#Dasugate: Jonathan's Men Return N8.4b, Beg For Soft Landing

Several  former  high-ranking officials in the Goodluck Jonathan administration have started returning looted funds, it was learnt  last night.

Besides, they are begging the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to shelve plans to put them on trial.

Four such ex-top government officials have refunded N1.4billion in the last one week alone, an authoritative source said yesterday.

This sum does not include the N7billion said to have been paid back to the AVM Jon Ode Committee which investigated about 300 companies and individuals who collected money from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)  without executing the jobs for which they were paid.

However, a few others are said to have opted to face trial instead of returning money which they claimed had been spent on  2015 presidential campaign.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some of the beneficiaries of the looted funds have actually paid back  or promised to do so.

Those affected have been mounting pressure on  the presidency, the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for soft landing against trial.

The government is yet to take a position on whether or not those who have returned their loot will be prosecuted.

A  source  said: “One of those who served under the former President has returned about N750million given to him by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for campaign. He was able to make up because he didn’t spend the cash. He kept it for private use.

“Some have  paid back more than N650million.

“A former minister has pledged to refund over N1billion. Another beneficiary of the curious contracts has promised the EFCC to sell a few properties to be able to return about N2.1billion.

“A former military governor has also refunded the cash advanced to him by ONSA to buy a house.

“Many of these former public officers and contractors are effecting refunds to avoid being named and shamed.

“They don’t want trial. Some have volunteered to serve as prosecution witnesses instead of going through the rigours of trial.

“At the appropriate time, the list of those who have refunded money in one way or the other will be published.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The government is preoccupied with the recovery of looted funds. At the appropriate time, the fate of those who have refunded cash will be determined by what the law says.”

But some of the suspects have refused to return looted funds which they claimed had been disbursed for 2015 poll.

They said  the cash was given to them on the order of former President Jonathan.

They also said the funds were privately disbursed to them by the campaign committee and PDP officials without telling them the source(s) of the money.

Another source said: “Some of those implicated in the collection of some funds have opted for outright trial because they did not benefit while carrying out presidential directives.

“Some former ministers said the amount credited to them came from private accounts for the 2015 campaign and nobody can accuse them of diverting public funds.”

About 300 persons and companies were indicted by an investigative committee a week ago.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Thursday  claimed that the ONSA committee had recovered over N7billion from those culpable.

The indicted companies are to refund another N41 billion.

But the investigating agencies, including the EFCC, will determine whether another N75 billion should be recovered from some of the companies.

Shehu said the ONSA committee had found out that one of the indicted companies, Societe D’Equipment International, was overpaid by 7.9 million euros and $7.09 million.

It noted that many contractors were apparently over paid, while others were given full upfront payments contrary to their contract terms and agreements.

The panel also uncovered evidence of payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual agreement or evidence of jobs executed.

The committee discovered that some companies failed to fulfill their tax obligations for contracts executed.

Fifteen firms, the panel said, were awarded contracts that require further investigation to ascertain their status. The total value of the contracts in this category was N11, 726,571,161.00, $202,136,890.00 and €4,114,752.96.

The companies include: “Abrahams Telecommunication Limited and Value Trust Investment Limited – RC 1050628 and RC133792, Bilal Turnkey Contractors Limited RC 616389, Circular Automobile Limited – RC 953549, Continental Project Associates Limited – RC 1201210 and Da’voice Network Solutions Limited RC 658879.

Others are Foretech Investment Limited – RC 759046, Forts and Sheild Limited – RC 1148793, GDP Associated Limited – RC 830715, Hakimco Automobiles – RC 904389, Hamada Properties and Investment Limited – RC635720, International Resources Management Company RC228657, Investment Options Limited – RC 133484, Jakadiya Picture Company Limited RC 270972, JBE Multimedia Investment Limited – RC 48875, Kamala Motors Limited RC 845545 and Key Information Services Limited RC 297516.

Also investigated are Leeman Communications Limited RC 499781, MCAF Associates RC 734745, Moortown Global Investment – RC 968416, Syntec Nigeria Limited – RC 220165, Trafiga Limited – RC 1098961, Trim Communications Limited – RC 261180, Securicor Emergency and Safety RC 431246, Sologic Integrated Services Limited RC 744982, Wada Autos Limited RC 1082513, Zukhruf Nigeria Limited RC 306244, 2020 Nigeria Limited RC 1090292 and A and B Associates Limited RC 279980.

