Presidency Reacts to Brouhaha Over Telegraph Interview

The State House has described as misconstrued, the various interpretations of President Muhammadu Buhari's comments in an interview granted to the UK's Telegraph newspaper on February 5, 2016.

In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, February 9, Malam Garba Shehu (Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity) noted that the wave of negative reactions to the President's remarks about the reputation of Nigerians abroad was as a result of an incomplete understanding of President Buhari's point.

"President Buhari was asked about the flood of migrants from Nigeria and the fraudulent applications for asylum put in by people desperate to leave their motherland at any cost, and it was this question that elicited his response," he said, encouraging Nigerians to avail themselves of a full text of the interview, which has now been made available on the Telegraph's website.

Malam Shehu added that it was preposterous for anyone to imagine that the President of Nigeria would describe all the citizens of the country he leads as criminals, when he himself is a Nigerian--obviously not a criminal--and when there are many Nigerians of honest living making their country proud all over the world.

"Unfortunately, there are also Nigerians giving their country a bad image abroad, and it is to those Nigerians that the President referred in his comments," he said, adding that people may play politics and online games with the President's comments, but the fact of the matter remains that Nigeria's reputation abroad has been severely damaged by her own citizens.

"These Nigerians who leave their country to go and make mischief on foreign shores have given the rest of us a bad reputation that we daily struggle to overcome."

Malam Shehu called attention to the many efforts of President Buhari to clean up the image of Nigeria, such as the war on corruption, stating that acknowledging you have a problem is the first step to preferring a solution.

"President Buhari is very aware of the problems the people of Nigeria face both at home and abroad, and he is not shying away from admitting them even as he focuses on solutions to bring them to a permanent end."

Garba Shehu
SSAP(Media and Publicity)
Abuja.09-02-16.

HALF A TRILLION NAIRA SOCIAL INVESTMENT ALLOCATION IN 2016 BUDGET UNPRECEDENTED - VP OSINBAJO

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE:

*Says access to healthcare is a poverty issue

Determined to ensure healthcare access to all Nigerians, the Buhari administration will put in place effective primary healthcare centers across the country, while also collaborating with international agencies to end HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country.

The indications were given today by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, while receiving a delegation of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, led by its Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibe at the Presidential Villa.

According to the Vice President, access to healthcare is “a poverty issue, we must put it in that perspective.” He explained that it was for the same reasons that the Buhari administration put the “half a trillion Naira in the 2016 budget, the largest single budgetary item of any government ever on social investments programmes," that address poverty.

The Vice President was referring to the 6 social investment plans of the Buhari presidency which are:

*Creation of 500,000 teaching jobs for unemployed graduates
*370,000 youths to be taken through vocational training and skills acquisition and would be paid while doing so
*Conditional Cash Transfer programme where one million extremely poor Nigerians would be paid N5000 per month in 2016
*Homegrown School Feeding programme where the federal government provides one-meal-a-day to primary school pupils across the country
*Free Education for tertiary education students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
*A one-time N60,000 loan to market women, artisans and traders through a Micro Credit scheme using the Bank of Industry.

All the programmes have been provided for in the 2016 budget, the Vice President restated, and they are means of reducing poverty and vulnerabilities. He stated that access to treatment by patients of HIV/AIDS as in other diseases is an equality issue “because the vast majority of people who need help are those who can’t afford it.”

He said the federal government will ramp up funding for healthcare in the country and work with the UN to eliminate Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV/AIDS, expanding treatment for patients and spurring local manufacture of the Anti retroviral drugs, the three major issues the UNAIDS director tabled before him at the meeting.

Sidibe said there is a good opportunity for Nigeria, which is the second largest HIV endemic country in the world to beat the disease. He said already there is a decline in new HIV infections in the country and that about 800,000 people in the country are undergoing treatment. He said ending HIV infection in Nigeria will send a positive message across the world. But he noted that there are still 50,000 babies born yearly in the country with HIV infection, a situation he noted “is unnecessary.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
In the Office of the Vice President.
February 9, 2016

Lamido Sanusi criticises Nigerian President Buhari's naira policy

Image copyright Images

Image captionLamido Sanusi was Nigeria's central bank governor from 2009 to 2014

Respected former head of Nigeria's Central Bank Lamido Sanusi has said the government should end its policy of trying to maintain the value of the currency, the naira.

