Crime
EFCC Declares Ex-Naval Chief unreachable over N1.3bn Fraud
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has submitted before a Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja that all efforts at apprehending a former Naval Chief, Rear Admiral Tahir Yusuf Biu, who allegedly stole N1.3 billion from the Nigerian Navy have proved abortive.
The anti-graft agency told the court on Friday that it has not been able to locate Rear Admiral Biu since March 16 when a 9-count criminal charge was filed against him.
The counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Obeta Ugwu, expressed frustration that the defendant could not be found, so as to produce him before the court to answer the charges filed against him.
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However, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo disagreed with the anti-graft agency on the issue.
Justice Ekwo held that the agency was wasting state powers adding that several statutes bestowed enormous powers upon the EFCC to fish out anybody from hideout for justice where necessary.
The Judge therefore threatened to strike out the criminal charges if at the next adjourned date, the agency fails to produce the Defendant before the court.
He subsequently fixed February 22 2023 as the last adjournment for EFCC to produce the defendant in court or have the charge struck out.
Recall that Rear Admiral Biu was said to have on November 30, 2015 in Abuja, taken possession of N100 million transferred into his Bitmas Enterprises personal company bank account with number 1011904172 at Zenith bank from Naval Headquarters account domiciled at Zenith bank contrary to section 15 (2) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
According to the charge sheet, on March 14, 2012, Biu allegedly took possession of N135.4 million into his Bitmas Enterprises account 1001439871 transferred from the Defence Intellence Agency (DIA) personnel account, while another N197.8M was also transferred in the same manner into Bitmas account.
Consequently, the EFCC also charged him with unlawfully transferring of N148 million from the DIA to his company account at Zenith bank and N334 million into the same company’s account in the same manner.
In addition, Rear Admiral Biu was alleged to have taken possession of another N152 million and another N20 million from the DIA transferred into the company account.
In a related development, the anti-graft agency also alleged that the former Naval Chief diverted $300,000 from Navy Personal account meant for purchase of furniture for Navy Secondary School at Okura to his personal company account domiciled at Zenith bank before he disappeared into the thin air.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
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State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.
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