N25.7Bn Fraud: Supreme Court Upholds Six-Year Conviction Of Ex-Bank PHB MD, ATUCHE

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday, June 28, 2024 upheld the conviction and six-year sentence of the former Managing Director of the now defunct Bank PHB, Francis Atuche by the Court of Appeal, Lagos  Division over a N25.7 billion fraud.

In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel which was prepared by Justice Habeeb Abiru and delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, the apex court held that Atuche has repeatedly failed to prove beyond reasonable doubts why the concurrent judgments of the two lower courts should be tampered and upturned.

“Where the finding of a trial court on the demeanour of a witness is supported by oral and documentary evidence tendered at the trial, as in the present case, an appellate court has no business tampering with the decision of the trial court.

This court has not been given any reason to tamper with the concurrent findings of the two lower courts in this appeal, hence the appeal is totally lacking in merit, it is hereby dismissed”, the court said.

At the court of first instance,  Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos State  High Court sitting in Lagos on June 16, 2021 ruled that the EFCC had convincingly proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and subsequently sentenced Atuche to 12 years and  former Chief Financial Officer  of the defunct bank,  Ugo Anyanwu Anyanwu to 10 years imprisonment. The judge also discharged and acquitted Atuche’s wife,  Elisabeth Atuche.

In an appeal, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division affirmed the judgment  of the trial court on  June 23,  2022 with an adjustment in Atuche’s sentence to six years and Anyanwu’s sentence to eight years.

 The Court of Appeal equally upheld the discharge and acquittal of Atuche’s wife.

Atuche, along with his wife Elizabeth and former Chief Financial Officer Anyanwu were tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  on 27 -count charges  bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, stealing and money laundering.  The court found Atuche and Anyanwu guilty of 21 counts and were subsequently convicted by Justice Okunnu.

The apex court’s unanimous decision has brought to conclusion the trial of the former top banker that has spanned over thirteen years.

ANTI-GRAFT WAR: OLUKOYEDE CHARGES STUDENTS TO EMBRACE CORRUPTION-FREE  LIFESTYLE

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged youths and students   across the country to embrace corruption-free lifestyles so as to have a  firm place to stand to pursue their ambitions.

He made the call on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, while receiving students of Pure Springs International School, Kubwa, Abuja who came on a study tour of the Commission.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Head, Media and Publicity and the Spokesperson of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACE1 Dele Oyewale, charged the students that there cannot be a firm place to stand except they steer clear of corrupt practices.

According to him, corruption reduces the prospects and potentials of greatness of individuals and nations, adding that as youths and students, it is important for them to have a zero-corruption mentality so as to have a firm place to stand to rule the world.

“You can rule the world. There is no firm place to stand if there is corruption. Corruption reduces the prospects and potentials of greatness be it as an individual or a nation”

“As children, it is important to have a zero -corruption mentality so as to have a firm place to stand to rule the world and be leaders that will bring about the positive change our nation yearns for. You have all the prospects and potentials to change the narrative and pave a better way for the entire nation”, he said.

He urged them to report any form of crime, corruption and financial crimes stating that they should reject corruption in its entirety because it negates the prosperity of the country and a threat to their future.

“Whenever and wherever you see any form of economic and financial crime, reject it because it is a threat to your future and possibility. Let’s come together from this level to the highest level of growth to fight corruption. Tomorrow is assured for you if you fight corruption today. Have it at the back of your mind that you can change the world only if you stay away from corruption”, he said.

In his presentation, a staff of Cybercrime and Cyber Security Department, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Olalekan Ogunjobi, warned the students to be wary of cyber predators and bullies online and asked them to use the internet for  good purposes.

According to him, students should avoid making use of their parents’ mobile phones to send things to people or reply to strange messages.

“Don’t use your parents’ phones to send things to people, think before sending things with phones.  Bad things happen on the internet, it can ruin your career and dreams.  Protect yourselves from bullies and predators by using the internet positively and keep your personal information privately”, he said.

Head, Public Interface, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Tony Orilade spoke on how youths can avoid internet fraud.  He tasked the students to avoid internet fraud and examination malpractices by embracing integrity.

“Integrity starts with you. Do the right thing now and encourage your friends to make ethical online choices and avoid pressure to engage in internet fraud”,  he said.

He enjoined the students to always stay informed about the latest online scams to avoid being victims, adding that they should run away from evil conversations that could lead to crime and avoid anything evil irrespective of who is introducing it to them.

“Talk to trusted adults, mentors or counselors about online safety and cherish integrity”, he said.

Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, in her presentation,  assured the students and their management that the Commission will visit the school to inaugurate the EFCC’s Integrity Club and charged them to be ambassadors of  anti-corruption.

Mohammed cautioned the students against the evils of internet fraud urging them to be good citizens of Nigeria.

“There is a need for students to be anti-corruption foot soldiers and tomorrow is assured only if you fight corruption today,” she said.

EFCC Boss Raises Disciplinary Team To Look Into Case Of Assault Of Female Staff Of Regional Hotel By Two EFCC Officers

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has raised a Disciplinary Team to look into the case of two errant officers of the Commission who allegedly assaulted a female staff of Regional Hotel, Ojo,  Lagos.

The officers were sighted in a viral video assaulting the staff of the hotel in an early morning sting operation on Thursday,  June 27,  2024.

Olukoyede ordered the arrest of the two officers and has directed them to appear before a joint Disciplinary Team comprising the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee,  APDC and the Department of Ethics and Integrity.  

They are billed to appear before the Team on Monday,  July 1, 2024 at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission,  Abuja.

 The Team would look into the case of the officers and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken against them. 

Olukoyede stressed that no stone will be left unturned in getting the officers to account for their unprofessional conduct.

Source: efcc.gov.ng