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HOW TOP GOVT OFFICIALS LOOTED N70TRILLION HIDDEN IN 29 BANK ACCOUNTS……Report fingers top CBN and First Bank officials

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2 years ago

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Report fingers top CBN and First Bank officials

Court adjourns case till 6th of March 2023

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice grows cold feet

 

Honourable Justice Peter Odo Lifu of Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos has adjourned till 6th of March 2023 the suit seeking for the Recovery and Forfeiture of over N70 trillion of looted funds in the hands of few Nigerians.

The revered Justice presided over the suit marked No: Fhc/L/Cs/968/2021 on the 7th of March 2022 and adjourned to the 31st of March 2022 for ruling before the last adjournment till March next year.

The money said to be stashed away in 29 bank accounts mainly in First banks is enough to fund Nigeria’s budget for three years with some change to keep. The proposed budget for 2023 is N20.5 trillion, meaning that the N70 trillion hidden by some Nigerians could effectively finance the national budget for three years.

Attempts by Muhammad T. Ismail (a private investigator) and his team to recover the N70 trillion through the office of Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) have met a brick wall as some vested interests in high places have moved in to frustrate the case.

The investigator lamented that all efforts to recover the said loot were being frustrated by some vested interests in the Presidency, Central Bank Nigeria and First Bank.

Below is the full deposition made by the investigator:

BRIEF ON THE RECOVERY AND FORFEITUURE OF OVER N70 TRILLION NAIRA OF LOOTED FUNDS IN THE HANDS OF FEW NIGERIANS IN SUIT NO: FHC/L/CS/968/2021.

1. Muhammad T. Ismail (a private investigator) and his team were able to identify fraudulent bank accounts where trillions of illicit funds belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria were domiciled. Mohammad T. Ismail needed a legal instrument to recover these illicit funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

2. Muhammad T. Ismail therefore approached Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) and instructed him to write and request for a letter of mandate/instruction from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, and also from the Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his behalf, for the recovery of the illicit funds hidden in some secret bank accounts in Nigeria. These funds belong to the Federal Government of Nigeria. This letter from Muhammad T. Ismail was received and acknowledged on the 6th of January 2021 by the Head of Department of Civil Litigation in the Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers), Barr. Saidu Alfa Bala.

 

3. Muhammad T. Ismail also swore to an Affidavits on the same date of 6th of January 2021 in support of the instruction given to Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers).

 

4. As instructed and being convinced of the facts available, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and also to the Accountant General of the Federation. Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) requested for a mandate and instruction to recover Federal Government looted and hidden funds on behalf of his client who is Muhammad T. Ismail. (Copies of all these letters and correspondences will be made available to you on request).

 

5. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice responded on the 14th of January 2021 by way of inviting Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) for a meeting scheduled for the 19th of January 2021 to discuss details and procedures for the recovery with the Asset Recovery Unit in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Twenty Nine (29) bank accounts where a combined sum of over seventy trillion naira (N70 Trillion) belonging to the Federal Government was hidden were identified.

 

6. On the 21st of June 2021, The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice approved and issued the letter of instruction to recover illicit funds traced to specified accounts of individuals to Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers). The letter of instruction also listed the twenty nine (29) bank accounts. The twenty nine (29) bank accounts are in seventeen (17) banks in Nigeria.

7. As expected, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) ran to the Federal High Court 9, Ikoyi Lagos where most of the Bank Head Quarters are domiciled. The case was between (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria (2). The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as Claimants/Applicants against the seventeen banks as Defendants.

 

8. On the 9th of August, 2021, Hon. Justice T. G. Ringim gave several orders including an Interim Order of Forfeiture. All the Banks were served accordingly. The Banks were also to provide Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) all documents and information relating to the listed accounts.

 

9. Shockingly, the Banks could not provide information regarding the ownership of twenty six (27) out of the twenty nine (29) accounts. That automatically meant that all the funds in the twenty seven (27) accounts should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria even as no one has come to claim ownership of the accounts. But this has not happened till date. The hands of the courts have been tired down.

 

10. Three (3) accounts stand out. The affected banks were able to provide documents relating to the three (3) accounts;

 

1. Zenith Bank Plc.

Account Name: NNPC (REM ACC/PRIVATE)

Account No: 1012280444

Account Bal. N32 Billion Naira

Currency Type: Naira

 

2. First Bank Plc.

Account Name: NNPC/ NAOC IPP SECURITY

Account No: 2006367288

Account Bal. N147B Naira

Currency Type: Naira

 

3. First Bank Plc.

Account Name: NNPC/NAOC IPP SECURITY

Account No: 2005942905

Account Bal. $299,613. 72 USD

Currency Type: DOLLAR USD.

