N4.745b ‘fraud’: Drama as EFCC holds Omisore

(The Nation)

Only my body will follow you, ex-Deputy Governor tells EFCC team.
After about three months of hide and seek, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Iyiola Omisore.
He was arrested in Abuja for the N4.745billion allegedly allocated to him and others by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).
Of the slush funds, about N1.310billion was allegedly traced to Omisore and three companies.
His suspected accomplices include Governor Ayodele Fayose and former Minister of (State) Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, who is in the United States.
The arrest of Omisore was with a tinge of drama. He reportedly locked himself up in the master’s bedroom to evade arrest by EFCC operatives, sources said.
EFCC operatives climbed a balcony to enter the room where a “jittery” Omisore was arrested. Found in his room, said the source, are $21,000 and about N1million cash.
Sensitive documents relating to transfer of funds to slush companies by ONSA, the National Assembly and some companies were also recovered from Omisore, The Nation learnt.
Omisore reportedly told the EFCC team: “I will not follow you; only my corpse will follow you.”
He reportedly surrendered when the siege to his house was daunting.
According to a top source in EFCC, the arrest of Omisore followed a successful trail of his movement to Abuja.
The source said: “We had intelligence report that Omisore was at his 1, Kainji Crescent in Maitama, Abuja. We set out at 6am to invite him but when we got there; we were told he was not in town.
“We went into the compound and gained access to the house. We started searching the rooms one by one. At a point, we discovered that the master’s bedroom was locked. We asked them to open it but they said, they had no key to it. Having been aware of our presence, Omisore had firmly locked up himself to evade arrest.
“We surrounded the place with armed policemen and entered the master bedroom through the balcony. When we met him, we showed him a court warrant of arrest and a search warrant fully endorsed by a competent court.
“We searched his room afterwards and we discovered documents linking him to those companies used for laundering of money from ONSA , National Assembly and some firms which they forced to part with cash to fund political campaign.
“Some of the documents on landed properties which he bought with these slush funds.
“When we finished the search, we showed him the warrant of arrest but he retired into a mild drama that he would not go to the EFCC office.
“Omisore, who knew the game was up said: ‘I will not follow you, only my corpse will follow you.’ The suspense continued until his lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, asked him to go to EFCC headquarters.
“After then, we took him to the office and obtained a statement from him. During interrogation, he admitted that he is a director of some of the companies linked to him . ONSA, National Assembly and some firms that paid huge funds into the accounts of these companies .”
According to the source, Omisore told detectives that the companies paid the funds under investigation to him but they were the money he loaned them.
“We have served him bail conditions, it is left to him to meet these terms to regain freedom. So far, we have detained him,” the source said.
About N1.310billion was traced to Omisore and three companies out of the N4,745billion.
According to a report by the EFCC, the funds were remitted as follows: Fimex Gilt Limited(N160m)-8/8/2014in UBA; Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)—9/7/14 in First Bank; Sawanara (N300m)—1/8/14 in First Bank and Metropolitan Consortium(N350m)-1/8/14 in First Bank.
A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Preliminary findings have shown that N1.310billion out of the N4.745billion from ONSA was remitted to the three firms and the accounts of these three companies belong to Omisore. This is one of the reasons we have invited the former Deputy Governor but he is yet to show up.”
The anti-graft agency through a letter, of April 7, 2016 invited Omisore for interrogation.
The letter, signed by Abubakar Madaki on behalf of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, reads in part: “The commission is investigating an alleged case in which your name featured prominently.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview the undersigned on Monday, 11th of April 2016 at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7 at10am.
“Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.”
Instead of honouring the invitation, Omisore wrote a letter through one of his lawyers, Wole Jimi-Bada and Co. that the interview should be rescheduled to Thursday, April 14, 2016.
The counsel said in part: “Your letter dated 7th April 2016 and addressed to our client and delivered to his gateman at our client’s residence has been passed on to our chambers.
“We regret to inform you that our client travelled briefly out of Abuja but will return by Wednesday evening. Consequently and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the interview scheduled for Monday, 11th April 2016 as requested in your letter under reference.

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Japanese Intervention in Nigerian Health Matters.

Bwari (FCT) – The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke, on Thursday, inaugurated medical equipment worth $89, 662 donated by Government of Japan to help improve the health status of Nigerians.

