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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has accused Rickey Tarfa, a senior Nigerian lawyer, of having a long history of manipulating courts and improperly communicating with judges. The EFCC had, on Tuesday, arraigned Mr. Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, before a Lagos State High Court on a two-count charge of obstruction of justice and

Ibrahim Larmode has been removed as Chairman of Economic and Financial Commission.Those who have been following the trend of events in the anti-graft agency knew it was only a matter of time before President Mohammadu Buhari sacks

  Mike Igbinedion has been convicted following corruption charges levelled against him by the Nigerian anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC). He is the younger brother to convicted former governor of Edo state, Lucky Igbonedion. They are both sons of a Nigerian billionaire,Sir Gabriel Igbinedion.   According to Igbinedion family website, Micheal Igbinedion, a socialite and businessman studied Political Science and Law at Howard University,USA and Warwick University in UK, respectively. He is married.  Gistmaster gathered that Mr.Micheal Igbinedion was convicted  after several adjournment in a law court in Nigeria.

 By Saharareporters Former Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State today entered a guilty plea at his money laundering trial at a Southwark Crown Court in London, the UK. Mr. Ibori’s admission of guilt closed the chapter on arguably the most dramatic judicial and political saga involving a Nigerian public official in recent years.   Today’s development came as a stunning finale to one of the most phenomenal money laundering and fraud cases spanning seven years of an intensive manhunt. That drama ended as the once powerful former governor, who loved to be flattered with his flamboyant nickname of Odidigborigbo of Africa, avoided an exhaustive and revealing trial by deciding to admit to his massive money laundering activities during his two-term run as governor. A source with the Crown Prosecution Services in the UK told SaharaReporters that, with today’s plea, Mr. Ibori faces up to 10 years in a UK prison at his sentencing. The former governor will be senten

Baring any unforseen circumstances, the former governor of Delta State, Nigeria,Chief James Ibori, who is standing trial for corruption and money laundering charges in the United Kingdom would enter into a plea bargain deal with the London Metropolitan Police.  A plea bargain is a situation where the accused his made to forfeits his assets with minimal jail sentence (Just as the case wiith former governor of Edo State,Chief Lucky Igbinedion who forfeited assets and money to the EFCC . He was sentenced to just six months in jail )  Latest news from sources close to Chief Ibori shows that the deal might be finalised this week.  A court of law in UK had earlier sentenced Nkoyo , wife of the ex governor to to 5 years in jail on 22 November 2010. Just recently, a Nigerian businessman and lawyer, Chief Wale Babalakin was interrogated by the EFCC over suspicion in a case that involving Mr. Ibori     

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last week arrested and briefly detained Wale Babalakin, a Lagos-based businessman, on charges of facilitating money laundering by former Governor James Ibori of Delta State. The EFCC detained Mr. Babalakin overnight last Saturday and subsequently granted him administrative bail. A source close to suspect, a lawyer whose company owns the new wing of the Ikeja domestic airport, told SaharaReporters that Mr. Babalakin was “shaken when the EFCC came for him,” adding that the businessman quickly contacted his political sponsors to arrange his “administrative” release. When SaharaReporters called EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, he confirmed that the anti-corruption agency arrested Mr. Babalakin and detained him

 Farida Waziri, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who was relieved of her job yesterday morning by the Nigerian government said she is yet to receive her sack letter.   In a short interview she granted a national newspaper, The Punch, Mrs. Waziri said she heard the announcement of her removal from office on television like every other person.   She told a correspondent that no one has communicated the new development to her in writing. Reasons for her sack? Well, some key players in international financial crime bursting agencies are not contended with the way she has been playing her role in EFCC but that is not to say she has not done anything at all. -Niyi Tabiti

 President Goodluck Jonathan woke Nigerians up with a shocker this morning with the sack of Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) boss Mrs. Farida Waziri. According to announcement made by the government through the president's spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, Waziri was relieved of her job and an acting chairman in the person of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has been appointed acting chairman of the anti-graft agency. Gistmaster gathered that the sack of Waziri and appointment of Lamorde as EFCC acting Chairman takes immediate effect.  Lamorde's profile in efcc started durning the time of former chairman of the commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. He was the director of operations. He was later appointed the acting chairman shortly before the appointment of Mrs. Waziri by the Umaru Yar'Dua's administration in 2008.  Lamorde a police office was tranfered from the EFCC after the appointment of Mrs. Waziri but he was re-appointed director of operations after sometime. Mrs. Waziri was a

