-Graduates 183 cadets

Adetokunbo Fakeye

London, Jan. 19, 2018 (AltAfrika)-Nigeria anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office has arrested two former staff of a new generation banks for conspiracy, stealing, and illegal diversion of funds.

According to the commission acting spokesman, Samin Amaddin, the suspects: Walter Ekomaye (39) and Ebenezer Adelowo (31) were arrested sequel to a petition from the bank’s Regional Control Compliance Officer and Zonal Control Compliance Officer.

Amaddin stated further that the petitioner alleged that sometimes in December, 2017, Ekomaye  and Adelowo were involved in an illegal withdrawal of funds from two customers unfunded accounts totaling N23million.

It was further alleged that they also withdrew another N17.5million from the bank’s vault, money meant to fund the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the bank, making a total of N40.5million.

Investigation caaried out by the commission revealed that the suspects took advantage of their position as account officers to two of their bank customers to perpetrate their fraud.

It was discovered that part of the money from the fraudulent acts by the suspects were diverted into different accounts for the buying and selling of foreign exchange.

Adelowo, was alleged to have collected the sum of 35,290.200 (Thirty Five Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Two Hundred Naira) from the five  customers of the bank under false pretence.

The suspects,  Amaddin said will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 Meanwhile, the commission Friday graduated 183 cadets of the Detective Inspector Course 4, at the Nigerian Defence Academy Parade Ground, Ribadu Campus, Kaduna with warning that they should show no mercy to any treasury looter.

The colourful passing out parade climaxed 13 months of rigorous training to avail the officers with the necessary skills of law enforcement.

Addressing the officers, the National Security Adviser, NSA, to the president, Maj-General Mohammed Babagana Monguno (Retd), who was also the Receiving Officer, urged the operatives to be determined and patriotic while at EFCC, and also stay fearless and show no mercy to treasury looters.

He said: “As you enter the services of the EFCC, you must fight this war with courage, bravery, professionalism and a dogged spirit of patriotism as well as determination.

“It was the desire to develop these qualities in you that brought you to the Nigerian Defence Academy in the first place.

“You must carry into your carrier in the EFCC, the virtues of love for the fatherland, which was inculcated in you right here.

“You must be fearless fighters who will show no mercy to all those who seek to destroy our dear country through corrupt practices”.

While charging the new operatives to serve with integrity, Monguno warned that “any erring officer would be shown the way out as the present administration has zero tolerance for corruption”.

“With the advent of President Mohammadu Buhari, the leadership of Nigeria has found the political will to fight corruption”, he further said.

The NSA commended the numerous efforts of the EFCC in fighting corruption saying, “under the present administration, your organization has made remarkable strides in the recovery of stolen public assets and made significant progress in the investigation of politically exposed persons”.

He further called on the new operatives not to loose sight of the fact that “EFCC is today, the lead fighter in the war against corruption and economic crimes”.

The NSA congratulated the officers and enjoined the general public to support the EFCC and of course the government in the prosecution of the war against corruption.

The newly graduated operatives comprise of individuals who were picked from across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT through rigorous screening process that featured aptitude test, fitness test and oral interview.

The operatives include 22 females and 161 males.

Four individuals: Trainees O. Okpara, E. W Abili, M. O. Adeyeye and C N. Ekeka were recognized for exceptional performance in all written examinations and practical tests and for high degree of discipline, physical fitness and demonstrable leadership.

Highlights of the event include the silent drill, quick match and different military demonstrations.

Speaking after the event, the Best Overall Cadet, Trainee O. Okpara, said the 13 months training availed him with “so much, including endurance, integrity, patience and courage”, and advised the treasury looters to “get ready for jail because, there will be no hiding place for them”.