 

11. This is the interesting part; Zenith Bank Plc., suddenly woke up from sleep and said that the N32B in Account No. 1012280444 with Account Name NNPC (REM ACC/PRIVATE) has been swept into NNPC Remittance Account (Coastal PRD Sales) Account No. 1010654418 from where it was eventually transferred to CBN/TSA Account No. 3000004989 with the CBN on the 7th of January 2016. This is not true.

 

12. Recall that the CBN directives for all balances/receipts due to the Federal Government or its Agencies to be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) ended on or before September 15, 2015. Zenith Bank Plc. has not been able to give explanation as to the reason Account Nos. 1012280444 and 1010654418 were still operational after September 15, 2015.

 

13. Another shocking revelation is that Account No. 1012280444 with Zenith Bank Plc. has five (5) BVNs as follows: 22173355534,22376914983, 22193440291, 22367697055, and 22235680190. Zenith Bank Plc. has not been able to supply statement of accounts for Account Nos 1012280444 and 1010654418from inception to date. They cannot provide photograph pictures of the five (5) BVN owners.

 

14. Zenith Bank Plc. stated that Account No. 1012280441 (another account being investigated with N32B lodgement) belongs to Mrs Okoro Comfort with cellular number 08130734041. However, Mrs Okoro Comfort, through her counsel denied any knowledge of the said account or any other account with Zenith Bank Plc. Mrs Okoro Comfort admitted that her cellular number is 08130734041 and her BVN is 222417%%%49 different from the BVN 2236767055 attached to the account number 1012280441.

 

15. BVN 2236767055 belongs to Mr Okam Eze Ezenna who receives transaction alerts from Account No. 1012280441 with two (2) cellular numbers 08139383487 and 08130734041which belongs to Mrs Okoro Comfort. Account Number 1012280441 with Zenith Bank Plc. has Thirty two million naira (N32m) with no identifiable owner coming to claim it.

 

 

16. The question in the mouth of every concerned person is, what is holding back the hand of justice to declare total forfeiture of all these stolen funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

17. It is expected that Muhammad T. Ismail and Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) should have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). At the beginning of the assignment, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) allotted a space to Muhammad T. Ismail and his team in his office to do the leg work and provide the needed information for Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) to do the needful. Surprisingly, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) has not shown any interest in signing the MoU with his client, Muhammad T. Ismail.

 

18. On the 7th of September, 2021 Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) wrote to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice to provide Bank Account details to receive recovered funds to the tune of one hundred and seventy nine billion naira (N179B) and $299,613.72 USD from three (3) out of the twenty nine (29) accounts..

 

 

19. On the 8th of September, 2021 Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) also wrote to the Central Bank of Nigeria, complaining against the uncooperative attitude and disobedience of court orders by First Bank Plc. and Zenith Bank Plc. Proof of service of the court orders was attached to the letters to the CBN.

 

20. It was after the request for bank details was sent to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice and a complaint against First Bank Plc. and Zenith Bank Plc. was sent to CBN that trouble started. Some persons who are in position to drive the process for the recovery of the illicit funds became threatened and they had to act fast to stop the process.

 

21. In their response on the 27th of September 2021, CBN stated that they cannot act because they were not served any court order and that necessary steps should be taken to effect service on the CBN to enable them respond to the request. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, although received the letter of request for account details to receive recovered funds, never responded and the request not met.

 

22. In March 2022, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) invited Mohammad T. Ismail and told him that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice had terminated the recovery exercise but he could not show any document or correspondence from the Attorney-G eneral of the Federation and Minister for Justice to that effect. To make matters worse, Mohammad T. Ismail and his team were stopped from accessing the office and prevented from retrieving details of information in the office.

 

23. On one hand, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) claimed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice had seized from pursuing the recovery of the trillions of naira for the Federal Government of Nigeria. However, he sent another SAN to represent him in court on the 7thof March 2022 in respect of the same matter that he told Muhammad T. Ismail that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice had seized to pursue.

 

24. Hon. Justice P. O. Lifu of FHC, Ikoyi Lagos presided on the 7th of March 2022 and adjourned to the 31st of March 2022 for ruling. Since then, it has been adjournment upon adjournment with the next adjournment scheduled for 6th of March 2023.

 

25. Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) is now foot-dragging in pursuing the case as it should be. Mohammad T. Ismail is also not enjoying the cooperation of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice as it was in the beginning. The Judge only announces long adjournment to frustrate the case. The Banks too are acting above the law. CBN is not worried that trillions of naira which can service our national debt was being stolen.

