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N62.3b fraud: EFCC freezes 30 accounts of ex-NSITF boss, seizes 37 assets

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr. Ngozi Olojeme.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen 30 accounts and seized 37 assets  allegedly belonging to the former Chairman of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr. Ngozi Olojeme.

The agency had earlier linked 38 houses to Olojeme but it has obtained a court order to seize 37.

In one of the houses at No. 25, Kainji Crescent, Off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama , Abuja, the EFCC detectives were said to have uncovered a state of the art bathroom suspected to have cost about $2m to $4million.

The EFCC is probing about N62.3billion fraud in NSITF with $48,485,127 credited to Olojeme.

The ex-NSITF, who was grilled by the EFCC in January, is still placed on administrative bail with a responsibility to report fortnightly for interaction.

But the EFCC however yesterday said Olojeme was yet to admit that she committed any fraud while in office.

She insisted that she was innocent of all the allegations against her in spite of the fact that her Account Officer, Chuka Eze has spilled the bean.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the probe of Olojeme has reached a level for her arraignment in court by the anti-graft agency.

A top source, who spoke in confidence during an update session yesterday, said: “We have frozen 30 accounts traced to Olojeme in some banks. But our detectives discovered that she is the kind of person who does not keep huge money in these accounts. In some of these accounts, there were funds ranging from N20million to N30million, which were insignificant compared to slush funds traced to her.

“Investigation confirmed that the cash looted in NSITF was evacuated under the guise of  award of contracts. The contract sum will be paid to a company and her Account Officer will pick the raw cash and go to  Bureaus De Change(BDCs).

“The Account Officer, who has made startling revelations was actually what our detectives termed ‘clearing and forwarding’ for her.

“When we confronted her with our findings, she refused to admit committing any infractions while in office. She refused to admit having been confident that all the slush funds were withdrawn in cash.

“So far, she is ready to go through the rigours of trial. We are already seeking legal advice on whether or not she should be arraigned with other management staff of NSITF or be tried separately.

“Already, the EFCC has arraigned a former Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Umar Munir Abubakar and four others for alleged diversion of N18billion out of the sum in question.

“The others are Deputy General Manager, Finance Henry Ekhasomi Sambo; General Manager, Legal Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe; Chief Richard U. Uche and Aderemi Adegboyega.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We discovered a state of the art bathroom in one of her houses at No. 25, Kainji Crescent, Off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama , Abuja. The EFCC is suspecting that the bathroom might have cost about $2m to $4million.

“At the appropriate time after final forfeiture of the mansion, Nigerians will have access to the amazing bathroom.”

Meanwhile the EFCC has secured a court order to seize 37 out of 38 houses allegedly traced to Olojeme.

The seizure followed an Interim Forfeiture Order by Justice A. I. Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The order said in part: “An order of interim attachment/forfeiture of the asset attachment of the properties set out in the schedule attached herein.

“An Order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the properties/assets described in the schedule attached herein.

“An Order authorizing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to appoint competent persons/firm to manage the assets/properties listed in the schedule herein,  temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of criminal charges against the suspects.

“And for such further or other orders as this honourable court may deem fit in the circumstances of this cases.

“It is hereby ordered as follows: that the order is granted as prayed.  That the order made is to last for 6 months. That no order as to cost.”

The EFCC had in a report gave the details of findings against the ex-NSITF boss.

The report said in part: “That through this process, Dr. Ngozi Olojeme, the then NSITF board chairman, has collected a total sum of $48,485,127 from Mr. Chuka Eze (her account officer at FBN), which cash he collected on her behalf being the dollar equivalent of monies paid to BDCs by NSITF contractors.

“She and others also diverted huge cash allocated for allowances of its staff and compensation to contributors. Detectives actually traced some of the NSITF funds in the personal accounts of Olojeme and the former MD, Umar Abubakar.

“For instance Abubakar and others dishonestly converted to N18billion, being contribution from the Federal Government of Nigeria as take-off grants and Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) for MDAs.

“The said sum was diverted into personal accounts by an e-payment mandate jointly signed by Umar Munir Abubakar and Henry Ekhasomi Sambo.”

