EFCC, PAGMI Warn Artisanal Gold Miners, Dealers Against Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) on Tuesday August 3, 2021, reiterated the need for continuous education and enlightenment of artisanal gold miners and gold sellers in view of their susceptibility and vulnerability to being used to perpetrate acts of money laundering.

Mrs. Ibinabo Mary Amachree of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML Abuja who represented the Director of SCUML, Daniel Isei, stated this in a keynote address at a one-day sensitization/ town hall meeting in Kaduna for artisanal gold miners and sellers.

According to her, the programme is expected to scrutinize and sanitize the operations of stakeholders in the gold mining and trading sector as they are vulnerable to activities of promoters terrorists financing and persons involved in the diversion of stolen public funds.

The representative of the Commissioner, Kaduna State Ministry of Environment, Caleb Solomon Guruza, described the theme for the event as apt in view of the current security and economic challenges in the country. He called on all stakeholders to effectively collaborate to curb the menace of money laundering which also fuels terrorism.

Highlights of the event is a lecture delivered by Mr. Matthew Enu on AML/CFT Measures/Vulnerabilities for Dealers in Precious Stones, Metal and Jewelries.

Two Docked for Fraud in Maiduguri

The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 arraigned one Ali Lawan Kadai before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a one-count charge of misappropriation of fund to the tune of N13, 000, 000.00 (Thirteen Million Naira), an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State of Nigeria and punishable under Section 312 of the same law.

The defendant allegedly diverted the sum meant for the supply of foods items to a Non-Governmental Organization, ‘‘Save The Children’’, to personal use.

The charge reads: ‘‘That you, Ali Lawan Kadai, sometimes in January 2019 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit; N13, 000, 000.00 (Thirteen Million Naira) by Umar Goni Mohammed for a supply of foods stuffs to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) (Save The Children), did dishonestly misappropriates the entire sum of N13, 000, 000.00 (Thirteen Million Naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State of Nigeria and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.’’

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Upon his plea, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in the Correctional Centre.

The defence counsel however asked a short date to file application for the bail of his client.

Justice Kumaliya adjourned the matter till September 9, 2021 for hearing and commencement of trial.

She ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional facility.

In a similar development, one Bulama Ba’ana was today arraigned before Justice Kumaliya on a one-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N300, 000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).

The offence is 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 is alleged to have obtained the said sum under the guise of selling a plot of land to the victim.

The charge reads: ‘‘That you Bulama Ba’ana, sometimes in March 2019 at Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did obtained the gross sum of N300, 000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only from Abubakar Mala under the pretence that the Money represent payment for a plot of land measuring 50ftx100ft laying and situate at Masamalam District Maisandari ward Maiduguri, Borno State, which 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 when read to him.

Upon his plea, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed asked the court for trial date and to remand the defendant in the Correctional Centre pending the determination of the case.

Justice Kumaliya adjourned the matter till September 9, 2021 for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

EFCC Hands Over Recovered N191, 000 to Victim of Fraud in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today August 3, 2021 handed the sum of N191, 000 (One Hundred and One Thousand Naira) to one Mrs Lillian Okonkwo Anibogu, a nurse and victim of fraud.

Anibogu in January 2021 was robbed of her phone and ATM cards in a bus. The suspects were apprehended by the Police in Ishieke, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, following report by a Point of Sale Operator who grew suspicious of their activities. They were subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.

Upon conclusion of investigation, the suspects: Victor Adogu (aka Adogu Oluebube), Onuoha Emeka and Amadi Chibuike Anthony were successfully prosecuted before Justice F.O G Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a five count charge bordering on stealing and manipulation of a Point of Sale terminal (POS) with intent to defraud one Anibogu Lillian to the tune of about N191, 000(One Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand Naira Only).

The Zonal Commander, Oshodi Johnson while presenting the cheques, reiterated the fact that the EFCC exist for the good of the people. “The EFCC is for everybody and we will do all it takes to ensure that victims of fraud do not cry forever as far as it lies within the Commission’s mandate”. He warned all those who engage in various forms of fraud to desist as they will certainly face the full wrath of the law.

After receiving the cheques, Mrs. Anibogu expressed gratitude to the Commission for helping her recover the money. “I am so happy and grateful to the EFCC for their efforts in making sure that I smile here today. Honestly, I never believed that this money will ever come back to me but I thank God for the EFCC for being the hope of the common people like me” she said.