Indicted Buhari's Minister Name Missing As FG Orders Probe of Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 Others Over Arms Scandal

A serving Minister of Interior, Abdurrahman Bello Dambazau is missing as President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recommendation of the Committee charged with investigating the Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015, for further investigation of those involved, after the committee found a number of irregularities in the contract awards.

Dambazau was reportedly indicted in the report submitted by the committee to the President, an earlier report according to Premium Times and culled by News Punch had published.

Related News: Buhari's Minister, Dambazau, 2 Other Army Chiefs INDICTED In Fresh $930.5m Arms Scam Probe

Mr. Dambazau was particularly mentioned as trying to suppress the content of the report. He was appointed the chief of army staff by late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and served between 2008 and 2010.

The approval followed the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment, which was released on Thursday.

Among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of Companies involved in the procurement.

All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the Nigerian Army procurement activities during the period under review.

Those listed for further investigation include two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (Rtd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (Rtd); former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed and three former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Me. E.O, Oyemomi.

Also, the CEOs to be investigated include Col. Olu Bamgbose (Rtd) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Dolyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

According to the Committee, the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49.

It found that the Nigerian Army Contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence for the period under review were often awarded without ”significant input from end-user (Nigerian Army) and to vendors who lacked the necessary technical competence”.

”As an example, 3 contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000.00 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig. Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware including 20 units of KM-38 Twin Hull Boats and 6 Units of 4X4 Ambulances fitted with radios. The committee found that the 2 companies collected N5,103,500,000.00, representing 86% of the total value of the 3 contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31,” the report said.

The committee also found that a contract worth N169,916,849.77 for the procurement of 53 Armoured Vehicles Spare Parts, with 90 days completion time, is yet to be completed 5 years after.

With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the Committee found that many of the contracts were characterized by ”lack of due process, in breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.

”In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the 2 companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000.0 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

”Though the committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics. Also, analysis of the various bank accounts of the 2 companies showed transfers to individuals related to then Chief of Army Staff,” the report said

#EkitiGate: How Fayose, Obanikoro Used Me To Launder Billions - Agbele Open Up At EFCC Cell

Abiodun Agbele (a.k.a Abbey), an aide to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has started telling investigators how he was used by the governor and former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, to launder huge sums of money from of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between 2014 and 2015.  

Agbele, who is currently detained by the Economic and Financial crimes Commissions (EFCC), began reeling out details of the laundered cash after the EFCC secured a court order to keep him in detention until the completion its investigations.

He was arrested last Wednesday in respect of his alleged role in the diversion of  N4.745billion of the $2. 1billion arms funds  to Obanikoro and Fayose.

According to The Nation Newspaper, the money  was sourced from the SAS Imprest Account of the ONSA  under  Col. Sambo Dasuki, immediate past NSA, before  the  2014 governorship election in Ekiti State. Of the sum, about N1.219billion was transferred  to Fayose through Agbele and a company De Privateer Limited, which is owned by him. The ONSA allegedly wired the N4.745billion via Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, a phony company run by former Obanikoro and his sons.

According to the report, the N1, 219 billion, which was flown as cash in an aircraft  air through Akure Airport, was not deposited in any account.  It was kept in a vault at a Zenith Bank branch and took the bank officials about 10 days to count. The bankers refused to make entry until it was counted,

After confirming the figure, reported The Nation,  Agbele coordinated the disbursement of the funds.

On June 26, 2014, according to the paper, Agbele paid N137million into Fayose’s account 10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814.

Fayose’s BVN on the teller is 22338867502.

"On August 22, 2014, he paid N50million into the same account. 

By the records from the bank, Abiodun Agbele paid another N118, 760,000 into Fayose’s account on 27/8/14. “Based on the transfers, Fayose moved N300million to a Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. He has the same BVN-22338867502. 

“After that, Abiodun deposited another N100million from the N1, 219, 490,000 into Spotless Hotel Account run by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose’s BVN is 223338867502 and his wife’s BVN in the account is 22298990256. 

“The governor and his wife are the two directors and signatories of Spotless Hotel account,” reported The Nation.

The  EFCC also discovered De Privateer Limited, owned by  Agbele, with Account No. 1013835889, received  N219, 490,000 on June 18, 2014. The next day, the same account received N300million and another N200million on June 23, 2014. The BVN on the account is 22235692890.