The individuals and companies that received payments without contractual agreements include: Bello Matawalle, Brig-Gen. A.S. Mormoni-Bashir (the former Principal General Staff Officer at the ONSA, who is still  serving), Alhaji Umar Sani, Dr Yakubu Sanky, Baba Bala, Ambassador Clement Layiwola Laseinde (a Director in the ONSA) and an architect from Baitil Atiq Travels and Tours.

Others are Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu (the former Director of Finance and Administration at (ONSA), Col. Bello Fadile (rtd) (Special Adviser to Lt Col Sambo Dasuki; former NSA), Mr Otunla Jonah Niyi, Otunba Adelakun, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, Dr Tunji Olagunju, Miss Oluwatoyin Oluwagbayi and Lt Col MS Dasuki (rtd) (the former NSA).

Also listed are Maipata Mohammed Abubakar, Mohammed Suleiman from Musaco investment and properties, Ibrahim Abdullahi also from Musaco investment and properties, Alhaji Aliyu Usman and 18 other officers that served in the ONSA.

The companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially and have been asked to refund various sums are: A and Hatman Limited, Abuja Consulting Limited, Afro-Arab Investment, Agbede A Adeshina and Co, Aleppo Systems Nigeria Limited – RC 947255, Amp Africa Holdings and Solar Services, Apple Drops Nigeria Limited – RC 1102219, Apt Security Limited – RC 165189, Autoforms Integrated Enterprises Limited – RC 1234829, Axis Consulting Services Limited – RC 1151145, Belsha Nigeria Limited, Community Defence Law Foundation – RC/IT No 56854, Complus International Service Limited, Cosse Limited – RC 316214, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited, Dalhatu Investment Limited – RC 404535, Destra Investment Limited and Development Strategies International Limited – RC 361191.

Others are DFX/White Zebu BDC – RC787658/RC1049919, Duchy Concepts Limited RC392281, Fara Security Limited RC 694607, Fimex Gilt Nigeria Limited  –RC 143150, First Aralac Global Limited RC939512, Fix-HYL Global Investment RC1129654, Good year Properties Limited RC1168828, Image Merchant Promotions Limited RC 416703.

Interglobal Limited RC 189188, Jos Peace Dialogue Forum CAC/IT/No75434, Kakatar Limited RC 443321, Leaderette Nigeria/Norden Global RC 422129/RC1119925, London Advertising Limited UK BASED, Mithra Oil Limited RC 620979, NigerLink BOG (Under Musaco Investment)

RC 834592, Iban Global (Under Musaco Investment), Musaco Investment (Bank Charges), Mystrose Limited RC 475579, NAF Holding Company Limited.

Also listed are: Peach Tree Communications Limited RC 410115, Perception BDC RC 740741, Pioneer Ventures RC 69776, Proptex Nigerian Limited – RC 116801, Prosedec Interglobal Limited RC 619845, Real Property Investment Limited RC 294761, Sinash Communications Limited RC 333134, Skytick International Limited RC 798693, Soject Nigeria Limited – RC 74991 and StellaVera Development Company Limited RC 713258.

Others who defaulted in their contractual agreements include Teracon AG SWISS BASED, Wehsec Farms Limited – RC 713258, African Cable Television Limited RC 1113903, BCN Nigeria Limited RC 50969, Brains and Hammers RC 655673, Concept Options Ultimate Limited – RC 604167, Elizade Nigeria Limited RC 11544, Emerging Platforms Limited – RC 922205, EMI System Nigeria Limited – RC 248986, Hadassa Investment and Security – RC 709085, Kala Consulting Solutions Limited – RC 98562, Pioneer Ventures, Nan Bizcom Nigeria Limited RC 680708, Nerres Limited RC 1138835, Plectrum Consulting Limited RC 937931, Protech Consultant – RC 301426, Summit Publications Limited RC 304671, Telios Development Limited RC 468351, Urban Abode Nigeria Limited RC 651613, RCN Networks Limited RC 439720, Sail International Limited – RC 97863, Suburban Broadway Limited – RC 469689, Geronimo Middle East and Africa, Julius Berger – RC 6852, Romgat Morgan Nigeria Limited – RC 902020, and Stallion Motors Limited RC 178627.

