In a seperate event earlier in the month, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede called on the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, to always make speedy responses to enquiries made by the Commission and other Nigerians on issues referred to it. A statement signed by the EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale disclosed that the Chairman made the call in Abuja, while receiving the CAC management team, led by Registrar-General,  Hussani Ishaq Magaji. The EFCC Chairman  noted that both the EFCC and CAC are handling sensitive and crucial assignments for Nigerians, a fact that should make responses to public enquiries quicker and better. “We are grateful for the access that you have provided for us to some of your information and resources, but we want to crave your indulgence to ensure speedy response to our requests and better synergy because of the nature of the work we do. Corruption in Nigeria has become a cankerworm militating against our development. Anything that has to do with investigation and prosecution and other activities that will reduce corruption,  must  be taken as a priority by every Nigerian”,  he said.  The EFCC’s boss also assured the CAC team of the Commission’s cooperation, stressing that it might be necessary to raise a small-member joint task force between the two Commissions to improve on synergy and access to information in order to boost investigations. “We want to assure you of our collaboration at every point in time and because of the nature of the work we do, we need to collaborate even more. We want to crave your indulgence to expand the scope of the access you have provided for us. A few of your people can join our own people and let’s form a team to make this work easier for us, just a small joint task force”, he said.  Earlier in his speech, Magaji described the EFCC and CAC as partners, but called for stronger collaboration between the two Commissions.  “As a result of the importance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, CAC under my leadership has dedicated a unit to respond to the daily requests of the EFCC. Even though we have witnessed migration from the manual to automation,   in doing that we provided some access for the EFCC to enable the Commission  achieve its mandate”, he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, are jointly out to stop Idealizing online scams and currency defacement in films targeting public audience The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede urged the NFVCB, to continually work against glamourising internet fraud and mutilation of currencies in films and movies. Olukoyede made the call when the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Board, Dr. Shuaibu Hussaini, led a team on a courtesy visit to the  the Commission’s headquarters. He expressed the view that films, videos, and movies are meant to encourage accountable conduct in society, so the NFVCB should step up its censorship roles to achieve this.   “We believe we have the right partner with you.  Films and videos are meant to promote good moral standards.  Your Board should continue to discourage glamourisation of crimes in the film industry”, he said. The EFCC Chairman also expressed displeasure about how some skit makers demonize the Commission  through false characterization of the works, and  urged the NFVCB to address the issue.  “There are several skits flying around with an untrue portrayal of the EFCC and its officers. The NFVCB should look into this and stop such unprofessional practices”, he said. CEO of the Board, Dr. Hussaini had said the visit to the EFCC was to seek robust collaboration with the Commission. He also mentioned that the Board was striving to counter the glamorization of crimes in films and videos.  “We are trying as much as possible to discourage the glamourization of crimes in our movies. We are also trying to eliminate all those things movie makers are putting in their works that will make young people jump into schemes that are criminal in real life.  In doing this, we are starting from script writers, then the producers because the producers are the ones who supervised the contents”, he said. He showed disapproval towards the activities of skit makers who discredit the EFCC’s work with content that inaccurately portrays the Commission’s operations “We are not only editing films but also enlightening the people. Crimes are damaging to the society.  The NFVCB will continue its strategic collaboration with the EFCC to achieve its mandate”, Dr. Hussaini said as he  emphasized the need for greater public education to rally support for the Commission.

Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, (KGIRS) has reminded taxpayers of the need to pay at appropriate quarters, stressing that no taxpayer is expected to pay money to private accounts.  The reminder became necessary following an allegation of fraudulent practices leveled against a staff of the Service. A radio program co-created by an anti-corruption crusader, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre, (WAMAC) and Grace FM, Lokoja, Kogi State, and funded by MacArthur Foundation, exposed the alleged misconduct.  Chairman of KGIRS, Sule Salihu Enehe confirmed the management’s resolve against cash payment and revenue diversion. He, therefore, declared their commitment to prosecute individuals or groups defrauding the State through improper collection of taxes  “If we catch anyone trying to defraud the State, they will go through disciplinary measures and such person will be shown the exit door”   Some manufacturers, traders, and artisans in Ogori Magongo local government area of the state have recently raised their voices against a staff of KGIRS and his team for collecting revenue from them without issuing receipt. One of the traders said” Whenever they come, they will tell us to pay our tax without giving us receipt. Recently, I told them that, if I am told to pay tax and they fail to give me  receipt, I won’t pay.” According to a hair stylist, ” there was a time they locked five of my apprentice inside the shop because I was unable to pay them. There was several battles between me and them before people around me gathered money to pay them N3,500 before my shop was reopened”. Meanwhile, a similar allegation also comes from Eunice Tolufashe, a Chief Executive Officer of a Water factory located in the Ogori Magongo Area    “When the revenue people come to the company, they acknowledged that we have paid our tax. When we asked why are they here, they said there is increase in the taxation so they are here to collect the remaining balance. We asked them how much are we talking about? “They said N13,000 but later increase it to N45,000. They insisted that we are going to pay cash which we disagree. I insist that they should give us a Government account to pay the money but they said no. So, those KGIRS team that came gave us their boss account. We insisted that, before we will pay, there must be a telephone number which we can contact to know that it is genuine.” In response to the allegations, the Director of Administration, KGIRS, Abubakar Mohammed Bello however said the management has started an investigation on the matter. “We are taking them out one by one. We are poised to actually dissolve it because without stepping out these anomalies we won’t get the desired result we expected. We have designated KGIRS account that has been published. It is online.  ” You just have to do it directly to Government KGIRS account. Any staff that is caught wanting, we are going to deal with that person administratively. The staff involved, we are going to take action against him. Now that all fingers are pointing at him, the evidences are out there, the management is going to take a decision on him as the law allows. I can assure the general public that he will be shown the way out because it is a no-no to KGIRS. When you are found wanting, you will be shown the way out” Meanwhile, the Kogi State NGO’s Network, (KONGONET) is optimistic that taxpayers who have been wrongfully defrauded are going to get justice.  The Chairperson of KONGONET, Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina in a media interview urged the government to root out such corrupt practices from Kogi State. “The engagement Civil Societies have had with KGIRS and what we know as they have transited from manual collection to automated system, we are sure that, whoever goes out there to do pocket collection, should be investigated. If such a person is found guilty, he should be arrested and prosecuted.”  the KONGONET Chairperson said.

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has called for collective responsibility in the anti-corruption fight, for the effort to be successful.  He made this known in Abuja on March 6, 2024, at the Commission’s headquarters when he received a team from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), on a courtesy visit. “As an Agency, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes and there is no way you will be successful in this fight without public engagement.    “I see Nigerians looking at this fight as a fight between EFCC and the rest of Nigerians or between ICPC or any other relevant Agency and the rest of Nigerians. As long as we continue on that particular note, there is no way we will make progress”, the EFCC Chairman said.  Olukoyede appreciated the NIPR’s commitment to nation-building and called for greater effort towards public awareness and sensitization concerning the menace of corruption, maintaining that publicity and collective responsibility are crucial to achieving success.  President of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku was accompanied on the visit by General Sani Usman Kukasheka, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, Dr. Ahmad Sajoh, Mrs Chinwe Ogbuka, Mrs. Tiwalade Fapohunde, Aisha Gambari and Stanley Ogadigo.  A statement signed by EFCC’s Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale disclosed that the NIPR President sought the partnership and support of the EFCC in the execution of the institute’s programmes,  including  Nigerian Reputation Fair,  and Anti-Corruption and Consumer Protection Hub.

A Town Hall Meeting of development stakeholders in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria has advocated for communities to be monitoring projects, especially “Constituency Projects”, and report any discrepancy to the anti-corruption agencies.  The Town Hall organized by Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC) with funding from the MacArthur Foundation took place on March 2, 2024, in Ilorin, the state capital. WAMAC organizes Town Halls on different issues in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. In his opening address, Executive Director of WAMAC, Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris urged community leaders and members, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)  community-based-organizations, and individuals to join hands with journalists to “change the ugly narratives of corruption for the benefit of the future generation.” The WAMAC Executive Director expressed confidence that collaboration yields positive results.     “WAMAC and its partner radio station, Albarka FM, Ilorin have unraveled many corruption issues allegedly carried out by a fragment portion of our society but cowardly carried out to the detriment of the larger society. One such investigation that undercover journalists exposed is the leakages in revenue at the government hospitals particularly the pathology department where a series of tests are carried out ranging from genotype, Malaria, and Typhoid fever. Another success is the “Light up Kwara” project which after our programme government asked the contractor to either refund the money collected or complete the project.” Idris expressed the organisation’s hope for various communities to own the fight against corruption, while community leaders take the lead in sensitizing their respective domains on corruption and hold themselves accountable.   “Community members and radio listeners will be engaged in anti-corruption dialogue and discourse to achieve maximum results. While communities are obliged to own the fight against corruption. Equally, we urged the public, journalists, and CSOs to make use of the FoI Act which ensures participatory democracy, promotion of Transparency, and Accountability in the affairs of government” WAMAC convened the Town Hall under the theme – “Empowering Citizens to Own the Fight Against Corruption in Kwara State: a Bottom-Up Approach” Communiqué At the end of the Town Hall,  participants came up with an eight-point communiqué.  The participants include the Media, Civil Society Organizations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the National Orientation Agency, Persons With Disabilities(PWDs), Community-based Organizations, Religious Leaders, Faith Based Organizations,  Market Women Association, and other critical stakeholders. They advocated for a change of approach in the fight against corruption through a bottom-up to the top-of-the-ladder approach and urged political officeholders to desist from flamboyant life to the detriment of the larger society. Instilling discipline, improved moral behaviour, and reinvigorating family values to fight corruption is another point noted that would help fast-track the fight against corruption through Community Participation. The meeting urged the Inclusion of PWDs in the government employment circles to boost their ability in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Again, participants called for monitoring and implementation of budgets by all tiers of governments and urged for full financial autonomy of Local Governments and reduction of governance costs. There was also a call for a stop to media trials of alleged corruption cases and politicization of the fight against corruption.

