EFCC Recovers Over N4.16Bn Unpaid Lottery Revenue and Other Stories

EFCC Recovers Over N4.16Bn Unpaid Lottery Revenue

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mohammed Umar Abbah has disclosed that the Commission recovered over N4.16 billion from lottery companies, being revenue owed to the government, which they refused to remit.

He made the disclosure on September 24, 2020 at the EFCC Headquarters while hosting a delegation from the Ministerial Task Force for recovery of unpaid revenues from lottery businesses, led by its chairman, Willaims Alo.

Mohammed noted that lottery companies operating in the country were not forthcoming in remitting revenues that were due to the government hence the need for the EFCC to intervene.

While appraising the efforts of the Commission in this direction, he said, “We mapped out strategies which resulted in the recovery of over N1.16 billion from lottery companies, operating in Abuja with over N3 billion from their counterparts, operating in Lagos State.

He assured the task force of the EFCC’s unwavering support stating that “We are willing and ready to partner with you to ensure that lottery companies that have continuously shortchanged the government are made to cough out all the revenues they had deprived the government over the years.”

Alo, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, commended the EFCC for its effort in recovering the unremitted lottery funds.

“Let me acknowledge the efforts of this Commission for the assistance it has rendered not only to the Federal Government of Nigeria but specifically to the lottery industry in Nigeria. It is in our record that the EFCC has assisted the lottery business in no small way, because a lot of recoveries have been made for us by the EFCC and the money recovered has always been handed over to the lottery trust fund,” Alo said.

Alo, however, solicited for more support and collaboration of the Commission in the fund recovery drive of the task force.

“Our main purpose is to solicit for continuous collaboration and partnership, after all we are in the same line of business which is making sure that life is better for Nigerians,” Alo stated.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
24 September, 2020
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Two Oil Thieves Bag Three Years Jail Term in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, today September 24, 2020 secured the conviction and sentencing of two oil thieves, Jacob Momodu and Onutu Anthony, to three years imprisonment each before Justice I. N. Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convicts were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on dealing in petroleum product without appropriate license, after they were arrested by officers of the Nigerian Navy and handed over to the Commission for investigation.

One of the counts reads: “ That you, Jacob Momodu and Onutu Anthony, on the 21st day of January, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in 100 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) without appropriate license and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act.”

They pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, I.A .Mohammed, reviewed the facts of the case and asked the court to convict the defendants as charged.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Oweibo found the defendants guilty of the offence and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each on counts one, two and three.

The Judge also ordered the convicts to enter into a bond with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never to be involved in any economic and financial crimes, illegitimate or criminal act within and outside the shores of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
24 September, 2020
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Illeged Visa Scam: EFCC Docks School Proprietor, One Other In Ibadan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal office, on Thursday, September 24, 2020, arraigned two persons, Motunrayo Olasebikan and Abideen Adefisayo Tijani, before Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan for alleged involvement in a visa scam.

Olasebikan, who claimed to be a school proprietress in the state capital, was arraigned alongside Tijani on a seven-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and uttering.

One of the charge reads: “That you: Olasebikan Motunrayo and Tijani Abideen Adefisayo on or about September 2018, at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial division of this Honourable Court, did make document titled: “Electronic Travel Authorisation” “No. J511464256” in the name of one Adediran Pamilerin Adedayo purporting it to have been issued by the Canadian High Commission on the 6th of July, 2016 and expiring on 6th of June, 2021 with the intent that it may be acted upon as genuine, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence”.

Their arraignment followed a petition to the EFCC from one Inumidunsola Popoola who wrote on behalf of himself and other victims.

Popoola alleged that sometimes in February 2018 he and three others were tricked by the defendants into parting with monies running into millions of naira for processing travel documents. The suspects, he added, presented themselves to be registered travel agents licensed to undertake the task.

He further alleged that though they were given some documents as agreed, it was later discovered that the papers were forged as they were turned down at the point of traveling.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

In view of their plea, prosecution team led by Dr. Ben Ubi prayed the court for a trial date and an order to remand the duo in custody pending the trial date.

The defence counsel, A. B. C. Ademiluyi and S. O. Alli, prayed the court for a short adjournment to hear the bail applications of their respective clients.

Justice Akintola subsequently adjourned the case to October 7 for hearing of the bail applications, and ordered that the accused be remanded at the EFCC’s custody.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
24 September, 2020