Contracts awarded to the following companies are to be further investigated: 2020 Nigeria Limited RC 1090292, Acacia Holdings Limited RC 940978, Africair Incorporated US Company, Augusta Westland Limited, Almond Project Limited, Bam Project and Properties, Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited – RC 790662, Coral Builders Limited – RC 397748, Dan Clington Nigeria Limited – RC 940978, Law Partners and Associates BN/UY/004566, Magnificient 5 ventures Limited BN/2299463, MPS Global Services Limited.

Others are One plus Holdings Nigeria Limited RC 695999, Quadsix Nigeria Limited – RC 1177968, and Reliance Reference Hospitals.

...The Nation

Like Jonathan's, $4.2bn 'Missing' At NNPC Under Buhari - New Report Reveals

The era of questionable remittance from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to the Federal Government purse, which Nigerians thought could have gone with the ouster President Goodluck Jonathan is still much more continuing.

Report according to Daily trust suggests that new report revealed that a huge sum of $4.2 billion is yet to be remitted to the coffer of the Federal Government under the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Below is the Full Report According to Daily Trust Newspaper:

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) continues to withhold billions of dollars in oil sale revenues from the treasury under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, a new report said.

The report released yesterday by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) said in the second half of 2015, NNPC’s sales of export crude, domestic crude and oil from its subsidiary the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) totaled $6.3 billion.

Of this amount, only $2.1 billion entered the Federation Account while $4.2 billion (N827.4 billion) was not remitted, representing 66 percent of proceeds from crude oil sales for the six months, according to the NRGI report titled “NNPC Still Holds Blank Check”.

“This was 14 percent more than the corporation’s withholdings under Goodluck Jonathan in the first half of 2015, and 12 percent higher than the share withheld in 2013 and 2014,” the report, authored by Aaron Sayne and Alexandra Gillies, said.

The latest report, which is a follow up to a previous one by NRGI in 2015, themed “Inside NNPC Oil Sales: A Case for Reform,” however said some of NNPC’s withholdings cover known costs, notably its share of joint venture operating expenses.

“The corporation has not fully explained others; especially revenues retained from domestic crude and NPDC sales,” it said.

The report said that NNPC spending raises questions about fiscal responsibility–especially at a time when public finances are stretched and the federal government is looking to fund more of its budget with debt.

Makeshift practices remain

While acknowledging some of the ongoing reforms instituted by the Buhari administration in the oil sector, the report said the plans have not yet addressed how NNPC retains revenues.

On how NNPC sells the country’s oil in two streams-export sales to foreign buyers and domestic crude allocation, the report said, “This simple two-part system has broken down, however. As NNPC’s financial debts and operational problems have deepened, it has introduced more types of ad hoc oil sale transactions to work around these challenges.”

The NRGI report, which tried to unravel where the $4.2 billion of NNPC oil sales that didn’t enter the federation account went to, found that some of the money went to pay JV cash call liabilities, rather than entering the government budget while some others were spent in an unknown manner.

“In one especially questionable case, we found evidence that NNPC has retained all earnings from the offshore Oil Mining Lease (OML) 119, a field owned wholly by NPDC that produces around 30,000 barrels per day of Okono grade crude,” the report said. 

The report recommended that the Buhari government should establish a clear, legally enforceable rule governing which revenues NNPC can keep and how they can be spent.

It also advised the government to move to curb the corporation’s discretionary, unaccountable use of much-needed public funds.

When contacted for comments, the NNPC said it was preparing a response to the NRGI report. But the response did not come at the time of going to press.

Daily Trust reports that the Auditor-General of Federation recently reported that the NNPC failed to remit N3.2tr ($16bn) in oil revenues to the federation account in 2014. A week later, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) put the amount not remitted by the NNPC between 2011 and 2015 at N4.9tr ($25 bn).

NNPC disputed the auditor-general’s claims by putting out a third set of figures, saying what it owed the Federation Account was N326bn which is still being reconciled. NNPC has also promised that a forensic audit, due soon, would validate its position.

