Abuja Developer Docked for N31.8m Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja Zonal Command, today Wednesday, August 18, 2021 arraigned Princess Carol Ngozi alongside her company, Carolina Luxury Homes, before Justice Hamza Muázu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja on a 30-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.
She allegedly on various occasions, obtained the total sum of N31, 825,000 (Thirty One Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira) from thirty of her clients under the pretext of allocating to them various plots land at Carolina Luxury Homes Estate, Gousa District, Abuja.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Their counsel, Olumide Olujimi informed the court of a pending motion for bail filled on August 16 and pleaded that his client be admitted to bail on liberal terms.
EFCC counsel, Faruk Abdullahi did not oppose the application but urged the court to give conditions that will ensure that the defendants are available for trial.
The court granted bail to the defendant in the sum of Thirty Million Naira and a surety in like sum. The surety must have a landed property within Abuja Municipal Area Council with original document submitted to the court.
The defendant is also to deposit her International passport with the court.
The matter was adjourned till 17th September, 2021 for hearing.
Anti-graft War: PCC Commends EFCC
The Benue State Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, Dr. John-Jack Gumh has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, saying it has achieved much in the fight against corruption.
He gave this commendation on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in Makurdi, Benue State during a courtesy visit to the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC.
According to him, “I applaud you by expressing my happiness for the achievements your office has been recording in this crusade. I wish to further advise that the spirit of transparency and objectivity should continue to be your watchwords for the overall benefit of our nation”, he said.
According to the Commissioner, his visit was to deepen partnership and collaboration between the two agencies, “I am here mainly to seek for partnership and collaboration between the two Commissions for the sake of efficiently and effectively carrying out our primary assignments which entails redressing administrative injustice for victims of maladministration and democratic injustice by both the public and private organizations and their officers, “he said.
In his response, the Zonal Commander, Oseni Kazeem, expressed the willingness of the Commission to work hand in hand with the Public Complaints Commission, in order to fight corruption in Nigeria.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to support both agencies in the performance of their duties. According to him, “we will continue to do our best in the discharge of our duties, and any organization that will assist us in whatever way, we are ready to partner with them for the betterment of our nation”, he said.
EFCC Charges International NGOs to Declare Cash Meant for IDPs
The Maiduguri Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Onwukwe C. Obiora on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 called on both International and local Non-Governmental Organizations in Yobe and Borno States to present ‘‘Cash Notification Forms’’ to the Maiduguri Command for vetting and approval before disbursing funds to ‘Internally Displaced Persons’. The measure, he explained, is to reduce the risk of sabotage and use of NGOs by money launderers and financiers of terrorism in the Northeast.
Obiora who spoke while receiving a delegation from the United Nations Cash Working Group and International NGO Forum in his office, commended the Forum for their deliberate efforts to cater for the IDPs in the face of insurgency. He stressed the need for a robust synergy with the EFCC to combat the menace of money laundering, terrorism financing, among other financial crimes in the Northeast and the country at large.
‘‘I want to thank you for your services to the IDPs who are needy and vulnerable… but we must be mindful of the fact that all cash movements by INGOs and NGOs must be declared to the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC for verification and monitoring, and we must collaborate so that the funds will not get into the hands of wrong persons during disbursement’’, he said.
The Deputy Coordinator of the Forum, Yasmine Chawaf expressed her delight and lauded the Commission for the cooperation received so far in the distribution of the cash and palliatives to the IDPs in both Yobe and Borno State.
‘‘The EFCC has been of great assistance and we are happy working with the Commission. The Maiduguri Zonal Commander has ensured strict monitoring of cash meant for IDPs through the SCUML and the committee inaugurated, even to the point of distribution in the deep field areas that are hotbeds of insurgency activities, so that the monies get to the right persons. These measures taken by the EFCC have given the Forum absolute confidence to increase our aid flows in the Northeast’’, she said.
Cash Notification Form is a form that reflects the monetary activities and indication of areas where Aid flows provided by INGOs and NGOs are to be disbursed.
International Non-Governmental Organizations present at the meeting were the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ZOA Foundation and Mercy Corps.
