Sunday, 19 May 2013
EFCC On How Ikuforiji, Lagos Speaker, Transferred Millions Of State Funds Into Personal Accounts -PREMIUM TIMES
By Ben Ezeamalu
The trial of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, began on Tuesday with the commission detailing how the accused funnelled over N36 million legislature’s money into his personal accounts.
Mr. Ikuforiji and his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, are facing a 20-count charge of money laundering, and conspiring and accepting cash payments to the tune of N500 million from the House without going through a financial institution.
An EFCC investigator, Adeniyi Adebayo, being led in evidence by the anti graft agency’s counsel, Godwin Obla, narrated how various sums of money was paid into Mr. Ikuforiji’s bank account in one year.
Between July 2010 and August 2011, N36.52 million from the House of Assembly’s Cash Office were deposited into the Lagos Speaker’s private bank accounts, according to Mr. Adebayo.
The sum of N6 million was deposited on July 2, 2010; N5 million on August 1, 2010; N5 million on July 9, 2011; N4 million on July 27, 2011; N10.52 million on August 31, 2011; and N6 million on October 8, 2011; the EFCC said.
“Part of the cash received from the cash office of the Accounts Department of the Lagos House of Assembly by the second accused (Mr. Atoyebi) was used to run errand for the first accused (Mr. Ikuforiji),” Mr. Adebayo told the court.
“I cannot remember what specifically the errands were,” he added.
‘Jamboree payments’
Both accused sat in the dock of the overcrowded court room, Mr. Ikuforiji, in dark sun glasses, focusing his attention on the trial judge.
The EFCC counsel tendered an exhibit before the court, a statement purportedly made by Mr. Atoyebi in October 12, 2012, in which he admitted to have collected the various cash payments from the Assembly’ s Cash Office and how he deposited the N36.52 million into Mr. Ikuforiji’s bank accounts.
In addition to allegedly converting state funds to private use, Mr. Ikuforiji was further accused by the EFCC of signing off various sums of money under shady circumstances.
The commission said that they possess statements by other members of the House of Assembly and civil servants in the state legislature detailing such jamboree payments.
For instance, Bolaji Ayinla, a member representing Mushin Constituency 11, stated how, with the speaker’s approval, he collected N22 million in cash for members of the House of Assembly and the staff of the legislature for the 2011 Ramadan celebration.
Lambo Abosede, a civil servant, stated how she paid N7 million to Tell magazine in April 7, 2011.
Another civil servant, Toyin Atekoja, who works at the House’s Accounts Section stated that “various cash payments were made to various persons.”
According to the EFCC, Ms. Atekoja said that 14 members of the House each received N1,128,859, in cash, for the second conference and annual general meeting of Commonwealth Parliament Association held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Mr. Atoyebi allegedly collected, in cash, N3,313,721.90 on behalf of the speaker for the same purpose.
Okechukwu Okeke, the trial judge, fixed March 19, 20 and 21 for continuation of trial.
A lengthy trial
Mr. Ikuforiji and his aide were arraigned in March last year but the trial had witnessed several frustrating delays leading to opposition parties questioning the seriousness of the EFCC to prosecute the Lagos Speaker.
The prosecution failed to attend court proceedings twice in November, last year, forcing the court to adjourn.
The speaker, who had declared an interest to run for governor in the state, in 2015, was initially arraigned before Justice John Tsoho in December 2011.
Mr. Tsoho chose to opt out of the case for undisclosed reasons.
Although Mr. Okechukwu, the current judge is due for retirement in May; he turned down the EFCC’s application to stay the trial proceedings and re-assign the case to another judge.
The EFCC had stated that Mr. Adebayo is the first of the “numerous” witnesses it would produce to testify before the court.
If the trial does not end before Mr. Okechukwu’s retirement, it would be transferred to another judge who would begin afresh.
Comments
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I know that some day soon, justice will prevail
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 21, 2013 - 11:17.
Truth doesn't hide nor can be hidden by anyone. Whether now or later it will light up and show forth and prevail over all odors.
Authority Stealing
Submitted by tundesimpler (not verified) on February 21, 2013 - 10:40.
I weep for this country, where stealing in public terrains will go unpunished. By now this dishonorable member ought to have resigned, but alas, a chieftancy may be waiting for him in his lagos village. What a shame of a country. Lai Mohammed- are you still there, no he is in condition of permanent shut up
NOTHING WILL HAPPEN, THE MAN IS ABOVE THE LAW.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 21, 2013 - 07:24.
This guy is above the law, so nothing will come out of this. Rotimi Akeredolu is still nursing his wounds otherwise he would have since mobilized 20 'SAN' to defend the rogue. Unfortunately SR is a Lagos tax collecting site. The tax that pays Tinubu 2billion naira monthly and the rest shared by the boys. How can ACN be credible alternative. Buhari is desperate too hence his association with those rogues. All these are Guilty by association. Aregbesola has not been able to pay workers salary because his government is made in Lagos. The allocation is shared in Lagos while the remnant is shared by foot soldiers in OSUN. Saint Lai Muhammed is now deaf and dump.
IN LAGOS THE EMPEROR HAS THE FINAL SAY
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 21, 2013 - 07:09.
