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Kano Emirate Council alleged fraud: Anti-graft agency’s investigation Interim Report

Below is the full Interim Report of investigation by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission as obtained exclusively by NAN. Highlights of the 19 page document includes the indictment of individuals, amounts involved, obstruction of investigation by suspects and recommendations.

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF INVESTIGATION IN RESPECT OF PETITION OF

FINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION AGAINST KANO STATE EMIRATE

COUNCIL UNDER THE PRESENT EMIR MUHAMMADU SANUSI II

INTRODUCTION

The Commission is in receipt of a complaint filed by Concern Friends of Kano

Emirate dated 28th March, 2017 on allegation of Financial Misappropriation

by Kano Emirate Council under the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. The

petitioners raised some allegations bordering on spending the funds without

due regards to due process. They alleged that, the Emir (Muhammadu Sanusi

II) engaged in indiscriminate spending without regards to due process and

the rule of law.
In the exercise of its powers under the provisions of Section 9 of the Kano

State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as

amended) the Commission launched an investigation into the allegation and

in conformity with the provisions of Section 15(2) and (3) of the Commission’s

enabling law wish to forward the preliminary report of the investigation to

the Government. The opinion of the Commission is that disciplinary action

be taken before further legal action.

FACTS OF THE CASE

The case was initially filed before the Commission by Concern Friends of

Kano Emirate on allegation of Financial Misappropriation by Kano Emirate

Council under the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. In their petition they raised

some allegations bordering on spending the funds without regards to due

process. They alleged that, the Emir (Muhammadu Sanusi II) spent over

Three Hundred and Sixty Million (N360,000,000.00) only in the provision

of CCTV in the Emir’s Palace. This is in addition to expenditures on hotels,

chartered aircraft and many more which petitioners alleged to be well over

Four Billion Naira.

INVESTIGATION

The investigation commenced in 2017 through inviting the officers who are

directly connected with the maintenance of the Treasury of the Emirate for

information and interview and also requested for relevant documents

covering the said period of investigation which the Emirate Council complied.
In the same vein, the Commission received an information from Ministry of

Planning and Budget and Office of the Auditor General Local Government

Audit in respect of:-

(a) Approved budget for the Emirate Council from 2013 to 2017

(b) Audited Financial Account of the Emirate Council from 2013 to

2017.

The Commission also got statements from the Financial Controller of the

Emirate who is also the Walin Kano Alh. Mahe Bashir Wali, Sarki Waziri the

Deputy Secretary of the Emirate as well as Rufa’I Buhari who is the

Treasurer of the Emirate Council.

At the peak of our work during that period an investigation into the activities

of Emirate Council was also commenced by State House of Assembly. The

Commission then sent a letter to the speaker of Kano State House of

Assembly seeking for clarification as to avoid duplicated investigation as

enshrined under Section 16(1 )(a) of the Kano State Public Complaints and

Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (as amended). The letter was duly acknowledged

but never replied. (Copy attached). The Commission, as a mark of respect

to the House and in fairness to the parties under investigation halted and

suspended its investigation.

It was after the closure of the Assembly’s investigation that the Commission

then decided to re-open and continue with its investigation with a view to

ascertain the true position of things.
While the investigation process was going on, another complaint was lodged

by Cardinal Architecture Ltd. against the Emirate Council, specifically the

Chief of Staff who is the Danburam of Kano. The company alleged that it was

awarded a construction work at Baban Daki and the money was paid to Tri-

c Nigeria Ltd. but was never paid to them. The complaint bothered on Eighty

Four Million Nine Hundred Thousand and Twenty Three Naira Naira

(N84,900,023.00) only which was alleged to have been criminally diverted

for personal use. This prompted the Commission to merge the complaint

together and treat it as one.

In the cause of investigation an invitation letter was served on four personnel

of the Emirate Council for discussion and clarification on some expenditures

incurred and the Commission believed they are at the right position to clarify

but three persons refused to honour the invitation on the instructions of the

Emir. By way of substantiating the assertion, Munnir Sanusi (one of the

invitees) honoured the invitation of the Commission barely a week before

the subsequent matter on a separate case.