 

 

 

26. Several correspondence had been sent to Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) to release copies of all the correspondence relating to the recovery exercise but he hasn’t obliged. He has also refused to sign the MoU with his client, Muhammad T. Ismail who owns the recovery exercise and hired him to work for him. He is no longer showing seriousness in the recovery pursuit.

 

27. It can only be concluded that some persons are congregating to share over N70 trillion belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria. We have a responsibility and a sacred duty to let the world know the truth and those who are sabotaging this nation and causing everyone to crawl while they ride on horseback.

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Absence Of Oba Otudeko, Bisi Onasanya, Others Stalls Arraignment Over N12.3Billion Fraud As Otudeko’s Lawyer Protests In Court

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January 20, 2025

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The counsel for Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, who is facing charges of a N12.3 billion fraud, appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to protest the charge.

Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN) informed the court that he was protesting because the charge had not been served on Otudeko or the two other individuals charged alongside him, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Olanipekun informed the court that, despite not being served with the charge, the defendants were shocked to learn about the planned arraignment through the media when the story broke last Thursday.

The 13-count charge was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Oba Otudeko, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc. Olabisi Onasanya, and former Honeywell board member Soji Akintayo.

Olanipekun is the counsel for the three defendants.

They were charged alongside the company, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.

 

The EFCC alleges that the defendants obtained the sum under false pretenses.

 

According to the EFCC, the four committed the fraud in tranches of N5.2billion, N6.2billion, N6.150billion, N1.5billion and N500million, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.

 

The 13-count charge, filed by EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, on January 16, 2025, further claimed that the defendants used forged documents to deceive the bank.

Specifically, count 1 accused the defendants of conspiring “to obtain the sum of N12.3Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V-TECH DYNAMIC LINKS LIMITED and Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false.”

 

In Count 2, it was alleged that the defendants, on or about 26th day of November, 2013 in Lagos, “obtained the sum of N5.2 billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V TECH DYNAMIC LINKS LIMITED which representation you know to be false.”

 

The 3rd count alleged that the defendants, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, obtained N6.2billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for and disbursed to Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false.”

 

In the 4th count, they were accused of conspiring to spend the N6.15billion, out of the monies.

According to the Commission, the offences contravened Section 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and was punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

Counts 5 reads: “That you, Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited on or about 11th day of December, 2013 in Lagos, procured Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to retain the sum of N1.5 billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretense and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Meanwhile, Otudeko had reportedly fled Nigeria ahead of his scheduled arraignment on fraud charges.

 

According to TheCable Newspaper, Otudeko’s exit from the country is linked to the mounting legal pressures and financial disputes he is facing.

The newspaper reported that the businessman left the country via one of the land borders.

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Loan controversy: Bisi Onasanya’s lawyer condemns media trial….Judge adjourns case to February 13

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January 20, 2025

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In line with his resolve to defend himself and clear his name, Dr. Bisi Onasanya through his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, at a session at the Federal High Court Lagos on Monday, January 20, 2025, demanded the service of proof of evidence and summons.

Onasanya, a chartered accountant and a former Group Managing Director of First Bank is defending himself against a controversial loan that allegedly occurred at First Bank 12 years ago. The retired banker is refuting the allegations alongside three others namely former Chairman of the bank, Chief Oba Otudeko, a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo, and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.

At a hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, Fusika condemned the media trial his client had been subjected to, saying he was not formally invited by the EFCC or served a notice of the charge.

He expressed surprise at seeing news stories in major newspapers linking Dr Onasanya to a trial on loan controversy during his time as First Bank Group Managing Director without prior notification.

“My Lord, it is concerning that my client has been unduly exposed to media trial without being formally served. This is a procedural anomaly that undermines his right to a fair hearing and personal dignity,” Olumide-Fusika said.

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, denied any involvement by the EFCC in the media coverage of the case.

He stated that the commission had not issued a press statement and suggested that journalists may have obtained information through other means.

“My Lord, we disassociate ourselves from any media reports,” Oyedepo said.

The EFCC also applied for an ex parte motion to issue a bench warrant for the defenders’ arrest and sought permission to serve them through substituted means, alleging they had evaded service.

Olumide-Fusika opposed the motion, arguing that his client had always been available and had not evaded service. Demonstrating his determination to clear his name, the senior lawyer prayed to the court to have the EFCC serve the charge and the proof of evidence in the open court.