Mr Sanusi said the drawbacks of the policy "far outweigh its dubious benefits", the Financial Times reports.

President Muhammadu Buhari told the BBC last week that he was not convinced of the need to "murder" the naira.

The falling oil price has put pressure on his currency policy.

The authorities are keeping the official naira rate at around 200 to the US dollar, but the black market rate is closer to 300.

Africa Live: BBC news updates

Nigeria's supercar sellers hit by economic slow-down

The government relies on oil exports for vital foreign exchange and the declining price means there are fewer dollars in the country.

Image copyright

Image captionThe value of the naira is much lower on the black market

"The government does not have the reserves to keep the exchange rate at its official level in the market," Mr Sanusi told the Financial Times.

The policy has "never worked" wherever it has been tried, he added.

But Mr Buhari told the BBC that he is yet to be convinced that he should allow the currency to be devalued.

In an effort to sustain the policy, the government has imposed currency restrictions, and halted the importation of certain goods in order to stop dollars leaving the country.

Mr Sanusi was the central bank governor from 2009 to 2014, when he was suspended by then-President Goodluck Jonathan following a row over corruption in the oil sector.

He is now the emir of Kano, an influential religious post among Muslims in Nigeria.

Via: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35522635

N371m Fraud: EFCC re-arraigns Saraki’s cousin, Moronfoye

Ope Saraki

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 re-arraigned the duo of immediate past Kwara State Commissioner for Information, Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye, and Ope Saraki, cousin to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed before Justice Oluremi O. Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin for offences bordering on abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

Moronfoye and Saraki who were first arraigned on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 had to re-enter their plea today following the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice A. O. Faji.

Moronfoye, while being the Special Adviser to former Governor Saraki (now Senate President) allegedly used his position to enrich himself.

Specifically, he allegedly awarded contracts to the tune of N200million (two hundred million naira) for the renovation of Ijagbo Primary Health Centre and Specialist Hospitals within the State to a company in which he has interest and was the sole signatory to its account.

Similarly, Sararki abused his office and laundered state funds for his personal benefit by awarding inflated contracts to companies owned by his cronies.

In one of the transactions involving purchase of buses for the State, Saraki fraudulently procured thirteen Hiace buses from a “Local Car Dealer” and converted same to ambulance instead of a factory-built ambulance for which a contract of N171,990,000.00 (one hundred and seventy one million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira) was awarded to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited.

Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye, former Commissioner of Information

One of the counts reads:

“That you, Ope Saraki, being the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to Governor of Kwara State sometime in 2012 at Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did by undue interest conducted procurement fraud in the procurement of 13 units of ambulance for 13 General Specialist Hospitals in Kwara State at the sum of N171,990, 000.00 (one hundred and seventy one million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira only), a contract awarded to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (5) 0f the same Act.”

Moronfoye and Saraki, at today’s sitting, again pleaded not guilty to three and five counts preferred against them respectively.

In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Joseph Uzor urged the court for a date to commence trial.

However, J. O. Olatoke, SAN and S. I. Abaya representing the accused persons prayed the court to allow the defendants continue with the bail terms earlier granted them by the first trial judge, Justice Faji, having not breached the terms.

Justice Oguntoyinbo, in response to both counsel’s applications, adjourned to April 4 and 5, 2016 for trial and ordered the accused persons to continue with the bail earlier granted them.

It would be recalled that, Justcie Faji had on May 13, 2015 admitted Moronfoye and Saraki to bail in the sum of N50m (fifty million naira) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must produce “Certificate of Occupancy” of landed property within urban area of Ilorin and must swear to affidavit of means. The sureties must also produce evidence of tax payment for three years.

The accused persons must be reporting to EFCC Head Office, Abuja every three weeks and must notify EFCC whenever they intend to travel.
While Moronfoye retains custody of his “International passport”, Saraki, under the said bail terms, would have his deposited with the court.

Source: PM News

Court Rejects Kanu’s Request For His Seized Passports, Money

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed an application by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biaf‎ra, Nnamdi Kanu, for the release of certain items, including his British and Nigeria passports, which are in the custody of the Department of State Service.