The Commission also got necessary information from the hotels, Airline

companies, travelling agencies and telecommunication companies. To

expedite action, the investigation officers also travelled to some of the

affected companies in Abuja and Lagos in order to receive more information

and clarification on some documents in furtherance of the investigation.
FINDINGS

The fund in question is regulated by the provisions of Kano State Emirate

Council Special Fund Law 2004. The law provides under Section 4 that:

4.(1) “Every Local Government Council in the State shall in respect of

each calendar month contribute three percent (3%) of the amount of

its monthly statutory allocation into the fund

(2) The State Government shall in respect of each calendar month

contribute an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total

contribution of the Local Government Councils in the State made

pursuant to sub-section (1) into the Fund

Section 8 Kano State Emirate Council Special Fund Law 2004 which deals with

the utilization of the funds provides that:

8. The Fund shall be utilized:-

(a) For the payment of salaries, remuneration, allowances and other

fringe benefits of the persons described in the schedule,·

(b) To defray all expenses of working and managing the affairs of

the Council and its properties;

(c) To defray the cost of such works of a capital nature as the

Council may deem necessary from time to time,·

(d) To grant loans and make advances to the persons on such terms

and conditions as the council may approve,· and
(e) To defray operational expenses that may be incurred in the

course of the general administration of the funds.

The schedule to which the above section relates provides interal ia that

1. Emirate Councils and their staff;

2. Other employees of the Emirate Council”

3. Royal Guard (Dogara!),-

4. Palace Staff (Yaran sark!),·

5. Persons employed for the administration of the Fund

The Law also mandates the preparation of the budget by the Emirate Council

which is required to be transmitted to the Governor for necessary action

apparently in conformity with Section 11 of the Kano State Emirate Council

Special Fund Law 2004.

Investigation revealed that the Emirate Council failed to forward their

estimate to the appropriate authorities as required by Law establishing the

fund for consideration.

❖ From 2013 to 2017 Fifteen Million Naira (N 15,000,000.00) only was

approved as budget for the Emirate annually based on the submission

of the Ministry of Planning and Budget vide communication No.

MPB/PLN/S/309/V.l/62 dated 26th April, 2017. (Copy attached).

This suggest that, in the first place there was no budgetary provision

to authorize all the alleged expenditures.
❖ The Commission also got a statement from Financial Controller who

confirmed that the Emirate Council approves its budget which

indicated a gross violation of Section 120 of the Constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Section 11 of the Kano

State Emirate Council Special Fund Law 2004 as well as Section 26 of

the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (as

amended).

❖ In the cause of the Commission’s investigation some expenditures that

were incurred without following due process or appears to be

suspicious were uncovered. Huge sums of money were transferred to

some banks accounts which were claimed to be companies’ accounts.

However, the companies appears to be either unregistered with the

Corporate Affairs Commission or dormant that cannot appear in the

publ ic search of the companies register. Investigations also shows that

those unregistered companies are linked to some of the identified

suspects in the emirate council. Investigation will later reveal the

beneficial owners of those entities.

The suspicious transactions are as follows:-

1. MASPHAL ASSOCIATE:

The company was paid the sum of W100,000,000.00 in 2014 and

W39,565,475.00 in 2015.

2. PROJECT PLANNER AND DEVELOPER COMP. LTD

The company was paid the total sum of W24, 163,776.17 in 2014.
3. MODERN SOCIETY CONST. COMPANY

The company received the sum of WB,749,107.00 in 2014 as payment

for work.

4. WAVES STUDIO:

The sum of W9,484,500.00 was paid to the company in 2014, the sum

of N 1,977,900.00 in 2015, the sum of N4,678,500.00 in 2016 and the

sum ofW616, 730.00 in 2017.

