EFCC Seizes One Million Dollar Raw Cash In Alex Badeh’s Mansion In Maitama Abuja,Trial Begins Today

 Alex Badeh's Mansion

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered $1m cash from one of the houses belonging to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh(retd.), The PUNCH has learnt.

 Following a tip off by some Bureau De Change operators in Abuja, EFCC operatives stormed the mansion of the former Chief Of Defense Staff at #6 Ogun Rivers Street in Maitama District Abuja.

According to the EFCC, the raw $million cash was found in one of his rooms.

Alex Badeh’s trial begins today.

EFCC is Now a Toothless Bulldog - Obasanjo Blast

 rFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has attacked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which was founded during his egime, calling it a toothless bulldog.

Speaking during his 79th birthday celebration held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday March 5th, Obasanjo said

"Honestly, when Nuhu was handling EFCC, he handled it in such a way that people coined the saying that ‘the fear of Nuhu Ribadu is the beginning of wisdom ‘ and then the question you will ask is, how did we go down? How did we lose that? Nuhu Ribadu is still here, he’s still alive. The institution we started together is still there, but what made the institution to become a toothless bulldog? That’s the matter we have to keep looking at, so that we don’t take two steps forward, one step aside and three steps back.”

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EFCC Arrests Governor Okorocha's Aides For Allegedly Pocketing N2bn Bailout Fund

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on Wednesday, March 2nd, arrested three top officials of Imo State government for allegedly diverting the sum of N2billion bailout fund given to the state by the Federal Government for payment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants.

According to the statement by EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects are: Dr. Obi Paschal Chigozie, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Imo State, Uzoho Casmir, Director of Finance and Iheoma Kenneth, Treasurer.

He added that their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the said money which revealed that, the cashier had made cash withdrawal of N456.532m between September 3, 2015 and October 10, 2015 from the Government House account domiciled in Zenith Bank.

"It was revealed that, the said amount was given to an aide of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, following approval and directive by the Principal Secretary to the Governor." Uwajaren stated.

The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, the EFCC statement said.

EFCC Seizes N5bn Houses of Ex-NAF Chief, Amosu, Others

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has seized houses and other properties said to be owned by the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), and other senior military officers worth as much as N5billion.

The properties, which were seized in the Ikoyi, Ikeja and Badagry areas of Lagos, allegedly belonged to Amosu; the immediate past Chief of Accounts and Budgeting of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal J.B. Adigun; and Air Commodore O. O. Gbadebo, who was the Director of Finance and Budget at NAF.

A senior EFCC official revealed that the suspects and others are now cooperating fully with the anti-graft agency after seeing real evidence.

The source, who spoke to PUNCH in Abuja, said, “We have sealed a block of 12 luxury flats, located on Agodogba Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, belonging to Adigun. It is worth over N1.7bn. The same Adigun also owns another block of luxury flats on Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. It is worth N1.8bn.

“A parcel of land, located on Bourdillon Drive, Ikoyi, worth N908m, belonging to Adigun has also been seized by the EFCC operatives.”

The source added that six other properties had been traced to Adigun, including a set of four terrace houses on Agede Street, off Aminu Kano in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja.

He stated that the properties traced to Amosu were located in the Ikeja area of Lagos metropolis.

The operative said apart from the buildings, Amosu’s vehicles had also been confiscated by the anti-graft agency.

He added, “Amosu confessed to owning an ultra-modern hospital on Adeniyi Jones Avenue in Ikeja. The hospital, St Solomon Health Care Limited, which is worth about N85m, has been sealed off.

“A house located on Adeyemo Alakija Street, GRA Ikeja, near the Ghanaian High Commission, which belongs to Amosu has also been sealed. It is worth over N200m.

“Amosu, who is from Badagry, also built a house in the area. That house has also been sealed off. I cannot state the worth of the house for now.

“We have also seized a bulletproof Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle and a Toyota Avalon, belonging to Amosu. He is cooperating with us.”

The detective said six other properties had been traced to Amosu, including in Harmony Estate in Abuja.

The EFCC source said a block of flats, belonging to Gbadebo, had also been seized.

“Gbadebo was the assistant to Adigun. He is also helping with investigation. He owns a block of eight two-bedroomed flats in a border town between Lagos and Ogun states. He also has a fish pond in the compound. The building has also been sealed off,” he said.

Till date, EFCC detectives are still tracing and sealing off other properties.

Amosu and over 10 senior officers are being probed by the EFCC as part of investigations into the $2.1bn arms scam, especially the 10 contracts of the NAF, said to be worth $930,500,690.00.

Also, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, is still with EFCC.

Revered Lawyer Ricky Tarfa, SAN, Arrested by EFCC

 Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the most respected lawyers in Nigeria, Ricky Tarfa, was reportedly arrested by the EFCC yesterday evening Friday Feb. 5th at the premises of the Lagos High Court in Igbosere, Lagos Island, for alleged obstruction of justice.

EFCC Spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest to Channels TV, said Mr. Tarfa was arrested for allegedly trying to prevent the anti-graft agency from arresting his clients, a Beninois national, Granhoue Sourou Nazaire and his Nigerian lawyer, who were on trial for offenses bordering on forgery and conspiracy.

The accused, who were already on bail, appeared in court yesterday and when EFCC tried to re-arrest them, their lawyer, Ricky tried to prevent it. Mr Uwujaren said ongoing investigations necessitated the re-arrest of the two foreigners, but Mr Tarfa allegedly hid them in his car from about 12:00 noon till about 5:00 pm before they eventually nabbed him and his clients.

EFCC Raids Former Vice President Namadi Sambo’s Office(Report)

 After been placed on the list of those to be probed for arms purchase, and also investigated for his role as the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation in the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, where he was the number 2 man of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Saturday also raided an office complex belonging to Mr Sambo which is located near the National Defence College along Herbert Macaulay Way, and made away some documents although nobody was arrested.

Mr Sambo and his then direct boss are yet to be implicated in any crime, but then investigations are still on going.

Arms Deal Probe : EFCC Traces N4.8billion to Obanikoro’s Children

 Former Defence Minister Musiliu Obanikoro's two children, Babajide and Gbolahan Obanikoro are currently been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Sources at the anti- graft agency disclosed that N4,745,000,000.00 was traced to a company, Sylvan McNamara Limited, in which they both have investments in.

The money was allegedly paid into the company’s account with Diamond bank over a period of time from the Office of the National Security Adviser account with the CBN. According to the source, all the transfers took place between June and December 2014,which was during the Ekiti state governorship election.

N200 million was allegedly transferred into  Sylvan McNamara’s account on June 5, 2015, while N2billion was also wired into the account from the CBN/ Imprest Main account on June 16, 2015. Another transfer of N700 million went into the account on July 7, 2014, while N1billion was credited into the account on July 30, 2014.

Other transfers included: N160 million on August 8, 2014; N225 million on August 22, 2014; N200 million  on November 14, 2014 and N200 million on December 5, 2014.

Both Gbolahan and Babajide Obanikoro, were allegedly directors of the company and were also signatories to its account until 2014 when one Olalekan Ogunseye was made the sole signatory to the account. EFCC sources disclosed that the payments to the company from the office of the National Security Adviser were made without any contract.