NEWS
N30bn Clawed Back From Humanitarian Ministry’s Looted Funds – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made significant strides in combating corruption by recovering a staggering N30bn from the alleged money laundering activities within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The funds, linked to the former minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, were part of the N37,170,855,753.44 redirected from government coffers.
Moreover, the anti-graft agency has uncovered an additional N500m associated with Betta Edu, the successor to Umar-Farouk, who recently faced suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
These revelations shed light on a complex web of financial improprieties involving 38 bank accounts across five legacy commercial banks, all connected to the contractor James Okwete, as initially reported by BIZTELLERS.
According to report gathered, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully recovered N30bn after placing a lien on the bank accounts of Sadiya Umar-Farouq and contractor James Okwete.
Both individuals are currently undergoing intensive interrogation by the anti-graft agency.
Additionally, Betta Edu is still under scrutiny in relation to an alleged N17bn fraud, while the suspended Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme, Halima Shehu, is also being questioned over an alleged N44bn fraud.
An EFCC source revealed, “The commission has now recovered over N30bn from the laundered N37.1bn that was linked to former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
“We were able to recover the money after we placed liens on the bank accounts of the former minister and the contractor, Mr Okwete, who was linked to the fraud under probe. Both the minister and the contractor are still being grilled by our investigators daily.”
A senior EFCC investigator said “We have uncovered another N17bn money laundering from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and for the alleged fraud linked to the suspended minister, Betta Edu, we have so far recovered over N500m. Edu is still answering questions about the fraud.”
“The NSIPA coordinator, Halima Shehu, is still being grilled over the N44bn fraud linked to her at the NSIPA; our investigators aren’t leaving any stone unturned.”
In another update, the EFCC announced the recovery of a substantial sum amounting to N70,556,658,370.5 between October 2023 and January 19, 2024.
Exclusive details of this recovery were disclosed in an EFCC document titled ‘Operations and Recoveries,’ obtained by our correspondent.
The breakdown includes N60,969,047,634.25, $10,522,778.57, £150,002.10, and €4,119.90, highlighting a comprehensive effort in reclaiming illicit funds during this period.
Providing a comprehensive overview, the EFCC reported receiving a total of 3,325 petitions, accepting 2,657 of them.
During this period, the agency achieved the conviction of 747 individuals for various financial crimes, spanning from money laundering to Internet fraud.
Notably, the EFCC headquarters played a significant role in the overall recovery, securing N49,607,391,330.44, $3,900,200.75, £2,000, and €110.
Highlighting the extensive efforts across various commands, the Maiduguri Zonal Command recovered N58,065,870 and $3,370, Gombe Command secured N127,323,028.50 and $1,500, and Kano Command recovered N141,944,451 and $365.
Additionally, the Makurdi Command reclaimed N53,228,325, Enugu Command secured N202,117,000 and $1,950, Uyo Command recovered N25,299,950 and $710, while Port Harcourt Command excelled with N2,412,247,210.05 and $5,714,389.21.
Noteworthy recoveries include Sokoto Command with N100,696,118.72, Kaduna Command securing N331,494,710.81, $912, £50, and €1,610, Ilorin Command recovering N80,280,580.86 and $880, Abuja Zonal Command with N825,928,463 and $10,000, and Ibadan Zonal Command obtaining N135,519,810, $14,517, £280, and €500.
The Lagos Zonal Command reported a substantial recovery of N6,826,993,798.78, $868,284.61, £147,672.10, and €1,899.90.
In a parallel effort, the Benin Zonal Command secured the recovery of N49,515,987.09 and $5,700.
Simultaneously, the EFCC achieved 747 convictions during this period, predominantly centered on cybercrime and money laundering offenses.
Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed at a dialogue in Abuja that a significant portion of the convictions stemmed from prosecutions related to cybercrimes.
The EFCC further disclosed that it has deepened its investigation into money laundering cases involving high-profile public officials, including former governors and ministers accused of fraud.
The total amount implicated in these cases has reached around N130.1bn as of January 31, 2024, as revealed in an EFCC document titled ‘100 Days in Office,’ outlining ongoing probes, discoveries, and recoveries under Chairman Ola Olukoyede’s leadership.
NEWS
Kano Businessman’s Daughter Kidnapped After ₦8m Ransom Payment
In a shocking incident on Sunday morning, unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the home of Alhaji Auwal, a prominent businessman, in Garo Town, Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The gunmen, estimated to be around 10 in number, forced their way into the residence, breaking down a door to gain entry.
An anonymous source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, with three carrying firearms and the rest wielding other weapons.
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They quickly gathered the entire family in one room, instilling fear and panic in the household.
According to the source, Alhaji Auwal pleaded with the assailants to spare his family and agreed to meet their demands.
The kidnappers, who were determined to extort money, received ₦8 million from the family.
Despite this payment, the gunmen took the businessman’s eldest daughter, Zainab, a secondary school graduate, before fleeing the scene.
The whereabouts of Zainab remain unknown, and as of now, the kidnappers have not contacted the family.
This abduction comes just 48 hours after the tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of former Gombe State Permanent Secretary, Atiku Mu’azu, who was killed by gunmen after a ₦10 million ransom was paid.
The two incidents have left the residents of Kano in shock and fear, prompting calls for increased security measures in the area.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Authorities have yet to make any official statements regarding the investigation.
International News
Colombia Blocks US Deportation Flights Over Migrant Treatment
In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.
The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”
Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.
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The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.
While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.
Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.
Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.
In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.
NEWS
Four Dead, Many Injured As Explosion Rocks Niger State Mining Site
An explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured on Sunday morning.
The blast occurred as miners resumed operations, sending shockwaves through the community.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, local residents have pointed to the poor handling of explosive devices by mining companies as a possible factor.
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The incident has sparked concerns about safety practices within the mining sector.
Community sources confirmed the recovery of four bodies, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast and assess the full extent of the damage.
One resident, Aminu, described the chaos that followed the explosion. “The sound was so loud that many of us thought it came from the hydroelectricity dam nearby. People panicked and ran into the bush for safety,” he recounted.
Another community member highlighted the potential role of mining operations in the tragedy.
“Mining companies here frequently use explosives during their activities, and this seems like an operational issue, not something related to terrorism,” the resident said, dismissing concerns about a security threat in the area.
As of the time of reporting, neither the state government nor security agencies have released an official statement regarding the explosion.