5. CHOSEN ONE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED:

The sum of N4,666,950.00 was paid to Chosen One Global

Technologies Limited in 2015

6. FLOORS ARCHO CONSULTANTS:

The sum of W22,691,280.00 was paid to the company in 2014,

N32,586,333.00 in 2015 and the sum of W1,343,903.00 in 2017.

7. ICX SOLUTION LTD:

The company was paid the sum of W 10,445,820.00 in 2015 and another

N6,298,680.00 in 2016

8. HIKIMA VENTURES/S. HIKIMA & SON:

The sum of N4,041, 165.76 was paid to this unregistered company in

2014, W27,947,201 .90 was also paid in 2015, W19,162,163.50 in 2016

and lastly W5,759,825.75 was paid in 2017.

9. ABUSAIBA INVESTMENT:

The sum ofN24,184,151.75 was paid to the company in 2014 despite

been not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
10. PHILKO LIMITED

In 2014 the sum of WS0,000,000.00 was paid to the PHILKO Limited.

11. CEM NIG. LTD.

The sum of W3,880,000.00 was paid to the company in 2014 and

W372, 141 .00 in 2015 was paid to the company.

12. MOFHAN ENTERPRISES LTD

The sum of W1,312,500.00 was paid to MOFHAN Enterprises Ltd. in

2014 by the Kano Emirate Council.

13. MODI INVESTMENT LTD.

The sum of W38,953,552.00 was paid to the company by the Emirate

Council in 2014.

14. DABO GATE IDEAL RESOURCES:

The payment of W 175,175,560.00 was effected to Dabo Gate Ideal

Resources in 2014.

15. LUGO SUPPLIERS:

The sum of W14,854,500.00 was paid to the Company in 2014 by the

Emirate Council.

16. JUBAILI BROS ENGE. NIG. LTD:

The payment of W3,230,829.00 was made to Jubaili Bros Eng. Nig. Ltd.

in 2016.

17. CARDINAL ARCHITECTURE:

In 2015 the sum W30,000,000.00 were paid by Emirate Council to the

company.
18. SHUNT ENGINEERING CO.

The sum of W-48,057,747.50 was paid to Shunt Engineering Co. in 2014

and also the sum of W22,478,491 .27 was paid in 2015 and another

W29,261 ,949.93 was paid in 2016.

19. OCHOR MECHPLANT ENGR. LTD:

The sum of W 1,570,000.00 was paid to the company in 2014 by the

Emirate Council.

20. CONTINENTAL OFFSHOW LTD.:

The sum of W38,750,000.00 was paid by Emirate Council to the

company in 2014.

21. MAWUD Nig. Ltd.:

The sum of W583,000.00 was paid to MAWUD Nig. Ltd. in 2014 by the

Emirate Council.

❖ All the purported companies listed above allegedly carried out

contracts with the Emirate Council. These companies are not in

existence, as search for their corporate status came out negative and

virtually all the purposes for the expenditures, the amount involved and

the legal status of the companies revealed prima facie case of fraud in

the management of the Emirate Council funds as there were no

budgetary provisions to justify the expenditure.

❖ In 2014 the sum of Fourty Three Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Eighty

Thousand Five Hundred Naira (W43,268,500.00) were expended in the

fueling of Generator. Thirty Nine Million Six Hundred and Ninety
Thousand (N39,690,000.00) only were expended on fueling in 2015,

Twenty Two Million Three Hundred and Seventeen Thousand One

Hundred and Seventy Four Naira (N22,317, 174.00) only in 2016 and

Twelve Million Four Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Eight Hundred

Naira (N12,496,800.00) only were expended in 2017 all in fueling. To

sum it all One hundred and Seventeen Million Seven Hundred and

Seventy Two Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Four Naira

(N117,772,474.00) only were expended on fueling from 2014- 2017 by

the Emirate Council, the disparity in the amount so involved, the ratio

at which the fuel was consumed from 43 to 22 Million called for

suspicion and indicated acts of misappropriation and fraud.

