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Alleged Fund Diversion: Court orders former Naval Chief, Admiral Dele Ezeoba to forfeit N1.8b to FG

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which obtained the forfeiture order on behalf of the Federal Government, alleged that the sum was part of a total of N2.387 billion diverted from the coffers of the Nigerian Navy by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dele Ezeoba (retired), saharareporters.com reported.

A Federal High Court in Lagos in Nigeria’s southwest zone has ruled that a limited liability company, Acquila Leasing Limited, should temporarily forfeit N1.825 billion found in the company’s account to the Federal Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which obtained the forfeiture order on behalf of the Federal Government, alleged that the sum was part of a total of N2.387 billion diverted from the coffers of the Nigerian Navy by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dele Ezeoba (retired). Mr. Ezeoba headed the Nigerian Navy between 2012 and 2014.

An EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, filed an ex-parte application for temporary forfeiture of the funds before Justice Muslim Hassan. The application invoked Section 17 of Nigeria’s Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 as well as Section 44(2)(k) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

In the filing, Mr. Oyedepo urged the court to urgently grant the forfeiture order in the interest of justice. Justice Hassan granted the order and gave 14 days for Chuka Onwuchekwa and his company, Acquila Leasing Limited,as well as any other party interested in the money to appear before him to give reasons why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Justice Hassan adjourned the case till March 29, 2017 for any interested parties to appear before him.

The EFCC’s application listed Onwuchekwa and Acquila Leasing Limited as the first and second respondents. An affidavit of urgency sworn to by an operative of the EFCC, Adamu Usman, said Mr. Ezeoba was investigated following an intelligence report. He disclosed that the anti-grant agency analyzed information and determined further investigation was warranted.

According to Mr. Usman, information obtained by the EFCC from Mr. Ezeoba on June 21, 2016 revealed that the N1.825 billion was proceeds of crime “fraudulently diverted from the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Ezeoba.”

The EFCC alleged that Mr. Dele Joseph Ezeoba used the name of the first respondent, Acquila Leasing Limited, to open a fraudulent account in order to disguise funds he laundered from the Navy. The commission added that, in a desperate bid to further disguise and conceal the illicit source of the funds, Mr. Ezeoba entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to buy shares of Acquila Leasing Limited from Mr. Onwuchekwa, the company’s managing director.

According to the EFCC, “the said shares of Acquila Leasing Limited [were] worth N2.378, 000,000.” The commission remarked that, out of the N2.378 billion embezzled by Mr. Ezeoba, only N1.825 billion had so far been recovered via drafts in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Saharareporters

Man Caught With Dead Baby In A Suitcase

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-Manhunt For Suspected Accomplice Thickens

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were taken aback on Sunday September 16, 2012, when a suspected ritual killer, Mr. Usman Inuwa was caught with a dead baby stuffed in a suitcase at Tipper garage near Gwarimpa in Abuja 

It was gathered that Inuwa was arrested on a tip-off, but another source said that the conductor of the bus he entered asked him to bring his suitcase so it could be stored properly and the man vehemently refused.

“Suspecting a foul play, the conductor asked him what was inside the suitcase, but he refused to reveal what was there.

“As the man tried to leave the bus, the conductor and others seized the suitcase from him and found the dead boy inside,” said a source.

The source added that upon interrogation at the scene of the incident, the suspect was asked to name his accomplices, especially as they noticed that he was having discussions with one of the passengers in the bus, who had left to buy some items prior to when the vehicle would move.

A mob later reportedly gathered to deal with Usman Inuwa, and questioned him about how he came about the dead body and the whereabouts of the man they had seen with him earlier.

Sources said that the man, whose name was later given as Mr. Vincent Ovie Adjarho had to beat a retreat after buying the items he went for, when he overheard the mob shouting “where is that your friend, he must know about this dead boy.”

Inuwa allegedly told the police, who arrived the scene of the incident later that the man they saw with him was a neighbour with whom he lived in the same compound and that he was not involved in the murder case of the  three-year-old  little boy.

A source revealed that Inuwa was forced to disclose his residential address to the police during interrogation and that the police insisted on arresting Vincent, who they said must know about the crime since they both sat together in the bus and were seen discussing.

Investigations revealed that Mr. Vincent Ovie Adjarho is nowhere to be found as he had to run for his dear life over a matter sources said he knew nothing about.

It was learnt that the F.C.T  Police Area command Gwarimpa has arrested the mother of Vincent for questioning on the whereabouts of her son.

“The mother told the police in her statement that her son was missing as the family of the victim had promised to kill him if he is seen anywhere.

“But I can tell you that this is one of the ways Nigeria Police implicate innocent members of the public. They insisted that Inuwa must implicate the man the conductor said he was discussing with in the vehicle before the man left the scene to buy soft drink and snack,” said a source.

The  F.C.T Police Area Command  has since declared Mr. Vincent  Ovie  Adjarho wanted for the murder of  the three-year-old baby.

In the press release signed by the F.C.T Commissioner of Police, CP Sadiq Bello and dated 23rd September, 2012 the police stated that “this is to inform the general public that one Mr. Vincent Ovie Adjarho, a native of Urhobo, Delta State is wanted by the Nigerian Police Force for a case of the murder of a three (3) year old kid which took place on the 15th of September, 2012 in Bwari, Abuja.”

It was added that Mr. Vincent is said to be among the gang “as confessed by a suspect Mr. Usman Inuwa who was found with the body parts of the kid in a briefcase at Tipper garage along Kubwa express.

“The Nigerian Police urges anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr. Vincent to please report to the nearest police station.”