The emperor of Lagos has this under control mark my word. Judiciary in Lagos is in the pocket of ACN. They will kill this case as usual. Ikuforiji is not alone, Tinubu and Fashola can't claim ignorance. Lai Muhammed, tunde Bakare, Femi falana would have called a world conference if this is another party. SR can now see the futility of surpotting and promoting these element without any sound moral ideology. Nigerian don't even trust these desperadoes, mere appendages of stinkingly corrupt Tinubu.
Re: People always confuse
Submitted by Ekassa79 (not verified) on February 21, 2013 - 05:28.
@Charlie, so "wasteful spending" is not a crime ... but "corruption" is a crime...!
Na where you for study your own law?
I am interested to know.
Maybe I fit become as "smart" as you after I attend dat place wey you study your law.
Na wah o!
People always confuse
Submitted by charlie (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 22:23.
People always confuse corruption with wasteful spending, and going by the charges brought against Ikuforiji by efcc, he can only be guilty of been a party to wasting state's funds, unfortunately wasteful spending is not a crime. It can be argued one way or the other whether there are any justifications for sending assembly members to Rwanda or spending huge amount of money on Ramadan celebrations. It is disappointing that efcc brings such weak charges against Ikuforiji after all the noise in the media about the case.
EFCC MOVE AGAINST FELIX OBORO AND OTHERS
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 21:23.
Adeyemi ikuforiji,Chief Felix Oboro,Gbenga Ashiru and Martin Uhmoibhi should go to gallows as they are in the same boat.What about the properties bought in London,USA,Abuja,Lekki and in France by Ashiru and Uhmoibhi with Public money and the website reconstruction.A thief is a thief.EFCC move against others who pretend to be honest.
A FEMALE AMBASSADOR AND FELIX OBORO DID THE SAME!
Submitted by Dongo Musa (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 21:16.
What dishonourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji has done is very bad and shows the type of politician Nigeria has.However,what he has done is not new in Nigerian terrain by keeping public money in his private bank account.If EFCC is honest,it is not Mr.Ikuforiji alone that should go to court.According to records a female serving Nigerian Ambassador did similar but because she has god fathers among which is the permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs,nothing is being done to her by EFCC.Likewise,Chief Felix Oboro who admitted looting Embassy treasury because he was not advised that it was wrong.EFCC in its wisdom,behave like ostrich.Then where is justice in Nigeria.It appears, EFCC is out to hark down certain ethnic group in Nigeria.If Adeyemi ikuforiji could go to court,others should also go.Allahu Akbar!
mr ikuforiji shuold not be
Submitted by babatunde femi (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 16:16.
mr ikuforiji shuold not be pamper at all necessary steps should be taken.to show efcc is working out corruption in this country.
ACN - BIG DECEIT
Submitted by JJ (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 16:04.
ACN is just busy deceiving Lagosians and Nigerians at large. This is a slap to a political party that says they want to stand for integrity.
It shows that they are in no way different from PDP; why accusing one political party when you also are doing worse things?
I feel another political party should take over leadership of Lagos State come 2015.
Thank God i did not vote for Gubernitorial election so i will not say i wasted my vote.
All the judges are afraid of
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 11:32.
All the judges are afraid of tinubu's area tugs. What a country. Obasanjo started the wars by employing area father in ibadan to achieve his goal. Adedibu. That is the kind of proceed for the forth republic.How I wish Muritala did not die. We all would have witnessed the kind of greatness Nigeria would have been.
He is anointed governor in-waiting
Submitted by frankwilliams (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 11:11.
Shame on tinubu, acn, fashola and entire Lagosians
musa@gmail.com
Submitted by Musa (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 09:23.
The rot in the ACN ic oozing out uncontrollably. I never knew they have such skeletons in their cupboard. I think the EFCC needs to dig for more. hahahahaha...haha.
ACN WILL NOT TALK ABOUT THIS NOW
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 08:35.
WHAT THEN WILL ACN CALL THIS ACT OF CRIMINALITY BY THE LAGOS STATE SPEAKER? LAI MUHAMMED WILL CALL IT GOOD GOVERNANCE NOT CORRUPTION. IF THIS STEELING WAS DONE BY A PDP MEMBER NIGERIANS WILL NOT SLEEP WITH LAI MUHAMMED
I hope Lai Muhammed will
Submitted by Peter (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 08:29.
I hope Lai Muhammed will issue a statement condemning Ikuforiji for being caught in the act.
I dey laugh
If Justice Okeke, after
Submitted by Emeka (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 08:25.
If Justice Okeke, after insisting on going on with the case, later retires without concluding the case, it will affirm the rumour amongst legal practitioners that his lordship is one of the corrupt Judges in Naija's Judiciary.
Is he a member of PDP?
Submitted by OC (not verified) on February 20, 2013 - 07:53.
I thought corruption cases only exists in the PDP, and not in any other party.
Is the Speaker still presiding over the House? He should have been suspended, while his trial lasts. The same goes for Farouk Lawan. They have no business mixing legislative business and their corruption trial.
Lastly, why does EFCC want to transfer the case away from the trial Judge? We have 4 clear months before July, when the Judge is due for retirement. All parties should expedite action and work towards a speedy trial, in the interest of Justice. The State CJ should also help by transferring other cases away from the retiring Judge, to enable him focus on this case.