The inauguration took place at the Bwari General Hospital.

He said the embassy had always supported Nigeria through its Grant Assistance for grassroots human security project scheme.

He said 152 projects had been implemented since 1998 under primary health, primary education and agriculture with 10. 4 million dollars disbursed so far.

“We are handing over 25 types of medical equipment and tools today to Bwari General Hospital.

“Large number of people come from Abuja, Kaduna and Niger to the hospital every day, but it could not provide patients with appropriate services because of lack of medical equipment.

“The shortage of equipment, in the worst cases, caused many babies and pregnant women to die despite the fact that their lives would have been saved with just one sort of equipment.

“Responding to the request from the hospital through Women’s Right to Education Programme, we have taken action to bridge the gap and now successfully completed the project.

“We strongly wish that the medical equipment provided by the government of Japan will contribute to the reduction in child and maternal mortality in Bwari, as well as neighbouring areas.”

He enjoined the hospital’s management to utilise the equipment properly to the benefit of many people.

The Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Osayande Osagie, commended Japan for the gesture, saying it would help promote universal health coverage.
According to him, it is our conviction that this will go a long way in achieving the World Health Organisation’s set standards of Universal Health Coverage.

Osagie said, “the hospital had its humble beginning as Primary Health Care Clinic in the present day Bwari Post Office in 1968 in then North Western state.

“It was upgraded to a comprehensive Health Centre on Sept. 12, 1989 and to General Hospital 2002.

“Our mission is to offer world class health services to all our clients without discrimination. In achieving these objectives, your donation has helped in providing technological input to our targets.”

Ms Mimido Achakpa, Executive Director of Women’s Right to Education Programme (WREP), Nigeria, said the choice of Bwari was based on its health needs assessments.

She said before the project was carried out, WREP carried out needs assessment survey of Bwari in January.

“We found out that the General Hospital is the only one in the community which serves not only the Bwari but other neighbouring communities.
The needs assessment revealed that there was urgent need for new equipment and replacement of available ones in maternity theatre, wards and labour room that were found in deplorable state.”

The high point of the event was the commissioning of medical equipment, labour room, hospital beds and maternity theatre. (NAN)

(Vanguard)

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Alleged N22b fraud: Ex-air chief ‘returns N2.6b to Fed Govt’

by Joseph Jibueze, June 30, 2016 at 1:38 am inFeatured, News

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The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), charged with laundering N21billion, has returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government.

His lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), while arguing Amosu’s bail application after he was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris, said his client had returned “collossal sums”.

Amosu returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government, The Nation learnt.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

The companies arraigned with them are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 17(a).

Arguing the bail application, Ayorinde said his client, who pleaded not guilty, had always been cooperative with the prosecution since his arrest in January and would not jump bail.

“He has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies.

“My application is that bail be granted to the first defendant on self-recognisance. Let those terms be liberal. He has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The first defendant will make himself available for trial,” the Senior Advocate said.

Adigun’s lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), also urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. “Incidentally, the second defendant is on administrative bail by the commission. He will be available for trial,” he said.

Gbadebo’s lawyer, Mr A. Etuokwu also asked for bail for his client. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail applications, but urged the court to make the terms stringent.

Justice Idris granted them bail for N500 million with two sureties in same like sum. The sureties must be property owners within the court’s jurisdiction, he said.

Title documents of the properties must be submitted to the court’s registrar, which must be verified by the EFCC. The sureties must also swear to an affidavit of means which must be verified by the EFCC, the court ruled.

Justice Idris directed the defendants to submit their travel passport to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).

He ordered Amosu’s and Gbadebo’s remand in prison custody. Adigun is to be kept in EFCC custody because of his health condition pending when he fulfils his bail terms.

The defendants were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money.

Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014,  allegedly removed over N663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to buy properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

They were accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo on Victoria Island with N1.5billion.

EFCC said they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, using the AirForce’s money.

Other properties they allegedly bought using the Air Force’s funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja using alleged stolen funds.

Between last March 6 and April 30, the accused allegedly spent N428,139,539.00, allegedly removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

Count one reads: “That You, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Nunayon (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites Bdc, Fonds and Pricey Ltd,Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd And Solomon Health Care Ltd on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N21,467,634,707.43, property of the Nigerian Air Force, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

EFCC said the accused persons converted and concealed the sums, which they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing.” They all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Idris adjourned till July 8 for trial.

