naira) only with two sureties who must be verified by the EFCC.

Idris was not yet admitted to bail.
The Judge adjourned both cases till May 27, 2024 for commencement of trial and remanded the two defendants at the Correctional Centre

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

Court Jails 17 Internet Fraudsters in Bauchi

Justices A. Muazu and M.A Sambo of the Bauch State High Court sitting in Bauch have convicted and sentenced seventeen (17) internet fraudsters to different jail terms.

The convicts were jailed after pleading guilty to one –count separate charges upon their arraignment by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They are: John Yakubu, Adams Ogbu Adai, Anthony Favour, Londima Donendung, Anthony Osai Samuel, John Jerry, Christianah Joseph, Adejumo Faruq, Emmanuel Shammah, Iliya Yakubu, Godfrey Fidelis Namzy, Danjuma Aklahel, Michael Monday Auta, Alphonsus Jeremiah, Banabas Emmanuel, Jerry Emeka and Solomon Monday.

The charge against Auta reads; “That you, Micheal Monday Auta sometimes between 2023 and 2024, at Bauchi, Bauchi State, within the Jurisdiction of this honorable court, attempted to cheat by personation by pretending to be one Adriana Maria and Nora Paslaru a foreigner who deals in cryptocurrency investment in order to introduce unsuspecting foreign nationals to deliver the monies to him, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code”.

They pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

Based on their pleas, the judges convicted and offered them different sentences which are; Donendung to six month imprisonment or an option of fine of N250,000, Shammah to eight months imprisonment without an option of fine, Yakubu to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000, Namzy to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, Ogbu to two years imprisonment with an option of N250,000 as fine, Yakubu to eight years imprisonment with an option of fine of N500,000, Samuel to three years imprisonment or an option of N200,000 fine and he also forfeited two laptops, one iPhone X, MTN router and one headphone to the Federal government of Nigeria.

Other convicts are: Emeka sentenced to three years imprisonment or an option of N250,000 fine and he forfeited one BMW car to the government, Emmanuel to two years imprisonment or an option of N150,000naira fine, Monday to four years imprisonment or N400,000 as option of fine, Ekond to six years imprisonment or N350,000 as fine, Danjuma to three months imprisonment with an option of N250,000 fine, Joseph to two years imprisonment or option of N400,000 fine, Auta to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, Adejumo Faruq to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, Anthony Favour to two years imprisonment with an option of N150,000 fine, and he also forfeited two tecno phone used in committing the offence to the government and Jeremiah to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for internet offences. They all pleaded guilty before the court and were convicted.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

EFCC Arrests 74 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ogun

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 28, 2024 arrested seventy-four(74) suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun State.

The alleged fraudsters were arrested at Government Residential Area, G.R.A, Shagamu, in Ogun State following surveillance and intelligence exposing their suspected internet-related offences.

Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, three laptops, 124 mobile phones, one PlayStation 3 game, two motorcycles and other incriminating documents.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

“You’re not Alone”, NIPPS Alumni Tell Olukoyede

The President, Alumni Association of the National Institute, AANI, Ambassador Emmmanuel Obi Okafor, has lauded the initiatives, drives and novel ideas of the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede in offering the Commission a new direction, assuring that his Association is fully behind him.

Okafor gave assurance in Abuja on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 when he led members of the Association on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Chairman at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.

“This courtesy visit is to tell you that we support you. It is also to assure you that you are doing a very good job. People don’t like those who fight corruption and that is why corruption fights back. We want to assure you that you have the backing of AANI. We are going to partner with you. You are not alone,” he said.

In his response, Olukoyede appreciated the senior citizens for the visit and expressed willingness to draw from their wealth of experience in public service, researches and studies, particularly in the area of fighting corruption, which he identified as the biggest roadblock to Nigeria’s progress and development.

