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EFCC Uncovers N37bn Fraud In Humanitarian Ministry, Indicts Buhari’s Minister, Contractor

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered a total sum of N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs under former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

Details of the ongoing probe exclusively obtained by The PUNCH revealed that the money was transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers and sent to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks belonging to or connected with a contractor, James Okwete.

Following receipt of the funds, Okwete allegedly transferred N6,746,034,000.00 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrew N540,000,000.00 in cash, purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600.00, and bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.00.

Fifty-three companies were allegedly traced to Okwete, who was also said to have used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86. He is also linked with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.

Checks by The PUNCH correspondent with the Corporate Affairs Commission revealed that Okwete is a director in only 11 of the 53 companies, while the remaining 42 companies’ accounts are only linked to his Bank Verification Number as a signatory to the accounts.

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The PUNCH reports that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs currently serves as the parent ministry to eight agencies, including the National Social Investment Office, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internationally Displaced Persons, among others.

Umar-Farouq was the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. She was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019 as the youngest cabinet member.

Her work with Buhari dates back to his days as the leader and presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change when she was the national treasurer of the party and later the national treasurer of the All Progressives Congress.

She was later appointed minister in 2019 by President Buhari.

The EFCC document revealed, “Between 2018 and 2023, the subject (Okwete) received the sum of N37,170,855,753.44 from the coffers of the Federal Government linked to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“The monies were sent to 38 bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks. The suspect transferred N6,746,034,000.00 to Bureau De Change Operators, N540,000,000.00 withdrawn in cash, N288,348,600.00 used to purchase cars, and used N2,195,115,000.00 to purchase choice properties within Abuja and Enugu State.

“Fifty-three companies were traced to the suspect. He used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86. Okwete is associated with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 of the 143 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.”

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In 2020, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said it uncovered N2.67bn meant for the ministry’s school feeding programme in private bank accounts.

The former ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, disclosed that the commission unravelled N2.67bn in personal accounts, being payment made to some federal colleges for school feeding during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Other discoveries by the ICPC include 18 buildings, 12 business premises and 25 plots of land. Owasanoye said under the Open Treasury Portal review carried out between January and August 15, 2020, of the 268 Ministries, Departments and Agendas, 72 had cumulative infractions of N90m.

The former ICPC chairman argued that the money was paid when children were not in school.

Despite requests by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to Umar-Farouq to publish details and names of the suspects, the former minister failed to reveal their names.

“Following the disclosure by the ICPC that N2.67bn meant for school feeding during the COVID-19 lockdown ended up in private bank accounts, we’re calling on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to immediately publish details of those suspected to be responsible, or face legal action.

“If the names are not immediately published, we’ll issue a freedom of information request to ensure that those involved are named and shamed.

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“We’ll also pursue appropriate legal actions to hold suspected perpetrators to account, in the public interest.

“Diverting funds meant to feed school children (who are already disproportionately affected by corruption), especially during COVID-19, is a blatant violation of the rights to education, health, and dignity, as well as the government’s own COVID-19 transparency frameworks.

“Corruption in school feeding increases distrust in the government. The Federal Government must ensure that transparency and accountability measures are fundamental to all school feeding and other initiatives in the context of COVID-19, to ensure the children receive the support they need.”

When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, neither confirmed nor denied the story.

Oyewale simply said, “No comments on that.”

Reacting, a human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, said, “If we want to be sincere, the corruption under the Buhari government was unprecedented. The main accused under Goodluck Jonathan’s government was Diezani Alison-Madueke, but under Buhari, many have cases to answer. Nigerians deserve to know what happened in the aviation sector, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and other sectors. I call on President Bola Tinubu to probe that administration so that Nigerians can know who is corrupt and for justice to be served.”

On his part, Chairman, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, urged Tinubu to probe all previous administrations.

Buhari’s government should be probed, and not just his government, but all previous governments and past heads of MDAs, and all those who are found wanting should be brought to justice,” Nwagwu noted.

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Similarly, the Counsellor of a Civil Society Organisation, International Social Justice and Human Rights, Jackson Omenazu, said, “It is exceptionally important to probe the Buhari government, but Tinubu is morally incapacitated to probe Buhari’s government because he is an integral part of the APC government.

