EFCC Arraigns Director For N157m Contract Fraud
The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, arraigned one Esther Tombara Krukrubo, a director of Priko Nigeria Ltd and her Company, Priko Nigeria Ltd, before Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to the post on the EFCC official website, they were arraigned on eight-count charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining One Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million Naira by false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. 2006 and punishable under Section (1) (3) of the same Act.”
One of the counts read: “That you, Esther Tombara Krukrubo, Priko Nigeria Ltd, Ridge Koripamo (at large) sometimes in May, 2021 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did obtain the sum of One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000.00) from one Tupere Bruno by false pretence under the guise of execution of contracts awarded by Fullview Management Ltd and National Agricultural Mechanization Cooperative Society (NAMCS), which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
Another Count read: “That you, Esther Tombara Krukrubo, Priko Nigeria Ltd., Ridge Koripamo (at large) sometimes in May, 2021 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did directly take possession of the sum of Fifty Seven Million Naira (N57,000,000.00) which you reasonably ought to know that the money is obtained by false pretence from one Tupere Bruno purportedly for the execution of contracts awarded by Fullview Management Ltd and National Agricultural Mechanization Cooperative Society (NAMCS), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended and punishable under 15(3) of the same Act”.
They however, pleaded “not guilty” to the eight-count charges preferred against them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, I. Agwu prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and to remand the defendant.
Justice Mohammed ordered that, the 1st defendant be remanded in prosecution’s custody pending an application for her bail by her counsel.
The matter was adjourned till April 8, 2022 for hearing of bail application and continuation of trial.
Esther ran into trouble when the Commission received a petition alleging that she conspired alongside her company, Ridge koripamo (her father) who is at large and defrauded her victim of the above sum of money through a phony contract deal.
It was also revealed that the complainant transferred monies to the defendants in tranches of One Hundred Million Naira (N100, 000,000.00) and Fifty Seven Million Naira (N57, 000,000.00), into her company’s account domiciled in Wema Bank.
Army, Police, FRSC in Closer Synergy With EFCC
The Commanding Officer, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Brigadier General MN Inuwa has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on its professionalism, assuring that the existing synergy between the Army and the Commission would be strengthened.
He gave the commendation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Thursday, March 17, 2022, when the Uyo Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Bawa Hamidu paid him a Courtesy Visit in his office. Gen Inuwa called for enhanced knowledge sharing, and sensitization between the Army and EFCC, stressing that such an arrangement would enhance better working relationships between the two organisations.
“I feel more comfortable handing over arrested trucks and suspects to the EFCC, it makes things easier for us. I also think we should have a sensitization session to deepen mutual understanding between the two agencies”, he said.
In a related development, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew has also commended the EFCC on its “excellent and impeccable working relationship with its partners and sister agencies”.
“We must all continue to work together, because it’s the only way to ensure that Nigerians are not deprived of their rights”, he said.
On his own part, the Akwa Ibom Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Matthew O. Olonisaye on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, lauded the EFCC on its professionalism and positive collaboration with other agencies in the performance of its duties. He gave the commendation when Hamidu called on him in his office. “Thank you for doing your work professionally, and ensuring that people, even the ‘big men’ do not keep doing what they are not supposed to do. We will continue to partner with you”, he said.
