EFCC arrests Arik Air’s chief pilot

By Okechukwu Nnodim

September 30, 2009 12:52AMT


Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, visited Arik Air’s headquarters in Lagos, halted administrative activities, and arrested the airline’s chief pilot, Victor Egonu.

According to the airline, the EFCC’s visit was on the grounds that the airline is irregular in its tax payments.

The media representative for Arik, Banji Ola, confirmed the arrest. “The anti-graft agency personnel have since left, but have taken away our chief pilot, Captain Victor Egonu,” he said.

He further disclosed that the carrier’s normal operations were affected.

An effort to get the EFCC spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, to comment on the incident was not successful, as his phone was busy at press time.

Arik Air has been in the news lately for its decision to protest the handover of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.

The airline accused Bi-Courtney of wanting to impose a monopoly on the sector, saying the matter was being challenged in court, and all parties were expected to stay action until it was resolved, threatening to halt its services if the federal government failed to reverse the planned handover.

Employees of various aviation unions took to the streets in protest, and the senate aviation committee moved to suspend the action. However, the terminal was handed over by the aviation at about 6.30pm on Saturday, September 19.

Bi-Courtney, on its part, insists that its concession agreement with the federal government gives it rights over all domestic flights in Lagos. “Exclusivity is a feature of any concession contract and not private monopoly. Exclusivity is one of the safeguard to ensure returns for the concessionaire,” it said.

Upon the handover, Arik’s acting managing director, Chris Ndulue, backtracked on the original threat to halt operations, saying the airline had a duty of care to its passengers.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5465442-146/story.csp

Only God sabi when EFCC become FIRS wey dey arrest tax defaulters. Dis kain country sef?

EFCC has lost the plot.

They are quick to arrest small guys while the very big ones walk freely.

Naija!

Arik Air's chief pilot and chief security offficer were arrested yesterday,at the copoerate headquaters of the airline in lagos for allegation of TAX EVASION and MONEY LAUNDERING against the airline.

EFCC Probes Arik over N4.6bn Transfer
•Files fresh charges against Kenny Martins
By Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja, 09.30.2009