“Tinubu cannot exonerate himself from the maladministration of Buhari. (Godwin) Emefiele (former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria) is just a victim of circumstances. The only crime he committed was because he raised his head gullibly and showed interest in being President.”

Another lawyer and public affairs commentator, Jiti Ogunye, said that it was desirable for the present administration to probe the preceding administration following the Air Nigeria and CBN scandals, but regretted that the law did not make provisions for that.

Ogunye noted that the law only allowed the incumbent administration to probe individuals who were engaged in corrupt practices under the previous administration, including the President, to establish facts.

He stated, “When Nigerians are fascinated with the idea of a holistic and comprehensive probe of a past administration by the succeeding administration, the law does not grant an administration that blanket powers to probe the past administration in the way Nigerians imagine.

“We have anti-corruption agencies, which are the ICPC and EFCC. We have criminal laws, anti-corruption laws, and money laundering laws. Recently, we have had the Proceeds of Crime Act. The provision of these anti-corruption laws has no place for targeting an administration in totality like that, but if there are individuals, including a former president, who are suspected to have committed corruption crimes, guilty of corrupt practices, or suspected to have committed money laundering, if found guilty of all other crimes bordering on corrupt practices and abuse of power, these individuals may be investigated specifically.”

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‘I Can’t Breathe’ – Black Man Cries As US Police Handcuffed, Pinned Him Down Till He Dies [VIDEO]

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Ohio authorities have released body camera footage of the arrest of a 53-year-old Black man who died after repeatedly telling police officers “I can’t breathe” as they pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him.

The video of Frank Tyson’s arrest is reminiscent of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, who told Minneapolis police officers the same thing as he was choked to death.

Canton Police Department identified Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch as the “two primary officers” who responded to a call on April 18 of a car that had struck a utility pole. The 36-minute video was captured by Schoenegge’s body camera.

The start of the video shows officers approaching the car that had struck the pole and a bystander informing them that the driver of the car had fled to a nearby bar at the American Veterans (AMVETS) post.

When police enter the bar, a woman asks them to, “Please get him out of here, now,” referring to Tyson.

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“We’re going outside,” one of the officers said as they approached Tyson.

Tyson refuses, saying, “You ain’t killing me. You ain’t killing me tonight.”

As the officers move to grab him, Tyson knocks over a barstool and demands they call the sheriff.

The officers attempt to handcuff Tyson, and as a struggle ensues, an officer can be heard telling Tyson to “get on the f‑‑‑ing ground.”

Tyson begins to shout, “They’re trying to kill me.” He once again asks for someone to call the sheriff.

Officers wrestle Tyson to the ground, and as he is handcuffed, one of the officers places his knee on Tyson’s upper body.

At this point, Tyson begins to say, “I can’t breathe.”

An officer tells Tyson to calm down, but Tyson repeats he can’t breathe, and continues to repeat it.

At one point, his voice appears muffled, and he appears to struggle, telling the officer he can’t breathe.

“I can’t breathe,” Tyson can be heard saying. “I can’t breathe. You’re on my neck. Get off my neck.”

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The officer appears to have his knee on Tyson for no more than a minute. Tyson continues to tell officers he can’t breathe, even after the officer removes his knee.

“You’re fine,” someone responds. “Shut the f‑‑‑ up.”

One of the officers tells the other to “pull him up” and place him “on his side or something.”

Soon after, Tyson stops moving and appears unresponsive.

At the same time, an officer can be seen on the video looking through Tyson’s wallet and talking with bystanders as Tyson lays motionless on the ground.

Tyson lays there for about five minutes. At one point during this time, an officer can be heard telling some of the bar’s patrons that he “always wanted to be in a bar fight.”

”I don’t know if this counts,” the officer adds.

When one officer approaches to ask if Tyson has calmed down and is still breathing, the other checks him for a pulse.

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“Does he have a pulse?” one of the officers asks. The other responds he didn’t feel one.

“Will you tell the medics to step it up?” the officer asks. “He’s not responsive. I don’t know if I can feel a pulse.”

