Money Laundering: Obasanjo’s Assistant has a Case to Answer

On November 8, 2006 / By Imnakoya / In Corruption, Governance, Nigeria

The Sahara Reporters, an independent Nigerian news website, has five documents (source: Oregon District Court) listed on its site that ~~suggest~~ show Emmanuel Andy Uba (pictured), a senior special assistant to Nigerian President Obasanjo, ~~may be~~ was involved in some money laundering activities in the United States sometime in 2003.

Nigerian government response

The Office of the President has dismissed the allegation as “lacking substance” stating the documents are from a “tendentious source.” In a similar manner, the Nigerian [tag]Economic and Financial Crimes Commission[/tag] (EFCC) seems not interested in investigating the case, stating it will investigate if American authorities send a formal notification to the agency.

My findings

Yes, I did what the Nigerian government and the [tag]EFCC[/tag] wouldn’t do: research the allegations.

I called up my buddy “Joe Big-Guts”, a US attorney and searched the LexisNexis, an online database of public records. Here is the court docket of Emmanuel Uba’s case at US District Court of Oregon (pdf) that corroborates the documents provided by [tag]Sahara Reporters[/tag].

Judge Malcom F Marsh of the US District Court of Oregon did attend to the case involving Emmanuel Uba and Loretta Mabinton (Defendants) and the United States Custom and Border Patrol (Plaintiff), just as stated on the documents provided by Sahara Reporters.
Emmanuel Uba smuggled some $170,000 (USD) into the United States while travelling on a presidential plane sometime in ~~2007~~. 2003.
Acting through his girl friend (Loretta), Uba used this money to purchase a Mercedes Benz SL 500 sedan and some tools for a farm owned by the president in Nigeria. The vehicle was later impounded by the US customs.
Earlier this year, Uba’s Lawyer arranged some settlement agreement with the court.

Conclusions

The information provided by Sahara Reporters is far from being tendentious as the presidency claims. The statement of the presidency is nothing but an attempt to cover-up fraud.

The statement credited to the EFCC Chief, Ribadu, that the agency will not investigate until it receives formal invitation from the US government, is a clever way of avoiding to investigate an ally of the president.

The facts have clearly shown that Uba, as a serving senior assitant to the president, (he is also a gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra state), intentionally contravened the laws of a sovereign nation by not declaring this money to the authorities at the point of entry, as he should and the US law demands.

This is [tag]money laundering[/tag]; a criminal act. This is unethical, a betrayal of trust and misuse of power that warrants immediate investigation.

For the EFCC Chief to state that “there is no record in the report that the money in question belongs to the Nigerian government,” is contrary to the mission statement of the agency he heads. The last time I checked, the EFCC mission is to discourage ill-gotten wealth by identifying and confiscating such wealth, and prosecuting offenders, and also “contribute to global war against financial crimes.”

If the source of Emmnuel Uba’s money is legit, he would have used the proper channels to remit his funds overseas. But he did not, and this is a red flag in my book.

Emmanuel Uba should be relieved of his post as a senior assitant to the president immediately (I heard from the grapevine he may have resigned). He should be investigated, and charged as appropriate. Anything short of this is a direct confirmation that the EFCC is not sincere in fighting corruption, biased, and simply a witch-hunting tool of President.

12 Responses to “Money Laundering: Obasanjo’s Assistant has a Case to Answer”

I think I heard on the radio this morning that Uba has tendered his resignation.

Talk about selective justice.

By Anthony Arojojoye
November 8, 2006 at 1:31 pm
The Uba money laundering charge is a litmus test for the EFCC. So far the presidency has done a good job damage-controlling the scandal, and the Nigerian main stream media seem to have dropped the ball on the case as well. I expected more from them. How are people reacting to the story in Nigeria, do you know Tony?

By Imnakoya
November 8, 2006 at 7:06 pm
[...] Grandiose Parlor confirms allegation of money laundering by a senior special assistant to the Nigerian president: Yes, I did what the Nigerian government and the EFCC wouldnâ€™t do: research the allegations. I called up my buddy â€œJoe Big-Gutsâ€, a US attorney and searched the LexisNexis, an online database of public records. Here is the court docket of Emmanuel Ubaâ€™s case at US District Court of Oregon (pdf) that corroborates the documents provided by Sahara Reporters. Ndesanjo Macha [...]

By Global Voices Online » Blog Archive » Nigeria: money laundering
November 9, 2006 at 10:41 am
You can get a “Benz” convertable coupe for way under $170,000.00 in Oregon and all along the U.S. West coast. All you have to do is go down to the DEA & Police Auction for confiscated loot and property taken away from drug dealers and put in a decent bid.

It’s that farm equipment purchase that’s got me worried. Obasanjo has a farm in Oregon? I think that he will get off with a light slap on the wrist and a small fine by the federal court in Oregon on this one.

This statement can’t be correct unless Emmanuel Uba was travelling in a time machine:

Emmanuel Uba smuggled some $170,000 (USD) into the United States while travelling on a presidential plane sometime in 2007

The farm equipment were shipped to Obsanjo’s farm in Nigeria. I meant to write 2003, not 2007. Thanks.- Imnakoya

By Black River Eagle
November 10, 2006 at 7:57 am
BRE: “I think that he will get off with a light slap on the wrist and a small fine by the federal court in Oregon on this one.”