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Top officials of Arik Air have come under the searchlight of the Eco-nomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged suspicious transfer of N4.6 billion.
Also, the former Co-ordinator of the defunct Police Equipment Fund (PEF) Kenny Martins and other officials of the agency namely Ibrahim Dumuje, Yero Gella and Nigerstalg Ltd are in fresh hot water as the agency filed an amended nine-count charge against them at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gudu, Abuja.
The EFCC stormed Arik Air head office in Lagos yesterday and arrested the Chief Pilot, Captain Victor Egonu, and the Chief Security Officer, after the Chairman, Sir Arum-emi Johnson, and the Managing Director Chris Ndulue, could not be found.
According to the commission, both men were invited several weeks ago in connection with the transfer of N4.6 billion and they refused to show up. Details of the banks through which the money was wired was not made available at press time.
Head of EFCC Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the chairman of the agency, Mrs. Farida Waziri, recently set up a team to investigate the tax remittances of some big companies to prevent tax evasion and money laundering. Some N3 billion was recovered within three weeks, he said.
The team, Babafemi disclosed, investigated Arik Air and discovered N4.6 billion alleged money laundering transfer. The chairman and the managing director of the company were invited to offer an explanation but they refused to honour the invitation, he stated.
The EFCC spokesman said that all the entreaties by the commission proved abortive in spite of the fact that an officer of EFCC was stationed in Lagos to have a meeting with Johnson and Ndulue.
The last effort the commission made to hold talks with them was last Wednesday. When that effort failed, the agency sent its officials to invade the company’s headquarters for a possible arrest of the two men.
THISDAY also learnt that officers of the commission arrived at Arik Air office at about 11.00 am and left by 4.00 pm. A source said that they went into the main office, hoping to see the chairman, while others surrounded the premises.
When Johnson was nowhere to be found, they moved from office to office, seizing cell phones from workers. Apparently disappointed, they took the chief pilot and chief security officer and left the premises.
“They have been avoiding our invitation and refused all the meetings we invited them to attend. Last Wednesday they failed to meet our officials for a meeting so we moved to their office and arrested their chief pilot and their chief security officer. So lawyers of the airline came and promised to provide the Chairman and the Managing Director of the airline, Babafemi explained.
But the Communications Officer of the Airk Air, Mr. Banji Ola, told THISDAY that officials from the commission visited the company over “claims of purported irregularity in tax remittances”.
“Operatives of the EFCC visited our Lagos head office today (yesterday) over claims of purported irregularity in tax remittances. They have since withdrawn and the airline has continued its normal operations. They took away our Chief Pilot, Captain Victor Egonu,” Ola stated.
Meanwhile, Babafemi has explained that the nine-count charge against Martins, three individuals and a company border on criminal breach of trust, mismanagement, conversion and misuse of public funds totalling N1 billion, N1,283,000,000.00, during their time as co-ordinators of the defunct PEF.
Martins and others were said to have committed the offences contrary to section 97(1) of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Penal Code Act.
When the amended charges were read to the accused, Martins and his co-accused pleaded not guilty.
Chile Okoroma, counsel to EFCC, said the amended charges were based on fresh evidence from witnesses who testified in court in one of the early sittings.
Counsel to the accused, Mike Ozekhome, did not object to the amended charges. He admitted that he had been dully served but that he needed time to study the charges and make his submissions.
He pleaded with the judge to allow the accused persons return home as he had earlier granted them bail which they have never flouted.
“They have always been available in court and they have never failed to attend court meeting,” he argued.
Martins and the other accused were first arraigned by the EFCC for misuse of public fund totalling N800 million. They were granted bail by Justice Abubakar Talba on July 3, 2008 on such conditions as a bank guarantee of N10 million each, two reliable sureties in like sum, and the sureties to deposit a certificate of occupancy of a property within Abuja municipality.
Justice Talba at the end of yesterday’s sitting fixed November 9 for the adoption of the written submission of both the prosecution and defence counsel.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=155828

maybe FIRS sought for thier help cos i dont understand what EFFC now do in this country

they will soon be picking people for fightin on the streets

tkb417:

maybe FIRS sought for thier help cos i dont understand what EFFC now do in this country

they will soon be picking people for fightin on the streets

Abeg ooo don't kill me with laughter ooooo, well if the fighting is linked to anything financial then be expecting them.

tkb417:

maybe FIRS sought for thier help cos i dont understand what EFFC now do in this country

they will soon be picking people for fightin on the streets

my belle don burst . hahahahaha

EFCC and their leader don kolo.anything goes in 9ja. i don tire

pick pple on the street for street fighting abeg my ribs

doesn't that guy launder money for ibori and obasanjo

This is 9ja, anything happens here.

They should arrest and harrash themselves till they would have disagreement . May God make them enemies of each other so that steallig would unattractive and masses can have some life. The suffering in the land is too much.

The Chairman and MD,were both invited for questioning,they declined the invite,why shuldnt EFCC go after them.As long as TAX EVASION and MONEY LAUNDERING is an economic and financial crime,EFCC has the jurisdiction to arrest who ever they please.

I knew there was something fishy about ARIK AIR,with all the fleets of aircrafts they have,within a space of 2years!!!!!over 20 brand new aircrafts(na car dem dey buy?abeggi EFCC carry go)

It appears Farida Waziri has made a complete detour from politicians and public office holders who made Nigeria famous for corruption and now prefers to do battle with the few remaining Nigerian entrepenours. Is this a woman thing?

na chef pilot dey pay taxes for the company

bibiking1:

na chef pilot dey pay taxes for the company

No be chief pilot,but the chief pilot na the Chief technical officer/Chief operting officer for an airline,and unfortunately na him and the CSO be the high ranking officer them see arrest after the MD and Chairman,maybe the chaiman will surface now.

femilangy:

No be chief pilot,but the chief pilot na the Chief technical officer/Chief operting officer for an airline,and unfortunately na him and the CSO be the high ranking officer them see arrest after the MD and Chairman,maybe the chaiman will surface now.

are you sure?
the ex COO of Virgin Nigeria
wasnt the Chief Pilot.

this has to be governments answer to Arik's cry over the shady handover of the
General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bicourtney. Nigeria na MAFIA

@ tkb

U right meant Chief pilot is the Chief Technical Officer.

