Crime
Exposed: EFCC Traces Billions In Bribes To NCS Top Officials
In a shocking revelation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has exposed a massive bribery scandal involving senior officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
According to premium Times, the scandal, which implicates seven high-ranking officers, has revealed the depth of corruption within the service, with over 12 billion naira traced to illicit payments from smugglers.
Among the seven officials identified, a significant portion of the bribes, more than 80 percent, was linked to Zone C in Port Harcourt.
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One of the arrested officers, Ibrahim, the NCS Area Controller of Zone B in Kaduna, was found in possession of $31,200 and 500,000 naira.
Further investigations by the EFCC traced 1.1 billion naira in suspected bribe proceeds to him. Ibrahim has since refunded 250 million naira, with a commitment to repay the remaining balance.
The investigation also uncovered 126 million naira linked to Mr. Jalo’s personal assistant, Umar Tafarki, who has refunded 12 million naira to date.
Another key figure in this scandal, Kayode Kolade, Comptroller of Federal Operation (FOU) Zone C in Port Harcourt, was found to have received 9.5 billion naira in suspected bribes between 2015 and 2023. Kolade has refunded 50 million naira and committed to repaying an additional 800 million naira.
Nurudeen Musa, the Comptroller of Enforcement for Kaduna Zone, was also implicated, with the EFCC tracing 950 million naira to him. After spending days in detention, Musa has refunded 583 million naira and promised to repay the rest.
Hamisu Ibrahim, the officer in charge of Operation FOU Zone B in Kaduna, was suspected of receiving 120 million naira in bribes between 2019 and 2023.
He has refunded 13 million naira and pledged to repay the balance.
Madugu Saleh and Mohammed Rabiu were also identified as recipients of bribes, with 85 million naira and 84 million naira respectively traced to them.
Saleh has refunded 13.5 million naira, while Rabiu, the officer in charge of patrol on the Anganga road, has refunded 15 million naira to the EFCC.
Nigeria Customs Officials Complicit
In Abuja, a man named Alex, suspected of being involved in ritualistic practices and internet fraud, was arrested for allegedly attempting to murder a hook-up girl named Olivia for ritual purposes.
The incident unfolded at a hotel in Wuse Zone 5, where hotel staff intervened after hearing Olivia’s screams.
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They discovered her in a disturbing state—completely naked and bound with tape, her mouth sealed and her limbs tied.
SP Josephine Adeh, the Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police, addressed the situation, stating, “The FCT police command is aware of the video circulating regarding a lady who was criminally confined at Top View Hotel on September 17, 2024, by an alleged internet fraudster for a money ritual.”
Akeh further noted that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken Alex into custody but has not yet transferred him to the police for further investigation.
“The FCT police command is awaiting the handover of all parties involved to initiate a thorough and discreet investigation. We will provide further updates as the situation develops.”
In a dramatic turn of events, officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Wednesday night at the Kogi State Governor’s lodge located in Asokoro, Federal Capital Territory.
The operation was met with resistance from security personnel at the lodge, resulting in gunfire during the altercation.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the area, limiting access to EFCC agents and other security forces.
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Unconfirmed reports suggest that Bello has since left the lodge, accompanied by the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo. Following the incident, normalcy appears to have returned to the vicinity.
This latest attempt to apprehend Bello follows his long-standing status on the EFCC’s wanted list for allegedly laundering N80.2 billion. After months of evading capture, a statement from the Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, indicated that the former governor had agreed to attend an EFCC invitation after consulting with his family, legal advisors, and political allies.
However, the EFCC responded by clarifying that Bello is not in their custody and remains a wanted individual due to the serious money laundering charges against him, as reiterated by spokesman Dele Oyewale.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has debunked reports of wanted former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello surrendering himself to the Commission.
This was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Wednesday by its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
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It wrote, “Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
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