How EFCC Recovers $9.8mn from Ex-NNPC GMD, Navy Hands over Oil Thieves, Vessels to EFCC

A special operation conducted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 3rd February, 2017 on a building belonging to a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Andrew Yakubu in Kaduna yielded the recovery of a staggering sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seven Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) cash.

The huge cash was hidden in a fire proof safe.

The surprise raid of the facility was sequel to an intelligence which the commission received about suspected proceeds of crime believed to be hidden in the slums of Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna.

On arrival at the facility, the caretaker of the house, one Bitrus Yakubu, a younger brother to Andrew Yakubu, disclosed that both the house and the safe where the money was found belong to his brother, Andrew Yakubu.

When the safe was opened it was discovered that it contained the sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling).

On February 8, 2017, Andrew Yakubu reported to the Commission’s Zonal office in Kano and made statement wherein he admitted ownership of the recovered money, claiming it was gift from unnamed persons. He is currently assisting the investigation.

Wilson Uwujaren

HMP, EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, recently received twelve suspected oil thieves, a vessel MV OMISAN 1 with registered number IMO 7216244, an un-named barge and two wooden boats from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER  Naval Base,  Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for further investigation and prosecution.

While handing over the suspects to the EFCC, Commodore  W. O Kayoda, Commander of NHS PATHFINDER  said that, the suspected oil thieves were arrested on 6 February, 2017  by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER patrol team deployed for Anti-Crude Oil Theft/ Illegal Oil Bunkering operations around Taraba Jetty, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They  were arrested  with  one vessel: MV OMISAN 1 and  one wooden boat. The suspects, who were crew members of MV OMISAN 1 and the wooden boat were arrested in the process of transshipping an estimated 60,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO,  from the wooden boat to MV OMISAN 1.

Similarly, on 7 February 2017, the patrol team intercepted a barge laden with an estimated 100,000 litres of products suspected to be AGO,  and another wooden boat laden with an estimated 60,000 litres of products suspected  to be illegally refined AGO around Isaka axis. However, no suspect was arrested with the seizures made on 7 February, 2017.

The suspects aboard MV OMISAN 1 are:  Captain Benjamio Igiogio; Engineer Samuel Ogunfemi; Jakpa Eyituoyo; Johnson Dudu; Ogunkalu Taiwo; Toju Oko-Otiuroh;  Desmond  Edafe Unuarhe;  Ibiye Ngiania; Sylvanus Ikorawi J; Ayadi Abiola, Chibueze Nwali and Imeh Brown.

The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head Media & Publicity