(The Nation)

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Alleged N22b fraud: Ex-air chief ‘returns N2.6b to Fed Govt’

by Joseph Jibueze, June 30, 2016 at 1:38 am inFeatured, News

FacebookTwitterSMSWhatsApp

The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), charged with laundering N21billion, has returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government.

His lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), while arguing Amosu’s bail application after he was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris, said his client had returned “collossal sums”.

Amosu returned N2.6billion to the Federal Government, The Nation learnt.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

The companies arraigned with them are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

EFCC accused them of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 17(a).

Arguing the bail application, Ayorinde said his client, who pleaded not guilty, had always been cooperative with the prosecution since his arrest in January and would not jump bail.

“He has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies.

“My application is that bail be granted to the first defendant on self-recognisance. Let those terms be liberal. He has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The first defendant will make himself available for trial,” the Senior Advocate said.

Adigun’s lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), also urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. “Incidentally, the second defendant is on administrative bail by the commission. He will be available for trial,” he said.

Gbadebo’s lawyer, Mr A. Etuokwu also asked for bail for his client. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail applications, but urged the court to make the terms stringent.

Justice Idris granted them bail for N500 million with two sureties in same like sum. The sureties must be property owners within the court’s jurisdiction, he said.

Title documents of the properties must be submitted to the court’s registrar, which must be verified by the EFCC. The sureties must also swear to an affidavit of means which must be verified by the EFCC, the court ruled.

Justice Idris directed the defendants to submit their travel passport to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).

He ordered Amosu’s and Gbadebo’s remand in prison custody. Adigun is to be kept in EFCC custody because of his health condition pending when he fulfils his bail terms.

The defendants were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money.

Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014,  allegedly removed over N663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to buy properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

They were accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo on Victoria Island with N1.5billion.

EFCC said they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, using the AirForce’s money.

Other properties they allegedly bought using the Air Force’s funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja using alleged stolen funds.

Between last March 6 and April 30, the accused allegedly spent N428,139,539.00, allegedly removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

Count one reads: “That You, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Nunayon (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites Bdc, Fonds and Pricey Ltd,Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd And Solomon Health Care Ltd on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N21,467,634,707.43, property of the Nigerian Air Force, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

EFCC said the accused persons converted and concealed the sums, which they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing.” They all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Idris adjourned till July 8 for trial.

(The Nation)

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Jail break: Dambazau orders security beef up at Kuje prison

Lt.-Gen. Abdurahaman Dambazau (rtd), the Minister of Interior, ordered security beef up at the Kuje Meduim prisons and all other prisons across the country on Monday in Abuja, shortly after an on-the-spot assessment of the Kuje prisons where two inmates had escaped on Friday. The two inmates standing trial for murder were said to have escaped from the kuje prison on Friday and are still at large. Having gone round the prison facility by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Ahmed Jafaru and other prison officials, Dambazau expressed dismay at the ugly incident. He said that he had ordered for detailed investigation into the matter and vowed to get to the root of the matter, while the hunt for the escaped inmates continues. The poor state of the prison and some security lapses around the prison were observed the last time he visited and called for remediation. He blamed, these could be the factors responsible for the incident. “The last time I was here I noticed some security gap in the prison, I made my observation then with the former CG with the present controller prison and I notice the security gap and I told them precisely what to do but unfortunately this has occurred, he said. He said he will not preempt the outcome of the investigations but expressed worry on some of the security lapses around the facility. “Two prisoners escaped and especially these are prisoners who are awaiting trial for murder. So, this is a very serious issue that I cannot be happy about,’’ he added. He assured that the present government was working relentlessly to rehabilitate Nigerian Prisons and make it a true rehabilitation centres for inmates like it’s done in developed countries.

