The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Chima Hyginus Nkwocha, a.k.a “Young Billionaire,” for cheating by impersonation and money laundering. He was jailed on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Nkwocha was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on cheating by impersonation and money laundering. One of the counts read: “That you, Chima Hyginus Nkwocha (AKA Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown & Chettot), sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently impersonate Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown,…
Author: Kunle Edun
In its continuing efforts to sweep the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, clean of corrupt tendencies, 10 officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are being detained over investigation of some missing items involving them. The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for. Investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes Media & Publicity January 8, 2025…
In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dismissed twenty seven (27) officers from its workforce in 2024. The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE STAFF Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures. Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always…
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Thursday, December 19, 2024, upheld the conviction and sentencing of a businessman, Kolawole Adedayo Erinle, to 12 years imprisonment for $1.4m fraud. Erinle and his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, were first arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 11, 2022. Though he pleaded “not guilty”, the trial could not be concluded before the retirement of Justice Taiwo, thereby prompting the re-assignment of the case to Justice Oshodi. He was subsequently re-arraigned on October 28, 2022 before Justice Oshodi on a…
The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, REDAN, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its strides in combating money laundering and recovery of 753 duplexes and other apartments in the Lokogoma District of Abuja. This commendation was given in Abuja by the President and Chairman of Council of REDAN, Prince Akintoye Adeoye in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a copy of which was made available to the EFCC. Adeoye pointed out that the Commission was playing vital roles in combating economic crimes, money laundering and terrorism financing within the real estate sector and…
Let me use this opportunity to wish you all compliments of the season. No doubt, you have all shown great commitment to the task of fighting economic and financial crimes. Our mandate in this regard is clear and I earnestly appreciate you day- to-day adherence to its spirit and letter. To make the most of this calling, I charge you to continue your steadfast services to the nation by improving on your commitment and dedication to the works of moving the nation forward. I concede that every staff of the Commission deserves applause for their patriotic drives and selfless…
The Kano Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Commander of the EFCC, CE Ibrahim Shazali, has called upon members of the Nigerian Red Cross , Kano Branch, to exercise a high level of integrity in the management of their funds. This appeal aligns with the EFCC’s relentless efforts to combat corruption and promote ethical practices across various sectors. According to him, the critical roles that charitable organisations play in the society, especially in providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, are invaluable. “The Red Cross is at the forefront of delivering essential services during crises. Therefore,…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, December 24, 2024, arraigned a businessman, Akindele Akintoye before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on charges bordering on money laundering and contract fraud. Akintoye allegedly collected $35million from the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board to build a 2000 barrel- per -day refinery, jetty, gas plant, data centre, and tank farm at Brass Free Trade Zone, Okpoama community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He allegedly mooted the idea of the project to the Board and the NCDMB embraced it with a counterpart funding…
As Nigerians join the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has expressed hopes of a greater and better Nigeria shorn of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption. He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 while congratulating Christians as they mark the birth of Jesus Christ. The EFCC’s boss stressed that the light, joy, hope, truth and liberty that Christ brought to the world are significant drives towards zero tolerance for corruption and reform-minded pursuits. “I deeply…
A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has appealed to Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to spare him the possession of a landed property in the Maitama district as one of the conditions for bail. Bello made the plea on Thursday, December 19, 2024, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN. He argued that obtaining Certificates of Occupancy and other title documents for properties in Maitama is challenging due to the peculiarities of the area. “My Lord, most people who may be willing to stand as sureties are reluctant to part…
Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, convicted and sentenced a businesswoman, Oluremi Phillips to 17 years imprisonment for N57,690,000 ( Fifty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety Naira) fraud. Philips was previously standing trial before Justice S.O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, following her arraignment on January 27, 2022. However, the trial could not be concluded before the retirement of Justice Solebo in November 2022, a development that resulted in the re-assigning of the case file to Justice Ijelu. She was on May 22,…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Department of State Service, DSS, have reiterated their commitment to strengthening the existing collaboration between them to ensure the success of the fight against corruption. This was the main thrust of the discussion between the Director, Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Harry Erin, and the Kwara State Director, of the Department of the State Services, DSS, Michael Oganwu, when the latter visited the EFCC office, Ilorin on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 on a familiarization visit. The DSS boss stated that he came to familiarize himself with heads of security and…
Justices A.A Bello, A.Isiaka and Murtala .J. Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna have convicted and sentenced nine persons to various jail terms for fraud. The convicts are: Yaya Babatunde (a.k.a Kay Lenea), Sule Onyegefu Isaac, Alaba Peter (a.k.a Mane Julia), Obedient Charles (a.k.a Paul Cravey), Isaac Henry, Muhammad Adam Muhammed (a.k.a Hannah Alesia Boltz), Richie Olagunju Bolaji Waris (a.k.a Gina Mclaurin), John Nanyak Peter Haruna (a.k.a Anna Moon) and Frank Phillip Praise (Brown Jamal). They were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges that…
Justices Aminu Garba and Aisha A. Ibrahim of the Federal High Court 1 and 2 sitting in Bauchi , Bauchi State have convicted and sentenced 17 internet fraudsters to various jail terms, even as Justice Ahmed Isa of the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola equally jailed another internet fraudster. The convict’s are : Fumi Joshua , Nathan Timothy Aruku, Femi Johnson Adelowo, Chimieze Alajemba , Jeremiah Pam Samuel, Emmanuel Shadrach , Ibrahim Yusuf, Shikaan Martin’s , Mishack Daniel , Jerry Moses , Joseph Yagat Baye, Emmanuel pontiff. Others are: Godiya Simon , Noble Max , Perfect Nuhu…
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, December 12, 2024 arraigned the duo of Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, staff of one of the new generation banks, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State for allegedly selling newly-minted N500, 000. 00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). They were arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on currency racketeering to the tune of N500, 000. 00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). The lone count charge reads: “That you, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, sometime in October…
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the Commission, in a landmark raid, arrested 792 suspects for their alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scam. The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in a surprise operation at their hideout, an imposing seven-storey edifice known as Big Leaf Building, on No.7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos , following verifiable intelligence received by the Commission. Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Commission, Olukoyede stated that 148…
Stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight have joined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in calling for increased youths’ involvement in the fight against corruption. The calls were made recently at a high-level seminar, organized by the Inter-Agency Task Team, IATT, in collaboration with the European Union , EU, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , UNODC, MacArthur Foundation, and Centre for Democracy and Development , CDD, to mark the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day. Speaking at the seminar themed “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, December 16, 2024, re-arraigned a former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche, on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony and forgery before Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Atuche alongside Nnosiri Joachim, a.k.a Ifeanyi, and Uguru Onyike had first been arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru, who has now been upgraded as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. The case consequently started de novo before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, who has now been…
Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City and Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba between December 10 and 12 convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms The convicts are Precious Okeleke, Austine Iwuner, Saint Felix, Ododo Mathias, Idahosa Kelvin, Bankole Adaranijo, Owie Osasenago Stephen. They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission. The charge against Okeleke reads: “That you Precious…
A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on December 13, 2024, apologized to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for failing to appear in court for his trial. Bello, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN, expressed regret for any perceived disrespect toward the court. “My lord, I am apologizing on behalf of the defendant for any perceived disrespect toward the court in the past,” he said. Addressing the court, the defence counsel clarified that the defendant’s earlier actions were not intended as contempt. “For the record, my lord, I wish to apologize for any…