A former Director-General of the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) and six directors have been indicted in an alleged
N2.5billion fraud in the agency.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
recommended that the six directors suspected to enable it complete
its probe of the agency.
The NEMA board is statutorily chaired by the Vice President.
Immediate past Vice President Namadi Sambo chaired the last board
of the agency.
Sambo met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential
Villa, a few days ago. It was not clear at the weekend if the
meeting was in connection with the March 1 report of the EFCC on
NEMA, which has been sent to the government.
The agency has recommended trial for those found wanting after
its probe.
Apart from former DG Sani Sidi Mohammed, the others indicted are
Director of Finance and Accounts Akinbola Hakeem Gbolahan; Ag.
Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike; Director, Risk
Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu; Pilot in-charge Air Ambulance and
Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance
Officer Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and Director of Welfare Mr. Kanar
Mohammed.
The NEMA Board, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, may
meet tomorrow to consider EFCC’s preliminary report on the alleged
corrupt practices.
The EFCC is said to have presented its preliminary findings to
the board in anticipation of its endorsement to enable the agency
carry out a comprehensive probe of the alleged looting.
An EFCC source said the investigation bordered on “alleged case
of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation and diversion of
public funds reported to the office of the Vice-President against
the former director-general, Sani and others and forwarded to the
commission for discreet investigation.”
Some of the alleged sharp practices uncovered by the EFCC
are:
whereabouts of N166m out of N285m realised from the
commercialisation of NEMA’s air ambulance;
alleged short-change of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with
N354, 900, 105. 24;
N238million NEMA cash placed in a fixed deposit account by a
director;
interest on a fixed deposit diverted by a director;
some directors have about five to 20 accounts;
NEMA funds moved into personal accounts of directors;
frivolous emoluments claims that were wrongly processed by
directors and some officials of the agency;
about N66m out of N280m meant for displaced traditional rulers in
the Northeast still unaccounted for; and
curious deposit of suspicious funds in domiciliary accounts of top
directors
The report said: “From the investigation carried out so far,
officials could not account for funds transferred from NEMA account
to their personal accounts.
“Moreover, the funds were being withdrawn in cash and, in some
cases, transferred to family members. Also, it was discovered that
some of these funds were placed in fixed deposit; both the
principal and the interest were withdrawn in cash by the
depositor.
“Furthermore, the issue of companies incorporated by the
officials of NEMA who are public servants is against the Public
Service Rules. This is more so as the companies are active and
still receiving funds, in some cases from NEMA.
“There were frivolous emoluments claims that were wrongly
processed by directors and some officials of the agency.
”Against this background, EFCC is of the opinion that placing
the officials involved under suspension will assist the successful
completion of our investigation. This is the only way the
commission can have unfettered access to all the necessary
documents that will aid our investigation. It is therefore
recommended that the officials who are already indicted in the case
be placed on suspension pending the conclusion of the
investigation.
“The aspect of fake IDP camps and relief materials are still
being investigated. Investigation is still on-going and further
developments will be communicated.”
The EFCC’s fact-sheet indicated what each of the officers will
account for.
The report said: “The brief facts of the case as contained in
the petition alleged that former Director-General Sani Sidi while
in office misappropriated public funds and perpetrated corrupt acts
in NEMA. It further alleged that he conspired with some officers
within the Agency, especially in the Department of Finance and
Accounts, that shortchanged the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS) to the tune of over N354,900, 105.24.”
Part of the report states: “From the investigation so far
conducted, the ex-DG maintains 20 different accounts in various
banks; he is the promoter of Major Enterprises Ltd and Khayas
Alliance Farms Ltd; his Standard Chartered Bank US dollar account
recorded the following cash deposits ($ 164,000) and (£58,800)
which were flagged as suspicious transaction.
“The Director of Finance and Accounts, Gbolahan is the owner and
promoter of the company, Ridges and Tillages Limited. He maintains
multiple accounts with which he receives suspicious cash transfers
totalling N27, 650, 00.”
On Acting Director, Special Duties, Umesi Emenike the EFCC said:
“Prior to his appointment as the Ag. Director of Special Duties, he
was Zonal Coordinator of the South-South and the Deputy-Director
Training.