❖ Also in the cause of investigation an observation was made on a

transfer of One Hundred and Five Million, Five Hundred and Ninety Five

Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand (N105,595,755.00)

from the Emirate Council’s account to an individual account bearing

the name of one Engr. Sunusi Ti]ani who happened to be the Technical

Officer to the Emirate Council at United Bank for Africa (UBA) during

the period of 2014-2017 at different occasions. The largest which is

Twenty Two Million Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand Two

Hundred and Thirty Three Naira Ninety Two Kobo (N22,778,233.92)

only was transferred on 22nd September, 2015 . It was observed going

by the record of expenditures from the said account that virtually all

the money were withdrawn personally (self-withdrawal). This is a red
flag for corruption and there is no way an individual not a corporate

entity will attract such payments from Government at different interval

in a legitimate transaction. This is also another trace of alleged corrupt

practices and final investigation will reveal all the facts of the case.

❖ The sum of Fifty Four Million One Hundred and Eleven Thousand Fifty

Five Naira (N54, 111,055.00) were expended by the Emirate Council

from 2014 to 2017 on payment of airtime/data to Airtel Network Ltd.

mostly on personal phone numbers. In his statement, Isah Bayero

denied using his line to incur expenditure worth 25.6 Million while the

remaining 29M was incurred by the Emir, his wives and Mannir Sanusi.

Failure of the appearance of the invited suspects made it impossible

for the Commission to conclude on this matter.

❖ Another area of concern which revealed a prima facie case of criminal

bre~ch of trust by servant is where the sum of One Hundred and Fourty

Four Million Three Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand Three Hundred

and Eighty One Naira (N144,362,381 .00) only was spent on Hotel

Accommodation, payment of chartered Aircraft and payment of Air

ticket by the Kano State Emirate Council from 2014 – 2017. Out of this

sum Thirty Million Seven Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand Naira

(N30, 762,000.00) only was spent on Chartered flights while the sum of

One Hundred and Thirteen Million Six Hundred Thousand Three

Hundred and Eighty One Naira (N113,600,381 .00) only was spent for

hotel accommodation and air ticket for the Emir’s travels. Investigation
revealed that the purpose of the expenditure which was never

budgeted for is unknown and all efforts by the Commission in

requesting the Council to provide evidence to justify the travels as

being official proved abortive.

Another complaint was filed before the Commission by Cardinal Architecture

Ltd. against the Emirate Council. Specifically against the Chief of Staff who is

the Danburam of Kano on alleged nonpayment of construction work at

Babban Daki.

The complainant alleged the diversion of the payment to a company called

Tri-c Nigeria Limited. The complaint involved the sum of Eighty Four Million

Nine Hundred Thousand and Twenty Three Naira Naira

(N84,900,023.00) only alleged to have been diverted for personal use. In

order to avoid duplication in the investigation, the Commission decided to

merge the complaints together and treat them as one.

It was discovered that, initially the contract was awarded to Tri-c for the

renovation of Babban Daki, Kofar Kudu and Gidan Sarki at Dorayi which the

company sub-contracted the contract to another company (Cardinal

Architecture Limited) for the Babban Daki. A payment was made in respect

of the renovation of Babban Daki but Tri-c Nig. Ltd. failed to settle the sub-

contractor (Cardinal Architecture Limited).
SUMMARY

It is the opinion of this Commission that Kano Emirate Council under the

Chairmanship of the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has expended the sum of

One Billion Four Hundred and Fifty Million Six Hundred and Fourty One

Thousand Fourty Eight Naira Fifty Three Kobo (N1,450,641,048.53) only

in various expenditures that is believed to be fraudulent and unappropriated.