How Ekiti Governor's Wife, Feyisetan Fayose Got Own Share Of N100m Dasuki 'Cake', Incurs EFCC's Wrath

It seems how the former Chief Security Adviser To Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki shared the 'national cake', i mean the diverted $2.1 billion arms cash know no bound as the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Feyisatan Fayose also got own share of N100 million, thereby incurred the wrath of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, the EFCCC.

Fresh report according to Punch Newspaper suggests that the EFCC is set to invite Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, for receiving N100m through an account which is operated by her and her husband.

According to the EFCC, the money, which emanated from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, was paid into the Zenith Bank account of Spotless Investment Limited on June 17, 2014, less than a week to the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The money was paid into the company’s account with bank teller number 0540997 by Abiodun Agbele, an associate of the governor.

The two signatories to Spotless Investment Limited’s account are Fayose and his wife.

An EFCC detective told one of our correspondents, “N100m was paid into the Spotless Investment Limited account with number 1010170969 at Zenith Bank. The two signatories are Fayose, with Bank Verification Number 22338867502, and his wife, Helen Olayemi, with BVN 22298990256.”

The account has since been frozen by the anti-graft agency.

As a sitting governor, Fayose cannot be prosecuted or arrested because he enjoys immunity.

“His wife, however, has no immunity,” the source added.

We have earlier reported on Wednesday that N1,219,490,000 was flown to Akure Airport on June 12, 2014, by a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, ahead of the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Relates Post: Bank Documents Exposed How Obanikoro, Fayose 'Stole' N4.7b Arms Fund - EFCC Reveals

The money was said to have been part of the N4.7bn, which was paid into the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara by the Office of the National Security Adviser. Sylvan McNamara is a company in which Obanikoro’s sons are signatories.

A large chunk of the N1,219,490,000 was said to have been paid into Fayose’s private and company accounts, including the N100m, which was paid into the account of Spotless Investment Limited.

Why We Frozen Gov. Fayose's Account - EFCC Confirms

The truism of Governor of Ekiti State's claim that his Zenith Bank account was yesterday frozen by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC has been confirmed as the commission had given the reason why it did so, News Punch has learnt reliably.

News Punch had yesterday reported that the talkative Ekiti State governor's account was frozen by the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC, in response at Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State's claim that he cannot be investigated because of immunity currently covering him as a sitting governor, said the account was frozen over suspicion flow of illegal fund to the said account.

Fayose had on Monday claimed that his account was frozen by the anti-graft agency for a reason he could not explain.

Reacting, however, the commission said that the immunity being enjoyed by any governor did not prevent the agency from investigating suspicious movements of money into his accounts.

As reported by Vanguard News, the Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren said that the anti-graft agency had the right to investigate any governor whose account was being used to move funds.

“Immunity does not prevent EFCC from investigating suspicious accounts of those enjoying immunity and Fayose cannot be an exception,” the commission said.

News Punch further learnt that the EFCC actually frozen the governor's account over involvement in the ongoing investigation of $2.1 billion arms deal scam involving former Nationa Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Governor Fayose Fayose in 2014, allegedly received N1 . 2 billion from the former National Security Adviser , Colonel Sambo Dasuki which was meant to be used to compromise security personnel deployed to Ekiti State during governorship election there .

The EFCC has traced N500 million of that money into Governor Fayose 's Zenith Bank Account .

Reacting to Gov. Fayose's claim of still being covered by the immunity in the constitution, a human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla said to News Punch; "the fact that a Governor is conferred with immunity by Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ,1999 (as amended ) does not preclude the Police or Law Enforcement Agency such as the EFCC from investigating such Governor when he suspected of having committed a criminal suspect."

"However, such a Governor cannot be prosecuted till his immunity ends after the expiration of his tenure"

"Therefore, the EFCC is right to investigate Governor Fayose for money laundering" the lawyer said

Related Post: BREAKING: Gov. Fayose's Account Frozen By EFCC

Free Dasuki, Unfreeze Tompolo’s Account – N'Delta Militants Give Buhari List of Conditions For Ceasefire

The joint revolutionary council of the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF), has declared ceasefire.

The group had earlier threatened to launch six missiles in the region and to also shut Nigeria’s airspace.

Declaring readiness to accept federal government’s offer of dialogue, JNDLF in a statement at the weekend listed its demands.

These are: immediate release of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), reversal of the order to freeze the bank accounts of Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, establishment of Matitime University in Okerenkoko, Delta state, among others.