Officers then begin chest compressions.

CPR and several doses of Narcan were administered before Canton Fire Department medics arrived, according to a news release. Tyson was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:18 p.m.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now conducting an independent investigation, according to NBC News.

Schoenegge and Burch, who are assigned to the traffic bureau, are on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

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74-year-old Woman Robs Bank At Gunpoint After Losing Life Savings To Online Scammers

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A 74-year-old woman, Ann Mayers has been arrested and charged after she robbed a bank in Ohio at gunpoint.

Mayers, 74, who robbed an Ohio credit union last week, April 19, is a victim of an online scam who may have been trying to solve her financial problems, according to her relatives.

Mayers faces counts of aggravated robbery with a firearm and tampering with evidence in Friday’s robbery in Fairfield Township, north of Cincinnati.

The second charge stems from Mayers’ decision to toss her clothing out the car window while making her way home after the robbery, according to the complaint.

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If convicted, Mayers could face up to 15 years in prison.

She remained jailed Wednesday, April 24, on a $100,000 bond pending an initial court appearance, and court records don’t list an attorney for her.

Officers arrested Mayers at her Hamilton home shortly after the robbery, Fairfield police said in a Facebook post. A handgun was found in her car, which police allege she used in the robbery.

Ann Mayers allegedly told investigators with the Fairfield Township Police Department (FTPD) that she was the person who walked into the AurGroup Financial Credit Union Bank and demanded a teller turn over some of the bank’s cash while brandishing a gun, according to a copy of the complaint.

Bodycam footage taken at the time of her arrest shows that it only took Mayers a few seconds to allegedly confess, as she immediately tells the arresting officers: “I did whatever you’re here for.”

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The officers then ask Mayers to be more specific, at which time the footage shows her saying: “The robbery.”

74-year-old woman robs bank at gunpoint after losing her life savings to online scammers

According to police, Mayers walked away with $500 from her bank heist.

Authorities later learned that Mayers might have been a scam victim and are looking into the claims. Her relatives told detectives that she had been sending money to an unidentified individual, The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.

“In that aspect, some may see her as a ‘victim,'” Sgt. Brandon McCroskey told the newspaper.

Unfortunately, Ann chose to victimize several other people in the bank by robbing it with a firearm as a remedy for her situation.”

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If what her relatives say is true, McCroskey called Mayers’ situation “very sad and unfortunate.”

He said she reportedly spoke with family members about robbing banks in the days leading up to the holdup, but they didn’t take her comments seriously.

Scams against seniors have become increasingly common over the last 10 to 15 years, according to experts.

Among them are so-called grandparent scams in which callers claim to be anyone from a victim’s grandchild to a police officer and tell the victim something terrible happened and that their younger relative needs money.

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Edo Guber: ‘Which Campaign Council’, Orbih Fumes, Rejects Inclusion

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The end seems not to be in sight to the crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the South South Zonal National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, has disassociated himself from the recently constituted 200-man Edo PDP Governorship Campaign Council.

Chief Orbih, said that he was not consulted before his name was included in the list which was unveiled on Thursday by the Edo State Organizing Secretary of the party, Mr. Anthony Anenih ,jnr.

Governor Obaseki, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, Senator Daisy Ehanire-Danjuma, ex-Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi, among others are to lead the Advisory Committee of the Governorship Campaign Council while former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwem will lead the Management Team as Director General.

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Again, the top PDP leader said that none of the party’s chieftains bothered to inform him that his name was included in the list as he was not invited to the meeting when the decision to set up the council was taken.

He fumed: “Nobody told me of any campaign council and I am not aware of it. Some people who saw my name on the list called me. I have not seen the list and I am not aware of it and not party to the composition of the council.”

The name of immediate past member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama (Oredo), an ally of the South South Zonal national Vice Chairman, was conspicuously missing on the list.

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Chief Orbih’s headed Legacy Group has been at daggers drawn with the Governor Godwin Obaseki led group for the control of the soul of the party.

The cold war between the two feuding factions led to several litigations during the run up to the 2023 polls as the two camps jostled for the party’s tickets for the National and the States House of Assemblies.

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