EFCC BOSS

Pastor Drags EFCC To Court.

In a bid to forestall further arrest by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a Lagos pastor, John Asoki, who also claimed to be a businessman, has dragged the anti-graft agency before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Also joined as co-respondents are two officials of EFCC, Nurudeen Bello and one Edwin as well as another Lagos pastor, Iyke Onyekwuluye.
In an affidavit in support of his fundamental right enforcement suit sworn to and filed before the court, he averred that sometimes in 2007, he was introduced to the business of supply of petroleum products but had no financial base to pursue the business and consequently, Pastor Onyekwuluye volunteered to solely finance it.
According to him, Onyekwuluye and two other persons, Lucky Apatamini and the brother of the applicant, Emmanuel Asoki, entered into an agreement that the proceeds from the supply shall be shared among them and thereafter, Pastor Onyekwuluye provided N2 million as payment for a barge to be used to transport the product from Warri to Lagos.
The N2 million naira, he said, was later allegedly paid to one Captain John to enable him pay for the rent of the barge.
However, Pastor Asoki averred further that due to unforeseen circumstances, the product was not supplied and consequently, Onyekwuluye demanded the refund of N4 million being the money paid for the hiring of the vessel after which he petitioned the EFCC, upon which the anti-graft agency arrested him and ordered him to refund the N4 million and has so far paid N520,000 to Pastor Onyekwuluye.
The applicant is now urging the court to restrain the EFCC from further arresting or detaining him.
In a counter affidavit sworn to by Nurudeen Bello, an investigating officer of the EFCC, averred that the commission acted on the petition written by Pastor Onyekwuluye, alleging inter alia, that sometimes in October 2007, John Asoki lured him into a transaction of oil business and collected N4 million with the understanding that he will supply oil and gas to his customers, but all efforts made to recover the oil purchased or the money given to him was to no avail.
Bello averred further that EFCC commenced investigation into the case and so far, investigation has revealed that the applicant, in this case, obtained N4 million fraudulently from Pastor Onyekwuluye under the guise of supplying oil to him. Investigation further revealed that the applicant floated a company known as Karina Integrated Services Limited to perpetrate the fraud.
Contrary to the applicant’s claim, there was no allocation, bill or document from any company on the oil for the existence of the fraudulent transaction which he led Pastor Onyekwuluye into.
Pastor Asoki was alleged to have refunded N240,000 out of N4 million, leaving a balance of N3.760 and that he was not harassed or detained as he was granted bail, while there is likelihood of preferring a charge of obtaining money by false pretence against him as soon as possible.
The respondent then urged the court to refuse Pastor Asoki’s application.
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako has adjourned till 19 October for further hearing.