Justice James Tsoho dismissed the application made orally by Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Chuks Muouma (SAN), who had sought the release of the items because they would not be needed by the prosecution since they were not listed as part of exhibits to be tendered.

Apart from the passports, other items which Muouma sought to be released to the IPOB leader who is currently in detention at Kuje prison along with his two co-accuse, are cash sums of $2,200 and N87,000.

Justice Tsoho, in dismissing the application for lacking in merit, insisted that the fact that the items were not listed as possible exhibits did not foreclose the possibility of their being later used by the prosecution as exhibits.

‎He then adjourned the case till February 19 for the hearing of an application by the prosecution for protection of its witnesses.

The judge, before adjourning the case,  granted the request by the defence lawyer to the effect that relations of the accused persons be allowed in the court room subject to security screening and the capacity of the court room.

Kanu, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu are being prosecuted on six counts of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and other offences bordering on their agitation for secession ‎of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

‎Justice Tsoho had on January 29 denied bail to Kanu and the two other defendants and ordered that they remained on remand pending the period of their trial.

The judge in rejecting the accused persons’ bail application, held that they were not entitled to bail as they failed to challenge the allegation by the prosecution that they would continue to commit the alleged crime for which they were being prosecuted if granted bail.

Kanu was in the custody of the Department of State Service from the time of his arrest in a Lagos hotel on October 14, 2015 till January 20, 2016, when he was transferred to prison by an order of Justice Tsoho , shortly after he was arraigned along with two others.

Source: Punch Newspaper

Dasukigate: Metuh, Wife Bought N500 Million Property In Banana Island-Witness

Prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, Junaid Sai’d, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how the sum of N500m in two tranches of N200m and N300m was allegedly transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited for the purpose of buying a landed property at Banana Island, Lagos for the couple.

Metuh is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  for allegedly receiving N400million (Four Hundred Million Naira) from  a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who is also being tried  for his involvement in the  $2.1 billion arms deal.

Sa'id, a member of the team that  investigated the case, gave a blow-by-blow account of the activities carried out since the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) petitioned the Commission, which include the following:  a correspondence with Diamond Bank Plc to obtain the mandate and statement of accounts for Destra Investment Ltd; correspondences with other banks to obtain mandates and statements of accounts of individuals and companies relevant to the case as well as letters to ONSA and the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

According to him, responses from the CBN and ONSA confirmed that the former was given the mandate to pay the sum of N400m to Destra Investment Limited for the purpose of security services.

He said:  "After the payment of N400m by ONSA, a further N150m was paid into the same account by one Kabir Ibrahim. Capital Field Investment Limited paid another N91m and another N82m was paid in by one Eyitoye.  These funds formed the Naira equivalent of $2m, which Metuh gave to one Nneka Ararume, in cash.

"Amongst the disbursements made were N77.5m paid to one Yomi Badejo through his company, CMC Connect Ltd, to carry out campaign activities for the People's Democratic Party (PDP); N25m paid to one Alhaji Abba Dabo to carry out media activities for the PDP; N21.7m to Chief Anthony Anenih; N5m to Chief Kema Chikwe; N50m transferred to the joint account owned by Olisa and Kanayo Metuh.

"The sum of N500m was also discovered to have been transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited in two tranches for the purpose of buying a landed property at Banana Island by the 1st defendant and his wife.’’

Saí’d, who further stated that the team visited the residence of the first defendant and invited him to the Commission during the course of the investigation, told the court how Metuh had torn his statement into shreds, saying,

‘‘After he was interviewed, I asked him if he wanted to volunteer his statement and he answered in the affirmative. When he concluded writing his statement in four sheets of the Commission's statement form, he handed them over to me. I read what had been written and handed them over to my other team members to read. After that, I returned them to him for endorsement. He endorsed the first sheet and the second sheet. When he was about to endorse the third sheet, in which he stated that the money he received from the office of the NSA were used for PDP campaign activities and to settle his personal debt, to the surprise of the team, he suddenly tore the sheet into pieces. The pieces of the torn sheet were then recovered from him and registered as exhibits.

"Much later in the day, he requested to volunteer an additional statement, which he did.''

After cross-examination of the witness by the defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, then closed his case. 

