Crime
Bawa concludes testimony as court adjourns Nadabo Energy boss’ trial over N761.6m fraud
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Monday concluded his testimony in the trial of Abubakar Ali Peters and his company, Nadabo Energy Limited.
Peters and his company are facing a 21-count charge bordering on forgery and subsidy fraud to the tune of N761.6 million. He is being prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
“Nadabo Energy Limited and Abubakar Ali Peters, on or about the 26th day of September 2011 in Lagos, within the Ikeja judicial division, fraudulently obtained the sum of N761,628,993.84 from the Federal Government by falsely representing that the sum represented the subsidy accrued to Nadabo Energy Limited under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 16,808,064 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which Nadabo Energy Limited purported to have purchased from Delano Petroleum Corporation Akara Tortola British Virgin Island, and transported the 16,808,064 litres through MT Gotland Carolina (mother vessel) and MT Sonia (daughter vessel) to Nigeria, whereas Nadabo Energy Limiter only imported 7,953,962 litres of PMS from Delany Petroleum Corporation Akara Tortola British Virgin Island and transported 7,953,962 litres of PMS through MT Gotland Carolina (mother vessel) and MT Songa (daughter vessel) to Nigeria,” one of the counts read.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was arraigned on October 7, 2015, thereby prompting the commencement of his trial.
But Bawa, who testified as the second witness, concluded his cross-examination by the defence.
Under cross-examination by Isiramen, Bawa further stressed that, “Our findings and evidence are still that you cannot discharge what you didn’t import.
“And our investigation, including documents from the banks, Staco Insurance Plc, PPPRA and others, indicated that the defendant supplied about 6,000 MT of PMS and not 12,000 MT as claimed by the defendant.”
Bawa further attested that investigation by the EFCC revealed that those who signed the respective documents resulting in the eventual payment to the defendants “did not do the right thing from our findings.”
“However, we were looking at the bigger picture in the interest of justice and concluded that the defendant was the beneficiary of the alleged compromise,” he added.
He further told the Court that “We have started making recoveries from the defendant and we have a statement in which he put in writing that he is willing to pay back the excess money he received from the government.”
Bawa also reinstated that other directors of the company told the EFCC, during investigations, that they didn’t know anything about the transaction.
He said: “He never denied that he was in charge of everything that has to do with the transaction. We were only doing our job and we found out that the entire fund was utilised by him.”
The case has been adjourned till May 10 for the continuation of trial.
The EFCC has arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State, following credible intelligence. The suspects were found with luxury items, laptops, and phones
Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State.
The arrests were made based on credible intelligence about their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
Items seized from the suspects include one Lexus car, laptops, and mobile phones. EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests and stated that the suspects would be charged to court once investigations are completed.
This arrest is part of the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat cybercrime and fraudulent activities in the region.
Nine dead and 21 injured in a tragic road crash in Katsina after a trailer carrying cows and humans fell. FRSC urges safer practices.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that nine people have died, and 21 others have sustained various injuries in a tragic road crash in Dankama, Kaita Local Government Area, Katsina State.
The incident occurred when a trailer carrying both cows and humans on top became separated from its main body and crashed onto a pavement.
According to FRSC’s Sector Commander, Mr. Aliyu Ma’aji, the driver of the trailer was attempting to avoid hitting a woman who had fallen from an overloaded Golf car carrying beans. The woman’s fall had resulted in the car losing control.
In a statement issued by the FRSC’s Public Relations Officer, Shamsudeen Babajo, Mr. Ma’aji explained that the driver’s efforts to prevent the collision caused him to lose control, leading to the trailer’s detachment and subsequent crash.
As a result, nine people tragically lost their lives, while 21 others were injured. The injured victims were rushed to the Primary Healthcare Center in Kaita for initial treatment, with some referred to Katsina General Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
This incident has raised serious concerns over the practice of carrying passengers and animals in overloaded vehicles.
The FRSC Sector Commander urged both drivers and passengers to avoid such dangerous practices, stressing that overloading and recklessness are major contributing factors to road accidents in the region.
Mr. Ma’aji further called on passengers to actively report instances of overloading and unsafe driving practices in order to reduce the number of road traffic incidents.
EFCC launches an internal crackdown with 10 officers detained over theft and corruption allegations, marking a critical test of its accountability.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a dramatic internal crackdown, detaining 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over serious allegations of theft and corruption.
This bold move, ordered by EFCC Executive Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede, signals the Commission’s commitment to tackling internal misconduct and ensuring accountability within its ranks.
The officers were apprehended last week and are currently being interrogated regarding the disappearance of several unaccounted-for operational items. The situation has sent shockwaves throughout the EFCC, which has long been regarded as a leading force in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Sources close to the investigation suggest that the case has captured significant public attention, casting a spotlight on the EFCC’s internal operations and raising questions about its ability to police itself.
“Investigators are making good progress,” an insider revealed, adding that anyone found guilty will face stringent internal disciplinary measures.
The unfolding scandal presents a crucial test of the EFCC’s resolve in upholding its own standards of accountability. As an institution tasked with eradicating financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria, the EFCC’s credibility is now on the line as it battles to preserve its reputation while addressing these internal breaches.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of self-regulation and integrity, even for those entrusted with the task of enforcing the law.
The public and officials alike are closely watching how the EFCC navigates this controversy, as the Commission continues to scrutinise its operations and ensure that all its officers uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.
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