EFCC Repels Claims of ‘Shielding Jesam Michael’ Who Allegedly Swindled 50, 000 Investors in a Trans-national Ponzi Scheme

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dismissed report of compromise in the handling of alleged fraud case involving one Jasam Michael.

In a statement released on Wednesday, EFCC said that the “sensational story carried by Sahara Reporters and entitled: “EFCC Prosecutor Steps Down Amid Pressure To Compromise High-Profile Fraud Case Against International Fraudster Jesam Michael”, is, to say the least, totally fabricated, unprofessional and in bad taste”.

The agency claimed that as an anti-corruption agency, it places high premium on the integrity of its operations and workforce.

One of its prosecutors, Geraldine Ofulue who was part of the team handling the case of Jesam Michael, CEO of Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited, had cause to resign her appointment with the Commission recently.

According to EFCC, to avoid vacuum and ensure diligent prosecution of the case, another prosecutor, Emenike Mgbemele who is also a call mate to Ofulue was assigned the continuation of prosecution of the case accordingly.

“As a prosecutor, Ofulue handled Michael’s case with a fine tooth comb. Working under the guidance and tutelage of her uncompromising supervisors, she followed every process filed (together with her team) before the court diligently, with no pressure or compromise of any form. She presented nine witnesses and several exhibits admitted by the court.

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“The succeeding prosecutor, Mgbemele barely took off from where she stopped, taking every development in the case in its stride. So far, the only matter that came up in which Mgbemele appeared was in relation to the 1st defendant’s 4th application for bail which he opposed in line with the position of the Commission. He relied on the same processes filed by Ofulue in vehemently opposing the said 4th application for bail by the 1st defendant, Jesam.

“It is noteworthy that Ofulue had filed the counter -affidavit and written submissions in opposition to Jesam’s 4th bail application before her voluntary exit from the Commission for other engagements. Mgbemele neither added nor subtracted anything from what Ofulue filed except to adopt the processes in court, argue the case and urged the court to refuse bail to Jesam as he was considered to be a flight risk. There was no basis for insinuation or blackmail in this matter.

“The EFCC, therefore, finds claims of “Prosecutor Steps Down Amid Pressure To Compromise High-Profile Fraud Case Against International Fraudster Jesam Michael”, preposterous and irresponsible. The question is: who was pressuring Ofulue in this matter? Why will an officer’s resignation from the EFCC to pursue other engagements be construed as ” stepping down”? What Mgbemele did was exactly what Ofulue would have done in the circumstances.

“Michael and his firm, Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) Limited, defrauded more than 50, 000 investors in a trans- national ponzi scheme of disturbing proportion. The Commission’s efforts to bring him to book and break all his shenanigans should be applauded by all well- meaning news portal. While the EFCC will not be deterred in the pursuit of its mandate, it will not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against any entity, organisation or individual employing blackmail and deliberate misrepresentation to attack it or any of its officer”.