“While he was Zonal Coordinator of the South-South, Zonal
Office, he coordinated the affairs of Six (6) States Emergency
Management Agencies namely: Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo,
Delta and Bayelsa.
“The fund meant for programmes and maintenance of the Zone was
paid into the suspect’s personal accounts instead of the Zonal
office’s accounts. These funds were withdrawn in cash, transfers
and through ATM machines. There is no evidence to show that these
funds were utilised for the benefits of NEMA.
“Patrick Ewama, who was the Zonal Accountant of the suspect made
several cash lodgments and withdrawals from the accounts of the
suspect.
“The suspect maintains 14 accounts in various banks and cash
lodgments and transfers were made into the accounts from both NEMA
and other sources, out of which about N238million which was
received from NEMA into the suspects’ account for activities of
NEMA, was placed on fixed deposit and both the principal and
interest were utilised by the suspect”:
The Director, Risk Reduction in NEMA, Mr. Alhassan Nuhu has been
asked to account for the N15million he transferred into the account
of the Director of Finance.
The EFCC said: “The suspect (Nuhu) maintains five accounts in
various banks. In one of his accounts, it was discovered that N15
million was received from NEMA and later transferred into the
account of another director.
“The suspect and the DFA could not give satisfactory account on
all the funds deposited into the suspect’s account from NEMA. He
moved NEMA funds into his company account, Dambo Farms Limited.
Concerning NEMA Pilot in-charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation
Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim, the EFCC alleged that although he was
employed by the agency to set up an Air Ambulance Unit and
Helicopter emergency services in 2014, he commercialised the
unit.
The report said: “The Air Ambulance Unit was established under
the Nigeria Civil Aviation to embark on evacuation of critical and
noncritical missions. The suspect’s letter of employment clearly
indicates his functions and entitlements as a flight captain.
“He commercialised both the air ambulance and the helicopter,
claiming that the directive to commercialise the flight came from
the office of the Vice-President and the Accountant-General of the
Federation.
“A total of N285 million was realised from the commercialisation
of the aircraft, N63 million was paid to the AGF while N11 million
was paid to NEMA and the balance is yet to be accounted for.
“A total of N45 million was paid into Aerocare West Africa
Limited, a company belonging to the suspect, by NEMA and the
suspect in turn transferred it to family members.
“Though he mentioned some members of his crew as beneficiaries
of the funds, the account of the former DG, Sani Sidi, witnessed so
much inflow of foreign exchange believed to have been derived from
the commercialization of the air ambulance since all transactions
appeared to be in cash.”
The allegations against the Chief Maintenance Officer,
NEMA/in-charge of fuel supply to the generators, Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa
Deji, he maintains six accounts in various banks.
The EFCC accused the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed, of
paying the agency’s funds into his accounts.
The report said: “He joined the service of NEMA in December 2011
as Assistant Director, Training and has served as the Agency’s
North-East Zonal Coordinator with office in Maiduguri.
He maintains six accounts in different banks and had received so
much funds from NEMA to the accounts.
“One of such funds was N214million from NEMA, which was received
from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation to be distributed to the displaced traditional rulers
within the Northeast region.
An EFCC source said: “The amount in question is over
N2.5billion. We have interrogated all the affected suspects and
they have made useful statements. We have more to unearth but we
cannot achieve much because the affected directors are in charge of
vital documents.
“So far, we have recommended that these government officials be
suspended pending the conclusion of a comprehensive
investigation.”
A NEMA source said all the allegations amounted to a plot to
witch-hunt some members of the management staff and implicate the
former DG.
The source said: “The former DG, Sani Sidi Mohammed, did a good
job in disaster management which the present management has not
been able to match. They are just desperate to deal with him for
committing no fraud.
“The ex-DG served the nation selflessly and responded to major
disasters with efficiency, especially attacks by Boko Haram
insurgents. The records are there. He also got so many
international awards for his performance.
”All our emergency vehicles and air ambulance services have been
grounded since this administration came on board. They want to use
the probe by the EFCC to cover up their lapses.
“The EFCC should also interact with our union leaders to know
the exact situation in NEMA.”
Another NEMA source said: “I think the new board has its own
agenda for our agency. The workers are watching and we will respond
appropriately. Most of these directors are innocent of the
allegations against them.”
