Connect with us

News and Report

NIA DIRECTOR IN EMBEZZLEMENT, MONEY LAUNDERING SCANDAL, EFCC RECEIVES PETITION

Published

5 years ago

on

A former employee of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Aliu Ismail
Oguche, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (
EFCC) and accused the agency’s Director of Administration, Ismaila
Yusuf, of embezzling and diverting of public funds, tax evasion, money
laundering, non-declaration of assets and deliberate falsehood.

In the petition obtained by Ripples Nigeria and dated October 16, Oguche
also accused Yusuf of owning a hotel and a bakery in Abuja, which he
said is against the NIA service guidelines

The petitioner further accused the NIA director of operating an Illegal
Bureau de Change from the hotel located in the Wuse II area of Abuja.

He also accused the NIA official of falsely declaring that he is from
the Sayawa tribal group in Bauchi State when actually he is from Igala
in Kogi State.

On Yusuf’s undeclared assets, Oguche said the NIA owns and operates a
hotel located in Wuse II, Abuja named “Gold-plate Suites (RC 1085461).”

“He is the chairman of the hotel alongside his three children – Kabiru
Ismaila Yusuf, Habiba Ismaila Yusuf and Yusuf Abba – acting as
directors,” the petitioner said.

According to him, the funds siphoned from the NIA are exchanged at
Yusuf’s illegal Bureau de Change.

The petition read: “Contrary to the law establishing hotel or bakery
businesses, there is no signpost for the either of the two businesses,
ostensibly to evade taxation payable to the Federal Inland Revenue
Service and other levies payable to government.

“It may equally, have been intended to avoid paying the five percent VAT
being charged on customers’ bills.

“The secrecy surrounding the operations of the hotel are both suspicious
and smacks of other clandestine activities, possibly cultism.”

Oguche claimed that his findings are open secret to the staff of NIA,
adding that the Director-General of the NIA, Amb. A.R Abubakar,
personally visited the hotel in March this year.

He also alleged that Yasuf has another hotel in Lagos and lives in a
palatial house in Wuse II, Abuja, “which is far beyond his legitimate
earnings.”

Oguche urged the EFCC “to investigate and determine whether as a civil
servant, Yusuf, is permitted to run these types of businesses and
whether it is permissible for him to serve as a signatory to the
accounts of any other businesses outside the NIA, where he is the
director of administration?

He added: “To determine whether Ismaila Yusuf has declared these
properties in his assets declaration form at the Code of Conducts Bureau
as required by law and whether he acquired these properties
legitimately. The agency should also determine whether such properties
are within his means as a public servant on fixed salary and emoluments.

“To determine if appropriate taxes are being paid to the appropriate
authorities on these businesses and if he has paid ‘Pay As You Earn’
taxes from these extra earrings.

“To also determine if operating the hotel and the attendant deals with
the NIA in accommodating its staff as guests do to amount to a conflict
of interest with his duties as an officer of the agency.

“To probe into the background of the said Ismaila Yusuf to determine if
he is actually Basayi from Bauchi or Igala from Kogi; and to look into
any other issues surrounding his enrolment into the NIA and the
attendant acquisition and ownership of these multi-billion naira
properties.”

The petitioner pledged to make himself available to the EFCC during the
investigation into the matter.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

Published

21 hours ago

on

November 7, 2024

By

 

Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

Continue Reading

News and Report

Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

Published

1 day ago

on

November 6, 2024

By

The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

Continue Reading

News and Report

Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

Published

1 day ago

on

November 6, 2024

By

President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

Continue Reading

Trending