Jonathan spotted with Fani-Kayode’s Son As He Spends Easter With The Family, See Photos

Former President Goodluck Jonathan paid a surprise visit to his 2015 Campaign Media DG, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode at his Abuja home during the Easter break. 

The former President came to felicitate with them over the birth of a new-born baby by Fani-Kayode's new wife, Precious Chikwendu.

Unless Buhari Takes These 5 Drastic Steps, Fuel Crisis'll Persist Till 'Thy Kingdom Come' - Okupe

Former senior special assistant on Public Affairs to former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe,  has backed Nigeria’s junior minister of petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu and the policy of NNPC under his leadership.

Okupe in a statement issued on Facebook, made a case for Kachikwu while urging Nigerians to face the reality.

In the statement, he stated that he has no inter-personal relationship with Kachikwu, analysed why there is lingering fuel scarcity and how it can be curbed.

Read Doyin Okupe’s position below:

The minister of state for Petroleum is a Nigerian I know by reputation only. When he was appointed I actually wondered why on earth will a man in his exalted international position and pedigree come into the murky arena of the Nigerian oil business. It can only be patriotism.

Since he assumed office I have noticed a high level of professionalism and candour.

But Nigerians abhor the truth. The minister said a few weeks ago that it is cheaper to import fuel than process our crude locally. I thought that should be obvious to all discerning minds. Our newest refinery is 35years old.

The capacity of the refinery to fractionate Crude reduces drastically with age. In its best form you get about 51% PMS per barrel of crude refined. But at the current ages of our refineries we hardly can do more than 35-40%.

Therefore our policy of setting aside crude for local refining is outdated and counter-productive and should be stopped.

Secondly the minister said this present fuel crisis will tarry till May and all hell was let loose. The Hon Minister is right.

He quietly informed the nation that NNPC is now responsible for 100% of our fuel imports. The reason for this anomaly is not farfetched.

We consume 40m liters of PMS daily. At about $645/tonne that comes to about 55cents per liter is $22m/day. Which importer and which bank in Nigeria of today can open $22m daily?!!!!

Not even the Almighty NNPC! So that is the real cause of the scarcity. The truth is what the minister said, its not going away soonest.

The only reasonable, cost effective and efficient way of ensuring Nigerians get petroleum products regularly and continuously, without further complicating the unavailability of the dollar and its continued stagnation of the national economy, is by:

1. Scrapping the PPPRA.

2. Stopping the allocation of crude daily for local refining.

3. Allocating appropriate volume of crude to the oil majors under a transparent oil swap arrangement.

4. Invest in and improve the facilities of discharging PMS in all our Ports.

5. Completely deregulate the downstream.

Sector of the petroleum and stop the federal government from selling petrol. Previous Nigerian governments have sustained this practice to their detriment. We need not continue it especially in the face prevailing economic hardship.

It is not done anywhere and citizens are the ultimate beneficiaries.

It is shameful and embarrassing that small countries like Benin Republic, Togo and even land locked countries like Botswana and Swaziland do not have fuel queues.

How GEJ Govt. Siphoned N8b Via 'Fake' Ministry; Aide Rented N78m House For Girlfriend - EFCC

There is unease in the camp of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan following fears of more arrests of suspects over the $2.1billion phoney arms deals.

There were indications last night that more former Ministers in Jonathan’s cabinet and some former public officers might be picked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC has also traced more than N8billion curious withdrawals from the Central Bank of Nigeria to Villa Coded account tagged Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Research Library.

About N3.425billion of the N8billion was withdrawn for “special purposes” after the 2015 presidential election.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the anti-graft agency might arrest more suspects over the mismanagement of arms funds because of fresh clues.

It was learnt that some of the suspects, who have “sneaked out” of the country, might be declared wanted.

One of the affected ex-public officers is alleged to have used the arms cash to rent an apartment in posh Asokoro District in Abuja for his girlfriend at N26million per year.

The said officer was alleged to have paid N78million for three years, besides the agency fee.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ongoing investigation has led to the uncovering of looting of funds meant for arms procurement.

“Some ex-ministers in ex-President Jonathan’s cabinet and a few public officers will certainly be arrested to explain their roles in the alleged diversion of the funds.

“Both the Presidential Committee on Procurement in the Armed Forces and the EFCC are collaborating on these latest cases.