A former Director-General of the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) and six directors have been indicted in an alleged
N2.5billion fraud in the agency.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
recommended that the six directors suspected to enable it complete
its probe of the agency.
The NEMA board is statutorily chaired by the Vice President.
Immediate past Vice President Namadi Sambo chaired the last board
of the agency.
Sambo met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential
Villa, a few days ago. It was not clear at the weekend if the
meeting was in connection with the March 1 report of the EFCC on
NEMA, which has been sent to the government.
The agency has recommended trial for those found wanting after
its probe.
Apart from former DG Sani Sidi Mohammed, the others indicted are
Director of Finance and Accounts Akinbola Hakeem Gbolahan; Ag.
Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike; Director, Risk
Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu; Pilot in-charge Air Ambulance and
Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance
Officer Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and Director of Welfare Mr. Kanar
Mohammed.
The NEMA Board, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, may
meet tomorrow to consider EFCC’s preliminary report on the alleged
corrupt practices.
The EFCC is said to have presented its preliminary findings to
the board in anticipation of its endorsement to enable the agency
carry out a comprehensive probe of the alleged looting.
An EFCC source said the investigation bordered on “alleged case
of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation and diversion of
public funds reported to the office of the Vice-President against
the former director-general, Sani and others and forwarded to the
commission for discreet investigation.”
Some of the alleged sharp practices uncovered by the EFCC
are:
whereabouts of N166m out of N285m realised from the
commercialisation of NEMA’s air ambulance;
alleged short-change of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with
N354, 900, 105. 24;
N238million NEMA cash placed in a fixed deposit account by a
director;
interest on a fixed deposit diverted by a director;
some directors have about five to 20 accounts;
NEMA funds moved into personal accounts of directors;
frivolous emoluments claims that were wrongly processed by
directors and some officials of the agency;
about N66m out of N280m meant for displaced traditional rulers in
the Northeast still unaccounted for; and
curious deposit of suspicious funds in domiciliary accounts of top
directors
The report said: “From the investigation carried out so far,
officials could not account for funds transferred from NEMA account
to their personal accounts.
“Moreover, the funds were being withdrawn in cash and, in some
cases, transferred to family members. Also, it was discovered that
some of these funds were placed in fixed deposit; both the
principal and the interest were withdrawn in cash by the
depositor.
“Furthermore, the issue of companies incorporated by the
officials of NEMA who are public servants is against the Public
Service Rules. This is more so as the companies are active and
still receiving funds, in some cases from NEMA.
“There were frivolous emoluments claims that were wrongly
processed by directors and some officials of the agency.
”Against this background, EFCC is of the opinion that placing
the officials involved under suspension will assist the successful
completion of our investigation. This is the only way the
commission can have unfettered access to all the necessary
documents that will aid our investigation. It is therefore
recommended that the officials who are already indicted in the case
be placed on suspension pending the conclusion of the
investigation.
“The aspect of fake IDP camps and relief materials are still
being investigated. Investigation is still on-going and further
developments will be communicated.”
The EFCC’s fact-sheet indicated what each of the officers will
account for.
The report said: “The brief facts of the case as contained in
the petition alleged that former Director-General Sani Sidi while
in office misappropriated public funds and perpetrated corrupt acts
in NEMA. It further alleged that he conspired with some officers
within the Agency, especially in the Department of Finance and
Accounts, that shortchanged the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS) to the tune of over N354,900, 105.24.”
Part of the report states: “From the investigation so far
conducted, the ex-DG maintains 20 different accounts in various
banks; he is the promoter of Major Enterprises Ltd and Khayas
Alliance Farms Ltd; his Standard Chartered Bank US dollar account
recorded the following cash deposits ($ 164,000) and (£58,800)
which were flagged as suspicious transaction.
“The Director of Finance and Accounts, Gbolahan is the owner and
promoter of the company, Ridges and Tillages Limited. He maintains
multiple accounts with which he receives suspicious cash transfers
totalling N27, 650, 00.”
On Acting Director, Special Duties, Umesi Emenike the EFCC said:
“Prior to his appointment as the Ag. Director of Special Duties, he
was Zonal Coordinator of the South-South and the Deputy-Director
Training.
“While he was Zonal Coordinator of the South-South, Zonal
Office, he coordinated the affairs of Six (6) States Emergency
Management Agencies namely: Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo,
Delta and Bayelsa.