Only God sabi when EFCC become FIRS wey dey arrest tax defaulters.  Dis kain country sef?

Indeed, when they were arresting the Bank Chief, did anyone SHOUT!!

Problem with us in Nigeria, we dont shout when things START to go wrong!

EFCC would start to arrest tenant for not paying rent SOON.

Only in Nigeria, Our Nigeria!

Naija --- culd this be a case of a fool @ 49?
Unfortunately, the generation to query the statusquo are being un & under schooled

sandee575:

this has to be governments answer to Arik's cry over the shady handover of the
General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bicourtney. Nigeria na MAFIA

Na,i doubt your analogy.

Tax evasion and money laundering has nothing to do with the concession of GAT to bicourtney,thats a diferent matter entirely.

sandee575:

this has to be governments answer to Arik's cry over the shady handover of the
General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bicourtney. Nigeria na MAFIA

Thank you very much for that reminder. An issue that is directly traceable to the office of the AG who was sued by Bicourtney in its bid to takeove GAT while conveniently leaving out FAAN. Needless to say that it was the same AG- Aondoakaa who hounded Ribadu out of office and installed Farida Waziri. Hasnt this country had enough of this AG. I can see his hand already in this.

Re: Efcc Arrests Arik Air’s Chief Pilot
« #17 on: Today at 11:57:51 AM »  

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@ tkb

U right meant Chief pilot is the Chief Technical Officer.

 
Chief Pilot is not exactly the Chief Technical Officer, but his functions, duties and responsibilities
are flight crew related particularly in flight operations concerning the airline pilots. His only contact
with tax is what he pays from his salary.

Pennywise:

Thank you very much for that reminder. An issue that is directly traceable to the office of the AG who was sued by Bicourtney in its bid to takeove GAT while conveniently leaving out FAAN. Needless to say that it was the same AG- Aondoakaa who hounded Ribadu from office and installed Farida Waziri. Hasnt this country had enough of this AG.

Bro are u kidding me?

Ur anaysis aint correlating atall,the AG and bicourtney are on the same side!!!!!!

The FG concessioned GAT to bicoutney,with the AG approval. . . . . . . .or am i missing something?

Enlighten me bro if i am.

Nigerians are realy fools.

EFCC is set up to guide against money laundering, there are laws against whooping massive cash movement etc, if the EFCC noticed this and is doing their job, why are you guys criticising them?

If they do their work, trouble, if they dont do their work, trouble, Nigerians are idiots.

May God save Nigeria

Re: Efcc Arrests Arik Air’s Chief Pilot
« #21 on: Today at 12:09:53 PM »  

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Quote from: sandee575 on Today at 11:56:04 AM
this has to be governments answer to Arik's cry over the shady handover of the
General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bicourtney. Nigeria na MAFIA


Thank you very much for that reminder. An issue that is directly traceable to the office of the AG who was sued by Bicourtney in its bid to takeove GAT while conveniently leaving out FAAN. Needless to say that it was the same AG- Aondoakaa who hounded Ribadu from office and installed Farida Waziri. Hasnt this country had enough of this AG.
EXACTLY[b][/b]

@ sandee575

Copied boss.Thanks for the analysis.

Dis things are all interconnected. If Arik had not protested, it wud not hav been 'DISCOVERED' dat they r 'task evaders', somtin dat may hav been on for months.

How big is the EFCC prison. They are just getting involved in matters except the government arena. They should channel the same energy and zeal to government circus,