Business

EFCC arrests 200 BDC operators for alleged forex fraud

Published

1 month ago

May 23, 2024

EFCC arrests 200 BDC operators for alleged forex fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested over 200 suspects in connection with foreign exchange scams and manipulation of the financial markets.

Sources privy to the development but were not authorised to speak to The PUNCH on Wednesday that over 200 suspected Bureau De Change operators were in EFCC custody across the country.

One of the sources revealed, “Over 200 suspects have been arrested by the EFCC for forex scam and currency speculation. Not all the arrested suspects are in Abuja or at our headquarters because they were arrested in various states across the country.”

Another source noted, “I can confirm that we have arrested over 200 people for foreign exchange scam and manipulation of the financial markets; they are all being interrogated by our investigators to determine the degrees of their involvements. Most of them were arrested in Abuja, Lagos, Rivers, and Kano States.”

Also, a third source stated, “The clampdown on the forex scammers would yield positive results. Many of them have been arrested, and they will face the consequences of their actions.”

The PUNCH reported last week that the EFCC expanded its clampdown exercise on BDC operators, arresting traders in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

The raid of the BDC operators is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to tame the free fall of the local currency.

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The government blamed the actions of speculators in the forex market and digital marketing sphere for the significant depreciation of the naira.

On Friday, May 17, operatives of the Uyo Zonal command of the EFCC arrested five suspected forex speculators at the Ama-Hausa mosque, along Hospital Road, Aba in Abia State.

The arrested suspects are: Hassan Umaru; Haruna Umar, Badamasi Abdullahi, Auwal Muhammed and Kasimu Muhammed.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, in a statement, revealed that the suspects had different currencies in varied sums at the point of arrest.

Oyewale said, “The recovered currencies are: 23,000 Won (Korean currency), 52 (Yuan Chinese currency), $6, 500 Nippon Ginko, 40 notes of Dalawampung Piso (Philippines currency), 20 Gambian Dalasis, 20 Swaziland currency and N382,000.

“Other recovered items from them are seven mobile phones, one power bank, one air pod, and one ATM card.

“They were arrested by operatives of the command, following weeks of surveillance and credible intelligence. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

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In another development, Oyewale revealed that the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC arraigned Daniel Chukwuka Koussou, a forex broker, before Justice C. O. Ajah of the State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on criminal conversion and stealing of N112.8m.

The lone count charge reads: “That you, Daniel Chuwuka Koussou sometime in July 2022, in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your use the sum of N112, 800, 800.00 (one hundred and twelve million, eight hundred thousand, eight hundred naira), property of Chinedu Igbokwe and thereby committed an offence.”

The offence is contrary to Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30 of the Laws of Enugu State and punishable under Section 353 (1) of the same Law.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him and was thereafter remanded at the Enugu State Correctional facility pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

Oyewale disclosed, “Koussou was arrested following claims of a petitioner, who alleged that he sent $276,000 to the defendant, a supposed agent for Providus Bank, to convert into naira and return same.

“According to the petitioner, on July 6, 2022, Providus Bank paid Koussou the full money in naira but the defendant sent part-payment of N21,759,771 to him (the petitioner) and diverted the rest for his personal use. All efforts made to get him to pay up proved abortive.”

EFCC arrests 200 BDC operators for alleged forex fraud

Railway

Nigerian Railway Corporation suspends Warri-Itakpe train after derailment

Published

4 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian Railway Corporation suspends Warri-Itakpe train after derailment

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the suspension of its train services from Warri in Delta State to Itakpe in Kogi State, starting from Friday, July 5th.

The suspension is due to an obstruction on the track, according to the NRC.

This is contained in a notice sent to customers titled “Public Announcement” on Friday, saying that the agency would likely resume operations on Monday, July 8, 2024.

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It read, “This is to officially notify our esteemed passengers that Warri-Itakpe Train will not run today being Friday, 5th July 2024 due to the obstruction we have on our track.

“We shall resume our normal train services on Monday 8th July 2024. Passengers who already booked their tickets online will be refunded.”

