Tag: Alleged fraud

Alleged N1.3tr diversion: EFCC arrests Delta ex-Gov. Okowa

Aminu Imam
EFCC arrests Okowa

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, over alleged diversion of N1.3trillion State funds. Okowa was arrested yesterday for the alleged diversion of the funds, said to be part of the 13% Derivation Funds earmarked for oil-producing States. Sources at the Commission said that the former governor was being investigated for alleged diversion of funds to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta State. EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Okowa’s arrest to newsmen yesterday night. Officials said that…

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Alleged N27bn Fraud: EFCC arrests former Taraba Gov. Darius Ishaku

Aminu Imam
AIT IMAGES 43

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the immediate-past governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku. The former Governor was arrested at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday, over alleged N27 billion fraud. Spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development. It was gathered that Ishaku was detained after he could not provide satisfactory explanations for financial impropriety under his watch as Taraba State governor. Meanwhile, a source within the EFCC said the anti-graft agency has filed at least 6-count charges bothering on criminal breach…

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FBI charges top NNPC official over $2.1m bribes to help Addax Petroleum escape $2.4bn liability to Nigeria

Aminu Imam
NNPC FBI agents

A senior Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) official has been slammed with bribery and tax-related charges in the United States, court filings have revealed. A jury recently returned a three-count indictment against Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo after the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), found that he used his position as a general manager in NNPC’s upstream department to obtain at least $2.1 million in bribes. The alleged bribe was to assist Addax Petroleum escape its $2.4 billion liability to Nigeria as part of an oil-lifting contract that began in 2001, the…

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Alleged N80bn fraud: Yahaya Bello remains ‘wanted’ – EFCC

Aminu Imam
EFCC on Yahaya Bello

…Appeals to SSS, Police to capture him The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, remains ‘wanted’, and that his arrest is a collective responsibility of all security agencies in Nigeria. “We have declared him as ‘wanted’; and he is still wanted,” Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, told newsmen yesterday. When asked why the fugitive former governor had not been arrested since he was declared wanted months ago, Oyewale said, “When a suspected is declared ‘wanted’ in law enforcement, the responsibility…

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Alleged N33bn fraud: Court remands Buhari’s ex-power minister, Mamman in prison

Aminu Imam
Court remands minister Mamman

…Minister faints outside the courtroom Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, yesterday collapsed outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.  Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503 against Mamman. Before proceedings, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Ate, informed the presiding judge, James Omotosho, that his client had fainted due to ill health. When hearing resumed, the ex-minister walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock. However, his clothes were partly drenched. The judge then asked…

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Buhari Years: Top Nigerian Aviation Ministry officials face probe over ‘fishy’ $12m helicopters sale

Aminu Imam
Helicopters sale

Some officials of the Ministry of Aviation are facing intense scrutiny after allegedly selling two helicopters, originally purchased for $4.8million, at a significantly reduced price of $1.2million to private individuals. The controversial transaction has sparked outrage, particularly as several government agencies, including the Nigerian Air Force, Navy, and the Police, had expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft. The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Ademorin Kuye, took the decisive action by ordering the arrest of the involved ministry officials. Hon. Kuye expressed deep concern over the repercussions of…

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Alleged N423bn ‘fraud’: EFCC sets up team to investigate el-Rufa’i, others

Aminu Imam
EFCC El Rufa'i

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has raised a team of operatives to probe alleged mismanagement of N423 billion by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i and some key members of his government. It was learnt that the former governor will soon be invited for questioning. Others slated for interrogation are those who served as Finance Commissioners from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023; all the Accountants-General in the eight years that his administration lasted, as well as the chairmen of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS)…

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Alleged N3.5bn fraud: ??Supreme Court overturns case against Saraki

Aminu Imam
Saraki

…Ex-S/President claims vindication Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a 2018 Federal High Court ruling in an alleged N3.5 billion fraud case involving Melrose General Services Limited. Saraki asserted that the apex court’s judgement confirms his belief that the case was politically motivated. According to him, the allegations were part of a larger effort to discredit him following his election as Senate President, which went against the preferences of influential figures during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. ?Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission…

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Alleged N19.4bn Fraud: “Not guilty, my lord” – Hadi Sirika

Aminu Imam
Hadi Sirika

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and his brother, Ahmad Sirika, have yesterday pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge of alleged N19.4bn fraud. The two Sirikas and a company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing an amended 10-count fraud charge before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT). The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), is accusing them of an involvement in an airport contract fraud. One of the counts read: ”That you, Hadi Sirika, while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja,…

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Alleged N2.7bn fraud: EFCC arraigns Sirika, daughter today

Aminu Imam
EFCC Sirika

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), is set to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Fatimah, and two other suspects in court today, Thursday. The suspects are facing charges over alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud uncovered in the Aviation Ministry under Sirika. The embattled former Minister would be arraigned for trial for the first time, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal High Court in Abuja today, Thursday. Sirika is billed to appear in court with his three co-defendants, his daughter, Fatima; one Jalal Hamma, and…

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