“The fund meant for programmes and maintenance of the Zone was
paid into the suspect’s personal accounts instead of the Zonal
office’s accounts. These funds were withdrawn in cash, transfers
and through ATM machines. There is no evidence to show that these
funds were utilised for the benefits of NEMA.
“Patrick Ewama, who was the Zonal Accountant of the suspect made
several cash lodgments and withdrawals from the accounts of the
suspect.
“The suspect maintains 14 accounts in various banks and cash
lodgments and transfers were made into the accounts from both NEMA
and other sources, out of which about N238million which was
received from NEMA into the suspects’ account for activities of
NEMA, was placed on fixed deposit and both the principal and
interest were utilised by the suspect”:
The Director, Risk Reduction in NEMA, Mr. Alhassan Nuhu has been
asked to account for the N15million he transferred into the account
of the Director of Finance.
The EFCC said: “The suspect (Nuhu) maintains five accounts in
various banks. In one of his accounts, it was discovered that N15
million was received from NEMA and later transferred into the
account of another director.
“The suspect and the DFA could not give satisfactory account on
all the funds deposited into the suspect’s account from NEMA. He
moved NEMA funds into his company account, Dambo Farms Limited.
Concerning NEMA Pilot in-charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation
Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim, the EFCC alleged that although he was
employed by the agency to set up an Air Ambulance Unit and
Helicopter emergency services in 2014, he commercialised the
unit.
The report said: “The Air Ambulance Unit was established under
the Nigeria Civil Aviation to embark on evacuation of critical and
noncritical missions. The suspect’s letter of employment clearly
indicates his functions and entitlements as a flight captain.
“He commercialised both the air ambulance and the helicopter,
claiming that the directive to commercialise the flight came from
the office of the Vice-President and the Accountant-General of the
Federation.
“A total of N285 million was realised from the commercialisation
of the aircraft, N63 million was paid to the AGF while N11 million
was paid to NEMA and the balance is yet to be accounted for.
“A total of N45 million was paid into Aerocare West Africa
Limited, a company belonging to the suspect, by NEMA and the
suspect in turn transferred it to family members.
“Though he mentioned some members of his crew as beneficiaries
of the funds, the account of the former DG, Sani Sidi, witnessed so
much inflow of foreign exchange believed to have been derived from
the commercialization of the air ambulance since all transactions
appeared to be in cash.”
The allegations against the Chief Maintenance Officer,
NEMA/in-charge of fuel supply to the generators, Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa
Deji, he maintains six accounts in various banks.
The EFCC accused the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed, of
paying the agency’s funds into his accounts.
The report said: “He joined the service of NEMA in December 2011
as Assistant Director, Training and has served as the Agency’s
North-East Zonal Coordinator with office in Maiduguri.
He maintains six accounts in different banks and had received so
much funds from NEMA to the accounts.
“One of such funds was N214million from NEMA, which was received
from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation to be distributed to the displaced traditional rulers
within the Northeast region.
An EFCC source said: “The amount in question is over
N2.5billion. We have interrogated all the affected suspects and
they have made useful statements. We have more to unearth but we
cannot achieve much because the affected directors are in charge of
vital documents.
“So far, we have recommended that these government officials be
suspended pending the conclusion of a comprehensive
investigation.”
A NEMA source said all the allegations amounted to a plot to
witch-hunt some members of the management staff and implicate the
former DG.
The source said: “The former DG, Sani Sidi Mohammed, did a good
job in disaster management which the present management has not
been able to match. They are just desperate to deal with him for
committing no fraud.
“The ex-DG served the nation selflessly and responded to major
disasters with efficiency, especially attacks by Boko Haram
insurgents. The records are there. He also got so many
international awards for his performance.
”All our emergency vehicles and air ambulance services have been
grounded since this administration came on board. They want to use
the probe by the EFCC to cover up their lapses.
“The EFCC should also interact with our union leaders to know
the exact situation in NEMA.”
Another NEMA source said: “I think the new board has its own
agenda for our agency. The workers are watching and we will respond
appropriately. Most of these directors are innocent of the
allegations against them.”
Read more https://nairalaw.com/efcc-indicts-ex-nema-dg-six-directors-for-n2-5b-fraud/