“All inconveniences is highly regretted. Thank you,” the statement added.

The train reportedly derailed on Thursday, July 4 at about 7.15pm.

A passenger on the train said it wobbled along its track at several locations and derailed.

It was however learnt that the NRC team was working to fix the problem.

Nigerian Railway Corporation suspends Warri-Itakpe train after derailment

Business

NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators

Published

13 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Trends Admin

NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) licenses of ten private jet operators for failing to comply with an earlier recertification directive aimed at curbing the misuse of private jets for commercial operations.

In a statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the NCAA explained that the operators did not adhere to the directive issued on April 16, 2024, requiring re-evaluation by April 19, 2024.

This directive was intended to ensure compliance with Part 18.3.4 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023, which prohibits PNCF holders from using their aircraft for commercial operations or charter services.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of PNCF from using their aircraft for CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, CARGO or MAIL for HIRE or REWARD (commercial operation or charter services).

“As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the 19th of April 2024.

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“To this end, the NCAA has suspended the PERMIT FOR NON-COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS of ten private jet operators,” the statement read in part.

The ten suspended private jet operators whose PNCF licenses were suspended over failure to commence the recertification process include:

Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd.

Bli-Aviation Safety Services

Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd.

Matrix Energy Ltd.

Marrietta Management Services Ltd.

Worldwide Skypaths Services

Mattini Airline Services Ltd.

Aero Lead Ltd.

Sky Bird Air Ltd

Ezuma Jets Ltd.

The statement also informed the public that engaging PNCF holders for commercial purposes is illegal, and the NCAA will promptly take enforcement actions against any violators.

Additionally, NCAA officials have been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of airports to monitor the activities of PNCF holders, the statement noted.

NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators

Business

Tinubu unveils N2tn plan to stabilise economy in six months

Published

14 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Trends Admin

Tinubu unveils N2tn plan to stabilise economy in six months

President Bola Tinubu has announced a N2 trillion stabilisation plan to revive Nigeria’s struggling economy within six months.

He said during the inauguration of the presidential economic coordination council (PECC) on Thursday that the project was aimed at revitalising the nation’s economy within the given period with the help of the private sector.

The PECC chaired by the President was established in March this year and it includes key government officials such as the vice-president, the senate president, and the chairman of the governors’ forum.

It also has prominent private sector leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and Bismarck Rewane, serving on the council for one year.

Tinubu’s administration has faced criticism for its economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign exchange policies which have made life difficult for Nigerians.

But the government said it remained optimistic that the short-term pain would yield long-term benefits and attract foreign investment.
Speaking at the inauguration of the PECC, Tinubu expressed gratitude to Dangote, Elumelu, and others for their participation.
“It is Nigeria that is calling, not a Bola Tinubu. And the hope of the entire nation hangs on you people,” he said.
Speaking on current economic challenges, the President recalled that he declared a state of emergency on food security and outlined plans to increase oil production, improve power generation, and leverage infrastructure development to boost agriculture and electricity supply.
“We have a challenge thrown at us and all of us will have to be careful. I believe today is America’s 158th of their independence while we are celebrating our 25 years of progress of democracy,” Tinubu said.
“We have to look back at how we have navigated ourselves and look forward [to] better economic navigation.
“I can give instructions as the president from my office but I believe so much, deeply in the organised private sector.

“The partnership to drive the economy of this country, for reforms and stabilization that is necessary, give the incentive where we must and leave the market to control the pricing mechanism and the consumption.
“I am ready to listen to you in all of that. You have seen us from close quarters but we are one.
“We feel the market pinches differently the price of foodstuff and all of that. I believe Bismarck Rewane will be able to make additional suggestion on what we are lacking and what we should do to stabilize this economy.”
Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by the market, particularly in terms of food prices, as he expressed his willingness to listen to the private sector leaders for their recommendations on stabilising the economy.
He also highlighted the government’s plans for a manufacturing stabilisation fund and support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).