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ICPC recovers N13bn public funds stolen in one month

Published

2 days ago

October 3, 2024

ICPC recovers N13bn public funds stolen in one month

Adamu Aliyu, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), announced that the agency recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds in September 2024.

While he did not disclose specific sectors or individuals involved in the recoveries, Aliyu emphasized the commission’s ongoing commitment to combatting corruption and fulfilling its mandate.

Aliyu made this announcement during the launch of the ICPC’s 2024-2028 strategic action plan in Abuja on Tuesday.

The recovery of such a substantial amount reflects the agency’s relentless efforts to address corruption and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.

Aliyu said, “Over the past year, the ICPC has made significant progress in discharging its mandate; for example, we recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds in September 2024 alone. This is just one of the many ways we have worked tirelessly to fulfil our mandate.”

Aliyu also disclosed that plans are underway to digitalise the commission’s operations.

He added that this would enable more efficient investigations and case management, among other improvements.

“We are also embarking on ICT reforms that will digitalise our operations and enable more efficient investigations, case management, and internal processes. This transformation will position the commission as a leader in leveraging technology to combat corruption, keeping us one step ahead of criminal activities in the digital age,” he stated.

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Aliyu further mentioned that a specialised curriculum is being developed to enhance the enforcement capacity of the commission’s personnel, equipping officers with the necessary skills to handle complex corruption cases with professionalism and efficiency.

He noted that the agency is working on decentralising anti-corruption efforts by empowering state governments through their Attorneys General, allowing for more effective corruption prevention at the local level.

“Additionally, we are decentralising the anti-corruption effort by empowering state governments through the mobilisation of State Attorneys General. This approach ensures that state governments are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to effectively combat corruption at the local level,” Aliyu added.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritises the fight against corruption.

He said, “The fight against corruption remains a cornerstone of this administration’s agenda, as we recognise that corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very fabric of our society. It undermines trust, weakens institutions, and hampers our progress as a nation.

“In this light, the work of the ICPC is of paramount importance, not only in ensuring that corrupt practices are identified and prosecuted but also in fostering a culture of integrity and accountability across all sectors.”

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, pledged the court’s support for the implementation of the ICPC’s action plan.

“Implementation and collaboration are vital. Corruption is not just about stealing money; it is failing to do what you ought to do. We are a great country. We will do what we can to support the ICPC in implementing the action plan,” she said.

ICPC recovers N13bn public funds stolen in one month

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$13m fraud: FBI seeks EFCC help to arrest Nigerian suspects

Published

10 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Trends Admin

$13m fraud: FBI seeks EFCC help to arrest Nigerian suspects

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been tasked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States of America to locate and apprehend two Nigerians, Babatunde Shodiya and Yinka Jamiu, who were listed as wanted for allegedly using a fraudulent website to extort American medical facilities in Minnesota of $13m.

A grand jury in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota arraigned them on September 25 for their involvement in a fraud conspiracy that deceived many healthcare providers between October 2020 and 2024.

According to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, Shodiya and Jamiu allegedly used falsified websites and email addresses to manipulate payment transfers on Optum Pay, a popular payment system among Minnesota’s healthcare providers under the guise of being owned by Fairview Health.

Using these fictitious email addresses, the fraud team sent emails to Fairview Health staff, deceiving them into supplying login information.

They created a counterfeit website, fairviewhospitals.org, and pretended to be key hospital personnel, including the CEO, executive vice president, and a business analyst.

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In addition to the wire fraud allegations, Shodiya is charged with aggravated identity theft for pretending to be Fairview executives.

Luger said, “As part of the scheme, Babatunde and Jamiu created a fake ‘spoofed’ internet domain designed to appear as though it was controlled by Fairview Health.”

“In total, Babatunde and Ahmed fraudulently directed more than $13m in payments intended for Fairview Health from Minnesota-based healthcare companies to accounts controlled by Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators.”

However, the U.S. security agency has confirmed that the suspects are Nigerian citizens who also reside in Nigeria and have called on Nigeria’s EFCC to seek their assistance.

“The U.S. officials reached out to us and informed us that the suspects are believed to be hiding in Nigeria

“We have a duty to honour this request in line with our long-standing collaboration with the U.S. in addressing cross-border crimes,” an EFCC officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, said.

Once the EFCC successfully hunts down Mr Shodiya and Mr Jamiu, they will be taken to the U.S. to face trial while also compromising all assets linked to the profits of the crime to the American authorities.

$13m fraud: FBI seeks EFCC help to arrest Nigerian suspects

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Horror as man stabs father to death in Lagos

Published

10 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Horror as man stabs father to death in Lagos

A 25-year-old man, Chibunnma Chimelie, has been taken into custody by the Lagos State Police for allegedly stabbing his 68-year-old father to death.

The tragic incident took place on Thursday at around 10:00 p.m. in the Isolo area of Lagos, according to the state’s police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the report.

Hundeyin shared that the incident was brought to light when the suspect’s brother filed a complaint at the Aswani Police Divisional Station.

“The complainant stated that he received a call from a neighbour, informing him that his father was having a serious altercation with the suspect, who also lived in the same house,” said Hundeyin.

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Upon arriving at the scene, the complainant found his father lying in a pool of blood, unresponsive.

The police swiftly responded to the situation and arrested the suspect at the scene. Investigators found a blood-stained knife near the body, which has been taken as evidence.

“A team of investigators arrived at the location, documented the scene, and transported the victim to General Hospital, Isolo, where doctors later confirmed his death,” Hundeyin explained.

The victim’s body has since been taken to the General Hospital Mortuary, while the suspect has reportedly confessed to the crime. Authorities are continuing their investigation to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

Horror as man stabs father to death in Lagos

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Amotekun foils 5 kidnap attempts in Ondo, rescues 9 victims

Published

10 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye

Amotekun foils 5 kidnap attempts in Ondo, rescues 9 victims

Operatives of Amotekun have foiled five kidnap attempts and rescued nine kidnap victims across the state within one week. Mr Adetunji Adeleye, state Commander of Amotekun Corps, made the disclosure on Friday in Akure while parading 20 suspected criminals arrested for crimes like cultism, house breaking, motorcycle theft, among others.

Adeleye, who said that the arrests were made within a week under review through the Amotekun Rangers, reiterated the corps commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents in the state.

He said that the Amotekun rangers had been active in combing the forests across Ondo state, particularly in known flashpoints, to keep kidnappers at bay.

According to the commander, the suspected kidnapper, 28-year-old Usman Abubakar, who was arrested in Igbo Oba, Owo, confirmed collecting N2 million from a victim.

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“Abubakar told us how they shared the N2 million, and he also told us how to get to the root of their godfathers.

“The Amotekun Rangers launched by Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State had, recently, penetrated the forest substantially within the week under review.

“We were able to resist five kidnapping attempts and we were also able to rescue nine victims. That is to say that the kidnap attempts failed.

“Moreover, the notorious portion of Elegbeka area has been bombarded, and we are glad to say that the Amotekun Rangers had infiltrated the entire forest to guarantee safety of commuters,” he said.

Adeleye, therefore, reassured the public that the rangers would continue to infiltrate the entire forest to ensure the safety of commuters and safeguard lives and properties.