In addition to One Billion Nine Hundred and Eighty One Million Four

Hundred Fourty Nine Thousand Seven Hundred and Fourty Nine Naira

Fourty One Kobo (N1,981,449,749.41) unappropriated but seemingly

personal expenditures, making the total sum of questionable expenditures

uncovered by this investigation to the tune of Three Billion Four Hundred

and Thirty Two Million Ninety Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety

Seven Naira Ninety Four Kobo (N3,432,090,797.94) only between 2014

to 2017. This expenditures contravene the provisions of Section 120 of the

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Section

8 of the Kano State Emirate Council Special Fund Law 2004, Section 314 of

Penal Code as well as provisions of Section 26 of the Kano State Public

Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).

It is also the opinion of this Commission, based on the available evidence

that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II continued to undermine the investigation

through various means which include giving instruction to all officers invited

for clarification to shun the Commission’s invitation. An act which is seriously

affecting the process of our statutory responsibility and offends the

provisions of Section 25 of the Commission’s enabling Law 2008 (as

amended).

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the aforementioned findings and pursuant to the provisions of

Section 18 (4) of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law

2008 (as amended), the Commission hereby recommends as follows:-

(a) In view of the prima facie cases of criminal breach of trust by servant,

official corruption and other related offences contrary to the Penal

Code Law, Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law

2008 (as amended) and other existing Laws, the Commission

recommends that the principal suspect in the person of Muhammad

Sunusi II (the Emir of Kano) and all other suspects connected to this

case or serving in the Kano State Emirate Council should be

suspended pending the final outcome of the investigations. This is

a necessary administrative disciplinary action aimed at preventing

the suspects from further interfering with the Commission’s

investigations.

(b) The Commission further recommends that the contract awarded to

Tri-C Nigeria Limited for the renovation of Babban Daki, Kofar Kudu

and Gidan Sarki Dorayi should be revoked as the company belongs

to one of the suspects in person of Alh. Mannir Sanusi (The Chief of

Staff in the Emirate). The company failed to settle the sub-contractor

(Cardinal Architecture Limited) after been duly paid. Cardinal

Architecture Limited should be paid for the work carried out in the

contract.

(c) The appropriate authority should be put in place to oversee the

affairs of the Kano Emirate Council in line with established statutes

and policies pending the final outcome of the Commission’s

investigations.

(d) The Commission’s further recommends for further legal action to be

taken against all the suspects as soon as the final outcome of

investigations is concluded and a legal advice accordingly issued

out.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the above recommendations are hereby forwarded to your

esteem office for further necessary action, please.

Signed.

MUHUYI MAGAJI RIMINGADO

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

General news

EFCC’s arrest of Galaxy coy boss not base on fraud – Company

EFCC’s arrest of Galaxy coy boss not base on fraud – Company

By Ummul Idris
Fraud
Abuja, April 16, 2019 (NAN) The arrest of the Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Transportation and Construction Services Ltd by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is not based on fraud, says an official of the company, Mr Cletus Onoja.
Onoja said in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that Mr Babagana Dalori, the Chief Executive Officer of the company was merely taken for investigation by the EFCC following a petition by the company clients.
He said it was not true that Dalori’s arrest and detention was based on fraud or running of phantom schemes.
Onoja explained that what was at stake was that the company could no longer meet its obligations to its clients within the time expected of it for reasons beyond its control.
“As such, some investors who were not satisfied with our explanation and efforts currently put at recovering the loss, petitioned the EFCC even though the matter was civil and not criminal.
“As an obedient citizen of the country, the MD/CEO turned in and gave himself to the Commission’s interrogations,’’ he added.
He said that some of the company clients were disgruntled by the inability of the company to settle their payment as a result of several factors, adding that the company lawyers are currently handling the matter with the EFCC.
According to Onoja, since commencement in 2010, the company has never defaulted in its obligations to remit what is due to each of its investors.
“It is on record that even when the country was in recession in 2016 and 2017, our company did not fail to meet its obligations to pay its clients and business partners,” the official said.
He said the company runs a legitimate transportation and construction services business in over five states in the country with its headquarters in Abuja for the last nine years.
Onoja said that the company’s relationship with its clients remained fundamentally civil, where both parties benefited from the proceeds of the businesses it did.
According to him, it is rather sad that our company is facing this trial at this point after it has enjoyed a steady growth and built strong relationship with its investors.
“The company’s management is working round the clock to overcome the challenges; it is sad that it has already caused serious worries in the minds of our clients and affected our cordial relationship.’’
Onoja listed reasons the company was unable to pay its clients since October 2018 to include the flood in Jere, Kaduna State, where the company lost its largest dredger at its sand mining site overnight.
Others are the suspension of quarry activities in Abuja by the Federal Government for close to three months from October as a result of earth tremors in the capital city. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Judiciary

