Nigerian Army, EFCC Strategise to Fight Criminality in South-East

Nigerian Army, EFCC Strategise to Fight Criminality in South-East

The General Officer Commanding, (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Lasisi. A. Adegboye has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s efforts in South East and expressed readiness to strengthen the existing collaboration with the Commission.
He made the commendation on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 when he received a delegation of the EFCC Enugu Zone, led by the Zonal Head, Mr Johnson Oshodi at his office.
In his words, “Just like the Nigerian Army ,EFCC has been perceived in the negative by the general public, despite much responsibilities placed on both organisations and tremendous successes achieved. You cannot be deterred. Sometimes, when the attacks come, know that corruption is fighting back, do not be discouraged. Just know that you just hit the right spot.”
Stressing the importance of security and law enforcement synergy, the GOC said the military, the EFCC and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA needed constant synergy to address acts of criminality in the zone.
“Count on us to always assist you in your operations here in the South East, especially those likely to turn out violent even as I encourage you to continuously liaise with other law enforcement agencies for better results,’’ Adegboye said.
Oshodi, while revealing that the purpose of his visit was to seek continued support and collaboration of the military, stated that, “we are here to synergize because we are working for the same Nigerian people and we need inter-agency co-operation to achieve a better Nigeria and fight the menace of internal insecurity. We need to team up to curtail or even apprehend the powerhouse of those who sponsor and fuel insecurity in Nigeria.”
According to him, “The menace of terrorism which you fight, is obvious cannot take place without sponsors and it involves lots of funds and laundering of those funds and this is where we come in.’’
He thanked the GOC for the support to the Commission in the areas of training and water supply.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
22 September, 2020
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EFCC Arraigns former Poly Director for N27m Contract Scam in Awka

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday September 22, 2020 arraigned a former Director of Physical Planning, and currently Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Architect Pius Ugochukwu Ezeokafor before Justice O. A Ezeoke of the State High Court sitting in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on a three count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and gratification to the tune of N27, 000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Million Naira).

One of the charges read,”that you, Arc. Pius Ugochukwu Ezeokafor sometime between the year 2011 and 2012 at Oko, Aguata Local Government Area within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit felony to wit: with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretense the sum of N27, 000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Million Naira) from one Emerson Associates Limited and Dr. Okechukwu Enemuo (being Managing Director of Emerson Associates Limited), when you represented to them that you would help them get a contract of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) upon payment of facilitation fee, which pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence”.

They defendant allegedly met the petitioners on site at the Polytechnic where they were executing two construction contracts and offered to use his office as Director Of Physical Planning to swing a billion Naira contract for them, if they would pay him a N27million facilitation fee.

After receiving the payment, the defendant neither facilitated the promised contract nor refund their money.

Upon arraignment today, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the three count charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

In view of the plea of the defendant , the prosecuting counsel, Fortune Amina I. Asemebo asked for a trial date while the defense counsel Lucius Ogbuagu moved a motion for the bail of the defendant.

Justice Ezeoke, after hearing from both counsel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum who must have landed property within the jurisdiction of Court. The surety must be recommended by a legal practitioner or town union president, and must show evidence of tax clearance for the past three years.

The court adjourned the matter till 14th, 21st October and 5th November, 2020 for trial.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
22 September, 2020