The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) convened on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to devise fresh strategies aimed at propelling Nigeria towards its departure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List. The genesis of these strategies stemmed from a courtesy visit by Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, Director and Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, to Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, at the Commission’s headquarters. Bakari, in her address, underscored the significance of the visit, citing a shared history and the imperative to forge stronger ties in confronting the FATF challenge.…
Author: Adewale A.
We urge WhatsApp users to remain vigilant following reports of scammers infiltrating accounts and soliciting money from the contacts of their victims. This concerning trend highlights the importance of exercising caution and implementing security measures to safeguard personal information and finances. The modus operandi of these scammers typically involves gaining unauthorized access to a user’s WhatsApp account, either through phishing attacks, malware, or other deceptive means. Once inside, they exploit the trust established with the victim’s contacts by sending messages requesting financial assistance. These messages often portray a fabricated emergency or crisis, compelling recipients to act swiftly without verifying the…
Providing affordable, eco-friendly cooking solutions for millions of Nigerians is the goal of a finalist for a research award worth £100,000. Kenneth Uche, 28 from Lagos, Nigeria, is one of nine entrepreneurs set to be considered for the University of Reading’s just IMAGINE if… award. The Just IMAGINE If… award, held every two years, invites forward thinkers to submit their sustainable business ideas for evaluation by renowned entrepreneurs and social innovators. The winner receives a substantial award of £100,000 for research and business support from the University of Reading and the Henley Business School. Smokeless Briqs Energy Solutions was created…
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction and sentencing of Bose Lateef before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, March 15, 2024, for her involvement in money racketeering. Lateef was arraigned by the EFCC on a charge related to Naira Racketeering under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act. The charge detailed her activities, accusing her of hawking Naira notes totalling N269,000 in N500 denominations at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos. Upon being presented with the charge, Lateef pleaded guilty, prompting the EFCC’s counsel,…
In a significant development in the fight against cybercrime, Justices Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court and Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, both seated in Ilorin, handed down verdicts on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, convicting and sentencing eight individuals involved in internet fraud to varying prison terms. These individuals, amongst a group of 48 students from Kwara State University (KWASU) and two Malete residents, were apprehended during a coordinated sting operation conducted by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The convicted fraudsters include Afolabi Habeeb…
Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has underscored the importance of bolstering local capacities to foster growth within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Speaking during a Courtesy Visit from top executives of ExxonMobil at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Olukoyede emphasised the critical role of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria’s developmental aspirations. Olukoyede highlighted the need for local capacities to be strengthened to fully harness the potential of the industry and align with national interests. He stressed the significance of technology transfer and the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought forward a significant case against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for alleged money laundering offences amounting to N84 billion. The quartet appeared before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to face an amended 17-count charge. Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented an application for the amendment of charges against the defendants, seeking to include Yahaya Bello in the trial. Despite objections from counsels representing Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman, the judge granted the prosecution’s…
In a significant operation targeting cybercriminal activities, operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended 57 individuals suspected of internet fraud in Benin City. The arrests, made on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at various locations within Benin City, were facilitated by actionable intelligence regarding the suspects’ involvement in internet-related offences. Among the items recovered from the suspects were 12 exotic cars, comprising four Mercedes-Benz GLK, two Mercedes-Benz C300, one Mercedes-Benz 350, four Lexus ES350, and one Lexus RX330. Additionally, laptops and mobile phones were seized as part of the operation. The swift…
The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented Onwe Onyedika Prince before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu, on charges related to internet fraud. Prince faces a three-count charge, including possession of fraudulent documents and fraudulent impersonation. One of the counts alleges that between January and July 2022 in Enugu, Prince, with intent to defraud, possessed a document containing false pretences in which he assumed the identity of one Jamie Johnson. This action is said to contravene Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences…
The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The charges brought against Ikeaghichi stem from allegations of impersonating an Afghan soldier and defrauding individuals through false pretences. Ikeaghichi faces trial on two-count charges under Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006. The charges outline his alleged involvement in impersonating military personnel from Afghanistan and deceiving an individual into providing $1000 worth of gift cards…
