EFCC freezes accounts of Dasuki, Amosu, others
- EFCC imposes Post No Bill (PNB) measure on bank accounts of those being investigated over the arms deal scandal
- The suspects are alleged to have between three and five accounts in different banks which they used to perpetrate fraud
- EFCC secures freezing injunction on the foreign accounts of a few others under investigation
Former national security adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, and others implicated in the $15 billion arms deals have had their bank accounts frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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According to The Nation, some of those who’s accounts have been blocked by the anti-graft agency include ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; ex-Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Marshals Adesola Amosu and Mohammed Dikko Umar; ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa; ex-Minister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda; Governor Ayodele Fayose; ex-Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore; top former military chiefs; more than 30 companies and others.
The suspects, who are alleged to have between three and five accounts in different banks which they used to perpetrate the fraud, have been begging the anti-graft agency for reprieve.
The EFCC has also secured the freezing injunction on the foreign accounts of a few others under investigation as disclosed by a source at the agency.
The source said: “We have blocked or frozen the accounts of most of the suspects implicated in the $15billion arms deals, including a serving governor.
“Some of them have gone to court to challenge the action of the EFCC, but they have lost out because we are empowered by the law to do so.
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“If all these suspects are allowed access to their accounts, loot recovery will be difficult because they would have cleared all the funds in their accounts.
“It is a temporary measure because their funds are still intact in banks. Once they are set free by the court, they will have their money back. So, they have nothing to lose at all.
“The blockage of the accounts is not peculiar to our jurisdiction at all. Go and find out the situation in other countries too.”
The source explained that the Post No Bill (PNB) measure might remain in force until when either the fate of all those affected has been determined or after an agreement has been sealed on plea bargain.
Speaking on the difficulty experienced since the accounts were frozen, one of the suspects, who spoke in confidence said it had been difficult paying accruing bills.
The suspect said: “The EFCC has blocked or placed PNB on our accounts. We are virtually living from hands to mouth because the sanctions have affected some accounts that are not directly related to the arms cash.
“Some of our children are also stranded abroad because we cannot pay school fees. We need some relief from the EFCC. Let the ban be relaxed so that we can have limited access to some funds.
“Some friends and associates, who have been assisting, are also overstretched. Some are afraid of the EFCC. They don’t want to have any direct financial dealings with us.
“A few of us have offered to go into plea bargain. This development should make the EFCC to have faith in us.
“Those who have opted for trial want the court to treat all cases with speed in order to get over these matters.”
In another development, human rights activist and top legal luminary, Femi Falana (SAN) has revealed how an ex-governor tried to bribe him with N405 million to help steal funds abroad.
Falana, The Nation reports, also asked legal practitioners to avoid being tempted into assisting politically exposed persons in committing financial crimes.
The respected legal practitioner’s statement at an anti-corruption workshop in Abuja was made available in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) monthly magazine, ALERT, obtained by journalists on Friday, July 29.
Source: Legit.ng