Ikpeazu prayed the court for adjournment, stating that he needed the certified true copy of the proceedings to open his defence. 

However, Tahir objected to the motion moved by the defence.

After listening to both counsel, Justice Abang stated that the record of proceedings was not ready for certification, adding that it was not a valid reason for the defence to seek adjournment in view of the evidence that had so far been presented by the prosecution.

Consequently, the case was adjourned to February 18, 2016 for the defence to open his case.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

9th February, 2016

Court Issues Fresh Warrant of Arrest on Tompolo

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday issued a fresh order for the arrest of Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo.

Justice Ibrahim Buba issued the arrest warrant at the resumption of the case involving Tompolo and a former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA,  Mr. Patrick   Akpobolokemi and eight others,  who are billed for arraignment for alleged conspiracy and diversion of over N34,000,000,000( Thirty Four Billion Naira only), belonging to NIMASA.

The new warrant of arrest replaced an earlier one issued on 14 January, 2016.

At the resumption of the matter on Monday, counsel to Tompolo, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, brought before the court an application praying the court to set aside an earlier order of arrest on Tompolo. However, prosecuting counsel, Festus Keyamo filed a counter affidavit in respect of the application but later withdrew it.

He, however, objected to the application orally. He argued by quoting section 221 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, that Oyetibo's application should not be heard since the plea of the accused person had not been taken. In spite of this objection, Justice Buba allowed the defence counsel to move his application.

In the application, Oyetibo prayed the court to set aside the arrest order on his client, arguing that the address on which the substituted service was pasted does not belong to Tompolo. He said, by this error, the prosecution violated the order of the court.

He also tried to convince the court that since his client was addressed as a plaintiff, the matter before the court could only be a civil one

After listening to the submissions of Oyetibo, Justice Buba dismissed his application and all the prayers therein. He ordered all the security organisations in the country to ensure the apprehension and production of Tompolo before the court to answer the charges preferred against him by the EFCC. He also ruled that EFCC can arrest anybody that is alleged to have committed an offense without a court order.

Before the court adjourned,  Keyamo informed the court that the EFCC has another charge involving Tompolo and the former NIMASA boss, where a fresh twenty- two count charge had been filed against them for conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N35billion. Justice Buba fixed 25 February, 2016 both for the appearance of Tompolo in court and the fresh arraignment.

Simon Achuba Becomes Kogi Deputy Governor

Simon Achuba has been sworn in as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State.

His swearing in took place on Tuesday in Lokoja the capital of the north-central state.

Mr Chuba filled the vacuum in the deputy governorship position after Mr James Faleke refused to be Governor Yahaya Bello’s deputy.

Mr Achuba last year defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress and he is a former Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

Source: ChannelsTV

MTN must pay fine, says govt

Mobile giant MTN must pay substantial part of the N780billion fine imposed on it for subscriber identity module (SIM)registration guideline infractions before any out of court settlement could honoured, the Federal Government said yesterday.

The Minister of Communications and Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, said the telco violated extant laws for which it accepted responsibility and wrote a letter of apology, promising to be a responsible corporate citizen.

The infractions were committed under the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration, which, according to Shittu, looked the other way. It took the courage of the government to apply the law, he said.

MTN begged for a revision of the sanction, “which Mr President graciously acceded to”, but the company turned around to say it had no money to pay.

The minister said the government replied, asking MTN to write a letter stating why it will go down after paying the fine and attaching a statement of its account so that the government will realise the dangers the payment will constitute to its financial health.

Shittu said he received a call from the telco informing him that it was going to court.

He said since the matter is now before the court, the government will wait for the court’s decision.

According to Shittu, nobody wants MTN dead. The company violated the laws for which there are consequences, he said.

MTN was sactioned about $5.1billion or N1.7trillion for fraudulently keeping some 5.2million preregistered SIMs on its network – a development analysts said amounted to sabotage in view of the security challenges facing the country.

Also yesterday, the MTN confirmed that it has been served with court summons based on a lawsuit filed by Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (Etisalat Nigeria) over the acquisition of Visafone.

In a statement, its Executive Amina Oyagbola, said Etisalat has filed a lawsuit against MTN and Visafone and we have filed appropriate processes before the court for necessary determination. “The acquisition of Visafone was concluded after obtaining all necessary statutory and regulatory approvals. I am not able to comment further as the matter is sub judice,”she said.