The report added: “It was discovered that the NSITF accounts in First Bank of Nigeria and other banks have witnessed a total turnover of over N62, 358,401,927 between 2012 and 2015 from the Employee Compensation Scheme contributions.

“That out of the N62bn, the Federal Government contributed N13,600,000,000 while the sum of N48,758,401,927.80 was contributed by the private sector. That there were several payments to individuals and companies from the NSITF bank accounts for purported contracts or consultancy services.

“That some individuals and companies that received these payments, in turn, transferred part of the monies directly to the NSITF officials while others transferred huge sums to bureau de change operators who changed them to dollars.”

The assets and their locations 

  • Plot R/151(No. 30A) Kingsway Road, Old GRA, Enugu. Registered at Enugu Land Registry as No. 5 Page 5 in Volume 1659
  • Parcel of land measuring 4833.241 Sq. Metres located at Uberi Bush along Mbiama Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
  • Parcel of land located at Igbanadan Bush, Emeya 2 Town Ogbia LGA in Bayelsa State.
  • Properties located at 196, Melford Okilo Road, Amarata-Epie, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
  • Properties located at No. 25, Kainji Crescent, Off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama , Abuja.
  • Property located at Plot No. 933 Cadastral Zone B01, Gudu District, Abuja
  • All that piece/parcel of land with C of O No. DSTR 1227 and the properties therein also known Umuezeafada family land located at KM 9, Asaba-Benin Express Road, Asaba, Delta State.
  • Plot 124 Cadastral Zone A02 Wuse Known as No. 30, Tunis Street, Off Lusaka Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja
  • Plot 3115 Cadastral Zone A04 Asokoro, Abuja.
  • Plot 2271 Cadastral Zone E12 Orozo, Abuja.
  • All that piece of land with C of O No. DTSR638 and the properties therein also known as Plot 101, Phase 1, Block 1 Core Area, Asaba Delta State
  • All that piece /parcel of land also known as Plot 1c, 3 and 4 Phase IV, Block 111 Core Area, Asaba, Delta State with C of O No. DTSR 1194.
  • No. 20 DBS Road, Asaba, Delta State
  • House/Flat 86, 11 Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja
  • All that Piece/parcel of land and properties therein located at Ogbe Onishe Village in Umagwu Quarters, Asaba, Oshimili South LGA of Delta State also known as Luxury Suites and Resort Hotel, located off Nnebisi Road, Asaba
  • Properties located at No. 204 Nnebisi Road, Asaba beside STANBIC IBTC Bank
  • All that piece or parcel of land and properties thereof located at Elibujor Layout, Opp DLA office, Asaba Oshimili South LGA of Delta State. NSITF office located at Asaba Benin Expressway by Nuel Ojay Junction, Asaba.
  • Plot Nos 29 and 31 of  Umonyia Ejedeofor Family Layout Ibusa Road located along Benin-Asaba Expressway, Asaba, Delta State
  • All that piece/parcel of land with C of O No. DSTR 16326 and the properties therein also known as Plots 104 and 105, Block IV, Phase V, Core Area, Asaba, Delta
  • All that piece/parcel of land with C of O, No. DSTR 55853 and the properties therein also known as Plot 34. Phase 111, Block IV, Core Area. Asaba, Delta State
  • Properties located at No. 17, Ebenuwa Street, Off Nnebisi Road, Asaba, Delta State
  • No. 3D Opolo, Old Commissioners Quarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
  • All that piece/parcel of land also known as plots 7,8,11,12,15,16,19, 20,23, and 24 Phase IV, Block 111, Core Area, Asaba, Delta State with C of O No. DSTTR1194
  • All that piece/parcel of land with C of O No. DSTR15303 and the properties therein also known as Plot No. 16 Central Spine Phase IV, Asaba, Oshimili South LGA of Delta State
  • All that piece/parcel of land  with C of O No. DSTR 16325 and the properties therein also known as  Plots 109 and 110, Block IV, Phase V, Core Arae, Asaba Delta State
  • All that piece/parcel of land with C of O No. DSTR 13807 and the properties therein measuring 80.532 hectares in Aboha-Ogwashi-Uku(Layout) at Aniocha LGA. Delta State.
  • All that piece/parcel of land with C of O No. DSTR 15046 and the properties therein also known as Plots 96, 97, and 98 Layout Survey of Block 1, Bridge-Head, Asaba, Oshimili South LGA of Delta State measuring 6.684 hectares
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at No. 42 Lawrence Road Akintola via Okpe Road, Sapele, Delta State measuring 1274.95 Square Meters and registered at Land Registry Asaba as No. 8 at page in Vol at 8
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at Orugbe Bush, Emeyal 11 Town Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa measuring 3, 625.493 Square Metres.
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at No 6 Sir C.A. Aghara Drive off Okpanam Road by NNPC Filling Station, Asaba, Delta State
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at Oduke, Off Uche Nwembu Road, off Asaba-Benin Expressway, Asaba Delta State.
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at No. 3, Ogwa Godspower Avenue, Oshimili LGA, Asaba, Delta State.
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located No. 11 Chiweta Street, off Ezenie Avenue, Asaba, Delta State.
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at James Odeta Street, Oshimili South LGA, Asaba, Delta State.
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at No. 8, Thomas Chukwunike Street, Oshimili South LGA, Asaba, Delta State.
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at No. 11 Mokolo Close, Off Summit Road, therein located at No. 8, Thomas Chukwunike Street, Oshimili
  • All that piece/parcel of land and the properties therein located at No. 11, Okadigbo Street, off Nebisi Road, Asaba, Delta State.
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Tinubu Unveils $7bn Plan to Drive Ogun Deep Seaport, Special Economic Zone, Says Onanuga