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NDLEA arrests 203 suspects in Niger

The Niger State Command of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 203 suspects and seized 2,770 kilograms of various hard drugs in the last six months. The Niger State Commander, Joseph Iweajunwa made this disclosure yesterday while marking the United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking in Minna. He also said that 14 youths have been counseled and rehabilitated in the last six months. The Commander lamented that psychotropic drugs have become major drugs of abuse adding that the increase in this abuse could be connected to the massive production by pharmaceutical companies who are cashing in on the growing demands for the drugs which are not for medical purposes. A breakdown of the drugs seized revealed that 2,484.9kg of Tramadol was seized while 253.17kg of Cannabis Sativa was seized. According to him “there is no doubt that the efforts of the NDLEA in arresting the problem of cannabis sativa has given some positive result as the availability of cannabis on our streets have been greatly reduced to the extent that the criminals are now importing them from other countries like Ghana and Benin Republic. “This year is not different, for the first half of this year which is between January and June, the Niger state Command has been able to make a total seizure of 2,770.451kg of various drugs and we have arrested a total of 203 suspects.” Iweajunwa also bemoaned that the Agency has been neglected and grossly underfunded which has made it unable to carry out its statutory responsibilities especially in the area of drug demand reduction activities.Russian Government delegation and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) announced during the week that they are exploring areas of possible economic cooperation. The Russian Government and her Trade Mission met their Nigerian counterparts in a programme organised by the LCCI tagged RuNiTrade (Russia and Nigeria Trade launching ceremony), an E-commerce platform where areas of possible cooperation were encapsulated. LCCI President, Mrs. Nike Akande said the Nigerian and Russian economies have similarities in some ways, saying that both economies are oil producing countries and are also rich in natural gas. She, however, noted that the Russian economy is much bigger and more advanced technologically. ‎While stressing the need to diversify the Nigerian economy through increased ‎global trade, Akande regretted the low level of trade between both countries. She pointed out that with a closer cooperation between the private sector of both economies, the level of trade can be improved. “We can benefit a lot from Russian technology in many fields. There are also tremendous opportunities for cooperation and investment ‎relations in infrastructure development, especially power and engineering infrastructure,” she said, adding that LCCI was excited by its collaboration with the Russian business on the e-commerce platform. She said the launching of the platform will further boost trade and investment relations between both countries. “There is great value in deploying technology to promote trade. Already, e-commerce has gained wide acceptance in our retail trade sector,” Akande said. She added that as a country, Nigeria has a lot to offer in business and economic ‎relations. She said, for instance, that the Nigerian economy offers the largest market on the African continent. “Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over $500 billion is the largest on the continent. We are richly endowed with natural resources. Our macroeconomic fundamentals are still strong despite the current global issues with commodity prices. “We have one of the most enterprising population in the world and our democracy is stable for the past 17 years,” she said, assuring that the Chamber would extend all necessary support to‎ improve trade and investment relations between both countries. “I believe there is a great deal of benefit in the promotion of trade relations between countries. It makes it possible for countries across the world to complement one another. No country of the world has ‎competitive advantage in everything,” Akande added. The President, Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Vladimir Zubov, said a platform such as RuNiTrade has been a long awaited and necessary tool, which the business community needs not only in Russia but also in other developing countries. He added that the project gives participants the opportunity to promote new products, which serves as a bold step forward for trade development, investments and international relationships between both countries. “We are ready to support Business to Business (B2B)-RuNiTrade project on its way to success. I have high hopes for this project and I believe that according to the recent events and agreements reached on political and economic issues, we will work towards organizing more trade missions between our countries. This will help us continue the development of mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation in the area of trade and investment,” Zubov said. qHead, Russian Export Centre, Mr. Pavel Borisov, in his presentation encouraged Nigerian businesses, especially those in banking and insurance to key into the programme. He said Russia has engaged smaller countries such as South Africa and Sudan in various segments of the economy. He said since his country shares certain similarities with Nigeria any partnership would be mutually beneficial.
(The Nation)

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Nigeria, Russia explore areas of mutual economic cooperation

A Russian Government delegation and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) announced during the week that they are exploring areas of possible economic cooperation. The Russian Government and her Trade Mission met their Nigerian counterparts in a programme organised by the LCCI tagged RuNiTrade (Russia and Nigeria Trade launching ceremony), an E-commerce platform where areas of possible cooperation were encapsulated. LCCI President, Mrs. Nike Akande said the Nigerian and Russian economies have similarities in some ways, saying that both economies are oil producing countries and are also rich in natural gas. She, however, noted that the Russian economy is much bigger and more advanced technologically. ‎While stressing the need

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