Oyagbola added that the acquisition allows Visafone and MTN to leverage resources for service enhancement whilst also deepening the growth and roll-out of broadband services across the country in support of the National Broadband Plan for the benefit of Nigerians. She also made reference to media reports credited to regulatory authorities that the acquisition would help sustain the continuity of CDMA services in Nigeria in addition to being beneficial to operators and subscribers.

Source: The Nation

Court Restrains AGF, Others From Arresting Kashamu

BY PUNCH NEWSPAPERFEB 08, 2016

The Senator representing the Ogun East in the Senate, Buruji Kashamu, on Monday obtained a fresh order from a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami,  the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency  and the agency’s former Chairman, Ahmadu Giade from arresting him.

Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu

Kashamu had applied for the order through an ex parte application following his apprehension that he could be be abducted by the Federal Government through the NDLEA for the purpose of illegally extraditing him to the United States of America to face drugs-related offence.

‎Justice Kolawole granted the interim order restraining the senator’s arrest or detention after listening to Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, who moved the motion ex parte in the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015, on Monday.
The judge ruled that the interim order would subsist till Wednesday.

Kashamu, who is a former Director of Mobilisation, Peoples Democratic Party is in his ex parte application, seeking three prayers, including an order of interim injunction, restraining the three the defendants (AGF, NDLEA and Giade) “from arresting, detaining or applying for a warrant for his arrest in relation to his alleged involvement in drug trade, pending the determination of the contempt proceedings he initiated against them”.

EFCC detains ex-CDS Badeh after eight-hour grilling

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday detained a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, after about eight-hour grilling.

There were indications last night that some former military chiefs were also being quizzed.

But their names were kept under wraps by the anti-graft agency.

Air Chief Marshal Badeh’s interrogation began at about 9am when he was ushered into a session with a panel.

As at 6.27pm, there was no sign that he would be allowed to go home.

Those detained already include ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd); Col. N. Ashinze , who was the Special Military Assistant to the ex-NSA; and a former Chief of Air Staff, A.N. Amosu.

A top source in the EFCC said: “The ex-CDS reported for interrogation and we have been grilling him in the last eight hours on some of the contracts executed with over $2.1billion.

“He is having audience with one of the panels we raised to interact with those military chiefs invited.

“We confronted Badeh with some documents, including letters to the ex-NSA,  Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), demanding the procurement of some military equipment.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We are not likely to release him on bail now because his interrogation may take a while. You know, he was central to the control of the Armed Forces.

“Before being the CDS, he was also a Chief of Air Staff. Some of these equipment were bought under him.”

The source confirmed that some former and serving military officers had been quizzed but he was not forthcoming on the list “in order not to prejudice investigation.”

Apart from Air Chief Marshal Badeh, others for investigation are Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal M.D. Umar; the most senior Air Force officer, AVM A. M. Mamu (the Chief of Administration); AVM O.T.Oguntoyinbo (former Director of Production, Defence Headquarters);  AVM R.A. Ojuawo (Air Officer, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi;  AVM J.B. Adigun (former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting in NAF); and AVM J. A. Kayode-Beckley(Director, Armament Research in Air Force Research and Development Centre); AVM T. Omenyi (MD, NAF Holdings), four top officers at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) –  Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi; Air Cdre. GMD Gwani; Air Cdre. S.O. Makinde; and Air Cdre. A.Y. Lassa.

Source: The Nation

Okonjo-Iweala under probe for €3.6m vehicles deal?

EFCC to quiz ex-Service Chiefs in new phase of arms cash investigation

Another round of investigations into the $2.1billion arms deals is to begin tomorrow, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sources said yesterday.

Top on the agenda is how the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Administration bought €3,654,121million vehicles for the Republic of Niger in October 2013 and April 2014.

The cash was withdrawn from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) account in two installments of €1, 401,869 and €2,252,252.25,

The commission is also seeking to verify whether or not the vehicles were bought and under diplomatic or bilateral security cooperation.

The EFCC is to find out from the Republic of Niger if there was such assistance from Nigeria.

The agency plans to quiz some more public figures, including former Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, some former Service Chiefs and serving military officers in connection with the $2.1billion arms deals.