“One of the former office holders under probe allegedly blew N78million to rent an apartment in Asokoro District for his girlfriend/ mistress at N26million per annum. We have located the house; we will soon interact with the landlord.”

It was also gathered that one of the breakthroughs of the EFCC is how over N8billion was withdrawn from the CBN through Villa Coded Account for political patronage under “special purposes”.

About N3.425billion of the N8billion was blown on suspicious purposes after the 2015 presidential election.

The breakdown of withdrawals is as follows:

• N2,683, 620, 263.00 released on March 30, 2015 to MEA Research Library.
• From ONSA Account Number 1014199287, about N350million was remitted  to African Cable Television Limited on April 17, 2015;
• N392, 428, 880 debited Account number 0142861012 for transfer to MEA Research Library on May 6, 2015
• N5,554, 332, 420.04 withdrawn from CBN on  February 3, 2014 through account 0142861012 for MEA Research Library
• N18.066million transferred to MEA Research Library Account 0020142861012 on July 21, 2014 for security operation for Osun election

Another source said: “Even from the outset, the payment schedule was strange. The nation has only Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was last used by the Federal Government during the military era, which ended on May 29, 1999.

“So, we will unmask those behind the operation of the Presidential Villa Coded Account and the beneficiaries of these funds.”

There was however unease in Jonathan’s camp following the decision of most of the suspects to hide under the guise of acting on the “instructions of the ex-President”.

A source in Jonathan’s camp said: “Some loyalists of Jonathan are of the opinion that all those invited by the EFCC should go and account for their activities in office.

“The suspects said they either acted on Jonathan’s instructions or ran errands for him. They said they cannot be held accountable for the directives of the Commander-In-Chief.

“But Jonathan has maintained silence and I think he is waiting for the right time to talk after the Presidential Committee and EFCC might have completed their investigations.

 ”As a matter of fact, one of the ex-ministers implicated in the arms deals in ONSA has been advised by the ex-President to return to respond to enquiries from the EFCC.”

Source: The Nation

Why Nigerians Have Tortoise Mentality - TheGuardian

TheGuardian - The burning desire by Nigerians to see President Buhari succeed underscores the urgent expectation for change to manifest without delay. As it were, Nigerians are not disposed to being patient. Impatience is a norm. The virtue of patience is scarce and this is understandable.

Understandable in the sense that the country has been raped and bastardised and Nigerians denied the good things of life since independence. The desire for change started from October 1, 1960. That change did not come. Barely six years into independence, the country was plunged into a fierce fratricidal civil war that claimed over a million lives.

After the war ended in January 1970, and the military took over the reins of government, Nigerians continued to expect change. The civilian interregnum between October 1979 and December 1983, was a huge disappointment. The civilians re-enacted corruption and maladministration that brought back the military.

In a nutshell, from May 1967 to October 1999, a period of 32 years, Nigeria’s affairs were run by unaccountable military juntas that failed woefully to bring the expected change in the country. The country was put in a ruinous path that only a conscientious, patriotic and committed leader could reverse.

When a new democratic dispensation was birthed in October 1999 with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the helm of affairs, Nigerians re-enacted the desire for change. Obasanjo had the opportunity to bring change but failed after eight years of mesmerization. Obasanjo handed the baton to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who unfortunately died early in his administration. Nigerians think that Yar’Adua demonstrated inklings of change with his 7-Point Agenda that never materialised.

President Goodluck Jonathan succeeded Yar’Adua but instead of continuing with the 7-Point Agenda, floated a transformation agenda, which Nigerians interpreted as another side of the same coin called change. Jonathan’s perceived personal desire to bring change failed due to the greed and avarice of the powers in PDP. Thus, for 16 years, rather than see change, Nigerians saw unthinkable sleaze and utter degradation of the country.

It is little wonder, then, that when President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) capitalised on the psyche of Nigerians, which is desire for change, and came up with the CHANGE mantra during the 2015 general elections, Nigerians overwhelmingly bought it. The thinking is that if Buhari, whom they already know to be a no-nonsense man, is the man who will bring the change that everybody wants, so be it.

Consequently, Buhari won the 2015 presidential election and no sooner was he sworn in on May 29, 2015 that Nigerians began to demand for the change he promised. But the change is not by magic. With the mountain of problems, he ground has to be cleared first and foundation laid upon which change would be built. But Nigerians are not ready to take excuses. They want instant change.

