EFCC, DSS To Enhance Cooperation In Intelligence Sharing…As NCS, NPF Assure Support

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Department of State Services, DSS, have reiterated their commitment to partner more closely in sharing of intelligence in a bid to tackle the menace of corruption and economic and financial crimes.

This was made known recently when the Lagos Zonal Commander of EFCC, Michael T. Wetkas, paid courtesy visits to the offices of the Director, DSS, Base Command, Damana Kamba, and the State Director, M.S. Waziri.

Wetkaz said the essence of the visits was to familiarize himself with the DSS leadership in the state, with a view to deepening the existing partnership and collaboration between the two agencies.

The EFCC Lagos Zonal Commander, during the visit to Kamba, sought greater support in the sustained fight against economic and financial crimes and corruption in the state.

While assuring the Commission of the needed support, Kamba stated that “There is a convergence between our responsibilities and yours. Our products can enhance your operation. We can carry out joint operations to enhance the effective coverage of Lagos. We pledge our support. Anywhere you have challenges, don’t hesitate to approach us. We are ready. We will continue to render intelligence where possible on some of the areas that need attention. By doing so, we will be able to minimize some of the areas that have always given us a bad name.”

Also, Wetkas during the familiarization visit to Waziri, said: “In service, nobody can do it alone. We thought it necessary to come see you today and thank you for what you have been doing for us.”

In his response, Waziri stated that synergy was crucial to national security, adding that “We share intelligence; and together, we can make a difference.

“It is our responsibility. We have no basis to sever that relationship. Hosting you is not a favour. We are working for the betterment of the country. You will see support, partnership and cooperation. Synergy is important for national security.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC has also sought greater collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, as well as the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, in the fight against corruption in the country.

Speaking recently during a courtesy visit to the office of the Controller of Corrections, NCS, Lagos Command, B.R. Freedman, the Lagos Zonal Commander of EFCC, ACE 1 Michael T. Wetkas, said: “We are here to continue with our existing relationship and friendship. The collaboration is key. Without it, we can’t achieve anything.

“Your service is important because it is for the overall security of the country and we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria is safe for us all.”

In his response, Freedman said: “We are aware of the existing relationship. We are serving the Federal Government and our loyalty is to the government”.

The Controller seized the opportunity to solicit the support of the EFCC in areas of training and orientation for staff of the correctional service as well as the inmates in custody.

Wetkas, during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, expressed hope that the existing relationship between the Commission and the Nigeria Police would be sustained for a better Nigeria.

Responding, Owohunwa commended the EFCC for the giant strides it had achieved in Nigeria and in the international community.

According to him, “You have projected the image of the country within the global space. You are not just a criminal investigation unit, you also have a role in stabilising the economy and diplomatic status.

“Today, you have become a huge establishment. And it is because of young, very visionary and patriotic officers.”

Owohunwa also assured the Commission of continuous support, saying, “If you need to go on any operations and require more security to protect your facility, please feel free to call us. And if your officers find themselves in any threat, do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

Ex-Banker Bags 7 Years Imprisonment For N10m Fraud In Ilorin

Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin has sentenced a Former Banker, Ajiboye Tunde Aremu to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine for obtaining money by false pretense.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had on February 17, 2020, arraigned Ajiboye on one count charge of obtaining money by false pretence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The charge against him reads: “That you, Ajiboye Tunde Aremu ‘M’ sometime in December 2016 at Ilorin, within the judicial division of the High Court with intent to defraud, did obtain from One Medinat Olansile Shagaya the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) with the pretence that the money will be put in fixed deposit which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and the went into full trial. The prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja called 3 witnesses to prove the charge against the defendant.

Delivering judgement on the matter today, Justice Akinpelu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and pronounced Ajiboye guilty as charged.

Justice Akinpelu sentenced the defendant to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine and ordered that he (Ajiboye) restitute the sum of Eight Million Naira to the victim.

The convict began his journey to prison when the Commission received a petition alleging that the convict while working as a Banker with a new generation bank received the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) for placement in a fixed deposit account but diverted the money for his personal use.

In another development, Justice Akinpelu also sentenced one Adeniyi Damilare to six months imprisonment each on two counts bordering on cheating by personation.

The Court however gave him an option of fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on each count and ordered that the phone and laptop which he used to perpetrate the crime as well as the sum of $105 which he raised as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Alleged N3bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s Nephew Till May 30

The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu has fixed May 30 and 31 for continuation of the trial of Ali Bello, a nephew to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over a N3 billion fraud.

Bello was arraigned alongside two others at the Federal High Court on 18 charges of money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.

The two other co-defendants are: Abba Adauda, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat. Another defendant, Rashida Bello, is at large.

When the matter was called on Tuesday, the Prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, called the first witness Mr. Nicholas Oyemomoni of the American International School, Abuja.

Oyemomoni, however, could not complete his testimony because the defence team, led by Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, objected to documents, which the EFCC sought to tender in evidence through him.

Mr. Aliyu prayed the court to allow him raise the objection in his final written address while admitting the documents provisionally.

The prosecuting counsel objected to this on the grounds that the documents could not be provisionally admitted.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter until May 30 and 31, 2023, for continuation of trial.

It would also be recalled that the court admitted Bello and three others to bail on February 20, 2023, in the sum of N500 million.