JNDLF noted that “We shall continue to engage in dialogue if our demands are met. Our representatives for the dialogue, especially the governors and others will not betray our demands with the federal government. Any betrayal on their own part shall be viewed as betrayal of the entire region and we shall go after them immediately as they know our mode of operation in which they will not escape from us.

“There is no gainsaying that we made our earlier promise to launch six missiles simultaneously against some targeted areas. But this was waved aside as a result of appeals made to us through email by the federal government and some international nations to open talks with Buhari.

“We saw some genuine aspiration on the part of Buhari, who made several contacts to us to see reason with them over the issue of under-development of the region. And since he (Buhari) had set the ball rolling for a clear negotiation with us, there is no problem without solution. We have therefore declared ceasefire in order to negotiate with the government if it is a true reflection of what they have in mind to develop the Niger Delta region.”

The group said it was more interested in negotiating with the government on the basis of developing the Niger Delta rather than giving out monetary compensation.

It also demanded the implementation of the report of the 2014 national conference, and the removal of Paul Boroh, coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.

“We are not ready to negotiate with the federal government for the sake of monetary benefit to us but how genuinely the government will develop the region is at the centre of our discussion and anything less than that we will continue our struggle without further warning to the federal government,” the statement read.

“We demand the immediate implementation of the report of the 2014 national conference report, failure of which Nigeria will forcefully break-up. Oil-polluted lands in the Niger Delta must be cleaned up, while compensation should be paid to all oil-producing communities, e.g. Chevron fire outbreak of gas explosion in Koluama, Bayelsa state and Bonga Oil Spill in 2011;

“We also demand the immediate release of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and Dr. Nnamdi Kanu.

“We also want the removal of Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd.) as Amnesty Coordinator. He does not understand the programmes and policies of the Amnesty and does not know us to the grassroots. Hence he should be replaced with Dr. Felix Tuodolo who has been in the struggle of non-violence since 1980 and he was the designer of the amnesty programme.

“We carried out all these attacks on oil and gas pipelines in the region because of the statement made by President Buhari that he will develop those areas that gave him 95% votes during his presidential election last year. We, the Niger Delta people only gave him 5% hence we vowed that our oil money will not be used for the development of any other region”, they stated.

#Dasuki Gate: Why I Opted To Refund The N400m - Metuh

Chief Olisa Metuh, the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through his counsel, has revealed why his client has agreed to return 400 million naira allegedly received illegally from the national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Speaking to journalists in court yesterday, May 25, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu said that since his client have shown sufficient evidence that he (Metuh) did not know the source of N400 million transferred to his company account by Dasuki, he is willing to refund the said amount.

“Chief Metuh had shown sufficient evidence that he was not aware of the source of the N400 million made available to him by the former President and he has shown his willingness, since the commencement of this matter, to refund the said sum even when there is no guilt knowledge,” Ikpeazu said as reported by The HeraldNG

Ikpeazu also said that having lost an application made at the Appeal Court, his client has the right to go ahead to the Supreme Court to seek justice.

“There are issues in the Appeal Court ruling the defence team is not comfortable with, after due consultation with our client, he will instruct us on the next action. The client has the right of appeal all the way to the Supreme Court,” he added.

Ikpeazu also commented on the ruling that prevents Metuh from seeking medical help abroad.

“What is important to us for now is the health situation of the defendant whose situation has continued to deteriorate. Even the constitution recognizes the fact that an accused should be alive and fit to face trial and defend himself,” he said.

After Denial, Battered Metuh Pleads To Refund, 'Stolen' N400m

Despite earlier denial and pleading not guilty before the court of law, battered and disgraced Chief Olisa Metuh, the former lousy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has offered  and pleaded to refund the alleged N400 million  received from the national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Metuh made the through his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, TheFact Times says.

Bar. Onyechi Ikpeazu, Metuh’s lawyer,  while speaking to journalists today said his client (Metuh) did not know the source of the said money transferred into his company’s account and therefore, ready to return the money.

 “Chief Metuh had shown sufficient evidence that he was not aware of the source of the N400 million made available to him by the former President and he has shown his willingness, since the commencement of this matter, to refund the said sum even when there is no guilt knowledge”, his counsel said:

Further addressing journalists, Ikpeazu said: “There are issues in the Appeal Court ruling the defence team is not comfortable with, after due consultation with our client, he will instruct us on the next action. The client has the right of appeal all the way to the Supreme Court,”. The Herald reports.

