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EFCC Recovers N6bn, 30 Estates, 32 Automobiles in Three Months – Bawa

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) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has so far recovered over N6 billion, 30 real estates and 32 automobiles between March and June this year.

Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the weekly media briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team.

Bawa said: “From the time I took over, we have recovered over N6 billion, over $161 million, over £13,000, €1,730, 200 Canadian dollars, CFA 373,000, ¥8,430.

“We have recovered 30 real estates, one carpet, 13 electronics, one farm land, one factory, two motorcycles, one filling station and about 32 automobiles.

According to him, not all recoveries made by the commission go into the coffers of the Federal Government.

“Let me use this opportunity to clarify issues. There are a number of recoveries that the EFCC has made over the years but not all recoveries made that belong to the Federal Government.

“We have made recoveries for victims of criminals and they can be individuals, local government, state government, federal government, corporate entities whether in Nigeria or outside Nigeria.

“There are also recoveries that are indirect recoveries. Just a couple of weeks back, we recovered $100 million for the Nigeria Ports Authority but the monies were paid into the account of NPA but through our efforts. Am I not going to record that we have recovered such an amount for NPA? Are you going to see it in the EFCC recovered account with the CBN? No.

“There are recoveries that are made directly into the EFCC account. It is through systems and processes, there is Department of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management in EFCC responsible for collating all the data regarding recovered assets, assets on interest forfeiture and assets on final forfeiture as well as their location and of course their management,” he explained.

Bawa expressed serious concern over the rising cases of internet frauds involving youths across the country.

He revealed that over 1500 internet fraudsters had so far been apprehended in the last three months, saying they would soon be prosecuted.

“The rising increase of internet fraud is a huge problem. From January to 10th of June 2021, we arrested 1,502 internet fraudsters across the country.

“On Monday that the court resumed, we attempted to file close to about 800 cases of internet fraud. It is a serious problem and we are working tirelessly towards curtailing it.

“We are working with state governments that we have identified to be more vulnerable to this. It is something parents, elders, institutions should be talking to one another. It is tarnishing the image of this country.

“They are doing it on a daily basis, they see it as another way of getting another income which is worrisome to us.

“The chunks of those doing this are young boys between 25 and 34, in their active lives.

“Coincidentally, I am one of them being a young man, people from my constituency are the ones doing this and we will continue to talk to them.

“The commission is focused on these cyber criminals and will continue to carry out enlightenment, carry their fight to their enclave and collaborate with our partners particularly the media.

“We need your assistance here. We are building a tactical centre that will solely deal with this issue of cybercrime.”

Bawa revealed that the commission had secured over 185 prosecutions while the prosecution of high profile politicians involved in corruption would soon resume, as court workers suspended their strike action.

“All the known politically exposed cases that you are aware of that are in court are still in court and we are vigorously and intelligently going to sustain their prosecution.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), you have all reported it, we succeeded in securing the convictions of an ex-bank MD, Francis Atuche, he was sentenced to six years imprisonment on all 21 out of the 27 count charges. Of course it is to run con-concurrently, it involves about N27 billion.

“We have been prosecuting that matter from Oct. 16, 2009, judgement was only given yesterday (June 16).

“We are determined to continue to prosecute no matter how long it takes and no matter the amount of resources involved.

“And that is why those of us in law enforcement say it time and time again, there is no budget in law enforcement because you never can tell where it will take you, it can take you up to the six continents and back and you have to prove your case beyond all reasonable doubts.

“The case of Air Marshal Adesola Amodu is ongoing, Ibrahim Shema, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Ikedi Ohakim, Muazu Aliyu, Orji Uzor Kalu, we are going to prosecute him (Kalu) again all over after 12 years,” he said. (NAN)

CRIME

Police Evacuates Remains of Bolt Driver Shot Dead in Yenagoa

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Police  operatives from the Bayelsa command have evacuated the remains of a bolt driver, who was shot dead on Friday morning at Samphino Road Junction , Yenagoa.

