The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has recovered 17 exotic vehicles hidden in a warehouse, allegedly belonging to former comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Dikko Inde, in Kaduna State.
The vehicles were seized, yesterday.
The manner of recovery was similar to that of $9.7 million and £74,000 seized from former group managing director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mr Andrew Yakubu.
The two operations were aided by whistle-blowers.
Inde, who resigned last August, was declared wanted but was arrested when he returned to the country over allegations of criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, theft, abuse of office and living above legitimate means.
Specifically, he was accused, then, of diversion of over N40 billion from the NCS coffers, being proceeds of the seven percent cost of collection and one percent comprehensive import supervision scheme, during his six-year tenure as head of Customs.
In a statement from the EFCC, yesterday, the Commission said the recovery was sequel to intelligence received that stolen money and property, suspected to be proceeds of crime, were being stored in the warehouse.
Upon receipt of the intelligence, a team of operatives from its Kano Zonal Office were deployed to investiaget the allegation.
“On arrival at the location, two individuals, who were discovered to be the custodians of the property, Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe, were presented with a search warrant. Upon executing the search warrant, 17 vehicles, including brand new cars, shuttle buses and sports utility vehicles were discovered.
“Consequently, the vehicles and the two individuals, who are now also suspects in the investigation, were conveyed to the Commission’s zonal offices in Kaduna and Kano, respectively, for further investigation which revealed that the warehouse in question actually belongs to the former Customs boss.
“Two suspects arrested are in custody,” said EFCC.
The vehicles are one black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number BAFR7108BC262936; ash colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number MHTC6AD4CU056038; dark blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386; black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080; black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661; black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number WBA3A91040F268895; silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018; black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.
Other are: yellow colour Toyota FJ Jeep, 2007 model with chassis number JTEZU11F68K001301; black Toyota Avensis, 2013 model with chassis number SBIBL76L20E037245; dark ash colour KIA Cadenza, 2011 model with chassis number KNALN414BC5093288; silver colour Porsche Cayene, 2009 model with chassis number WPIZZZ9PZ9LA12738; golden colour Honda Accord, 2013 model with chassis number IHGCR2634DA620609.
The other vehicles include a white colour Nissan Urban bus, 2006 model JNITF4E25Z0715833; white colour Nissan Urban bus, 1996 model with chassis number JTFJXO29P60502399; white Toyota Hiace bus, 2010 model with chassis number JTGJXO2P4B5020268 and a white Nissan bus, 2009 model with chassis number JNITA4E250011697.
Source – The Sun
