Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, has called on university undergraduates and youths across the country to stand up and join hands with the Commission in its fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes.
The Executive Chairman of the Commission Aldulrasheed Bawa, made the call while receiving members of the Zero Tolerance for Corruption, Ahmadu Bello University, and Zaria who paid him a Courtesy Visit at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission.
Represented by Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu, Bawa stressed that Nigerian students have every potential and power to stoke the fire of anti- corruption.
He said, “Students, especially Nigerian students are very powerful, you mould yourself into what you are going to become from the university. The role of students in the fight against corruption is very important, both to the students as much as to the entire youths. If students and the youths stand up against the vices of corruption, economic and financial crimes, we could achieve a hundred percent in terms of development and wellbeing for Nigerians”.
Bawa admitted that, the task of fighting corruption was difficult but rewarding, urging youths to offer their best shots in embracing integrity and accountable conduct.
“We have to determine what we want to be, we are sitting on a very difficult national assignment but like all of you have come to appreciate we are doing our best, it is not easy”. He said.
He called on students and other youths to stand shoulder to shoulder with the EFCC as representatives of the Commission.
“You fight with the Commission, you fight for the Commission, when you hear EFCC being mentioned in wrong terms, the Zero Tolerance Club should be able to come out and say “No, they are doing this and that”. This is what this synergy is, so that you know what we are doing”, he said. He also pointed out that, ”the only way Nigeria can achieve its full potential is when we all shun this vice of corruption, economic and financial crimes.” Bawa stressed.
The Chairman of the University’s Zero Tolerance Club, Sabo Salim, stated that the club is a platform for contributing in the fight against corruption and related cases in the school.
He said, ” it is to promote a culture of patriotism, honesty, accountability, morality among other students and to complement efforts of the EFCC”.
He urged the EFCC to include members of the club in its activities and offer them training and other support.
Cybercrime
In another development, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has on Monday convicted and sentenced six internet fraudsters to three years prison.
They are Akinnodi Oyindamola, Akinlade Oluwole Stephen, Adekunle Junior Adeyemi, Iyeke Ochuko Prince, Ojo Oluwagbenga Emmanuel and Prince Onogbake.
The charge against Oyindamola reads. “That you, Akinnodi Oyindamola (M) on or about the 28th day of April, 2023 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6, read together with Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.
They were arraigned separately by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on one count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants Pascal Ugbome and B.A. Ambrose pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine.
Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that the balance in the GT bank account belonging to Oyindamola, three (3) Apple laptops, one Toyota Camry, one black Lexus 350, one Lexus RX 350; the sum of N260, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) recovered from Prince Onogbake and phones being proceeds and instruments of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.
The judge further ordered that the bank accounts used as instruments of crime be closed.
The defendants are to also undertake in writing to be of good behaviour