Certificate Fraud: Police arraign Sen. Adeleke, principal, teacher

Certificate Fraud: Police arraign Sen. Adeleke, principal, teacher
By Martins Odeh
Certificate
Abuja, Oct. 31, 2018 (NAN) The PDP’s Governorship Candidate in the Sept. 22 election in Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegation of examination malpractices.
Adeleke was arraigned alongside the Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Alhaji Aregbesola Muftau; the Registrar of the school, Mr Gbadamosi Ojo; and a teacher in the school, Mr Dare Samuel Olutope, as well as Sikiru Adeleke.
Adeleke and the five others were arraigned on a four-count charge of examination malpractice and forgery brought against them by the Police.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Simon Lough, had on Sept. 19 filed the charge against Adeleke and the co-accused.
The police accused them of fraudulently registering Adeleke and another Sikiru Adeleke as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School in Ojo-Aro, Osun State, for the National Examination Council’s June/July 2017 Senior School Certificate Examination in February 2017.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/156/2018.
Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), Counsel to the first defendant (Ademola Adeleke), moved a bail application he filed on behalf of his client on Oct. 12.
He had prayed the court to admit his client to bail on personal recognition.
The prosecutor however did not object to the motion leaving Justice Edward Edward with no option than to grant the prayer.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution’s disposition was predicated on the fact that Adeleke was already enjoying an administrative bail.
The judge however ordered the applicant to deposit his travel documents with the court.
He also ordered Adeleke to sign a bond that he would always appear in court to attend his trial.
The judge warned that the court would be at liberty to revoke the bail if Adeleke violated any of the bail terms.
Similarly, Ekwo admitted the second defendant (Sikiru Adeleke) and Muftau to bail in the sum of N2 million each, with one surety in like sum.
The court held that both defendants must not travel outside the court’s jurisdiction without permission.
Ekwo further directed the defendants to deposit original copies of title deeds of their landed property as well as their international passports.
NAN reports that the Registrar of the school and fourth defendant (Ojo), and teacher Olutope (fifth defendant) were not that lucky as the judge ordered that they be remanded in prison custody following their inability to hire legal representation.
The judge fixed the trial to commence between Dec. 17 and Dec. 19. (NAN)
OMO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Alleged Fraud: Mrs Buhari deny release of her ADC

Alleged Fraud: Mrs Buhari deny release of her ADC
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Fraud
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Office of the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has denied speculations that her Aide De Camp (ADC), CSP Sani Baban-Inna, has been released by the Department of State Service (DSS).
Mr Suleiman Haruna, the Director of Information in the office of Mrs Buhari, said this in a statement via his social media handle on Thursday in Abuja.
“The officer (Baban-Inna) is being investigated on allegation of corrupt practices, which is a serious offence.
“As such, it is unlikely that the DSS will compromise and release him mid-way without completing the investigation,’’ the statement read.
Baban-Inna was detained by the DSS over allegations of collecting N2.5 billion on behalf of the First Lady without her consent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mrs Buhari had earlier refuted allegations suggesting that she used her ADC to collect funds from unsuspecting members of the Public.
“I wish to use this opportunity to inform the general public that I have never sent any of my staff to collect any favours on my behalf or on behalf of my children and will never do so,” she said.
“Baban-Inna has been my ADC since 2016 and has been associated with me ever since,” she said in a statement by her spokesman (Haruna).
She expressed surprise that the initial investigation showed Baba-Inna allegedly used her name for some suspicious activities.
She denied having any connection with his arrest and detention as the Nigeria Police, being the constituted authority, have the power to do so.
“It was the Nigeria Police Force, being his employer, that arrested him to investigate the allegations levelled against him because the case is within their jurisdiction,” she said.
Aisha advised alleged victims of the scam to recover their money and whatever he took from them from Baban-Inna.
Mrs Buhari therefore warned that she would not condone fraudulent behaviour by any of her staff.
She also called on individuals in authority to deal with erring aides involved with extortion by name-dropping.
She noted the Buhari administration was voted into office based on trust and confidence of the people to fight corruption, assuring that she will not betray that trust. (NAN)
AMU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Navy apprehends suspected notorious recruitment fraudster

