News

EFCC investigates 20 Kwara officials, recovers billions, stolen assets

Published

5 years ago

July 3, 2019

Eric

Twenty officials of the Kwara State Government have been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin Zone.

The Zone comprises Kwara, Ekiti and Kogi States.

At a news conference in Ilorin, the state capital, Tuesday, head of the zone, Mr Ishaku Shari, said over 15 properties of the affected officials of government in choice Ares of Ilorin metropolis, ranging from hotels, filling stations, residential accommodation and micro-finance, had been uncovered and investigated.

“The affected senior officials ranging in status from assistant directors, accountant, to treasurers among others, and whose monthly salaries are not more than N90,000.”

He added that N10bn stolen by the immediate past government was intercepted and saved for the current administration.

“You will agree with me that official corruption is the greatest killer as those officials who ordinarily are supposed to guard and protect state resources have turned out to misappropriate it.

“To this end, the commission beamed it’s searchlight on the Kwara state officials and on a credible tip of the commission is currently investigating over 15 properties in choice areas within Ilorin metropolis ranging from hotels, filling stations, residential accommodation, micro-finance among others.

“It will shock you to hear that the alleged owners are civil servants whose salary per month is not more than N90,000. Some have confessed and the matter is in court,” Shari hinted.

The Zonal head told newsmen that the commission successfully intercepted billions of naira that the last administration allegedly wanted to pilfer few days to its exit.

He noted that it has always been a tradition in the country except microscopic few that whenever any government is exiting, it will indulge in mass pilferage as the last minute golden opportunity, hence, “our resolve to mount surveillance on all Kwara State government accounts between 24th and 29th May,2019, when the state received FAAC,JAAC,VAT and tax refund from the Federal government to the tune of N10bn.

“I can authoritatively tell you that we saved the state last minute attempted financial misappropriation of those billions.”

Mr. Shari said also that since the commission commenced operations in Ilorin in December 2018, N50m cash had been recovered from fraudsters based on petitions and the money returned to the real owners.

“These include recoveries from some state legislators who allegedly duped some people. The commission also has over N200m on interim forfeiture,” he added.

He said the commission was fighting internet fraudsters in the zone to a standstill as 29 cases had been charged to both state and federal high courts while 15 of the cases in courts had been convicted, with their exotic cars and monies running into millions of naira in their bank accounts forfeited to the Federal government.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

23 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.