In a significant operation targeting cybercriminal activities, operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended a barber and eleven individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud. The arrests, conducted on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, were the result of credible intelligence gathered by the EFCC. The suspects were apprehended based on substantial evidence suggesting their participation in internet-related offences, marking a crucial step in the fight against cybercrime in the region. Among the items seized during the operation were sophisticated mobile phones, laptops, and WiFi routers, believed to have…
In a decisive move against illicit financial activities, the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought three individuals to face charges for operating illegal bureau de change businesses. Mustapha Abatcha, Adam Mohammed, and Mohammed Ali stood before Justice Jude K. Dagat of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday, March 14, 2024, to answer for their alleged offences. Each defendant faced a separate one-count charge for engaging in bureau de change operations without the requisite license. The charges highlighted the contravention of Sections 57 and 59(5) of the Banks and Other Financial…
The Sokoto Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Jamilu Nabunkari and Bashar Sani before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court. The accusations revolve around the alleged fraudulent acquisition of N2,900,000 (Two Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) through a land scam. Nabunkari and Sani were arraigned on two-count charges, both stemming from obtaining funds under false pretences. The charges levelled against them include conspiracy to commit an illegal act and the fraudulent obtaining of funds from Lawali Tukur Faru through false representation of land sale. The first count detailed the…
Oyo and Ogun courts have delivered decisive blows against cybercrime, with Justices A.L. Akintola, O.A. Lajide, and O.A. Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, alongside Justice B.B. Adebowale of the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta, handing down convictions to sixteen individuals involved in internet fraud. Additionally, Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan played a significant role in these legal proceedings. The convicted individuals, after pleading guilty to separate one-count charges, faced arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Among those sentenced were Arode Opeyemi Amos,…
Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi stands at the helm of the Department of State Services (DSS) with a reputation for integrity, firmness, and dedication. As the Director General of the DSS, Bichi has exhibited numerous commendable characteristics that have not only defined his leadership style but have also shaped the institution he leads. One of Bichi’s most notable qualities is his unwavering stance against corruption. With zero tolerance for corrupt practices, he has implemented stringent measures to ensure that the DSS operates with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Under his leadership, the agency has become a beacon of integrity…
Landed properties have proven to be one of the most visible indicators of personal wealth. As they are easily identified and immovable, it makes generating revenue from them relatively easy for both landlords and governments. In most OECD countries, property taxes account for 1-2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while in other countries collection amounts to only 0.1 – 0.2% of their GDP. Revenue potentials from the property-related taxes include Land Use Charges, Capital Gains Tax, Withholding Tax on rental Income, Personal Income on Rental Income, Stamp Duties, Building Plan Approvals, Ratification and regularisation fees. Although Nigeria’s real estate…
Ogoni is one of the world’s most celebrated cases of state-sponsored repression. Against all odds, the people have persevered in the search for justice, equity and basic freedoms deserving of all humanity. Indeed, it has been a painful account that in our own country, our government ordered a military crackdown that left some 4,000 people dead, and thousands of others went through torture, rape, and brutal detentions which were supervised by Major Paul Okuntimo, the commander of the military task force at the time. Trouble started in 1958 when the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s subsidiary of…
Honourable Dr Sikirulai Ogundele, the former Chairman of Ifo Local Government and Chairman/CEO of Neugate Hotels, Abeokuta, will be conferred with the chieftaincy title of Obalumore of Owu Kingdom by His Royal Majesty, Oba Prof Saka Ademilola Matemilola FNSE, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom. The installation ceremony will take place at the Oke Ago Owu Palace, Abeokuta, on February 22, 2024, at 10.00 am. The chieftaincy honour bestowed on Hon Ogundele is in recognition of his immense contribution to the peace and development of the Owu Kingdom and Ogun State in general.
In a decisive ruling, Justice Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Court delivered a verdict on February 12, 2024, that sentenced Isiyaku Dahiru and his company, Zafran and Brothers Investment Limited, to twelve months imprisonment for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme amounting to N3.5 million. The conviction stemmed from charges brought forward by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), centred on allegations of cheating and fraudulent conversion. The accused were charged with dishonestly obtaining N3.5 million from Usman Ahmad under false pretences, purportedly for the purchase of 700 bags of salt. Upon…
In a proactive move against cybercrime, operatives from the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, with the arrest of 14 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud. The arrests took place at a purported “Yahoo Academy” operating discreetly within a residential area along Achusa Road in Makurdi, Benue State. Acting on actionable intelligence, EFCC operatives raided a three-bedroom apartment believed to be serving as a training centre for potential internet fraudsters. The suspects, identified as Asongu Terungwa, Aese Sonter, Nyoosu Terungwa, John Kator, Udi Micheal Aodona,…