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EFCC Presents Three Witnesses in Alleged N93.8m Contract Fraud Trial

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EFCC Presents Three Witnesses in Alleged N93.8m Contract Fraud Trial

EFCC Presents Three Witnesses in Alleged N93.8m Contract Fraud Trial

The trial of  an alleged N93, 800, 000.00 (Ninety Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) fraud case  involving one Muhammad Suleiman Gumsuri  commenced before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presented three witnesses.

The Maiduguri Zonal Command arraigned the defendant on August 10, 2021 on a one-count charge.

The defendant was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum on the pretext of supplying non-food items to “Save The Children”, a Non-Governmental Organization.

The charge reads: “That you, Muhammad Suleiman Gumsuri, sometime in February 2021, at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtained the gross sum of N93, 800,000.00 (Ninety Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only from Shettima Mohammed through Karlton International Company’s account number 1023671556 domiciled at UBA and Amir Goni Abdullahi’s Fidelity Bank account number 6012182416 via your account number 0141428771 domiciled at GT Bank and Fidelity Bank account number 6323579712 respectively, all bearing Muhammad Suleiman under the guise that the said sum represent payment for the supply of Non-food items to Save the Children, an NGO, and which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge.

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At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, first prosecution witness, Peterclaver O. Okwor, an operative of the EFCC, while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, told the court that the defendant requested for the sum of N93.8million from the petitioner in order to execute a contract for the supply of non-food items which he claimed to have secured from ‘Save the Children’ an NGO, with the agreement that the money would be paid back and proceeds from the contract shared by both parties.

In his words, ‘‘the complainant transferred the sum in tranches to the defendant’s accounts domiciled in Fidelity and Guaranty Trust Banks respectively totaling the sum of N93.8million.

 “‘Letters of investigation activities’ were written to the banks and responses were provided to the EFCC. Analyses of the responses received from the bank, confirmed that the sum of N93.8million was paid into the accounts of the defendant by the complainant.’’

Okwor revealed that the defendant confessed in his written statements with the EFCC to have collected the above mentioned sum through his accounts in order to finance the purported contract.

PW2, Maina Muhammad, a staff of Fidelity Bank who was also led in evidence by the prosecution counsel,  Mukhtar Ali Ahmed told the court that the account opening balance of the defendant as at 24th February, 2021 was N14, 122.87 (Fourteen Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira, Eighty-Seven kobo), ”but shortly after that day, the sum  N40million was transferred into the account of the defendant in tranches  by one Ali Shettima Mohammed and the defendant transferred same in tranches to some beneficiaries with a closing balance of  N2, 500.57 (Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira, Fifty-Seven kobo).”

PW3, Usman Bala, a Marketing Officer with the Guaranty Trust Bank told the court that, “there was an inflow into the account of Muhammad Suleiman Gumsuri in tranches from the nominal complainant which was well over N50million and the mentioned sum was dissipated by the defendant.’’

The petition written against the defendant and statements of the defendant were tendered and admitted in evidence, while the documents from Fidelity and Guaranty Trust Banks were admitted as exhibits C and D respectively.

Justice Fadawu thereafter adjourned the matter to September 20, 2021 for continuation of trial.

EFCC Presents Three Witnesses in Alleged N93.8m Contract Fraud Trial

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LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE

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LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE

By: Michael Mike

The House of Representative committee on Public Petitions has commended the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi for numerous achievements made by the NSCDC in ensuring a crime-free mining environment.

The lawmakers expressed their delight in the operational plan of the NSCDC Mining Marshals and the relentless onslaught against economic saboteurs within the mining sector.

“We are impressed with the Mining Marshals’effort to salvage the nation from the hands of thieves and infiltrators”.

While charging the Corps to keep up the good work, the House Committee further requested the Marshals to provide the activity schedule of operations within four weeks.

Representing the NSCDC Commandant General; the Mining Marshals Commander; ACC John Onoja Attah made the presentation and assured the committee of a thorough judicial process and reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring the every case is prosecuted diligently and justly at the closure of a thorough investigation.

ACC Attah hinted that the Corps under the Audi led administration had reinvigorated and repositioned the NSCDC to prosecute it’s statutory mandates with due diligence and loyalty.

He said there are no daunting challenges that could outweigh the deliberate commitment made by the Corps to ensure sanctity within the Mining industry.

LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE

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NIMC: Modify Your Data on Our Portal or Risk Identity Theft

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NIMC: Modify Your Data on Our Portal or Risk Identity Theft

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned against modification of data on the National Identification Number (NIN) from source other than the official NIMC self-service portal, stating that doing this make someone open to identity threat.

A statement on Monday by the Commission’s Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke read:
“The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to state that in order to ensure the security and integrity of your National Identification Number (NIN) data, modifications can only be done on the official NIMC self-service portal:
Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng

“Do not attempt to modify your NIN data on any unauthorized websites,as this may compromise your personal information and put you at risk of identity theft.

“By using the official NIMC self-service portal, you can be rest assured that your data is secure and protected. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of updating your information from anywhere, at any time.
So,remember:for all your NIN modification needs,click on
Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.

For further information and inquiries, kindly visit the NIMC website at www.nimc.gov.ng
or send a mail to nimccustomercare@nimc.gov.ng or call the customer care line on 070022556462

“Your security and peace of mind are worth it!

NIMC: Modify Your Data on Our Portal or Risk Identity Theft

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IWD: ‘India has highest number of female pilots worldwide. Says Envoy

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IWD: ‘India has highest number of female pilots worldwide. Says Envoy

By: Michael Mike

The Acting India High Commissioner, Ms Vartika Rawat has said that India’s support for women’s empowerment in Nigeria has opened opportunities for women in the country, saying India now has the highest number of female pilots in the world.

She disclosed this while delivering her welcome speech at an event to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) which took place at the Indian High Commission in Abuja on Saturday.

She said: “India has the largest number of female pilots in the world. Of the total 11,775 pilots, 1,767 are female, accounting for approximately 15% of the workforce in this rigorous industry. This share exceeds the international average of 5 to 6 per cent”, the envoy said.

She also said women constitute around 36 per cent of India’s IT workforce.

Recalling the efforts made by women to defeat COVID-19 in 2020, Rawat said: “More than 6 million female frontline workers led the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

“Indian women scientists have shown their strength and determination in developing a COVID vaccine within the shortest possible time. Indian women scientists, again, have been instrumental for the success of India’s mission to the Mars and the moon.

“There are over 1.45 million or 46 per cent women elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions against mandatory representation of 33 per cent.”

She said Indian push for women empowerment focuses on enhancing women’s social, economic and political status, to ensure equality and dignity in society, adding that the government’s efforts included promoting education, healthcare and economic independence, alongside laws addressing gender-based Violence, workplace discrimination and inequality.

IWD: ‘India has highest number of female pilots worldwide. Says Envoy

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