The former PDP spokesperson had earlier on been denied permission to travel abroad to seek medical aid for his failing health.

Meanwhile, the Federal High court of Abuja dismissed the application filed by the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, asking for permission to travel abroad for his medical treatment Premium Times, reported

The counsel to Mr. Metuh had on May 23 informed the court of an application dated May 16 seeking permission to allow Mr. Metuh travel to the United Kingdom for five weeks to attend to his failing health.

The counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, had also asked the court to permit the release of Mr. Metuh’s passport so that if the first application is granted, he (Mr. Metuh) would be able to travel for the proposed treatment of his ailing spinal cord.

The trial judge, Okon Abang, had on that day said the court would decide on Mr. Metuh’s application on May 25.

Mr. Abang had also asked both counsel on May 23 whether his court had the jurisdiction to grant the second application by Mr. Ikpeazu, seeking for the release of Mr. Metuh’s international passport.

After listening to the arguments of both counsel, Mr. Abang stated in his ruling, Wednesday, that the application seeking the release of Mr. Metuh’s international passport should not have come to his court in the first place.

He noted that the decision was made with regards to the nature of Mr. Metuh’s trial and that the court cannot hold back its decision.

Mr. Abang further said the present condition of the defendant should not be a reason for the law to be compromised.

'Why Are You Doing This To Me', Omisore Kicks As EFCC Declared Him WANTED

A former Deputy Governor of Osun State and Senator, Mr. Iyiola Omisore has described his declaration by the antigraft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC wanted as mischief and character assassination.

The EFCC had earlier declared Omisore wanted on its official Facebook page over his receipt of N700 million from a former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

The commission further accused Omisore of evading arrest.

It said this leaves it with no choice but to declare him wanted.

The EFCC position on its Facebook page reads: “The EFCC, today, May 24,2016, declared a former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore wanted. The former senator is wanted in connection with a case of receiving and misappropriating the sum of over N700, 000,000.00 from the Office of the National Security Adviser, between June and November, 2014.

“Omisore has been elusive and refused to report to the Commission after invitation was extended to him on April 7, 2016 requesting him ‘to come and make clarification on the ongoing investigation’.

“Instead of responding to the Commission’s investigation Omosore had approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf consequently ordered that Omisore should only be arrested through a due and legal process.

“The EFCC thereafter obtained a warrant to effect the arrest of the politician.”

But Omisore apparently in reaction to EFCC declaration said it's an attempt to blackmail him.

The former Deputy Governor in a statement just released this evening said;

"I read the statement issued by the Econimic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) purportedly declaring me wanted as an attempt by that organisation and its leadership to tarnish my image. That statement, if indeed it was issued by the EFCC, is the height of mischief and a deliberate attempt to assassinate my character.
It is now very clear that the EFCC is indeed playing out the script of persecuting and harassing perceived opposition groups in the country. To be sure, there is no basis for the EFCC so-called statement. Only on Tuesday, May 24, we appeared in court with the EFCC asking for the permission of the court for an extension of time in the preliminary objection to a suit filed against me.
The Managing Director of Firmex Gill which the EFCC joined in their case indemnified me from the company's contracts and any such obligations. In other words, there is nothing relating to me in the company's contract deal with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The company has even sued the ONSA for its inability to pay the balance of the contract so awarded to it. Therefore, I am not aware of any issue relating to a contract sum of N700 million. There was no issue of N700 million anywhere.
The relationship between the company and ONSA is civil and contractual, which has nothing to do with me. Besides, so long as their business transactions are legitimate and since I am not directly managing the company, how am I to know who and who they do business with? The EFCC should not be seen playing the role of political victimisation of innocent individuals, coercion and blackmail. Sadly that is simply what this organisation has been doing. Blackmail, I strongly believe, won't help EFCC.
If the organisation and its leadership think they have any case against me, they should come to court with their facts. This act of blackmail and deliberate tarnishing the image of perceived political enemies won't help the image of the EFCC and it won't get it result.
How can you declare someone you were in court with at 9.00a.m today wanted the same day, a few hours afterwards? I am appealing to all human rights and civil society organisations to caution EFCC from damaging my reputation further. If they have facts, I challenge them to bring them to court and not resort to blackmail, intimidation and victimisation."