“This application is unwarranted and speculative. My client has neither avoided service nor absented himself from this matter. The claims of the prosecution are baseless. Since I am here and my client is ready to go ahead with this case, I ask to be served the charge and the proof of evidence here in the court,” Olumide-Fusika argued.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who presided over the case, dismissed the EFCC’s motion for substituted service on Onasanya since he has accepted to be served in the open court.

The judge consequently ordered that the EFCC serve Olumide-Fusika the charge and proof of evidence in open court.

The EFCC complied with the directive, and Olumide-Fusika who confirmed the receipt of the document extracted a confirmation from the prosecution counsel that the proof of evidence submitted is exhaustive and there wouldn’t be an addendum. The defence counsel said EFCC’s confirmation should be on record, insisting that his client was ready to defend himself and clear his name.

Justice Aneke adjourned the case to February 13, 2025.

It will be recalled that Onasanya, through his Communication Advisor, Mr Michael Osunnuyi, had earlier dismissed allegations, describing the claims as baseless and an attempt to tarnish Onasanya’s stellar reputation for professionalism, integrity and humaneness.

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Abuja-Lagos Super Highway Project faces threat as two consortiums engage in battle for FG’s nod

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3 hours ago

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January 20, 2025

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AEC Unity Network Limited, the officially recognised concessionaire for the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects, has denied any association with an entity known as AEC-Geofocus Consortium (Geofocus).

AEC Unity Network clarified that Geofocus has no role in the planning, financing, construction, or operation of the 470-kilometer superhighway and high-speed rail projects, which are part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to boost national infrastructure.

In a statement released on Sunday, the company emphasised that it is the sole concessionaire authorized by the Federal Government of Nigeria, having received approvals from the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Barrister Ayodeji Ademola, legal consultant for AEC Unity Network, said in the statement that AEC-Geofocus has no basis whatsoever to make any claim in relation to the Super Highway project, having not been part of its conception from the onset.

In the statement, AEC Unity Network reaffirmed that it is the sole concessionaire authorised by the Federal Government of Nigeria to design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the 470-kilometer superhighway and high-speed rail linking Abuja and Lagos.

According to the statement, the company’s approvals are from the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

The reaction by the AEC Unity Network may have been informed by media publications credited to one Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris, who asserted that AEC-Geofocus was in charge of the project for the federal government.

Idris, who claimed to be Director of Operations for AEC-Geofocus, had in the publication described the company as a consortium of engineers, planners, and investors that had successfully attracted $16 billion from Middle Eastern investors, with additional interest from European financial institutions and the World Bank.

He had also claimed that the financial framework was designed to minimize government expenditure, safeguard public funds, and prevent cost overruns through an efficient risk-sharing mechanism.

Idris had assured stakeholders of a grand project flag-off before February 2025, reiterating AEC-Geofocus’ commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure.

“The $16 billion project will be led by AEC-Geofocus, a consortium of engineers, planners, and investors, and plans have been concluded to commence it by February this year, 2025,” Idris had asserted.

He said that the Lagos-Abuja corridor, spanning approximately 500 kilometers, will connect Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states before reaching Abuja, under a design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Maintain (DBFOM) model.

But in its sharp reaction, AEC Unity Network expressed surprise at the emergence of AEC-Geofocus out of the blue to make claims on a project it was never part of.

Part of the statement read: “We emphatically state that AEC Unity Network Limited has no relationship whatsoever with AEC-Geofocus Consortium or Geofocus. Any claims made by Geofocus regarding involvement in the projects are ‘spurious and false.’”

“We categorically state that AEC Unity Network Limited has no relationship whatsoever with Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris or Geofocus.”

“These fraudulent claims are completely at variance with our proposed infrastructure plans and are intended to confuse and defraud unsuspecting stakeholders,” the statement added.

The statement by Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris, who claimed involvement in the projects on behalf of Geofocus in several media outlets and amplified on social media, is baseless and an attempt to mislead the public.

The company warned investors and the public to disregard any media advertisements or reports from Geofocus, describing them as unauthorized and misleading.

AEC Unity Network stated that its project is still in the planning stages, with no concurrent developments on the same corridor by any other entity.

To prevent confusion and potential fraud, AEC Unity Network urged local and foreign investors to verify information only through its official channels and avoid engaging with Geofocus on matters relating to the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects.

This infrastructure initiative, which includes a direct expressway and rail connection between Abuja and Lagos, is expected to enhance transportation efficiency and foster economic growth.

AEC Unity Network reiterated its commitment to transparency and professionalism, urging the public to engage only through its official channels for accurate information about the projects.

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