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EFCC: Why We Joined NDDC Forensic Audit Team

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that the reason it was invited to join the forensic firms contracted by the government to audit the activities of the NDDC was based on its determination to break the jinx of abandoned projects in the Niger Delta area and series of corruption allegations against contractors handling its projects.


The EFCC said that the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, had called on the EFCC, to assist the firms contracted for the forensic audit of the NDDC by the Federal Government.

Acting Head,  Media & Publicity, Tony Orilade in a statement on Thursday, said that Pondei made the request on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, during a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the EFCC.

The NDDC boss said, “the expertise of EFCC is needed for the Commission to look at cases of contract awarded and paid for but not executed. We have reports of projects awarded and paid for but not executed. There is need for us to work on these cases”.

The Niger Delta area, comprising all the South- South States, has been reeling under the weight of abandoned projects or poorly- executed contracts for a long time.

The NDDC boss noted that petitions, both genuine and frivolous, from communities on abandoned projects, have become a source of distraction to the management committee.

He, therefore, requested for a status report on all NDDC cases being investigated by the EFCC.

In his response, the EFCC Zonal Head, Mr Musa Usman Imam, described the visit by the NDDC team as remarkable, noting that it will go a long way in helping to bridge whatever gaps existed between the two agencies.

Congratulating the interim management committee on its appointment, Imam pointed out that its assignment appeared daunting in the face of extreme negative public perception of the agency.

He noted that when he assumed office as Zonal Head in Port Harcourt, he believed that NDDC was next to oil bunkering when it comes to corruption.

“I believe government is mindful of this negative image which is the reason for the appointment of the interim management committee and the institution of a forensic audit”, Imam said, urging the management to strive to change the perception by delivering on the mandate given to it by the President.

“I want to assure you that the Commission is willing to support you through the investigation of any alleged case of fraud. What we require from you is willingness to share information and trust in our ability to handle such cases with dispatch”, he stated.

CRIME

Court Convicts 9 Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

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 A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each, for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.

The defendants, including two females, were also given a fine of one million naira each, by the court.

The defendants are: Xiang Hui, Hai Rong, Liu Gang, JI Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Feng and Deng Qiang

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC), on Dec.

10, 2024, invaded a building at Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos, where over 700 people were arrested over cyber terrorism and economic sabotage.

On Thursday, EFCC counsel, Mr Nnemeka Omenwa, informed the court that the nine Chinese nationals  had opted for plea bargain.

Defence counsel, Mr Folarin Damela, also confirmed the position, and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.

Consequently, the charge was read to the defendants, and they all pleaded guilty.

The defendants also admitted that they freely consented and signed the plea bargain agreement.

Following their guilty pleas, EFCC counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them in accordance with the plea bargain agreement.

Defence did not object to submission.

Justice Daniel Osiagor consequenly convicted and sentenced the defendants in line with the plea bargain agreement.

The court held that the prison term would take effect  from the Dec. 10, 2024.

The court also ordered that the Nigeria Immigration Service should repatriate the convicts to their country of origin upon completion of the prison term.

Osiagor also ordered that all items found on the convicts, including furnitures and  laptops, should  be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to EFCC, the convicts committed the offences on Dec. 10, 2024 within the court’s jurisidiction.

EFCC said that the convicts wilfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to destabilise and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria.

The commission added that the convicts employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantages for themselves.

The offences contravene Sections 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act of 2015 ass amended in 2024, and Section 2(3) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022. (NAN)

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CRIME

Man Jailed 9 years for Sexually Assaulting 13-year-old neighbor’s son

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An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday sentenced a man, Francis Onwuzulike, to nine years six months imprisonment for sexually assaulting his neighbor’s son, a 13-year-old boy, (names withheld).

Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and  sentenced Onwuzulike, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended three-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and indecent acts.

The convict was charged with sexual assault by penetration in which he had pleaded not guilty but a plea bargain was later reached by the parties.

The Prosecutor, Ms Bukola  Okeowo, bearing the burden of proof pursuant to Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, called one 13-year-old boy as witness, who was cross- examined by the Defence Counsel, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku.

The victim had testified that in July 2018, when he was 13 years of age, the convict, who was his neighbour at No. 13 Adesanya Street, Ketu, Mile 12, Lagos committed acts of sexual abuse against him on three separate occasions.

The boy had narrated that the convict would send him on errands, and upon his return, would lock his door before perpetrating acts of sexual violence.

The boy said that he would be positioned face-down on the convict’s bed, whereupon the convict would mount on him and insert his penis into his anus.

The boy said that the convict had threatened to kill him should he disclosed what happened to anyone.

The boy said the abuse came to light through the intervention of the convict’s younger brother, who witnessed one of the incidents and subsequently informed the boy’s mother.

During cross-examination, the victim revealed that he suffered from constipation and other health complications due to the abuse.

Oshodi, while delivering the judgment held  that he was satisfied that the convict knew  the nature of the offences he pleaded guilty to.

He said: “You stand before this court for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and indecent acts, contrary to sections 135, 263, and 134, respectively.

“Initially, you were charged with sexual assault by penetration, an offence which attracts life imprisonment as punishment. However, following negotiations between the prosecution and your counsel, a plea agreement was reached dated 27 May 2025.

“Under the current charges to which you have pleaded guilty and been convicted, the prescribed punishments are as follows: count one, indecent treatment of a child: seven years imprisonment; count two, sexual assault: three years imprisonment; and count three, indecent acts: two years’ imprisonment.

“I have carefully considered your plea of guilty, which demonstrates a degree of acceptance of responsibility. I have also considered the remarks you made during the sentencing proceedings, in which you expressed profound regret and made a compassionate plea for mercy.”

The court held that the convict had tendered a comprehensive bundle of certificates obtained whilst in custody in support of his plea.

According to the judge, the certificates, 10 in number, demonstrate remarkable dedication to self-improvement and rehabilitation during the convict’s period of incarceration.

“The demonstrated commitment to personal transformation and the tangible evidence of rehabilitation justify a reduction of 20 per cent from the agreed sentence of 12 years, amounting to a decrease of two years and four months.

Accordingly, you are hereby sentenced to nine years and six months’ imprisonment, which sentence shall commence from the date of your remand on Sept. 12, 2018.

“Furthermore, under sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021, you shall be registered as a sex offender,” Oshodi said. (NAN)

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CRIME

Court Remands 10 Over Alleged Armed Robbery, Murder

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An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, ordered the remand of 10 persons in a correctional facility over alleged armed robbery and murder.

The defendants include Sheriff Lawal, 27, Lawal Bashit, 23, Oyewale Sodiq, 30, Akeem Ogunyemi, 41, and Kazeem Afolayan, 40.

Others are Akeem Raji, 37, Olabode Hammed, 25, Yusuf Lekan, 26, Ayomide John, 23 and Samuel Okezie, 32.

They are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.

The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Oladele, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

She adjourned the case until July 21 for mention.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 15, at about 9.30 p.m, at Oak Hotel, around Moniya, Ibadan.

Owolabi said the defendants robbed one Shuaibu Adam of the sum of N100, 000, while armed with sticks and cutlasses.

He said the defendants also unlawfully caused the death of one Abdul Isah, 23, by beating him with sticks and inflicted injury all over Adam’s body.

He said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)

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