The lifeless body of the middle-aged yet-to-be-identified driver was discovered early Friday morning inside his vehicle at the Samphino Road Junction in the Kpansia suburb of Yenagoa.

Residents, who discovered the scene raised the alarm which prompted a swift response from police operatives, who quickly cordoned off the area.

The body of the commercial driver has been deposited at the mortuary for possible autopsy.

The residents, who got to the scene early suggested that the victim might have been shot at close range by suspected armed robbers.

Reacting to the incident, a senior police officer, who spoke on anonymity at the crime scene, said that a full-scale investigation was underway.

“We are working to gather all necessary intelligence.

“Forensic teams have been deployed to the scene and we are also liaising with the bolt company to retrieve trip data that may help in tracking down the culprits,” he said.

The Police Spokesman in Bayelsa, ASP Musa Mohammed confirmed the incident to NAN and said that investigation was already in progress. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Court Remands 18-year-Old Student for Alleged Murder 

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A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered the remand of an 18-year old student, Joseph Chive, at a Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly killing a 14-year-old girl.

Chive, who lives at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi, was charged with illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun, did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.

He remanded the defendant and adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that  the defendant committed the offences on May 25, at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi.

He said the case was reported  at the ‘C’ Division Police Station, Northbank, Makurdi, by the deceased’s father, Mr Victor Ayom.

According to him, the defendant had an altercation with the victim, a 14-year-old girl, Mimidoo Victor.

“While the altercation was going on, the defendant rushed into his room, brought a loaded dane gun and shot the girl on the head.

“The defendant was arrested during police investigation and he confessed to  the crime.

“The dane gun was recovered from him,” Ato said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and Section 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004. (NAN)

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CRIME

Man Jailed 14 years for Attempted Sexual Assault on Minor

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An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Friday sentenced a man, Damilare Adewale to 14 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl, (name withheld).

Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and sentenced Adewale to 14 years imprisonment, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended one-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.

The convicted was arraigned on the charge of defilement in which he had pleaded not guilty to on Nov.

29, 2021.

The prosecution, bearing the burden of proof pursuant to section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, adduced evidence through two witnesses, the survivor and her guardian, both of whom were subjected to extensive cross- examination by defence.

The survivor, in her testimony, had told  the court she was on her way to a barbing shop when the convict, who lived in her  neighbourhood, accosted and dragged her to his room.

The survivor had further told the court that the convict had expressed his desire to take her to his house but when she refused, he forcibly dragged her to his residence, where he pushed her onto his bed, removed her undergarments and defiled her.

The survivor had also testified that she was crying and shouting during the ordeal and observed blood resulting from the convict’s  actions.

She had confirmed to the court that she was 14 years of age and that it was her first encounter with the convict.

The prosecution, had, however informed  the court on May 27 and said that the convict had opted for plea bargain, which  necessitated the amended charge.

Oshodi, while delivering the judgment, said that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter an informed plea and made the guilty plea without oppression.

He said: “Damilare Adewale, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration contrary and I have accepted your plea and convicted you accordingly.

“I must emphasise that you were initially charged with the more serious offence of defilement, which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law.

“However, through the plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration under section 262, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.

“I have carefully considered your plea for mercy, you told this court that you gained admission to the Open University and learned other useful trades in the Kirikiri Mximum Security Custodial Centre.”

The court thereafter convicted him him on the amended charge.

“After serving your sentence, I believe what you have learned will assist your reintegration into society.

“Having considered all the circumstances of this case, including the seriousness of the offence, the impact upon the victim, your guilty plea, and the terms of the plea agreement, I endorse the agreed sentence of 14 years.

“I hereby sentence you to 14 years’ imprisonment, commencing on 13 August 2020, the date of your remand in custody,” Oshodi said.

The judge also  ordered  that  the convict’s name be registered as a sexual offender under sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State, 2021. (NAN)

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