[caption id="attachment_5911" align="alignleft" width="353" caption="EFCC CHAIRMAN, Mrs. Farida Waziri"] [/caption] Report by Gistmaster Deji Abiola, one of the sons of late businessman and Politician, Bashorun Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) has been charged before an Ikeja High court for allegedly obtaining money from a businessman without fulfilling the agreement contained in the transaction. The charge against Abiola reads : “Deji Abiola on or about 21st day of May 2008 at Lagos within Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud knowingly and fraudulently converted the sum of N35,550,000 ( thirty five million five hundred and fifty thousand naira ) property of Hamza Babatunde Jose of Irede Property and Investment Company Limited”. The alleged offence is punishable under section 390(8) (b) and (9) of the Criminal Code Law Cap c17 Vol.2 laws of Lagos State 2003 . Gistmaster.com gathered that Deji, who is younger brother to  Kola Abiola, alleg

By Gistmaster.com Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori have finally been extradited to the UK to stand trial on corruption charges. Ibori was arrested in Dubai in the  United Arab Emirate. He was also charged to court while Nigeria's anti-graft agency- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) worked on his extradition to Britain in conjunction  with the Metropolitan Police. Nigeria don't have extradition treaty with UAE but the UK does. Ibori has arrived UK, according to report by Next. Ibori's wife, Theresa, his lawyer,his sister and a lady friend had earlier been convicted in the UK based on charges of money laundering.

[caption id="attachment_4354" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Dominic Essien"] [/caption] By Niyi Tabiti Internet giant, Yahoo! said that her contract with a Nigerian, Mr. Dominic Essien ended last year  without renewal. The statement, which was sent to Gistmaster.com by Yahoo advertising unit followed a story published by gistmaster.com on the investigation and arraignment of Mr. Essien by the Economic and financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over a $2million (US Dollars) alleged fraud by management of MTN, a leading telecommunication company operating in Nigeria. Essien is the chief Executive officer of SEED Media. In the said letter written by Ben Starkie, the Chief Executive of  EMEA Communications, Yahoo! advertising unit, the organization stated  “Dominic Essien’s relationship with Yahoo! came to an end last year. Currently we (Yahoo!) work directly with advertisers and agencies in Nigeria”. Starkie further told gistmaster.com that

By Gistmaster.com   Dominic Essien the Ceo of SEED Media Limited is standing trial at a Lagos High Court based on allegations that he swindled top telecommunications copany, MTN Nigeria of amount close to three hundred Million Naira (About $2 million USD) According to a case brought against the former banker by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Essien allegedly defrauded MTN Nigeria to the tune of N252 million Naira. He was said to have obtained the sum from the telecom company under the pretext that the money represent the cost of purchase and stock of loyality incentives/gifts from TLC marketing worldwide for MTN Nigeria costomers. Essien allegedly  converted the money instead to personal use and gain. Gistmaster.com gathered that Essien's total deal with MTN was N300 Million but he was paid N252 Million as mobilization fee. Essien who was brought before Justice O.A Akinlade this morning (Monday 21 February 2011) pleaded not guilty to the charges made by the anti-g

[caption id="attachment_3637" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="EFCC boss,Mrs. Farida Waziri"] [/caption] By Gistmaster.com A US based Nigerian lawyer accused of pocketing about $1.6 million meant as tax refund to the Nigerian embassy in Washington DC has been arrested. Mr. Femi Babafemi the spokesman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told newsmen today that the lawyer, Ephraim Ugwuonye is facing charges over his role in the deal. Gistmaster.com gathered that the US based big boy was arrested on Saturday 12 February 2011 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, about one year after the EFCC has been on his trail. Ugwuonye allegedly defrauded the embassy to the tune of $1.6 million Dollars ,being the amount the IRS refunded to the Nigerians embassy after properties worth $26 million was sold. Ugwuonye was in charge of the four properties when it was sold.

[caption id="attachment_2853" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Erastus Akingbola"] [/caption] By Gistmaster.com Erastus Akingbola one of the embattled bank chiefs who were expelled by the Central Bank in the wake of new reforms by Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido (the governor of Central Bank) today got a reprive at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. At a previous hearing, Akingbola, the former Vice Chairman and Chief executive officer of Intercontinental Bank PLC had called on the presiding judge to allow him the use of his home located at Ruxon road, Ikoyi. According to him, the house was not listed as part of the  schedule of property listed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) before the court. He therefore told the court through, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) his lawyer that the EFCC should be told to vacate the residence. The court answered Akingbola's prayer today.EFCC has been asked to vacate his multimillion Nair

[caption id="attachment_2853" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Erastus Akingbola"] [/caption] By Gistmaster.com Erastus Akingbola one of the embattled bank chiefs who were expelled by the Central Bank in the wake of new reforms by Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido (the governor of Central Bank) today got a reprive at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. At a previous hearing, Akingbola, the former Vice Chairman and Chief executive officer of Intercontinental Bank PLC had called on the presiding judge to allow him the use of his home located at Ruxon road, Ikoyi. According to him, the house was not listed as part of the  schedule of property listed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) before the court. He therefore told the court through, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) his lawyer that the EFCC should be told to vacate the residence. The court answered Akingbola's prayer today.EFCC has been asked to vacate his multimillion Nair