Connect with us

Interview

N109.4bn Fraud: We Didn’t Promise Ex-Accountant General No Prosecution – EFCC

Published

on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied promising a former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, that he will not be prosecuted if he volunteers information relating to his N109 billion corruption allegation.

An EFCC official with the Kano office of the commission, Abdulhamid Isa Muri, on Tuesday, told an FCT High Court that there was no truth in the claim by Idris that he was promised non-prosecution.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe Esq, during a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness of Idris’ statement, Muri said he obtained the statement voluntarily, adding that the former AG was never detained in its Kano office.

Idris was re-arraigned last October 27, 2022, on 13-count charges bordering on alleged misappropriation of the sum of N109bn, alongside Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

Justice Yusuf Halilu has fixed October 29 to enable Idris open his defence on the trial.

Interview

Bridging the Gap Between AI & Education: Tingo AI Hosts Foster Prime Schools for an Exclusive Tech Experience!

Published

on

By

 

In a world where technology is reshaping every industry, Tingo AI Radio, Africa’s first and only AI-powered radio station, is taking bold steps to introduce the next generation to the limitless possibilities of Artificial Intelligence! Today, we had the incredible opportunity to welcome students from Foster Prime Schools, Ikoyi Lagos for an immersive, hands-on experience that showcased the power of AI-driven media and automation.

 

The students had front-row seats to live AI broadcasting, where they witnessed firsthand how intelligent systems can create, manage, and automate radio content. From AI-generated news segments to smart automation workflows, they saw the seamless integration of human creativity and machine intelligence in action. Beyond the tech demonstrations, the students engaged in interactive sessions with AI experts, engineers, and innovators at Tingo AI. They asked brilliant questions, explored automation processes, and even brainstormed ideas for how AI can improve education, business, and daily life.

At Tingo AI, we believe the future of Africa is digital, and the youth are at the heart of this transformation. We are not just building AI solutions—we are building a generation of AI innovators who will take Africa to new heights. This is just the beginning! Stay connected as we continue to lead Africa’s AI revolution.

 

#TingoAI #AIForEducation #FutureTechLeaders #AIRevolution #ArtificialIntelligence

Continue Reading

Interview

Providus Bank, officials under investigation for alleged N1.1bn scam

Published

on

By

Providus Bank Limited, some of its staffers and another commercial bank are currently embroiled in an alleged N1.1 billion fraud scandal.

We learnt that the bank officials are being quizzed by the Nigeria Police following a transfer of about N1 billion by a bureau de change operator in Abuja, Shamsudeen Ahmed through the banks to suspected criminals, who reportedly offered to sell $1 million from Dubai to him and the mysterious disappearance of the huge sum of money.

It was learned that detectives are looking into the involvement of the bank staff in the illegal transfer of the money after the suspects provided three account details where the complainant paid in the money only to later discover that the suspects conspired to defraud.

In a petition written on behalf of the complainant by Anthony Odule, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the complainant alleged that on December 8, 2023, he was contacted by the suspects, Gambo Dahiru, Ibrahim Mohammed, Shaibu Mohammed and Francis Azubuike aka Frank, who deceived him to believe that there was a genuine $1 million for sale from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which he innocently indicated interest.

According to the petition, “Our client stated that the suspects provided the following account details: Account Name: Ushaib Global Investment Limited; Account number; Account number: 5400393231, domicile in (Providus Bank), Account name; Yadiz Oil and Gas Plc Nigeria Limited account; domicile in (a third-generation bank) and Account Name: A&M. Technology Red Set; Account number – 5404168804, (Providus Bank), where the complainant paid in N830 million, N330 million and N10 million, respectively.

“Our client stated that upon preliminary investigation, it was found that the suspects conspired among themselves to defraud our client of his hard-earned money as they do not have dollars anywhere to give to our client but have shared the money amongst themselves.

“What is worrisome to our client is that he borrowed part of the money he sent to the suspects and his conspirators, which non-payment will greatly affect his reputation negatively.”

It was gathered that immediately the complainant suspected foul play, he sent letters to all the banks where the money was sent, notifying them of the development and appealing that they stop the payment of the money and refund it to him.

However, according to the complainant, “One of the banks has refunded part of the money but the other one refused to send my money back to me. They claimed that the owner of the accounts said they gave me a value for the money which is not true.

“If they insist on telling that lie, why did the bank not ask for evidence? I asked the bank to return my money or freeze the account where the money was paid but they have not done anything. They have all the power to stop this fraud but they failed to do it.”

Police sources said detectives have been interrogating the officials of the banks while six of the suspected fraudsters have been arrested and they have refunded some amount of the money.

Continue Reading

Interview

EFCC arraigns lawyer for alleged N1.3 billion forex fraud

Published

on

By

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a lawyer for allegedly defrauding his victim of N1.3 billion.

The lawyer, Alexander Ozougwu is being prosecuted by the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC. The anti-graft agency arraigned the suspect at a Federal High Court in Uyo on 12 February.

In a statement on its website on Thursday, the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said the lawyer disguised as a registered bureau de change operator with the Central Bank of Nigeria to defraud his victims.

Mr Oyewale said the victims — four of them — alleged that upon presenting himself as a bureau de change operator, the suspect earned their trust and collected the passwords to their betting accounts and promised that he was going to help them fund their accounts, but ended up diverting their funds.

“Investigation into the allegations revealed that the defendant was operating a Ponzi scheme under the guise of exchanging dollars for his victims and channelling most of the funds to various betting platforms. A total of N1, 323, 850. 000. 00 was discovered to have been diverted from the accounts of the petitioners,” the anti-graft agency said.

Charges
The lawyer was arraigned on six charges of obtaining money by false pretence, an offfence, the EFCC said is in contravention of provisions of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you Mr Ozougwu sometime in September 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did take possession of the total sum of N268,850,000 through a bank account with account name-starlight attorneys which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

“That you Mr Ozougwu sometime in July 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this court, did take possession of N213,000,000 through a bank account with account name- starlight attorneys which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act,” the EFCC said.

According to the EFCC, the defendant, pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin to pray the court to remand him at a Correctional Centre, pending trial.

The defence counsel C. M. Onuchukwu, however, informed the court of a bail application which he said was filed on self-recognisance for the defendant, and also assured the court that he shall make himself available for trial, the anti-graft agency said.

After listening to both counsels, the judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties must be civil servants of grade level 12 and above and must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court. The court also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport and two recent passport photographs with the court,” the EFCC said.

Continue Reading

Trending