“When it comes to public service it can only be to our advantage to learn from you. The greatest challenge that we have in this country is the issue of corruption. Corruption is like fuel that ignites all kinds of vices and evil in society. If you are talking about national development and you have not dealt with the issue of corruption, you have not started,”he said.

Speaking further, the EFCC boss disclosed that only effective preventive mechanisms can address the country’s entrenched corruption, pointing out that greater progress would be made if Nigerians show more commitment to the fight against economic and financial crimes.

“Fundamentally I discovered that Nigerians are not patently corrupt people. The problem we have is the system we run. But we cannot do anything about the system unless we go to the root of the system. So if we can channel more strength to prevention, it will leave us with little work to do in the area of investigation and prosecution”, he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome the challenge of corruption. “I know one day, we will get there. The preventive framework is designed in such a way that stealing can no longer be done without being checked. We will not wait for money to be stolen. It costs more to recover stolen funds than to prevent them from being stolen. We have developed the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control framework and it offers better prospects of tackling graft”, he said.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

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Quantity Surveyors Seek Synergy with EFCC to Tackle Fraud in Construction Industry

President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, QS Kene Nzekwe has called for collaboration with the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, to tackle fraud in the construction and infrastructural sectors.

He made this call in Abuja on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 when he led other members of the Institute on a courtesy visit to the Commission at its corporate headquarters.

According to him, Nigeria’s significant budgetary resources towards infrastructures are being marred by pervasive spectra of corruption, depriving citizens of basic services that they rightly deserve.

“The litany of allegations surrounding contract inflation and embezzlement of funds meant for infrastructure projects paints a damning portrait of systemic corruption”, he said.

He particularly pointed at the findings of the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, COST, which estimated that about $5trillion could be lost annually to corruption in the construction sector by 2030. “COST’s estimation that up to US$5trillion could be lost annually to corruption in construction worldwide by 2030 underscores the gravity of the situation, revealing a landscape rife with instances of contract inflation, embezzlement and the abandonment of vital projects”, he said.

On the strength of the findings, Nzekwe called for closer collaboration with the EFCC, stressing that his Institute is available to lend a hand in breaking the monster of corruption. “So we commend your unwavering commitment to combat corruption at its root, it is in the spirit of partnership and collective action that we offer our hand in solidarity and present our commitment to your noble mission. We have contributed to the recoveries of billions of naira and we are available to do more”, he said.

He also expressed support and commitment to the preventive framework put forward by Olukoyede, promising that every nook and corner of the nation would be reached to drive the initiative. “We believe that prevention is better than cure. So, we will give you all the support down to the grassroots. We equally seek to reopen further discussions on the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU which we started in 2021 between EFCC and NIQS to further forge our collaboration”, he said.

Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the visit, stating that “NIQS is a huge stakeholder in the anti-corruption fight. He disclosed that about 70 percent of corrupt practices could be traced to contracts and procurements as Nigeria has lost about N2.9 trillion within 2 to 3 years to the fraud. He also noted that about 50 percent of money released for capital projects are always diverted and converted into dollars for personal use.

He tasked NIQS to look inwards and flush out bad eggs in its fold, maintaining that self-cleaning is the best modality of growth and development. “My principle has always been for you to start with yourself, talk to your people first, when you sanitize your house, you will be able to correct other people. That’s why I started with my staff first when I came in, I told them to declare their assets. Because whoever comes to equity must come with clean hands.

He commended NIQS, stating that, “You are doing well and I know you can do better, let’s work together”. He further assured that the EFCC will revisit the MOU by constituting a committee to look into it on how it can be better implemented to suit the current dispensation.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

ANTI-CORRUPTION CONCERT

Join the EFCC Anti-Corruption Concert to be spiced up with drama, music, comedy and talk show. Guest speaker shall be EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede and date is Easter Sunday, 31st March, 2024. Venue is Unity Fountain, Abuja. Gate fee is free! Come and be part of the anti-corruption crusader.

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#Anticorruptionconcert