Uba did get off witha slap on the wrist. A civil case was filed against him in Oregon and he has settled the matter after paying $27,000 in fine. However, what Uba did is criminal under Nigerian laws, even if the amount of cash in question is just a couple of thousands of dollars.

What pissed me off and several others is the manner the presidency and EFCC have gone about the case, saying “it lacks substance”. For Ribadu (EFCC boss) to say he has to wait on some US agency before he can investigate is unbelievably lame. I have been waiting for Ribadu to do something that will convince the people of Nigeria that he is straight and unbiased. His statement and attitude regarding Andygate (Uba) did just that; Ribadu is a puppet of the president and shouldn’t be trusted. He is a joke!

By imnakoya
November 10, 2006 at 3:06 pm
It may be that many Nigerians think that the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and its director Mr. Ribadu are a joke, but I know at least two people in Nigeria today who don’t feel that Ribadu is all that funny. Namely the two Nigerian ex-governors who are presently “on the run” from EFCC security forces and the national police. Here is the lowdown from the BBC News as of this morning CET:

Nigerian ex-governors on the run
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6146084.stm

I told you… follow the doggone money. Get the posse out and hunt ‘em down. $400 billion is a lot of money!

If there is anyone that should be impeached, that person is Dariye. However, given the manner he was impeached - about a third of the legislators voted against him - I wonder if this is proper. Besides, he has less than 6 months in office and having served 2 terms, he will lose the immunity provision accorded him by the constitution. So why not wait and get him then? Now he has gone underground, and may have found his way out of the country. I must say I’m not impressed.

It’s good to follow the money trail, BRE. The $400 billion you mentioned was stolen before EFCC came to being, but so far the EFCC hasn’t being able to nap anyone. OfÂ thoseÂ indictedÂ Â since its inception,Â its only the police boss that has been convicted, and he’s already served his 6 months Â sentence. -Imnakoya

By Black River Eagle
November 14, 2006 at 8:16 am
What annoys me about this president is that he is a pharisaic hypocrite. A man who came in with so much goodwill and squandered all. The president is corrupt and Nuhu Ribadu is just a guard dog doing the presidents bidding. THE WATCHWARD IN NIGERIA IS DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT IN THE BAD BOOKS OF OBASANJO. Obasanjo is a clever thief like the mafia. Who uses his aides to siphon governemt money ( AS THE CASE WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR DARIYE). if Uba had insulted Obasanjo the EFCC would have been after him. This president that was retired soldier, how did he make his stupendous wealth? He must be probed after service. That is why we must struggle to make sure his cohorts like Banbangida, Akhigbe all military pretenders planning to come back to power fail. It is only then that the fight against corruption can commence

By ANDREW UGBURO
November 14, 2006 at 8:17 am
Another bad news from home. You know, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, its most definitely a duck. In this case, i hope the President can indeed show that no one is above the law. After all we profess a democracy.

By M.Helen
November 14, 2006 at 1:50 pm
[...] Still onÂ Andygate: the Emmanuel Uba money laundry case. The President has confirmed that his farm did receive some ‘unsolicited gift’ from his former Special Assitant. The president via his lawyer, Kunle Fagbenle, says that attempts to link him (the president) to the Uba affair was an attempt to tarnish his name. [...]

By Grandiose Parlor » Blog Archive » Emmanuel Andy Uba: It’s All About Ethics
November 14, 2006 at 2:30 pm
As you know, any attempts at discrediting or tarnishing Mr. President’s image is not really given much energy and support for three reasons;
1. Everybody is focusing on 2007 and how IBB will be stopped or encouraged to get there.
2. Impeachment proceedings on some state governors are closely watched and appropriate heat is applied from every plaform.
3. No media house wants to acquire the wrath of OBJ (remember the presidential jet imbroglio) by escalating something confirmed to be shady. It’s no news that OBJ always comes after news houses. And if the newshouses don’t pep the issue up, the citizens mouthing it will not be able to form a quorum.

By Anthony Arojojoye
November 14, 2006 at 4:40 pm
[...] Uba, was a former Assistant to FORMER president Obasanjo. Last November, this blog highlighted the controversial civil case filed against him by the authorities of the United States on allegation of money laundering. Of course I’m elated about this development, it’s a blast of invigorating fresh air…there is just too much offensive gas around following the April election mess. [...]

By Grandiose Parlor » Blog Archive » Uba, Nigerian Newly-Elected Governor Fired by the Supreme Court!
June 14, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Ex President obasanjo can only flex muscles if allowed. I mean if Nigeria wants to silence him , investigate him and bring him and his aides, cohorts and associates to book, it can be done… all depends on how and why Yaradua the new president decides to handle things. One thing is clear, if he Yaradua gets it wrong form the beginning, and dilly dally not showing any strength of Character, then we still have a long long time to spend in the doldrums and we would keep moving from frying pan to fire. Hope this wont be the case. Yaradua should stop believing Babayabo got him into power. If he really believes he is what he is now through the grace of God, then he should through this grace see to it that the right thing is done, first by arresting Ehindero while the investigation is on for fraud, and allowign uba, OBJ, and co to be investigated without prejudice.

By omotaylor
June 15, 2007 at 10:31 am

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