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President Bola Tinubu has unveiled an investment package of more than $7 billion for the development of the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone and the Gateway Deep Seaport, describing the projects as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s maritime economy and attracting foreign investment.

In a statement by his Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, the President spoke in Paris, France, during the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World, a global ports and logistics operator, for the development of the projects.

Tinubu assured domestic and foreign investors that the Federal Government would continue to provide regulatory clarity, policy stability and a predictable business environment to support long-term investments in Nigeria.

“The agreements before us bring together vision, expertise, capital and execution capacity. I particularly welcome DP World, one of the world’s leading port and logistics operators,” the President said.

He added that the Federal Government would provide the necessary regulatory and institutional support to ensure that the projects moved seamlessly from agreements to implementation.

According to the President, the agreements are expected to attract an initial investment of more than $7 billion into the Nigerian economy and create over 50,000 direct jobs when fully developed, alongside additional indirect employment opportunities.

Tinubu said the projects would also generate non-oil export earnings and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification.

“This is economic diversification made tangible. This is industrialisation made visible. This is Renewed Hope in action,” he said.

The proposed Gateway Deep Seaport at Ogun Waterside will have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-
metre draft. The facility is expected to help decongest the Lagos port corridor and ease pressure on the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

The president said the deeper draft would enable the port to accommodate larger vessels while providing a competitive gateway for trade within Nigeria and across the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He noted that the proposed Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone would cover about 10,000 hectares and would be integrated with the deep seaport to support manufacturing, processing, exports and logistics.

“The Gateway Deep Seaport is the critical infrastructure that will support the zone’s viability. A port moves cargo; a port integrated with a special economic zone helps to build an economy. Each reinforces the other,” Tinubu said.

He said the Federal Government would facilitate road, rail and power connectivity to the projects, while strengthening investment security and the maritime domain and removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.

The president also linked the projects to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the Ogun section of the road as a critical transport connection for the emerging industrial and maritime corridor.

“The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is central to this corridor’s commercial viability,” he said, adding that the 28-kilometre Ogun section of the 700-kilometre highway was scheduled for completion before the end of the year.

Tinubu said the port and industrial zone would also form part of a wider strategic corridor linking the proposed Nigerian Navy Operating Base and Dockyard with the OK LNG Project.

The President commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration for securing the land and structuring the investment framework.