NAN-H-1

Recruitment

By Yahaya Isah

Abuja, Dec. 2, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy (NN) says it has arrested a 27-year-old man, Yohanna Ahmadu, a suspected  recruitment fraudster for attempting to defraud one Mr Adamu Ibrahim during the last nationwide recruitment exercise.

Navy Capt. Suleman Dahun, the Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Quoting Commodore Gbolahan Olubode–Fazaz, the Commander Naval unit Abuja, Dahun said that the suspect had charged his victim the sum of N50,000.00 and promised to get him enlisted into the Nigerian Navy.

The acting director further alleged that the fraudster had directed the victim to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna and promised that his “boss’’ would assist in the exercise.

“Ahmadu thereafter, collected the victim’s passport photograph, photocopies of his credentials and urine sample for a fake test.

“The suspect demanded the sum of N50,000.00 from his victim before releasing a fake Nigerian Navy appointment letter which he will use to report for the training at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne, Port Harcourt.

“But luck ran out on him when the victim called a Naval personnel complaining of this extortion and was directed to play along by promising to pay the amount upon their return to Abuja, where he was lured to a Diamond Bank branch in Kubwa and arrested,” he said.

According to Dahun, Ahmadu has been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The acting director then warned interested members of the public to be wary of recruitment websites that would always ask for money as recruitment into the service was free of charge. (NAN)

YI/YEE
======

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

General news

Fraud: Kano Emir disowns Instagram, Facebook, Twitter accounts

Fraud: Kano Emir disowns social media accounts

NAN-H-31
Fraud

By Muntari Tukur
Kano, April 14, 2017 (NAN) The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has disowned social media accounts opened in his name.

Sanusi said in a statement that on Friday in Kano that he never authorised any person or organisation to open to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media account nor post any message on his behalf.

The traditional ruler spoke through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Munir Sanusi.

He explained that this should put to rest series of calls and enquiries to the office of the Emir on some purported malicious and fake social media accounts in the name of the monarch.

Sanusi noted that the current development is coming after an earlier advertorial disclaiming a fake Facebook and Twitter accounts created in the name of his Highness.

He lamenting that the fraudsters have remained unrelenting in their nefarious acts.

“We have officially notified the administrators of the fake Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts requesting that the accounts be closed immediately in addition to detecting the identity of the culprits.

“It is important to reiterate that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has persistently stood for the unity of the nation regardless of its diversity.

“He always emphasise the need for tolerance and respect for one another.”

Sanusi assured that his principles as a traditional ruler and religious leader would be meticulously safeguarded and warned the fraudsters to desist forthwith or face the consequences of their action. (NAN)
MTM/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Judiciary

N6.8bn fraud: Witness chronicles how funds were moved by top NAMA officials

N6.8bn fraud: Witness chronicles how funds were moved by top NAMA officials NAN-H-48 Testimony By Sandra Umeh Lagos, Jan. 26, 2017 (NAN) A prosecution witness on Thursday gave detailed accounts of how funds of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were allegedly converted by some of its top officials.

The witness, Ade Babatunde, a staff of Stanbic Ibtc bank, gave the evidence at the resumed trial of a former NAMA Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, charged with conversion of N6.8 billion.