The proverbial tortoise is known to be the wisest animal in the animal kingdom. But sometimes, it fails to apply the wisdom when it is mostly needed. Once upon a time, the animals conspired and threw the tortoise into a pit and left him there. After one year, the animals decided to bring him out of the pit. They informed the tortoise that he would be brought out from the pit on a particular day.

Rather than be patient, knowing that his ordeal would soon end, the tortoise became restless and began to hurry the animals to bring him out without further delay, claiming that the stench in the pit was killing him. The question is, after spending one full year in the pit and didn’t die, why can’t the tortoise be patient and let the animals pull him out on the appointed day?

I see a similarity between the tortoise mentality and the attitude of Nigerians who are rushing Buhari to bring change immediately even when the administration has not implemented a single budget. Granted that we all desire change, wisdom dictates that it is unrealistic to assess a government that has four years in less than a year. I think it is more sensible to support the government and watch what it is able to accomplish in four years.

I would like to stress that the change that Nigerians want cannot be accomplished by the government at the centre alone. There will be no change in Nigeria without the involvement of the states. Unfortunately, the states are overlooked while everybody is focusing on the Federal Government, which is totally misplaced.

All the basic social amenities – water, hospital, roads, schools, health centres, etc, that we need are largely the responsibility of the state governments. Though, the Federal Government had taken it upon itself, over the years, to be in-charge of electricity, nothing stops any state government from getting involved in power generation as an independent supplier.

If each state government gets serious with power supply, the power from the centre would be negligible.

The same applies to roads. Available statistics shows that there are about 200,000 kilometres of roads in the country, out of which the total federal highways is about 34,340.90 kilometres. The states and local governments have responsibility for 165,660 kilometres of roads. If the states and local government councils do their roads, the federal roads will pave into insignificance.

It is ironic that while people lament over the dilapidated inter-state federal highways like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Shagamu-Ore Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, etc, no one mentions the intra-state roads that really serve the people. I can’t understand why the attention of Nigerians is always focused at the president while the governors are left out. Virtually, all the administrations that have presided over the affairs of Nigeria since independence passed through this unfortunate syndrome.

The worst set of Nigerians is those calling for the return of corruption with the hash-tag “Bring Back Our Corruption.” The promoters of this demented and crazy campaign argue that under corruption, food was cheap and life was better.

Across the civilised world, progress is made when there is rapport and understanding between the people and their leaders. There can be no progress when the leaders and the people are heading in opposite direction.  Buhari’s anti-corruption war, if it succeeds, is big change that this country badly needs.

Excerpted From TheGuardian Newspaper

Go And Face 'The Music' - Jonathan Disowns Fani-Kayode, Falae, Others Over N3.1b CBN Largess

There is confusion in ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s camp on how to refund the N3.1 billion allegedly shared by six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is battling to recover the cash. It was learnt that some of the beneficiaries ran to Dr, Jonathan but he insisted that he will not bail out any minister or public officer involved in the deal.

It was learnt yesterday that a former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, had interacted with EFCC operatives in the last few weeks before the anti-graft agency blew open the fraud.

There was a sharp disagreement among the beneficiaries of the largesse on how to refund the cash, sources told The Nation.

Some members of the defunct Campaign Committee of the PDP were shocked that such a huge amount was collected under the table by a few directors.

They have asked the beneficiaries to bear the consequences of diversion of public funds.

Some members of the committee have also threatened to spill the bean on other public funds made available which were diverted by some stalwarts of the party.

But the real issue was on how to refund the N3.145billion to the EFCC.

While some claimed that they expended the money on Jonathan’s re-election campaign, others were running round to source for the funds from some PDP chieftains and former members of the Federal Executive Council to cover up their track.

But there was no breakthrough for some of the beneficiaries last night.

A top source said: “There is confusion in Jonathan’s camp. Many top members of the campaign committee were dazed that such huge cash was shared without any general information.

“Some of them have volunteered to testify against some of the beneficiaries if the EFCC digs deeper. They have been threatening to expose other dirty deals.

“Also, ex-President Jonathan has stayed away from the matter. One of the beneficiaries went to the ex-President for a bailout but the former leader said he will ‘not assist anybody but they should go and return whatever was given to them’.