“I commend Governor Dapo Abiodun and the government and people of Ogun State for securing the land, structuring the investment framework and reducing project risks for global investors,” he said.
Governor Abiodun led the Ogun State delegation at the signing ceremony, which also included state commissioners and other senior officials.

Senior representatives of DP World, the Nigerian Ports Authority and SkyKapital were also present at the event.

Tinubu urged Ogun State and the investors to maintain the momentum created by the agreements and move quickly towards implementation.

“Nigeria lies at the heart of West African trade. Yet, our strategic advantage has been constrained by port congestion, inadequate draft capacity and logistics bottlenecks that increase the cost of doing business. These projects respond directly to those constraints,” he said.

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Happy Birthday to Me! 🎂🎉

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Today, I celebrate myself and give all glory and thanks to Almighty God for the gift of life and for bringing me this far. I am grateful for the opportunity to be alive, healthy, peaceful, happy, and prosperous.

As I celebrate another year today, I pray for greater blessings, wisdom, good health, peace, success, and abundant prosperity in the years ahead.

May this new chapter of my life be filled with joy, favour, wonderful opportunities, and fulfilment of my heart’s desires.

Happy Birthday to me! 🥳🎉
Congratulations to me on this special day. 🙏❤️🎂

I wish myself many more happy and prosperous returns. Cheers to a beautiful new year of my life! 🥂🎉

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Update : Mambilla: Nigeria Wins $2.35bn ICC Arbitration, Tinubu Hails Buhari, Obasanjo

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The International Chamber of Commerce tribunal in Paris has ruled in favour of Nigeria in the arbitration brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the tribunal rejected the claims by Sunrise.

The company had sought $680m from Nigeria as a settlement sum and interest in relation to a separate arbitration in which it is claiming more than $2.7bn in compensation and interest over disputes surrounding the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla project.

However, the tribunal, as reported by The Cable, also dismissed Sunrise’s claim for $400m arising from the 2020 settlement agreement, according to the details of the award reported on Thursday.

It further ordered Sunrise and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria 75 per cent of its legal fees and expenses, amounting to $11.82m.

The tribunal also reportedly declared that Adesanya was bound by the arbitration agreement with Nigeria under the settlement agreement and its addendum and that it had jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against him and his firm.

In the statement, Tinubu said the ruling demonstrated the government’s determination to defend the country’s interests.

“This latest decision affirms the Nigerian State’s determination not to succumb to predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders,” he said.

The President commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their role in the case.

He also commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the arbitration.

“I also commend the FRN defence team, led by Ms Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr Tolu Obamuroh, both of Paul Hastings LLP, for their professional and excellent defence of the country.

“I commend the patriotism and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, and late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who testified in the case, which dated back to an illegal 2003 contract to build a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer model.

“The Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract. I thank the other witnesses in this case, including former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, and the experts, for their active participation in defending Nigeria’s interest in the arbitration,” the statement read.

“I want to assure you that while our country remains committed to partnering with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations, it will continue to defend all opportunistic claims instituted against our commonwealth strongly.

“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” Tinubu said.

The dispute dates back to an agreement under which Sunrise claimed it had been awarded the contract to construct the Mambilla project.

The company commenced arbitration against Nigeria at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in October 2017, seeking about $2.354bn over an alleged breach of contract.

The parties later entered into a settlement agreement in 2020, under which Nigeria was to pay Sunrise $200m.

A subsequent dispute arose after the government did not make the payment, leading to another arbitration in which Sunrise sought $400m, comprising the $200m settlement sum and a $200m default payment.

In Thursday’s award reported by The Cable, the tribunal rejected Sunrise’s claim that Nigeria had breached its obligations under the settlement agreement and its addendum.

It also rejected the company’s demand for the $400m settlement and default sums.

The Cable reported that the tribunal fixed the arbitration costs at $1.6565m, with Sunrise and Adesanya responsible for 75 per cent and Nigeria for 25 per cent. Of the $11.82m in legal fees and expenses awarded to Nigeria, $2.5m is to be recovered from funds held in escrow by the ICC, while the remaining $9.32m is payable by Sunrise and Adesanya, with interest at 10 per cent annually, compounded annually, from notification of the final award until payment.

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