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Alleged 52.9m fraud: Court gives EFCC go ahead to freeze 67 bank accounts
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after the EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion ex-parte, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1895/V/2024, was filed by Miracle Anameze.
The motion sought an order empowering the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, or any other officer of the commission empowered by him to instruct the managing directors of the banks to stop all outward payment, operations, or transaction (including any bill of exchange) in respect of the bank accounts pending the conclusion of investigation.
When the matter was called, the anti-graft lawyer informed the court that the application was dated Dec. 16 and filed Dec. 17.
“Our motion prays for an order of this honourable court freezing the bank accounts as stated in the scheduled attached.
“There are three grounds attached,” she said.
Babatunde urged the court to grant the application.
Justice Nwite then asked the lawyer for how long will the investigation take and she said 90 days.
The judge, who held that the application was meritorious, granted the prayer.
He adjourned the matter until March 24 for mention.
NAN reports that in the three grounds of argument, the lawyer said the court was empowered to grant reliefs sought.
She said the bank accounts in respect of which the order was sought contained proceeds of crime and there is need to prevent the dissipation of the funds.
She said the accounts in respect of which the reliefs were sought were subject matter of investigation by the EFCC.
In the affidavit deposed to by Ikenna Chukwueze, an investigator attached to the EFCC’s Procurement Fraud Section, the officer said he was part of the team assigned to investigate the matter.
He said the commission received a criminal petition on Oct. 17, 2023, accompanied with the statement of account of Advance Development Services Engineering Limited (ADSEL) and signed by one Barr. Nnamdi Micheal Ogobuchi on behalf of ADSEL and Mr Dollah Kingsley Nnamdi against Taiwo Abubakar Oluwajuwon and Heasy Enterprises.
He said the petition alleged the offence of internet related fraud, conspiracy and unauthorised withdrawal involving the sum of N52,99 1,000.00 (fifty two million, nine hundred and ninety-one thousand naira.”
Chukwueze said the team commenced a discreet and thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the petition.
According to him, the preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the petitioner operates a corporate naira account no 10277491959 with VFD Microfinance Bank.
He said on Oct. 16, 2023, the petitioner’s corporate account was compromised wherein the sum of N50 million was withdrawn from the account in fast succession to an account domiciled with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank with account name, Heasy Enterprises; 8220378843 owned by Oluwajuwon.
“Flowing from the details of investigation above, the applicant (EFCC) quickly wrote letter of investigation activities to Moniepoint Microfinance Bank requesting for the statement of account of Heasy Enterprises with account no 8220378843 belonging to one Abubakar Taiwo Oluwajuwon.
“The statement of account of Heasy Enterprises confirming the receipt of the said sum of N50, 000,000 (fifty million naira) is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 2.
“Upon analysis of exhibit EFCC 2, it was discovered that the suspect Taiwo Abubakar, the account holder of exhibit EFCC 2, transferred part of the money fraudulently received to different individuals whose names and accounts appears in the schedule attached to the face of this application,” he said.
He said investigation into exhibit EFCC 2 further revealed that Oluwajuwon on receipt of the proceeds of his unlawful act, transferred the sum of N19,990,000 from his business name account (Heasy Enterprises) to one Litano Pro Limited Resources with acct no 6355725703.
“The account statement of one Litano Pro Limited Resources confirming the receipt of the sum is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 3.
“Further investigation and analysis of exhibit EFCC 2 revealed that the suspect one Abubakar Taiwo, on receipt of the proceeds of his unlawful act transferred the sum of N11,000.00 (eleven million naira) to one Nwezeocha E-N Enterprises with acct no 6342170336.
“The statement of account of Nwezeocha E-N Enterprises is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 4.
“Further investigation and analysis of exhibit EFCC 2 revealed that the suspect, one Abubakar Taiwo, on receipt of the proceeds of his unlawful act transferred the sum of N11,440,000.00 (eleven million, four hundred and forty thousand naira and N10,000.000 (ten million naira) to one Chigozle Okpala with acct no 6395639693.
“The account statement of Chigozie Okpala is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 50.
“Further investigation and analysis of exhibit EFCC 2 revealed that the suspect, one Abubakar Talwo transferred the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten million naira) to one Chukwudalu Jude Owulu,” he said.
The Investigator said based on the foregoing, a BVN search was conducted on them, which revealed the multiple accounts they maintained as seen in the schedule attached to the application, hence the need for the order to enable the commission conclude investigation.
The officer said the order was necessary to preserve the monies that had been paid into the accounts as contained In the schedule to the application pending the conclusion of investigation.
The 67 accounts are domiciled in Union Bank, Stanbic Bank, GTBank, Wema Bank, OPAY, Zenith Bank, KUDA, UBA, FCMB, Moniepoint, Keystone Bank, Access Bank, Providus Bank, Globus Bank, Polaris Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, TAJ Bank, First Bank, PALMPAY, VFD Microfinance Bank, etc.(NAN)
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.