Some suspects may be taken into custody, it was learnt.

The EFCC,it was gathered, is through with the first phase of the probe, which led to the arraignment of ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and 10 others.

The interrogation of the likes of Dasuki and the others now facing trial or about to be arraigned seems to have convinced the agency of the need to dig deeper than originally planned.

A top source said: “We are beginning the second phase of the ongoing investigation of the $2.1b arms deals on Monday. From the preliminary findings, the scandal is mind-boggling.

“We are going to question more high-profile serving and former public officers, including a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the release of some funds.

“We want the ex-Minister to shed more light on how about $322million was disbursed to the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

“Some serving and former military chiefs will have to respond to issues which we have already isolated for clarification.”

The source said investigators had already obtained the list of military equipment which were bought and the inventory by the Armed Forces.

“This explains why some serving and former military chiefs will need to come and assist our investigators,”he said.

“Some of the companies which supplied these equipment have been contacted too.”

On the purchase of security vehicles for Niger Republic,the EFCC is said to have established that the money was withdrawn from the ONSA account in two installments of €1, 401,869 and €2,252,252.25,

The commission is keen to confirm whether or not the vehicles were bought and under what diplomatic or bilateral security cooperation.

It was gathered that it will require finding out from the Republic of Niger if there was such assistance from Nigeria.

The initial cash of €1, 401,869 was drawn from the Central Bank in an October 2013 through ONSA memo ACCT/87/VOL.1/384.

The second tranche of €2,252,252.25 was got from the CBN in an April 1, 2014 via a memo ACCT/87/VOL.1/60

The first memo to the CBN Governor, “Transfer of foreign exchange”, said: “You are please requested to transfer the sum of €1, 401,869.00 only in favour of SEI Societe d’equipments Internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 as payment for the supply of security vehicles to Republic of Niger. The wire transfer details are as follows: Banque: SONIBANK (Republique du Niger-Niamey). Compete N025111123981/22. Code Banque:80064. Code Guichrt: 01001.

“The amount should be charged to National Security Adviser Account no. 0020172241019 with the Central Bank of Nigeris Abuja and all charges thereto.

“Please accept the assurances of the National Security Adviser.”

Magu, earlier in the day told the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes that Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and one of her associates, Mr, Kola Aluko, are being investigated.

He also told the committee, why defending the EFCC’s 2016 Budget, that the agency should be supported to hire additional 750 employees in different cadres.

Magu also sought the backing of the committee to consider and approve “additional N500,000 million to assist in our operational activities as more sectors of the economy may likely come under investigative activities during the year.”

Magu said the agency’s estimate is made up ofN11, 422, 991, 540.00 for capital, and N2,999,245,761.00 as the overhead component of the recurrent. He requested that “the National Assembly should graciously support a planned recruitment of additional 750 employees of different cadres in 2016.”

A second memo said: “You are please requested to transfer the sum of €2, 252, 252.25 only in favour of SEI Societe d’equipments Internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 as payment for the supply of security vehicles to Republic of Niger. The wire transfer details are as follows: Banque: SONIBANK (Republique du Niger-Niamey). Compete N025111123981/22. Code Banque: 80064. Code Guichrt: 01001.

“The amount should be charged to National Security Adviser Account no. 0020172241019 with the Central Bank of Nigeria,Abuja and all charges thereto.

“Please accept the assurances of the National Security Adviser.”

The EFCC has intensified its collaboration with the National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom, with the ongoing probe of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The International Corruption Unit (ICU) of NCA on October 2 arrested Mrs. Alison-Madueke and four others.

The identities of the remaining four suspects are yet to be unveiled.

But all the suspects are being investigated for alleged bribery and money laundering.

The EFCC source, who is actively involved in the ongoing investigation, said: “We have been collaborating with NCA on Diezani’s case, which has reached an appreciable level.

“We have the details of others arrested with Diezani but we will not disclose until the matter gets to a convenient bend.

“So far, we have been comparing notes with NCA on a faster note in terms of tracking a few transactions and documents. There is no hiding place for the ex-Minister and her alleged accomplices.

“By the time the trial begins, the NCA and EFCC would have established a solid case against the ex-Minister and other suspects.”

Source: The Nation