Abdulsalam is charged alongside other accused, including a former General Manager of Procurement, Olumuyiwa Adegorite, and a former General Manager of Finance, Segun Agbolade.

Others are a former acting General Manager of ICT, Bolaniran Akinribido, Sesebor Abiodun and Joy Adegorite.

Also charged are two limited liability companies, Randville Investment Ltd, and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.

They are been prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When the case was called on Thursday, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, resumed his examination of the first witness for the prosecution (PW1).

Oyedepo prayed the court for exhibit ‘A’ to be handed over to the witness for purposes of his evidence in chief, and asked the witness to tell the court about the transaction highlighted as exhibit 002.

In response, the witness told the court that the said exhibit was in relation to the account statement of Segun Agbolade (third accused) with account number 9201060421.

The witness described “002″ to mean a transaction description or a narration for posting transactions.

He told the court that between Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, 2013, there were transactions with narration 002, for the transfer of N13.1 million from the account of Akinribido (fourth accused) to Agbolade (third accused).

He said that the transfer came in tranches of N3.1 million on Jan. 2, 2013, and in two tranches of N5 million each, on Jan. 3, 2013.

According to the witness, the balance on Agbolade’s account as at Jan. 3, 2013, stood at N27.8 million.

The witness continued: “Still on Jan. 3, 2013, the sum of N10 million was transferred to Randville Investment Ltd.

“The sums of N8 million and N7.7 million was also transferred to one Masama bureau de change by the third accused.”

Oyedepo then itemised a list of transaction narration in exhibit 002 from Jan. 9, 2013, to Oct. 15, 2015, and asked the witness to tell the court where the said funds in the transactions emerged.

Responding, the witness told the court that all funds were pulled from the account of Akinribido to the third accused, (Agbolade).

He added that specifically on Jan. 17, 2013, there was a transfer of N10 million to Randsville Investment Ltd.

Moreso, the witness introduced Randville Investment Ltd as a corporate customer of his bank, and added that from the account opening document, the company is owned by Segun and Susan Agbolade.

According to him, the mandate for the operation of the account required the signature of either of the account holders, adding that Randville Investment Ltd. maintained a total of 11 accounts with the bank.

He told the court that between Feb. 1, 2013, and Feb. 25, 2013, there was also a transfer of the sum of N5 million from the account of the third accused to Multeng Travel and Tours Ltd, who were also corporate customers of his bank.

According to him, the two signatories to the account of Multeng Travels and Tours are: Olumuyiwa Adegorite (second accused) and Joy Adegorite (fifth accused).

He further told the court that on March 22, 2013, there were seven different transactions but specifically the sixth transaction revealed a monetary transfer of N3.5 million from the account of ex-NAMA MD (Abdulsalam) to Agbolade.

He added that on June 17, 2013, there were two debit transactions in the sum of N6 million transferred in two tranches of N3 million each, to the account of Multeng Travels and Tours.

The witness said that between Jan. 22 and Feb. 24, 2014, there was a transfer of N17 million by the third accused to Multeng Travels and tours.

He added that between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, 2015, there was also a transfer of a cumulative sum of over N15.5 million to Gidan bureau de change, Antopie Construction Company and Susan Agbolade.

After listening to the testimony of the witness, Justice Babs Kuewumi adjourned the case to March 13 for continuation of trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the EFCC had on April 7, 2016 arraigned the accused and they had all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The charge was subsequently amended to include three more accused, and all the persons were re-arraigned on April 12, 2016.

They again pleaded not guilty to the charge and were admitted to bail in the sums of N20 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

In the charge, the EFCC alleged that on Aug. 19, 2013, the accused conspired to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2.8 billion to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd.

It was alleged that the delivery was under the pretense that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

It was also alleged that between Jan. 2 and Dec. 17, 2013, the accused allegedly converted N191 million belonging to NAMA to their private use.

They were said to have also converted N728 million between 2013 and 2015, as well as other sums.

The alleged offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3). (NAN)

UNS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola