Crime

EFCC Arraigns Ex-Governor, Kwara Ex-Finance Commissioner for N1.22bn Fraud

Published

2 years ago

April 30, 2024

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The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday April 29, 2024 arraigned a former Commissioner for Finance in Kwara State, Ademola Banu before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin over alleged money laundering and misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N1.22billion.

The defendant was alleged to have among sundry issues conspired to divert the said sum during the administration of governor Abdulfatah Ahmed between May 2011 and May 2019 when he served as the Commissioner for Finance.

Banu was to be arraigned alongside his principal, former governor Abdulfatah on February 23, 2024, but when the case came up, he was absent in court and had no legal representation, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant against him upon the application by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

The court, on the said date, took the plea of the former governor Abdulfatah on the 12-count charge preferred against him and his finance commissioner by the EFCC and adjourned till Monday, April 29, 2024, while ordering the prosecution to produce Banu for trial.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, the two defendants – Abdulfatah Ahmed and Ademola Banu, who were listed as first and second defendant in the charge, were present in court.

When the case was called, A. A. Ajibade, SAN announced appearance for Abdulfatah, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN for Banu, while the prosecution team was led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

Jacobs informed the court that the second defendant who was unavailable at the last sitting when his co-traveler, Abdulfatah was arraigned, was finally in court to take his plea.

“My Lord, at the last adjournment, the first defendant (governor Abdulfatah) took his plea, but the second defendant (Banu) was not available in court that day, causing your lordship to issue a bench warrant against him”.

“Following the order of the court, counsel to the second defendant called me and explained that he would produce his client before the court today, which he has done. I pray the court to allow the charge to be read to him”, he said.

In response, Banu’s counsel, Oyewole prayed the court to discharge the bench warrant earlier issued against his client, which Jacobs did not oppose.

In a short ruling, Justice Anyadike vacated the bench warrant on the second defendant, setting the stage for his arraignment. Therefore, he was ordered to enter the dock to take his plea.

Count three of the charge reads:
“That you, ABDULFATAH AHMED (while being the Governor of Kwara State) and ADEMOLA BANU (while being the Commissioner of Finance of Kwara State), between January and December 2018 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired between yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of the sum of
N411,000,000 (Four Hundred and Eleven Million Naira) property of Kwara State Government meant for the provision of security in Kwara State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known was a proceed of an unlawful act, to wit; theft/fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his plea, Oyewole, SAN, moved a motion for the bail of his client. He prayed the court to grant the application on liberal terms citing the medical conditions of the client as reasons.

Jacobs however did not oppose the application in view of the earlier ruling.

Justice Anyadike admitted the second defendant to bail in the sum of N20million with two sureties in like sum, who must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The sureties must deposit three passport photographs with the court’s registrar. The sureties must also produce evidence of payment of electricity bills for the last three months.

Furthermore, the judge ordered that the sum of N5million must be paid as bond into the litigation account of the Federal High Court by the defendant, which will be returned to him after the final determination of the case, but forfeited to the Federal Government in the event the defendant jumps bail.

The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court, adding that the defendant must not travel without the permission of the court, but may apply to get it on medical grounds if the need arises. Thereafter, the judge ordered the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned to June 25 and 26, 2024 for trial.

Crime

UBA Head of Operations Sentenced to 40 Years Jail for theft

Published

3 months ago

January 24, 2026

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The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Freetown has sentenced the Head of Operations at the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Fredrick Caulker, to a total of forty (40) years’ imprisonment for corruption-related offences involving the misappropriation of public funds.

Delivering judgment at the Main Law Courts Building, Court of Appeal Judge, Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu, found Caulker guilty on four counts of misappropriation of public funds, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008, as amended by the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2019.

The offences related to PAYE and withholding tax payments made by the Small Holder Commercialization Agri-Business Development Project (SCADeP) to the National Revenue Authority

According to the prosecution, the accused, of No. 38A Taylor Street, Wellington, Freetown, abused his position as Head of Operations at UBA by diverting tax payments intended for the NRA into accounts other than the designated NRA accounts, on various dates and in various sums.

During the trial, the prosecution called eight witnesses, including a banker from Commerce Mortgage Bank.

Prosecution Witness Two (PW2), a former subordinate of the accused at UBA, testified that in November 2023 he processed several financial transactions on the instruction of Caulker. He told the court that some of the funds, including amounts of Le. 293,749.80, Le. 169,134.29, Le. 1,291,623.50, and Le. 255,725.81, were originally meant to be paid into NRA accounts but were instead redirected to other accounts following instructions from the accused.

Prosecuting Witness 2 further stated that in one instance, Caulker claimed to have received a call indicating that an initial transfer was a mistake and subsequently instructed that the funds be paid into a different account, providing specific account details.

On count five, which alleged conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, Justice Allieu held that the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of conspiracy. The accused was therefore acquitted and discharged on that count.

However, on counts one to four, the court found Caulker guilty and sentenced him to ten (10) years’ imprisonment on each count. The judge ordered that the sentences run consecutively, resulting in a cumulative sentence of forty (40) years.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay Le. 1,980,233.40 into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The amount is to be paid within ninety (90) days from the date of the judgmen

Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Freetown has sentenced the Head of Operations at the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Fredrick Caulker, to a total of forty (40) years’ imprisonment for corruption-related offences involving the misappropriation of public funds.

Source: SierraLeone loaded

Crime

EFCC Arrests E-Money For Naira Abuse

Published

12 months ago

April 29, 2025

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel (a.k.a. E-Money), for allegedly abusing the Naira note.

Our correspondent gathered that he was arrested on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.

Sources within the commission on Tuesday said E-Money was arrested for allegedly spraying United States dollars, an act said to be in violation of the Foreign Exchange Act.

One of the sources said, “On Monday night, we arrested E-Money for Naira abuse and defacing foreign currencies. Specifically, he was alleged to have sprayed U.S. dollars, which is against the Foreign Exchange Act.

“He was arrested at his Omole, Lagos residence. Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and he will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Another source who confirmed his arrest to our correspondent stated that E-Money is currently being flown to Abuja for questioning.

The source, who is not authorised to speak to the press, said, “Yes, he has been arrested and is being flown to Abuja as I speak, to face investigators on the issue.”

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the matter.

Crime

Desmond Chukwuebuka Accused of Financial Misconduct, Forged Academic Records, And Theft of School Property

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2025

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A school teacher around Abule Egba, Mr. Desmond Chukwuebuka Chiweuba, has been arraigned before Magistrate C.M. Owolabi at the Samuel Ilori Court, Ogba, on charges of theft, forgery, and fraudulent conversion of school funds. The court proceedings, which took place on May 26, 2025, have sparked concerns about accountability within the education sector.

Allegations of Financial Misconduct

An anonymous source within the school, which declined to be named, revealed that Mr. Desmond had been employed since 2023 as the institution’s Quality Assurance officer and, at times, as the Head Teacher. He was responsible for procuring books and other essential school materials. However, he allegedly inflated the prices of these purchases and, in some cases, removed the items from the school premises for personal use.

The school director was alerted to these irregularities, prompting an internal investigation. However, before the inquiry could be concluded, Mr. Desmond reportedly absconded. His disappearance led to a formal complaint being lodged with the police.

Fake Credentials and Forged Invoices Uncovered

During the police investigation, officers uncovered more fraudulent activities linked to Mr. Desmond. A search of his residence reportedly led to the discovery of a booklet of cash sales receipts, which he allegedly used to fabricate invoices for school purchases.

Further inquiries into his academic background raised more red flags. Mr. Desmond had claimed to be a graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. However, when repeatedly asked to present his certificates, he provided only a statement of results, offering various excuses for his failure to produce the official documents.

Legal Proceedings and Institutional Silence

Mr. Desmond has also been accused of forging invoices to justify fraudulent expenditures. His actions, described as gross misconduct, have tarnished the school’s reputation.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the school director were unsuccessful, as a representative stated she was unavailable.

Following his arraignment, the case has been adjourned until May 22, 2025, for further hearings.