Crime & Court
We jailed APC’s Nyame, Dariye, Kalu still on trial – EFCC replies critics
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says conviction of All Progressives Congress (APC) prominent members has vindicated it against accusations of being selective in its fight against graft.
Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Uwujaren was referring to Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, both former two-term governors of Taraba and Plateau, respectively.
Uwujaren stated that the convictions had “put a lie to the often repeated charge by critics and cynics that the EFCC (the prosecutor) is lukewarm in prosecuting chieftains of the ruling party for corruption’’.
He said, “Both trials had been ongoing for 11 years and towards the end of the proceedings, the two convicts changed their political camps, moving from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling APC.
“Dariye, who won election into the Senate on the platform of the PDP, decamped to the ruling APC at a critical phase of his trial, when the prosecution had called all its vital witnesses and conviction appeared imminent.
“Not surprisingly, this fuelled speculation that the gambit was a calculated move to stave off imminent conviction.
“But rather than slow proceedings, his trial accelerated, forcing the defence to close its case, thus setting the stage for the judgment of June12.”
The EFCC spokesman said Mr Mohammed Dakingari, a former Accountant-General of Kebbi and member of the APC was also convicted of corruption and sentenced to 70 years in prison.
He added that former Gov. Orji Kalu of Abia was still undergoing prosecution in court by the EFCC even after crossing to the APC.
The commission, according to him, has closed its case in that matter after calling several witnesses.
“But, rather than open his defence, Kalu elected to file a ‘no case submission’.
“It will be up to the court to determine whether the commission has presented enough evidence to warrant him to enter his defence.
“From these cases, Nigerians can now appreciate the fact that the EFCC is apolitical, blind to the political colours and affiliations of crime suspects.
“It will be foolhardy for any politically-exposed person under prosecution to think that mere change of political affiliation will guarantee immunity from prosecution.
“Rather than entertain idle gossips who thrive on haranguing the EFCC with charges of selectivity, these two recent convictions offer Nigerians the opportunity to better appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of the commission.”
Two Nigerian nationals, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja, 39, and Abel Adeyi Daramola, 37, are facing a combined 40-year prison sentence for their roles in a romance scam that defrauded a victim of $560,000.
The pair were convicted in a U.S. federal court following a four-day trial and less than three hours of jury deliberation.
A statement by U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez and FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda revealed that the scheme, which began in January 2016, involved a fictitious persona, “Glenn Brown,” created on the dating site eHarmony.com.
The duo, along with an accomplice, used this fake profile to manipulate a victim in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into sending large sums of money under the pretense of aiding a construction project in Malaysia.
Between January 2016 and April 2017, the victim transferred $560,000 to accounts in the U.S., Canada, and Malaysia. Evidence presented in court highlighted specific transactions, including a $28,000 wire transfer to an account linked to Daramola.
Daramola then funneled the money to other parties, including a seafood importer in Denmark.
Daramola denied involvement, but FBI investigations revealed incriminating text and WhatsApp messages on his phone, showing he provided bank accounts for multiple fraud schemes.
Ogunlaja, on the other hand, used his Bank of America account to receive fraudulent funds, including $40,000 deposited by the victim in March 2016. Ogunlaja subsequently withdrew and transferred funds to Daramola’s account.
Despite their denials, the weight of evidence led to the duo’s conviction. Both defendants remain on conditional release awaiting sentencing, where each faces up to 20 years in prison without parole. Sentencing dates have not yet been scheduled.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers from its workforce over allegations of fraudulent activities and misconduct.
In a statement issued on Monday, the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the dismissal followed the recommendations of the Staff Disciplinary Committee and subsequent ratification by the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Oyewale stated that the identities of the dismissed officers would not be disclosed, but the Commission remains committed to maintaining accountability and integrity within its ranks.
“Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head,” the statement read.
“The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.”
The Commission also warned the public about the activities of impersonators and blackmailers exploiting its name for extortion.
According to the statement, two alleged fraudsters, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
They allegedly demanded $1 million from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, under the pretense of offering a “soft landing” from a non-existent investigation.
“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission,” the EFCC emphasized.
The agency reassured Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, promising to uphold transparency and discipline within its operations.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 61-year-old Lagos socialite, Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, popularly known as “Iya Ruka” in the drug underworld, following the interception of a truckload of illicit drugs allegedly linked to her.
The arrest took place on January 1, 2025, at her mansion located at 33 Adebayo Oyewole Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos.
According to a statement signed by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Alhaja Ajoke’s true identity had been shrouded in mystery for years, despite her alleged role as a key figure in a drug cartel operating from Mushin, Lagos.
The operation began when NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a white Isuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis. The truck was reportedly driven by one of her staff members, 41-year-old Abideen Adio.
Following the interception, the operatives stormed her residence and arrested her.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for the success of the operation.
He praised their efforts in reducing both drug supply and demand across the country, emphasizing that such operational successes were crucial to the agency’s mission.
“The balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction by our operatives continues to yield commendable results,” Marwa stated.
Alhaja Ajoke, who is well-known in social circles, has been on the NDLEA’s wanted list for years for her alleged leadership role in the drug trade. Her arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the agency’s fight against drug trafficking in Lagos and beyond.
Investigations are ongoing, and the NDLEA has vowed to ensure that justice is served.
-
News5 days agoGhana Announces Visa-Free Travel for African Passport Holders
-
News5 days ago
FCT Residents to Experience Prolonged Power Outages
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist to Surpass 8 Billion Spotify Streams
-
News5 days ago
Nasarawa Governor Dissolves Cabinet, Relieves SSG