Aisha Alkali Wakil, better known as “Mama Boko Haram” and two others have been sentenced to ten years imprisonment.Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, sitting in Maiduguri, on Monday, February 12, 2024, convicted and sentenced her and two others – Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Soyade.Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s statement disclosed that the issue started from a petition of alleged swindling by the trio.According to the petitioner, Bashir Abubakar, the defendants defrauded him through a purported contract for the supply of five X-ray Machines 1900 with Solar Energy to a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Complete Care and Aid Foundation, worth N40m, but neither supplied the machines nor returned the contract sum to him. The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC, therefore, arraigned them on March 5, 2020 on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of Forty Million Naira.The defendants were jailed for committed an offence contrary to Section (1) 1 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.” While they pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them, Counsel for the prosecution counsel, A.I Arogha presented four witnesses and tendered seventeen exhibits before the court.Justice Fadawu eventually convicted and sentenced them to ten years imprisonment for the offence of conspiracy and ten years imprisonment for the offence of obtaining by false pretence.“The prison term shall run concurrently on the expiration of all prison terms imposed on the convicts by any court”, the Judge said. The judge also ordered “Mama Boko Haram” and the other two defendants to jointly and severally pay the sum of N40m to Bashir Muhammad.

A Town Hall Meeting, THM, has called for the completion of abandoned Constituency Projects by national legislators in Akwa-Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, as identified by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.Uyo, the state capital, played host to the THM organized on February 10 by anti-corruption crusader, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre, WAMAC, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.In a 13-point Communiqué at the conclusion of the meeting, the participants advocated for effective monitoring and tracking of all Constituency Projects in Akwa-Ibom State by end-users.The Meeting identified inadequate Involvement of the communities in the design and implementation of projects and urged the state government for inclusiveness of project allocation to cater for Persons With Disability.Traditional and community leaders were urged to uphold due diligence and transparency in their areas of authority, while also avoiding entanglements with Politically Exposed Persons. Furthermore, the meeting recommended that communities, religious organizations, and community leaders take on the role of anti-corruption advocates, actively reporting corruption issues and wrongdoings through both traditional and social media channels.Other key resolutions adopted at the THM includeUrgent Release of Budgeted Funds Participants expressed deep concern over the impact of economic challenges and infrastructural deficits on the livelihoods of citizens, urging governments to expedite the release of budgeted funds to improve the lives and welfare of the people.Whistleblower Protection and Legal Action                                                  The meeting called for the swift implementation of whistleblower protection policies to encourage the disclosure of credible information on alleged corruption. Furthermore, it urged Civil Society Organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association to expedite legal processes hindering anti-corruption efforts.Media Intergity  and Synergy         Participants expressed concern over the prevalence of corruption within the media, particularly the practice of accepting “brown envelopes.” Journalists were urged to uphold professionalism and utilize the Freedom of Information Act to promote transparency and accountability in governance.Also Participants encouraged the fostering of combined efforts between the media and Civil Society Organizations, recognizing it as a powerful tool in the ongoing battle against corruption.The Town Hall was convened under the theme “Tackling Corruption in the Implementation of Constituency Projects: Fostering a Workable Synergy Between Media and Civil Societies in the Fight Against Corruption”, and attracted a  diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from the Media, Civil Society Organizations, Anti-Corruption Agencies, People living with Disabilities, Traditional Rulers, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, the Nigeria Police Force, anti-corruption agencies, and other critical stakeholders. Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris, Executive Director of WAMAC, highlighted the significance of unified efforts in combating corruption,and affirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to driving meaningful reform and championing ethical governance ideals.

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended one Ekene Ibegbu in connection with an alleged currency racketeering scheme amounting to N1,580,000.A statement from the Commission disclosed that the arrest was made on Thursday, February 8, 2024, along the Owerri-Enugu Road, following actionable intelligence concerning Ibegbu’s suspected involvement in illegal currency activities.The suspect will face charges in court once investigations are concluded in line with the Commission’s commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring the prosecution of perpetrators.Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, confirmed the arrest in a press release.The EFCC continues to intensify efforts in its fight against corruption and illicit financial activities across Nigeria.Recently, the Commission formed a Special Task Force in all its Zonal Commands to enforce laws against currency mutilation and dollarization of the country’s economy.