“The beneficiary was said to have diverted N500million out of the N2billion, which he was to remit to the committee. He only gave out N1.5billion.

“The case of some public officers involved in the deal was worse because the former President has asked everyone to bear his or her own cross.

“As it is now, those given the cash will have to look for ways to refund it.”

A member of the Campaign Committee said: “We are not united on this N3.145billion. Some of us were disappointed that they got money without telling us. Let them go and face the music.”

Mrs. Usman is believed to have made a statement pending the time a comprehensive investigation will begin.

“The EFCC will interact with some of the beneficiaries soon. But the ultimate goal of the anti-graft commission is to recover the funds,” a source said.

The EFCC uncovered how N3.145b was paid into the accounts of six PDP chieftains and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the build-up to the last presidential elections.

The beneficiaries include a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (N840m); a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Chief Olu Falae(N100m); Mrs. (N36.9m); a former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa and a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri(N350m)  and Okey Ezenwa(N100m).

The Nation

Ex-Minister On The Run Over N3.1b Fraud As EFCC Closes In

A former minister has sneaked out of the country as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) closes in on the suspected architects of an alleged N3.145b fraud, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) have been named in the investigations.

The cash, meant for the funding of the campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan  was drawn on the orders of the Presidential Villa and paid into a coded account tagged Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Library.

The account was said to have been deployed by the Presidential Villa (allegedly on Dr. Jonathan’s instructions) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for “strategic assignments”.

Some of the key suspects, including some bureaucrats, have offered to return the funds, even as the EFCC plans to invite some of those implicated for interrogation “any moment from now”.

According to sources, the former minister left the country on Sunday, her destination unknown – as at press time.

A source, who spoke in confidence “in order not to jeaopardise the investigation”,  said: “The EFCC has been on the case for some time and one or two of the suspects at a point came to make statements. But one of the former ministers who was also connected with the matter has jetted out.

“The ex-minister left the country quietly on Sunday. No one can say her actual destination and whether or not it was a routine trip abroad or a self-imposed exile.

“The reality is that there is no hiding place for any former public officer. Wherever a suspect is, the EFCC will repatriate such a person.”

It was confirmed last night that the N3.145billion was drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) following directives from the Presidential Villa.

The cash was wired into the coded account.

It was learnt that after the withdrawal of the cash from CBN, an account was provided by the Director of Finance of the PDP Presidential Campaign, former Minister Nenadi Usman, for disbursement to beneficiaries.

Another source added: “The CBN released the funds based on orders from the Presidential Villa. Some documents on the withdrawal have been obtained by the EFCC.

“From the preliminary investigation, MEA was a coded account used by the Presidential Villa and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for strategic assignments, including funding of the re-election campaign of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

“After the cash was moved to MEA account, it was moved into the account of Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, which was allegedly provided by ex-Minister Nenadi Usman.

“In fact, some of the bureaucrats connected with the withdrawal of the funds from the CBN have not been comfortable. Some suspects have actually offered to return the cash quietly to EFCC.

“I am aware that some persons have made statement to the EFCC on what they knew about the deal. But most of the beneficiaries have not been quizzed. They will soon be invited by the EFCC for interrogation and how to return the money.”

The beneficiaries include a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (N840m); a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and leader of the Social Democratic Party, Chief Olu Falae (N100m); a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman(N36.9m); a former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa and a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Viola Onwuliri(N350m)  and Okey Ezenwa(N100m).

One of the beneficiaries, who spoke in strict confidence, said: “The cash was actually N2billion as reported to the campaign directorate.

“When ex-Minister Nenadi Usman briefed us, some of us insisted on knowing the source(s) of the funds. In fact, somebody asked repeatedly whether or not the cash was from public funds but she told us that the money came from some private individuals. She disclosed some names behind the so-called “donation.”

“Having heard that the cash was donated to the campaign, we decided to use it for that purpose. None of us knew that the money came from the CBN and it was also disbursed through a company’s account which Nenadi Usman said she had been using for her campaign.

“Now, we are just realizing that the N3.145billion was drawn from the CBN. It is just unfortunate. Some of us would have rejected the cash if we knew it came from the apex bank.”

The Nation Newspaper